Hi All,


I have a 2000 sq foot driveway... Of which 80 long by 12 wide rises up to the road a total height of 13 feet / over the 80 feet distance. I have no problems being able to dump the snow where I want it..

I am looking at the Ariens Pro28 ($1999) or the Simplicity P1728E ( $2169 w/$150 rebate) snowblowers

Both are very comparable machines but the biggest advantage of the Ariens is the B&S 420cc / 21 ft-lb engine compared to Simplicities 342cc/ 16.5 fl-lb engine. The Ariens has bigger auger 16" vs 14" and bigger impellers 14" vs 12" and higher intake 23.5" vs 21"

Any thoughts to help me out? I am liking the Ariens to be honest - but am curious what others might have experience with.

-CS-

 

I've used and my parents continue to use an Ariens 8 hp. I've found the 8 hp is just enough to move some slush mixed in with snow. If you have a lot of wet snow and slush I recommend a 10 hp+ engine. I have a Toro 11 hp with a 28" chute and it throws everything. So, I always recommend at least an 8 hp. Not sure how the numbers you've posted relate to horsepower so I have to go with the way I rate snowblowers.

 

I used to own an old school Ariens ST824 when I had an apartment as the landlord was a cheap SOB. It was a great blower - but back then the driveway was a 1/3 of the size of my current one. I have maintained 2 of my buddies Simplicity blowers - both of them are older models one is a 7/22 and the other a 8/24. Both are good machines.

I wound up going today and looking at both of them side by side. I decided that I am going to go with the Ariens, overall it is a better value and we all know that a bigger engine is ALWAYS better!

Funny thing even the Sales guy was pushing the Ariens (they must make more money on the Ariens).