I have a friend of mine that had the cub cadet. After numerous times of not being able to get through hard packed snow and then having to use my Ariens, he decided to sell his and pick up and Ariens. They are far superior machines.
I have a 10 year old 11hp 30” arens. I take care of the engine when I store it. Change the oil yearly. I put stabilizer in the gas. I use carb cleaner once or twice per season. It Starts every single time. Never had a problem with it. Long driveway uphill… The snowblower is Old Faithful, it never fails. The most I have blown is 18 inches of snow here in New Hampshire. In low gear it handled it fine. Your every day 5 - 8 inches of snow are never a problem whether it is heavy and wet or light and fluffy. Most reliable machine ever.
Bought this for my small back deck in the Eastern Sierra. ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxoHYZbq5g9fkcAtinlTqstNlje-UQkCHN We get A LOT of HEAVY snow so I was a bit skeptical but it was worth it! After the first storm of the year this has exceeded expectations! It throws snow very well, even 10-12” + that said the more it piles up the harder it is to maneuver the machine. It is exceptionally light weight and overall exactly what I was looking for. If you have a large amount of snow and a lot of area to clear, you may consider something with a drive engine to help maneuverability, but for decks, second stories, roofs etc, you can’t beat the light weight to great snow throwing ratio. Side note, the chute rotator is a bit flimsy and it initially didn’t seem to work, after a few uses it seems to have loosened up.
My Ariens has been so reliable I'm keeping it. Inexpensive to maintain too. I bought it in May for $599, normally $1199. That was 10 years ago. It was my 3rd snowblower. There are cheaper snowblowers but Ariens offers the best value IMO.
Everybody's got their thing what they like.. I feel the same way you do about Toro. I think they make the best machines and they're the most innovative.. they were actually the first company in 1951 to make the first stand walk behind snowblower. They're always innovating trying to make things better. My Toro has never clogged never never once with their anti-clogging system. And because it throws the snow back out again to break it up twice It actually makes the snow a little bit easier and lighter to throw which puts less stress on the machine.. there are no share pin technology is unbelievable ( I've seen it firsthand by an accident bumping into a car rim under the snow I didn't know was there The machine stopped instantly just as advertised and I just backed up turn the machine back on kept going. Ingenious!! Then of course there are quick stick is the best most innovative shoe control there has ever been!! So easy, so quick no issues.. Some people say that Ariens is better made because it uses thicker metal and stuff like that.. This is not the case.. although Toro's is thinner metal they actually use a stronger type of metal to get away with that which resists corrosion and rust just as good as any Ariens while making the machine lighter.. again more. Innovative. Simple to use. Not knocking Ariens just saying Toro's just as good just as reliable but has more innovation in it. Yes they're going to be people out there that say I had a bad experience with Toro didn't last as much blah blah blah.. You can also find people that will see the same things about Ariens.. This is normal cuz not every machine is built perfectly some have issues It's the nature of production.. Happy snow blowing cheers...
Toros snowblowers are made in Mexico now and are sold untested. When blowing snow to the right side, it gets under my plastic belt cover and falls in and gets on my drive pulley and I lose all forward and reverse gears until it dries out. If they would have tested the machine in snow before selling it they would have seen it right away….
We live in to Colorado mountains so periodically get deep snow (2+ feet) and need a snowthrower to move it. We got an Ariens 24 inch with track drive since our area isn't flat. It is way more powerful and serious than the ones in this video. So after being impressed by our Ariens I was looking on craigslist during the summer and saw a guy selling an Ariens cheap. So I went over to his house and he told me hadn't used it in years and his wife said to get rid of it before she gets back from vacation. I bought it for $10 and took it home (sale also included an empty gas grill canister he didn't need). It is like the Ariens in this video, but as my research discovered it was made in the late 1980s. I got home and it started on the first pull (which it always does). So I replaced the oil, gas, spark plug, and the short fuel line. You can still get parts from Ariens for this old piece of equipment. I keep it on our deck (the track snowthrower is way too heavy to lift) and use it when we get too much deck snow to shovel. From this experience I have concluded that if a company can make a gasoline powered device and it still works well after more than 30 years, then that is the company to buy from because even if it costs more to purchase, over time it will cost a lot less.
Have an early '70s 8 HP 36" Ariens. Still going strong: New Snow Hog tires, new main auger bearing, oil change every spring (30 WT), impeller enhancement (using pickup box liner material), numerous shear bolts, some new belts, run the carb dry each spring/fresh gas in fall for first use, new pull starter rope as needed, replace gear box lube every couple of years, using it in Mn in 2020. That'd be about 50 years with original Techumseth 8 HP that's never been opened up. Throws snow with the best of them, starts great with pull starter.
Got a 2005 Craftsman snowblower, purchased from Sears.... Still working today, first pull starts every time. Everyone of my neighbour's have new machines and nothing but issues. Change oil annually and had to clean the carb once.
I have owned an Ariens snow thrower for 15 years. Same machine and it still operates like new (looks like new as well). Easy to start (electric start) and durable. I live in northern Michigan and we get plenty of snow. Based on my experience with the products, I would buy an Ariens again if the ne I have ever dies.
I just purchased the 3 stage Cub Cadet after a 14 inch snowfall we recently had. I've had an 28 inch 8hp MTD snowblower for over 20 years. Having said that the Cub Cadet was a beast at moving the snow. This is my first experience with Cub Cadet and I was impressed with their snowblower.
I'm thinking of getting the 1. Cub Cadet 2x 28" w/272cc engine (OR) 2. Cub Cadet 3x 28" w/357cc engine for $100 more. They both have the bigger wheels, and same features except Auger Type(2x vs 3x) and Engine Size(272 vs 357) are different. Do you guys have any recommendations? I'm also wondering about shear pins breaking too much on the 3x auger type, although I heard they now make special shear pins for the 3x models that don't break as easy. Thanks! 😎
I bought a house out here in the Rocky Mountains and set at 5200 ft a.s.l.. My 1st winter here I went to shovel the heavy wet snow and threw the shovel away! I said to myself I’m not into this heavy laboring at my age. So, I went on line and did some research on good snowblowers. I really liked the reviews on this 3 stage Cub Cadet and the night I brought it home the snow was super wet and heavy. It started up with the 2nd pull and took off running throwing the wet snow/slush half way into my front yard ! My neighbors up here heard the noise and were looking out their windows and couldn’t believe what they were seeing. This beast has a 357 cc engine and for the last 3 years hasn’t even thought of letting me or the other neighbors I do down! I love this machine and it Never been in the shop for anything!
I've got a 2002 10hp Ariens, in Maine. After all these years it's still going strong. Plugs and oil and a couple of carb cleanouts. That's it. I did purchase one of the professional ones with the cast iron gearbox. On another note. The previous snowblower in the family was a 10hp Snow King. I doubt if they're made any longer. Purchased when I was 6 yrs old. Tossed away when I was 55 yrs old. Amazing machine. It would start after being left outside, completely buried in a snowstorm. You'd reach in with one hand, prime it and pull the cord through the hole in the snow and it would be running inside a snowbank.
Nice. Southern Maine here. I am retiring my 1974 this year. Received it for free after helping with cleaning out a house. Gears were grenaded. I replaced them and some other parts from ebay. Ran fine for years but eventually the motor threw a rod. Found a 90s tecumseh snow king engine for $100. Direct bolt on although I had to sleeve the pulley. It has been running good, but she's tired. I recently bought a platnium 28" rapidtrak, but the way its going we may see little snow this season!
Same here! I purchased the Ariens 1024 "Contractor's Model" with the 10hp Sno-King Tecumseh engine in the winter of 2002. Linkage/belt adjustments, two oil changes, a grease job or two, one new spark plug (this year) and a new carb (3yrs ago) are all I've done to it. Starts on the first or second pull and has never failed me.
@@WHJeffB I've got some carb issues too. Mine will hunt sometimes. If I run it half choked it runs good. May have to replace the carb at some point but so far not needed. I have cleaned it a couple of times and a bit of fuel injector cleaner will straighten it out for awhile.
@@CraftsmanontheLake Yeah, I had the same problem with mine, and the same solution to it (partial choke). I just installed a new carb on the recommendation of a co-worker that does small engine repair on the side. Solved the problem and it's been running surge-free for the last 3yrs. Easy to do and I think the carb was pretty inexpensive.
I have a 24 yr old Dynamark Plus snowblower, 8/26 with a Tecumseh Snow King engine, best and only machine I've ever had, starts so easily, runs well, easy to maintain. It was the best $899 I ever spent 24 yrs ago, I'm in Guelph, Ont, CANADA.
Using my father in law's 1965 4 hp Tecumseh powered Ariens. Works fine if the snow is dry. Not so much if wet. Each time I use, I shut off the gas and run the carb dry, not knowing if/when I'll use it next. I credit that with starting first pull every time. First time each year, I drizzle some gas into the spark plug hole first. Also recently bought a Deluxe 28, for the wet stuff, since my shovelers are gone. Not as east to use as the old one, so only use it for the wet stuff.
Thank you for this video. I was hoping to see the auger speeds to compare with mine I just bought. I bought a 3x 28" Cub Cadet and I'm super anxious to get out on the snow. I upgraded from a 2x 24" and at the end you pointed out how the Ariens kept wanting to rise up, yeah my 2x did that a lot and I hated it. I'm sooo happy to see the 3x should start more grounded because it has that massive auger in the middle. You had mentioned you weren't sure why the Ariens didn't have a 3x. That's because Cub Cadet is the only brand with 3x because they patented it. Again, thank you for the video and your TEA (Time, Energy and Attention), to make and share this video.
@@speedster9622 From my understanding, it's from the rotation direction of the blades. They rotate in the manner that if you hit any solid snow and such, you can only go so far before it starts angling up. No matter how much pressure you try to put on the front to drive it starting on the ground, it'll just keep rising. I know this from experience of clearing snow for my currents with my then 2x Cub Cadet. I'm super anxious for the snow to start and keep coming now that I have my now, 3x Cub Cadet. I'm not sure my back could've taken anymore years doing this without upgrading in some form and I'm blessed that I was able to upgrade so nicely.
When we get a wet snow... I am the only one who has the Cub Cadet.. the exact one you have... the entire lock with there single stage blower counts on me to use my 3 stage to clear to bottom of driveways 9 20 HOUSES.. IT IS A 2018 MODEL... i NEVER DRAIN FUEL OVER SUMMER... i WAS UP AT 6AM CLEANING OUT JETS IN CARB.. TOOK 4 HOURS, BUT BACK TO FULL POWER.. jUST WISH IT WAS NOT -2 DEGREES OUTSIDE WHEN i HAD TO TO TAKE IT ALL APART. i LOVE THAT MACHINE.. WHEN i FIRST BOUGHT IT, I COULD NOT USE IT.. IT THE BELT EVERYTIME I STARTED IT.. THEY SENT A NEW ONE EVERY 3 DAYS... 4TH ONE WAS THE CHARM... It throws snow from my sidewalwalk, across the street, over easement onto peoples lawn across the street ! amazing power. (. hint. Remove idle screw, lift out idle mixtrture plug and drill out copper insert on bottom of it.. a well know trick to give it max power and prevents surging ! A 15 min process. Forget just drilling small hole as suggested.. just drill thru it.. you can leave it in.. but make the hole as big as possible !!! I actually have a Cub Cadet Dealer 16 min from my house.
I have a 2019 Ariens 28 inch Deluxe with a 306 AX engine and it throws wet snow around like a boss. It has Auto turn technology and once adjusted correctly it is a joy to use. I have 3 ruptured discs and I even do my neighbor's driveway when he's out of town for no charge .
I love the three stage blowers. From a service point of view. I'm a small engine mechanic, and I have a lot of overjoyed mechanically challenged customers, arranging to get their 200 pound snowblower to my shop so I can replace the shear pins on the central auger, and then arranging to get the same 200 pound snowblower home, after paying the repair bill. There great. Cha Ching. Don't get me wrong the technology does work, but it take more horse power to run the central auger. More hp = more fuel. Interesting note though, my local big box mega store was chin deep last year with three stage snowblowers, this year it's all two stage snowblowers with the exception of one products line. 🤔
3-Stage is mostly hype, when you really look at it there really is no 3rd stage, they just turned the auger in the middle to prevent clogging, they could have just designed an ACS like Toro did or just use a larger impeller like Ariens… all this 3x stuff and the auger and impeller are only 12”. Get a 14” like on the Ariens Deluxe, Platinum or Professional and you get the toughest snow cleared in no time.
I found a 24"x6"x.5" piece of steel that weighed about 20lbs. Painted and bolted underneath the front opening of my Ariens. Game changer! Set the proper speed and it does the rest. No more climbing up on the packed snow.
I always had the impression that the Canadians prefered the Ariens snow throwers, over the other brands, because they are built for those long winters north of the Great Lakes. I live in Northern Kentucky. I'm lucky if get to use my Cub Cadet 24" two-stage snow-thrower more than twice a winter. This cheaper product works for me. I bought it in 2008. It's till working good. I just changed the engine oil.
The center of gravity is different on these two machines. Ariens has their axle balanced in the weight center of the machine. Whereas the Cub Cadet has their axle slightly to the rear of center thus making the front end heavier. It is completely personal preference which machine you feel more comfortable with. Ariens balance and manuverability vs a heavier more cumbersome front end. They both have their advantages depending on the type of snow and the owners willingness to wrestle the front end. A very simple way to keep the Ariens front end down under heavy load is to slow your speed and gently lift the handles up, thus pushing the front down.
Interesting. The Ariens was throwing more snow, further than the Club Cadet. With a larger "bite" it should do the job in less time so I was surprised by your conclusion. The Ariens engine sounded like it had more torque than the Club Cadet too, but that's just based on the exhaust note under load. The best machine I ever owned was a 2 stage Simplicity. All Steel, no frills and no storm ever stopped it - wet or dry snow. Good video.
I like my 2003 Simplicity with the channel arms and 305cc Intek engine. They made different stickers for the 9,10,11 and 12 HP models, but it was cheaper to use all the same 12HP Briggs and Stratton Intek on all of them, so that's what happened. Great machine. BTW Briggs and Stratton bought out Simplicity after Simplicity bought out Snapper, I'm not overly impressed with the latest offerings, but maybe I'm just annoyed they ditched the channel arms.
@@nunyabusiness5075 They didn't ditch the channeled handlebars. Still there on the Signature Pros. They did go to electric chute controls though, which I don't like.
I purchased 4 SnowTek 24 inch (made by ariens) blowers for my company 2 years ago and those throw snow farther and go faster than both of those it seems. Anything beats shoveling!!
I think each machine had its own limit ad long as you use it accordingly , it should perform well. I m having some problem with the 3 stage belt drive system .it tends to burn and break easily. The motor power didn't match with rest . Cub should upgrade their drive system consistently with motor. Have fun in the snow and happy holiday cheers..
Ariens has an electronic fuel injection model that just plain won't bog down in a snow drift. As a small engine tech I was skeptical but seeing it in action made me a believer.
Kept my CC for one year and sold it and got an Ariens. The CC is made (you know where) and the Ariens is made in the USA. The Ariens is the best, by far. They can last 30 plus years. It does the job of removing snow year after year.
First year with a Honda 13HP-32". Had a 10HP- 28" Ariens for years. I have a long uphill driveway. The Honda is an absolute beast and a pleasure to use. I'd compare it to anything out there.
I have an Arien's 8/24 used on a 100 feet drive on the north east used for 22yrs still clearing lots of snow including the hard ice pack at the end of the drive way
Way back in the day, my Pops had a 12HP single stage! Hi speed monster auger! He put a hardened bolt in place of the “cheap” shear bolt because it broke too often😄. Thing would throw rocks through windshields and eat Sunday newspapers with ease!
I didn’t know the Aryan nation made snow blowers. Lol I have to find a cub cadet dealer!!! I’ve had a two stage for about 25 years I’m done fighting that thing!!! The three stage is definitely the way to go my biggest problem area is where the snow stacks up from the snow plow at the end of the driveway!!! Thanks video
In our market H Depot has been selling a 250 CC /8hp version of that Ariens 28 and I love it ! Any machine under 13hp is going to bog down on that snow plow gift at driveways end, the rest is easy for that Ariens. Example being our 40 inch 1 day state record that only front end loaders could move. After 4 days of being trapped I cut an 800 foot path to the secondary road just wide enough for one vehicle (including fire rescue) needed belts afterward but otherwise no problem ....40" of plow slop is going to beat up any non commercial grade machine and not just belts. The Cub 3 stage is a gimmick IMO with more sh-t to break !
Got myself a Snapper with a 250cc Briggs and Stratton and it does just fine on the end of the driveway with the heavy snow the plow throws. We get maybe 3 feet a year, but it makes life way easier. Second choice was the Airens, but it was more expensive with similar features.. So the Briggs got my business and it's amazing.
If you bring up your kids to respect you and teach them that there are consequences for not listening to you, running machinery is not problem. My best guess is that your kid(s) are undisciplined spoiled brat(s). At least that is my opinion.
@@tomrum42 Everybody has an opinion and that is the way it should be ! All my children are into their forties and they all knew how to respect any and all machines, they all know trucks and tractors and boats etc. and yet no child should ever be left unattended with any operating machine nearby....Never ! Now that's my opinion
Looked like the2 stage was throwing the snow further to me?? Ya gotta love the little kids running around in the snow, pure happiness, arms flapping like they are trying to take off LOL. .
I work for a company that supplies Ariens with steel in both plants actually 3 now in Brillion Wisconsin. I also own a 28 deluxe and can honestly say for the money it's hard to beat. Bought it in 2014 and 1st use was a snowstorm on superbowl Sunday in Milwaukee. 14 inches plus of the heavy stuff. My neighbors weaker 2 stage puked out and wouldn't start. I was out there 4.5 hours taking care of my neighbors driveways. The machine does pull up a bit in deep stuff requiring a re pass but all and all I'm happy with it and feel ready for mother natures wrath .
Just checked on this model here in Canada. Home Depot sells the Ariens Deluxe 28 inch, 2 stage with 254cc AX engion....$1600. Dang that's pricey but like you said it works great. I bet it's probably around $1000 or less there right?
We have the Ariens at my job and last winter when i showed up to work and was given a brand new 3 stage Cub Cadet , i own a toro 2 stage . When i was done working that day clearing a school and parking lots with this beast i went home and bought one and sold the Toro . IT'S UNSTOPPABLE .... WATER , SLUSH , SNOW , CURTAINS ...... just sayin' 28' .... 26' that wasn't the problem it was the 3rd stage bulling through the snow .
Interesting gimmick they call "3-stage" but in reality the only thing that will throw the snow further is a larger or faster impeller (that thing that spins to throw the snow up the chute). Sticking another screw on the front of the impeller doesn't do a thing for distance. Ariens has a larger impeller so it throws the snow further. Both good machines I'm sure, and there are other factors to consider (size, weight, cost, ease of maintenance) when buying one. My 20 year old Canadian made 11hp MTD Yardman just blew up so I took a good look and bought the Briggs and Stratton. Hope it lasts as long. I'm actually amazed at how little snow blowers have advanced in 20 years. Still using carburetors, disc-drive, with hand warmers only on the super-expensive machines.
After watching this video I am now convinced...I am going to purchase a gas-powered, self-propelled snowblower with a front end bucket, auger and directional snow chute. Thanks youtube.
Thanks for the video. Great Job. Ariens has a larger scoop with a much smaller motor and it shows. The Cub has a smaller scoop with a fairly big engine. I actually had the 33" version with same engine and it did great. So it's hard to compare the two fairly.
I have a 10 year old Ariens that's still like new. My dad's Ariens is twenty years old and still like new. The Ariens snowblowers are simply built better than everything else out there!!
Looked to me that the three stage with a larger engine struggled and barely threw the snow. Ariens went through like butter and it was stopped when it did t need to be. FYI they sell a weight bar for the front of that Ariens and it eliminates it from rising.
I have a Toro 924 (2002-03 vintage) it has a 9HP Tecumseh, since new it has never thrown a flake of snow. While I've never used it, the machine is able to swing the tires back about 12" so that there is more weight on the front to dig down into snow banks. Why have I never used it? My old home had a 60ft asphalt driveway, I could shovel it faster and it's rare that we get more than 6-8" of snow at a time. My new home has a 1200ft+ gravel driveway, so I run my Kubota B7500 up and down it with a 72" Woods rear blade and the front end loader. I pulled the Toro out last week, like I do every year, with intentions of selling it but likely never will. lol! I'm a hoarder, I just may use it someday!
We just had 93 cm ( 3 feet ) with 130kmh ( 80mph ) winds here in St John's Newfoundland. The old 2 stage 2009 Toro 8-28 OE did a respectable job but nothing like the Honda HSS 9-28 that both of my neighbours have.
Bought the brand new Ariens deluxe 30 with the new EFI engine and the damn thing wouldnt start, electric start or pull start! Took it back and was told they had 2 ther come back with the same issue, got the deluxe 30 with the carb model and that one works and launches the snow bout 35 feet (heavy snow) but works like a champ! 1 pull start
If you watch real close during EOD use with the Cub. It’s wheels were spinning when attempting to take a bite, so it was taking in less snow and not bogging down like the Ariens. I have used both, and the Ariens is built to last a very long time!
Your absolutely right about your comparison not being fair due to the different size of the engines. The 19.5 that you had mentioned with regards to the Ariens is not the cc. It’s the torque which roughly equates to a 260 cc engine. I have an Ariens Pro 28 with a 420 cc engine and I haven’t seen any blower yet that can compete. I purchased the Ariens Deluxe with a 342 cc engine and it didn’t have the power that I needed for the types of winters we have ( 8 months of snow), so if I were to do a comparison video with the 342 and the 420 cc engines, it’s a given that the 420 cc is far superior. If you were to compare both machines with the same engine, I think the Ariens would supersede as my friend has a 420 cc Cub Cadet, 3 stage and we put both machines side by side when both were new and the Ariens came out on top. Not by much tho but with that being said, my Ariens Pro was almost twice the price of his Cub Cadet, so cost wise, Ariens are much more expensive. Also, the Ariens has a much stronger build as some of the components are cast iron. I have owned 6 snowblowers in the past, a White, a Canadiana, 2 Sears Craftsmen and 2 Ariens and the Ariens is far superior in performance, longevity and structure. Try the Ariens Pro 28, 32 or 36. They both have the 420 cc engine and I think you will be amazed that the power the 420 cc has. I went with the 28 inch model simply for the volume of snow to power ratio. Wet snow, slush, ice, nothing has stopped it yet and I have had the 420 Professional for 6 years now and not once did my chute clog. This is where you truly realize and appreciate the power that the 420 cc has. Their previous models had Briggs and Stratton carburetor engines but the new engines are made by Ariens and are fuel injected. I have never owned a blower with a fuel injected engine so I cannot comment on its performance. Thanks for posting. Cheers.
Arien throws the snow further and when use correctly will clean down to the road surface. I noticed you were pushing down on the handle to make it go faster and it lifted the front end causing it to leave snow.
I own a Cub Cadet riding mower and I like it, but as for snowblowers go, I own an Ariens. The Cub Cadet will be in the bone yard long before the Ariens is. Ariens has a great reputation.
Despite your complaints about the Ariens, based on the visual evidence in your video, it looked like the Ariens was actually doing a superior job getting rid of the snow away from your driveway and directing the snow where you wanted it to go.
the rising up of the Ariens may have something to do with the height of your skid pads on either side of the front housing.I just replaced my old Ariens with a new deluxe 28 yesterday like night an day comparison to my 12 year old one and it has a smaller motor on the new one.
Said the person who goes begging to borrow a "friends" pickup to move that couch that is 8' long 200 pounds and has to go up 3 flights of stairs.@@hubster4477
Aye Tony, thanks for the video. I never seen a 3 stg, and it was interesting to see them side by side in action. Maybe both had their differences, but it was a great display. 'Preciate the comparison video. Looks like your son had fun with it. :)
@@dennisfalan1623 you know nothing..My old snapper could smoke these two. I service these crappy machines and the 3-stage design is a total hoax, hence why Yamaha, Honda, Ariens, etc. stay with the same design and are tons better than that crappy cub cadet JUNK...
the cub has that curved deflector, that really cuts the throw down, and the 3rd auger is meant more for packed , blown snow, like what the plows gives you at the end of your driveway. Both beat the heck out of a shovel, but I'll keep my John Deere
TBH, I wished I knew about the 3rd stage as I just purchased a new 2 stage 306cc engine. I replaced an older 180cc(?)(5hp). The difference between the two is huge. The snow we had yesterday, about 12 inches and wet, would have killed the smaller blower. The new, 306cc had no problem throwing the snow some 40-50 feet. Where the 3rd stage would have been handy is with the snow drift at the driveway entrance. The snow plow trucks just dump a ton of snow and ice as they plow the road. The drift was about 30 inches. The 306 still kind of struggled with this packed drift. I am confident that the 3rd stage, designed just for this, would have handled it with no problem. I am older and this is probably my last snow blower. However, if I am still blowing snow 10-15 years from now, it's a 3 stage for me. Thanks for your video. It was much appreciated.
Great video thanks for posting. Wish I had known more about blowers before I bought my 30" 3 stage MTD . Your vid clearly shows IMO that the 2 stage Ariens is a better machine. The problem I find with the the 3 stage is the center auger just spins against the snow when the snow is heavy and deep to the height of the inlet instead of breaking through it. Im thinking of a mod for the outer center auger to hopefully make a difference. I was surprised though as just how short a distance the Cub Cadet through the snow. I did a couple vids ya can check out as well with some mods I already did. Mine has worked pretty good this winter and we had some deep snow. MTD has a patent on that center auger design so thats why you wont see it on Ariens or Husqvarna. MTD makes the Cub Cadet, Columbia, Troy bilt, Yardworks, Yardman etc. Keep posting videos!! :)
A 3 stage can do good things with hard packed snow, but the downfall can also be that there is residual snow splattered back out of the auger and left on a driveway. A powerful 2 stage can cut through hardpack and completely clean it up. There are pros and cons.
I have a 30 " Ariens platinum with a 391 engine and I installed a $30.00 impeller kit. It will out throw any snowblower I've seen in any conditions, including Honda or yamaha which cost much more.
I just purchased a new 2018 Deluxe 28" and would like to add the kit you mentioned, could you tell me the brand and or where I can get it. Many thanks....
One needs to ask, why doesn't Honda, Ariens and Toro make a 3-stage snow blower? Simple answer, they don't need too. There 2 stage HD models still get the job done without all the extra moving parts. My Toro HD 1232 blows powdery snow 57' and heavy wet snow 40' and has never even hinted of clogging in heavy wet snow. Here in southeastern MI we just got hit with 8-9 inches of extremely heavy wet snow. Like I said, the machine was throwing that heavy wet stuff 40' without any problem. The Toro patented no clog system really works well. I used my old and trusty 1980 Toro 524 with an impeller kit and it got through the heavy wet snow without clogging as well, but the best it could throw the snow was about 15', which for an older machine was pretty impressive. My view on 3 stage snow blowers is, if Honda, Ariens and Toro don't make one, then that tells me they don't think there is enough of an advantage to engineer one.
Give me the Ariens any day. The Cub Cadet seemed sluggish in comparison to the Ariens. Like how the Ariens throws the snow further as well. Owned my Ariens for years and never had a lick of trouble and the neighbors scratch their heads at how far it throws the snow..........
I Just made this comment: "I have an old 28'' Ariens from the 70's that I retrofitted a 16hp Kohler on it and it will SMOKE both of these at the same time. 2000 bucks for a 28'' snow blower, like the saying goes "A fool and his money are soon parted" I understand that's what they charge but holy shit, you can buy a used Honda Accord for that !"
Ariens has moved the axle in new models for more weight up front. I have the 2015 model platinum with 369 cc engine and I have the 414 cc engine. They require a weight kit sold by Ariens for about 75 bucks to keep the front down and then your good to go
I'm sorry, I don't understand this, " I have the 2015 model platinum with 369 cc engine and I have the 414 cc engine."?? Which engine is it, 369 or 414?
Look at the new toys! I myself prefer my 1977 Mastercraft no work done to it and starts first pull and walks through the snow with out a worry every time used
I was just given an older 1980's Ariens 8hp snow blower. I may sell my newer Snapper and keep this old girl. She can handle anything thrown at it and doesnt slip like the Snapper. Part of me wants to keep both but that's just silly. I get snow blowers all the time. I do hate the heavy snow blower as far as battling its size but it will power through anything where as the newer Snapper wusses out in deeper snow and rises up on the front, then spins the wheels. The heavy Ariens just marches through it like a lion. What would you keep?
@@scottfirman I would keep the older one. I have 6 snowblowers right now lol.. I buy them cheap broken and fix them up and sell them. Anyways, the older ones are just better. They're heavier, motors are stronger, the metal is thicker.. Less flex. I don't like newer machines. My favorite blower is my craftsman 8/26 from the 80s. It's a big gray monster. It will eat and spit out anything.
@@scottfirman It depends what year Snapper your talking about, which you didn't clarify. If its a model year 2003 and back, the Snapper. If its a 2004 and up fake Snapper, yea get rid of it and keep the Ariens. My 2003 Snapper 10/26 will work as hard or harder than an 80's Ariens.
I swear by Ariens. I have a 30" deluxe Ariens and it blows any depth of snow, wet or fluffy and starts first pull. I do my annual maintenance and use fuel stabilizer. I would not buy any other brand. They are kings in my mind. 👊
Everything is great in your video... We have to go into debt this year for a "Bigger & Better" snowblower for this long mountain road. The one thing I do find lacking concerns me though...That little tike should be armed with his plastic snow shovel...fun to see him run being a good little helper...2 blowers/ 2 operators ...lol
I have a friend of mine that had the cub cadet. After numerous times of not being able to get through hard packed snow and then having to use my Ariens, he decided to sell his and pick up and Ariens. They are far superior machines.
I have a 10 year old 11hp 30” arens. I take care of the engine when I store it. Change the oil yearly. I put stabilizer in the gas. I use carb cleaner once or twice per season. It Starts every single time. Never had a problem with it. Long driveway uphill… The snowblower is Old Faithful, it never fails. The most I have blown is 18 inches of snow here in New Hampshire. In low gear it handled it fine. Your every day 5 - 8 inches of snow are never a problem whether it is heavy and wet or light and fluffy.
Most reliable machine ever.
Bought this for my small back deck in the Eastern Sierra. ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxoHYZbq5g9fkcAtinlTqstNlje-UQkCHN We get A LOT of HEAVY snow so I was a bit skeptical but it was worth it! After the first storm of the year this has exceeded expectations! It throws snow very well, even 10-12” + that said the more it piles up the harder it is to maneuver the machine. It is exceptionally light weight and overall exactly what I was looking for. If you have a large amount of snow and a lot of area to clear, you may consider something with a drive engine to help maneuverability, but for decks, second stories, roofs etc, you can’t beat the light weight to great snow throwing ratio. Side note, the chute rotator is a bit flimsy and it initially didn’t seem to work, after a few uses it seems to have loosened up.
My Ariens has been so reliable I'm keeping it. Inexpensive to maintain too. I bought it in May for $599, normally $1199. That was 10 years ago. It was my 3rd snowblower. There are cheaper snowblowers but Ariens offers the best value IMO.
Everybody's got their thing what they like.. I feel the same way you do about Toro.
I think they make the best machines and they're the most innovative.. they were actually the first company in 1951 to make the first stand walk behind snowblower.
They're always innovating trying to make things better. My Toro has never clogged never never once with their anti-clogging system. And because it throws the snow back out again to break it up twice It actually makes the snow a little bit easier and lighter to throw which puts less stress on the machine.. there are no share pin technology is unbelievable ( I've seen it firsthand by an accident bumping into a car rim under the snow I didn't know was there The machine stopped instantly just as advertised and I just backed up turn the machine back on kept going. Ingenious!! Then of course there are quick stick is the best most innovative shoe control there has ever been!! So easy, so quick no issues..
Some people say that Ariens is better made because it uses thicker metal and stuff like that.. This is not the case.. although Toro's is thinner metal they actually use a stronger type of metal to get away with that which resists corrosion and rust just as good as any Ariens while making the machine lighter.. again more. Innovative. Simple to use.
Not knocking Ariens just saying Toro's just as good just as reliable but has more innovation in it.
Yes they're going to be people out there that say I had a bad experience with Toro didn't last as much blah blah blah.. You can also find people that will see the same things about Ariens.. This is normal cuz not every machine is built perfectly some have issues It's the nature of production..
Happy snow blowing cheers...
Toros snowblowers are made in Mexico now and are sold untested. When blowing snow to the right side, it gets under my plastic belt cover and falls in and gets on my drive pulley and I lose all forward and reverse gears until it dries out. If they would have tested the machine in snow before selling it they would have seen it right away….
@@jsnyara do you really think they test because it's built in the north?
now nobody test anything
Bought an Ariens Deluxe last fall and I love it. Really throws the snow, starts every time.
We live in to Colorado mountains so periodically get deep snow (2+ feet) and need a snowthrower to move it. We got an Ariens 24 inch with track drive since our area isn't flat. It is way more powerful and serious than the ones in this video. So after being impressed by our Ariens I was looking on craigslist during the summer and saw a guy selling an Ariens cheap. So I went over to his house and he told me hadn't used it in years and his wife said to get rid of it before she gets back from vacation. I bought it for $10 and took it home (sale also included an empty gas grill canister he didn't need). It is like the Ariens in this video, but as my research discovered it was made in the late 1980s. I got home and it started on the first pull (which it always does). So I replaced the oil, gas, spark plug, and the short fuel line. You can still get parts from Ariens for this old piece of equipment. I keep it on our deck (the track snowthrower is way too heavy to lift) and use it when we get too much deck snow to shovel.
From this experience I have concluded that if a company can make a gasoline powered device and it still works well after more than 30 years, then that is the company to buy from because even if it costs more to purchase, over time it will cost a lot less.
did you say 10 bux?
@@harryharry3193
lol... that's what I heard too... but then again, it's an older snowblower... 😎
Have an early '70s 8 HP 36" Ariens. Still going strong: New Snow Hog tires, new main auger bearing, oil change every spring (30 WT), impeller enhancement (using pickup box liner material), numerous shear bolts, some new belts, run the carb dry each spring/fresh gas in fall for first use, new pull starter rope as needed, replace gear box lube every couple of years, using it in Mn in 2020. That'd be about 50 years with original Techumseth 8 HP that's never been opened up. Throws snow with the best of them, starts great with pull starter.
They can last a lifetime if you take care of them...
The Ariens appears to throw the snow further. I just bought the Deluxe 30. It’s a beast!
I have a 2x 24 inch Cub Cadet 2018. Runs great here in Colorado in deep and wet snow. Used it 5 times already this Winter with no problems.
You have to get at least a 28" to get the bigger wheels. I heard bigger wheels make a difference. Any advice? Thanks! 😎
Got a 2005 Craftsman snowblower, purchased from Sears.... Still working today, first pull starts every time. Everyone of my neighbour's have new machines and nothing but issues. Change oil annually and had to clean the carb once.
I have owned an Ariens snow thrower for 15 years. Same machine and it still operates like new (looks like new as well). Easy to start (electric start) and durable. I live in northern Michigan and we get plenty of snow. Based on my experience with the products, I would buy an Ariens again if the ne I have ever dies.
Take an ariens any day over a cub cadet
I just purchased the 3 stage Cub Cadet after a 14 inch snowfall we recently had. I've had an 28 inch 8hp MTD snowblower for over 20 years. Having said that the Cub Cadet was a beast at moving the snow. This is my first experience with Cub Cadet and I was impressed with their snowblower.
Cub Cadet is MTD
@@Mr_Tecumseh I was fixing to say that a Cub cadet is an MTD with yellow paint.
I'm thinking of getting the
1. Cub Cadet 2x 28" w/272cc engine (OR)
2. Cub Cadet 3x 28" w/357cc engine for $100 more.
They both have the bigger wheels, and same features except Auger Type(2x vs 3x) and Engine Size(272 vs 357) are different.
Do you guys have any recommendations? I'm also wondering about shear pins breaking too much on the 3x auger type,
although I heard they now make special shear pins for the 3x models that don't break as easy.
Thanks! 😎
Do a follow up review in 3 years ..
Cub Cadet all the way.....
I bought a house out here in the Rocky Mountains and set at 5200 ft a.s.l..
My 1st winter here I went to shovel the heavy wet snow and threw the shovel away! I said to myself I’m not into this heavy laboring at my age. So, I went on line and did some research on good snowblowers. I really liked the reviews on this 3 stage Cub Cadet and the night I brought it home the snow was super wet and heavy. It started up with the 2nd pull and took off running throwing the wet snow/slush half way into my front yard ! My neighbors up here heard the noise and were looking out their windows and couldn’t believe what they were seeing. This beast has a 357 cc engine and for the last 3 years hasn’t even thought of letting me or the other neighbors I do down! I love this machine and it Never been in the shop for anything!
I've got a 2002 10hp Ariens, in Maine. After all these years it's still going strong. Plugs and oil and a couple of carb cleanouts. That's it. I did purchase one of the professional ones with the cast iron gearbox.
On another note. The previous snowblower in the family was a 10hp Snow King. I doubt if they're made any longer. Purchased when I was 6 yrs old. Tossed away when I was 55 yrs old. Amazing machine. It would start after being left outside, completely buried in a snowstorm. You'd reach in with one hand, prime it and pull the cord through the hole in the snow and it would be running inside a snowbank.
Nice. Southern Maine here. I am retiring my 1974 this year. Received it for free after helping with cleaning out a house. Gears were grenaded. I replaced them and some other parts from ebay. Ran fine for years but eventually the motor threw a rod. Found a 90s tecumseh snow king engine for $100. Direct bolt on although I had to sleeve the pulley. It has been running good, but she's tired. I recently bought a platnium 28" rapidtrak, but the way its going we may see little snow this season!
Same here! I purchased the Ariens 1024 "Contractor's Model" with the 10hp Sno-King Tecumseh engine in the winter of 2002. Linkage/belt adjustments, two oil changes, a grease job or two, one new spark plug (this year) and a new carb (3yrs ago) are all I've done to it. Starts on the first or second pull and has never failed me.
@@WHJeffB I've got some carb issues too. Mine will hunt sometimes. If I run it half choked it runs good. May have to replace the carb at some point but so far not needed. I have cleaned it a couple of times and a bit of fuel injector cleaner will straighten it out for awhile.
@@CraftsmanontheLake Yeah, I had the same problem with mine, and the same solution to it (partial choke). I just installed a new carb on the recommendation of a co-worker that does small engine repair on the side. Solved the problem and it's been running surge-free for the last 3yrs. Easy to do and I think the carb was pretty inexpensive.
@@WHJeffB yes an OEM one is $89. I probably will eventually.
I have a 24 yr old Dynamark Plus snowblower, 8/26 with a Tecumseh Snow King engine, best and only machine I've ever had, starts so easily, runs well, easy to maintain. It was the best $899 I ever spent 24 yrs ago, I'm in Guelph, Ont, CANADA.
Ariens seems to throw the snow WAY better.
Using my father in law's 1965 4 hp Tecumseh powered Ariens. Works fine if the snow is dry. Not so much if wet. Each time I use, I shut off the gas and run the carb dry, not knowing if/when I'll use it next. I credit that with starting first pull every time. First time each year, I drizzle some gas into the spark plug hole first. Also recently bought a Deluxe 28, for the wet stuff, since my shovelers are gone. Not as east to use as the old one, so only use it for the wet stuff.
I'll stick with Ariens. They're locally made in WI and they're tough as nails.
Brillion
And Honda is better than booth of them
@@ajbobiak1949 a Honda is also 3x the money. Ariens will do anything a Honda will.
Thank you for this video. I was hoping to see the auger speeds to compare with mine I just bought. I bought a 3x 28" Cub Cadet and I'm super anxious to get out on the snow. I upgraded from a 2x 24" and at the end you pointed out how the Ariens kept wanting to rise up, yeah my 2x did that a lot and I hated it. I'm sooo happy to see the 3x should start more grounded because it has that massive auger in the middle.
You had mentioned you weren't sure why the Ariens didn't have a 3x. That's because Cub Cadet is the only brand with 3x because they patented it.
Again, thank you for the video and your TEA (Time, Energy and Attention), to make and share this video.
@@speedster9622
From my understanding, it's from the rotation direction of the blades. They rotate in the manner that if you hit any solid snow and such, you can only go so far before it starts angling up. No matter how much pressure you try to put on the front to drive it starting on the ground, it'll just keep rising. I know this from experience of clearing snow for my currents with my then 2x Cub Cadet. I'm super anxious for the snow to start and keep coming now that I have my now, 3x Cub Cadet. I'm not sure my back could've taken anymore years doing this without upgrading in some form and I'm blessed that I was able to upgrade so nicely.
I had the Cub Cadet 3x. I'm so happy I sold it. Got a Honda HSS928AAWD.
When we get a wet snow... I am the only one who has the Cub Cadet.. the exact one you have... the entire lock with there single stage blower counts on me to use my 3 stage to clear to bottom of driveways 9 20 HOUSES.. IT IS A 2018 MODEL... i NEVER DRAIN FUEL OVER SUMMER... i WAS UP AT 6AM CLEANING OUT JETS IN CARB.. TOOK 4 HOURS, BUT BACK TO FULL POWER.. jUST WISH IT WAS NOT -2 DEGREES OUTSIDE WHEN i HAD TO TO TAKE IT ALL APART. i LOVE THAT MACHINE.. WHEN i FIRST BOUGHT IT, I COULD NOT USE IT.. IT THE BELT EVERYTIME I STARTED IT.. THEY SENT A NEW ONE EVERY 3 DAYS... 4TH ONE WAS THE CHARM... It throws snow from my sidewalwalk, across the street, over easement onto peoples lawn across the street ! amazing power. (. hint. Remove idle screw, lift out idle mixtrture plug and drill out copper insert on bottom of it.. a well know trick to give it max power and prevents surging ! A 15 min process. Forget just drilling small hole as suggested.. just drill thru it.. you can leave it in.. but make the hole as big as possible !!! I actually have a Cub Cadet Dealer 16 min from my house.
My 10 yr plus yard machine mtd is great. I finally changed the carb and gas line. I didn't maintain it well. These old ones will last forever.
I have a 2019 Ariens 28 inch Deluxe with a 306 AX engine and it throws wet snow around like a boss. It has Auto turn technology and once adjusted correctly it is a joy to use. I have 3 ruptured discs and I even do my neighbor's driveway when he's out of town for no charge .
That must be the SHO model if it has the 306cc engine, instead of the 254cc version.
Wish you were my neighbor !!
I love the three stage blowers. From a service point of view. I'm a small engine mechanic, and I have a lot of overjoyed mechanically challenged customers, arranging to get their 200 pound snowblower to my shop so I can replace the shear pins on the central auger, and then arranging to get the same 200 pound snowblower home, after paying the repair bill. There great. Cha Ching.
Don't get me wrong the technology does work, but it take more horse power to run the central auger. More hp = more fuel.
Interesting note though, my local big box mega store was chin deep last year with three stage snowblowers, this year it's all two stage snowblowers with the exception of one products line. 🤔
3-Stage is mostly hype, when you really look at it there really is no 3rd stage, they just turned the auger in the middle to prevent clogging, they could have just designed an ACS like Toro did or just use a larger impeller like Ariens… all this 3x stuff and the auger and impeller are only 12”. Get a 14” like on the Ariens Deluxe, Platinum or Professional and you get the toughest snow cleared in no time.
I found a 24"x6"x.5" piece of steel that weighed about 20lbs. Painted and bolted underneath the front opening of my Ariens. Game changer! Set the proper speed and it does the rest. No more climbing up on the packed snow.
Over 200#, NOT 20#....................a 12"x12"x1" steel plate weighs 40.8#
@@bobkucharski9425 Might want to reread my comment. See that tiny dot before the 5? It's super important. Like I said, about 20 lbs.
The Ariens kicked that cub cadet ass hands down.
Yup, and the Ariens is three years older. And the SHO model of the same machine would have did even better.
It's due to the open flight auger
Yep it’s time to retire my 16 year old Craftsman and get a newer machine. You just convinced me to go ahead and pick up the Ariens.
💯
My dad has a arien and the chute control is ridiculous
I always had the impression that the Canadians prefered the Ariens snow throwers, over the other brands, because they are built for those long winters north of the Great Lakes. I live in Northern Kentucky. I'm lucky if get to use my Cub Cadet 24" two-stage snow-thrower more than twice a winter. This cheaper product works for me. I bought it in 2008. It's till working good. I just changed the engine oil.
Dude he is the man of tools and a god at fixing.Also he is very talented,kind,hard working and very very very very verygood at constructing 😀😀😀😀😀😀
The center of gravity is different on these two machines. Ariens has their axle balanced in the weight center of the machine. Whereas the Cub Cadet has their axle slightly to the rear of center thus making the front end heavier. It is completely personal preference which machine you feel more comfortable with. Ariens balance and manuverability vs a heavier more cumbersome front end. They both have their advantages depending on the type of snow and the owners willingness to wrestle the front end. A very simple way to keep the Ariens front end down under heavy load is to slow your speed and gently lift the handles up, thus pushing the front down.
Interesting. The Ariens was throwing more snow, further than the Club Cadet. With a larger "bite" it should do the job in less time so I was surprised by your conclusion. The Ariens engine sounded like it had more torque than the Club Cadet too, but that's just based on the exhaust note under load. The best machine I ever owned was a 2 stage Simplicity. All Steel, no frills and no storm ever stopped it - wet or dry snow. Good video.
I like my 2003 Simplicity with the channel arms and 305cc Intek engine. They made different stickers for the 9,10,11 and 12 HP models, but it was cheaper to use all the same 12HP Briggs and Stratton Intek on all of them, so that's what happened. Great machine. BTW Briggs and Stratton bought out Simplicity after Simplicity bought out Snapper, I'm not overly impressed with the latest offerings, but maybe I'm just annoyed they ditched the channel arms.
I noticed that too..
@@nunyabusiness5075 They didn't ditch the channeled handlebars. Still there on the Signature Pros. They did go to electric chute controls though, which I don't like.
My Ariens compact 24" has been a gem for the last 7 years. Good size for my 2 car driveway.
I purchased 4 SnowTek 24 inch (made by ariens) blowers for my company 2 years ago and those throw snow farther and go faster than both of those it seems. Anything beats shoveling!!
I think each machine had its own limit ad long as you use it accordingly , it should perform well. I m having some problem with the 3 stage belt drive system .it tends to burn and break easily. The motor power didn't match with rest . Cub should upgrade their drive system consistently with motor. Have fun in the snow and happy holiday cheers..
snotek is made by ariens
Nicolas Lachance yeah I know, I even said so in my comment.
Ariens has an electronic fuel injection model that just plain won't bog down in a snow drift. As a small engine tech I was skeptical but seeing it in action made me a believer.
Give me an Ariens any day! I've neve had an Ariens let me down.
Kept my CC for one year and sold it and got an Ariens. The CC is made (you know where) and the Ariens is made in the USA. The Ariens is the best, by far. They can last 30 plus years. It does the job of removing snow year after year.
First year with a Honda 13HP-32". Had a 10HP- 28" Ariens for years. I have a long uphill driveway. The Honda is an absolute beast and a pleasure to use. I'd compare it to anything out there.
This video makes me feel alot better about purchasing my Honda snowblower.
You have to justify spending a thousand dollars more,some how !
Would be nice to see these machines head to head in 15 inches of wet snow.
9avedon Money well spent after seeing this disaster.
Watch, "Honda HS970 Vs Ariens ST 28 CON"
You shoulda bought an Ariens.
In this video you get to see Honda get its clock cleaned.
9avedon ua-cam.com/video/_iVweW6lYt4/v-deo.html
Embarrassing
Thanks for the comparison There s difference and you , made it clear to everybody that watched Good job
I have an Arien's 8/24 used on a 100 feet drive on the north east used for 22yrs still clearing lots of snow including the hard ice pack at the end of the drive way
Way back in the day, my Pops had a 12HP single stage! Hi speed monster auger! He put a hardened bolt in place of the “cheap” shear bolt because it broke too often😄. Thing would throw rocks through windshields and eat Sunday newspapers with ease!
The whole point of a shear bolt was to keep other, more expensive parts of your unit from breaking.
Interesting, was your Pops a plummer or plumber too
I didn’t know the Aryan nation made snow blowers. Lol
I have to find a cub cadet dealer!!!
I’ve had a two stage for about 25 years I’m done fighting that thing!!! The three stage is definitely the way to go my biggest problem area is where the snow stacks up from the snow plow at the end of the driveway!!! Thanks video
I like the Ariens it blows a lot more snow than the Cadet
In our market H Depot has been selling a 250 CC /8hp version of that Ariens 28 and I love it ! Any machine under 13hp is going to bog down on that snow plow gift at driveways end, the rest is easy for that Ariens. Example being our 40 inch 1 day state record that only front end loaders could move. After 4 days of being trapped I cut an 800 foot path to the secondary road just wide enough for one vehicle (including fire rescue) needed belts afterward but otherwise no problem ....40" of plow slop is going to beat up any non commercial grade machine and not just belts. The Cub 3 stage is a gimmick IMO with more sh-t to break !
Got myself a Snapper with a 250cc Briggs and Stratton and it does just fine on the end of the driveway with the heavy snow the plow throws. We get maybe 3 feet a year, but it makes life way easier. Second choice was the Airens, but it was more expensive with similar features.. So the Briggs got my business and it's amazing.
Cub cadet. Bam. Have this same one. It’s a beast
I have a 33 inch echo with a 10hp, that thing will go through anything with ease. It’s a beast of a machine
it thought i was gonna have a seizure watching this non stop head bobbing back and forth
I like seeing an idling snow blower and a child with no supervision.......very impressive, makes for a great video !
If you bring up your kids to respect you and teach them that there are consequences for not listening to you, running machinery is not problem. My best guess is that your kid(s) are undisciplined spoiled brat(s). At least that is my opinion.
@@tomrum42 Everybody has an opinion and that is the way it should be ! All my children are into their forties and they all knew how to respect any and all machines, they all know trucks and tractors and boats etc. and yet no child should ever be left unattended with any operating machine nearby....Never ! Now that's my opinion
Looked like the2 stage was throwing the snow further to me?? Ya gotta love the little kids running around in the snow, pure happiness, arms flapping like they are trying to take off LOL. .
I work for a company that supplies Ariens with steel in both plants actually 3 now in Brillion Wisconsin. I also own a 28 deluxe and can honestly say for the money it's hard to beat. Bought it in 2014 and 1st use was a snowstorm on superbowl Sunday in Milwaukee. 14 inches plus of the heavy stuff. My neighbors weaker 2 stage puked out and wouldn't start. I was out there 4.5 hours taking care of my neighbors driveways. The machine does pull up a bit in deep stuff requiring a re pass but all and all I'm happy with it and feel ready for mother natures wrath .
Just checked on this model here in Canada. Home Depot sells the Ariens Deluxe 28 inch, 2 stage with 254cc AX engion....$1600. Dang that's pricey but like you said it works great. I bet it's probably around $1000 or less there right?
Ariens does use heavier gauge sheet metal
We have the Ariens at my job and last winter when i showed up to work and was given a brand new 3 stage Cub Cadet , i own a toro 2 stage . When i was done working that day clearing a school and parking lots with this beast i went home and bought one and sold the Toro . IT'S UNSTOPPABLE .... WATER , SLUSH , SNOW , CURTAINS ...... just sayin' 28' .... 26' that wasn't the problem it was the 3rd stage bulling through the snow .
I had an JD TRS 24 from mid 90s. It was ok if snow was light and fluffy but wet heavy it was useless. I bought plow for my ATV instead. Unstoppable.
Interesting gimmick they call "3-stage" but in reality the only thing that will throw the snow further is a larger or faster impeller (that thing that spins to throw the snow up the chute). Sticking another screw on the front of the impeller doesn't do a thing for distance. Ariens has a larger impeller so it throws the snow further. Both good machines I'm sure, and there are other factors to consider (size, weight, cost, ease of maintenance) when buying one. My 20 year old Canadian made 11hp MTD Yardman just blew up so I took a good look and bought the Briggs and Stratton. Hope it lasts as long. I'm actually amazed at how little snow blowers have advanced in 20 years. Still using carburetors, disc-drive, with hand warmers only on the super-expensive machines.
After watching this video I am now convinced...I am going to purchase a gas-powered, self-propelled snowblower with a front end bucket, auger and directional snow chute. Thanks youtube.
Hahahaa! After watching this I decided, God put it there, let God take it away. These contraptions are too damn noisy!
The little boy so adorable I love when they run in there flapping their arms all over the place they’re not coordinated yet
Thanks for the video. Great Job.
Ariens has a larger scoop with a much smaller motor and it shows.
The Cub has a smaller scoop with a fairly big engine. I actually had the 33" version with same engine and it did great. So it's hard to compare the two fairly.
Glad my 85 F350 with a plow still works 👍
my 95 C20 is also still in the running
I have a 10 year old Ariens that's still like new. My dad's Ariens is twenty years old and still like new. The Ariens snowblowers are simply built better than everything else out there!!
Looked to me that the three stage with a larger engine struggled and barely threw the snow. Ariens went through like butter and it was stopped when it did t need to be. FYI they sell a weight bar for the front of that Ariens and it eliminates it from rising.
I have a Toro 924 (2002-03 vintage) it has a 9HP Tecumseh, since new it has never thrown a flake of snow. While I've never used it, the machine is able to swing the tires back about 12" so that there is more weight on the front to dig down into snow banks. Why have I never used it? My old home had a 60ft asphalt driveway, I could shovel it faster and it's rare that we get more than 6-8" of snow at a time. My new home has a 1200ft+ gravel driveway, so I run my Kubota B7500 up and down it with a 72" Woods rear blade and the front end loader. I pulled the Toro out last week, like I do every year, with intentions of selling it but likely never will. lol! I'm a hoarder, I just may use it someday!
We just had 93 cm ( 3 feet ) with 130kmh ( 80mph ) winds here in St John's Newfoundland. The old 2 stage 2009 Toro 8-28 OE did a respectable job but nothing like the Honda HSS 9-28 that both of my neighbours have.
I get the Ariens which is metal over the cheap plastic. Built in the USA and proud.
Bought the brand new Ariens deluxe 30 with the new EFI engine and the damn thing wouldnt start, electric start or pull start! Took it back and was told they had 2 ther come back with the same issue, got the deluxe 30 with the carb model and that one works and launches the snow bout 35 feet (heavy snow) but works like a champ! 1 pull start
You exchange it for a carbes ariens?
The cub cadet has issues with the shear pins breaking on the horizontal auger and their a pain to replace and not easily accessible...
True
Holy crap your throwing rocks! Your skid shoes are set way top shallow for gravel driveway. You're going to take an eye out!
Honestly I was scared with my Ariens but dam 5 years still works, nothing broke yet. Fingers 🤞
Thanks for this. Quite interesting.
Thank buddy! Pretty good info.... i found it helpfull👍
If you watch real close during EOD use with the Cub. It’s wheels were spinning when attempting to take a bite, so it was taking in less snow and not bogging down like the Ariens. I have used both, and the Ariens is built to last a very long time!
nice video. I think they throw snow a lot better than my old 1977 MTD snowflite
Your absolutely right about your comparison not being fair due to the different size of the engines. The 19.5 that you had mentioned with regards to the Ariens is not the cc. It’s the torque which roughly equates to a 260 cc engine. I have an Ariens Pro 28 with a 420 cc engine and I haven’t seen any blower yet that can compete. I purchased the Ariens Deluxe with a 342 cc engine and it didn’t have the power that I needed for the types of winters we have ( 8 months of snow), so if I were to do a comparison video with the 342 and the 420 cc engines, it’s a given that the 420 cc is far superior. If you were to compare both machines with the same engine, I think the Ariens would supersede as my friend has a 420 cc Cub Cadet, 3 stage and we put both machines side by side when both were new and the Ariens came out on top. Not by much tho but with that being said, my Ariens Pro was almost twice the price of his Cub Cadet, so cost wise, Ariens are much more expensive. Also, the Ariens has a much stronger build as some of the components are cast iron. I have owned 6 snowblowers in the past, a White, a Canadiana, 2 Sears Craftsmen and 2 Ariens and the Ariens is far superior in performance, longevity and structure. Try the Ariens Pro 28, 32 or 36. They both have the 420 cc engine and I think you will be amazed that the power the 420 cc has. I went with the 28 inch model simply for the volume of snow to power ratio. Wet snow, slush, ice, nothing has stopped it yet and I have had the 420 Professional for 6 years now and not once did my chute clog. This is where you truly realize and appreciate the power that the 420 cc has. Their previous models had Briggs and Stratton carburetor engines but the new engines are made by Ariens and are fuel injected. I have never owned a blower with a fuel injected engine so I cannot comment on its performance. Thanks for posting. Cheers.
Test
Little red threw the snow farther away hands down
Yellow was pointed done farther til the end.
@Avshalom Chotawm The MTD 3 stage one have lower handle placement than the ariens I got. Much better with the ariens!
@Avshalom Chotawm MTD is crap too lol
@Avshalom Chotawm yeah hence why I said this when you said to stay with the cub lol.
Some brands at least aren't made by MTD. Glad about that.
A kitoi is fun and used one for tons of stuff at home but it's certainly not for the average person who just have a regular driveway.
Arien throws the snow further and when use correctly will clean down to the road surface. I noticed you were pushing down on the handle to make it go faster and it lifted the front end causing it to leave snow.
I own a Cub Cadet riding mower and I like it, but as for snowblowers go, I own an Ariens. The Cub Cadet will be in the bone yard long before the Ariens is. Ariens has a great reputation.
I have a 2 stage on the front of my Pro series Craftsman riding mower (MTD with 27hp Kohler) and it throws snow a mile!
Despite your complaints about the Ariens, based on the visual evidence in your video, it looked like the Ariens was actually doing a superior job getting rid of the snow away from your driveway and directing the snow where you wanted it to go.
the rising up of the Ariens may have something to do with the height of your skid pads on either side of the front housing.I just replaced my old Ariens with a new deluxe 28 yesterday like night an day comparison to my 12 year old one and it has a smaller motor on the new one.
Thank you, that was a fair comparison.
Good video. Very informative.
A DR/Generac machine saves you $1000 and can go head-to-head with either of these
The ultimate phallic appliance. Even though the red one has a smaller engine and 2-stage, it seems to shoot just as powerfully.
That and pickup trucks, guys just have to have pickups for their ego.
Said the person who goes begging to borrow a "friends" pickup to move that couch that is 8' long 200 pounds and has to go up 3 flights of stairs.@@hubster4477
Aye Tony, thanks for the video. I never seen a 3 stg, and it was interesting to see them side by side in action. Maybe both had their differences, but it was a great display. 'Preciate the comparison video. Looks like your son had fun with it. :)
I have an old troybilt made back in the day by garden way. It’s 25 years young and it will out perform both of those
B/S
@@dennisfalan1623 you know nothing..My old snapper could smoke these two. I service these crappy machines and the 3-stage design is a total hoax, hence why Yamaha, Honda, Ariens, etc. stay with the same design and are tons better than that crappy cub cadet JUNK...
Actually, the Ariens Deluxe 28 snowblower has a 254cc engine on it, not a 198cc engine. If it did, it wouldn’t be able to do nothing.
the cub has that curved deflector, that really cuts the throw down, and the 3rd auger is meant more for packed , blown snow, like what the plows gives you at the end of your driveway. Both beat the heck out of a shovel, but I'll keep my John Deere
Have a jd 828d 96 and does all I need it to do
TBH, I wished I knew about the 3rd stage as I just purchased a new 2 stage 306cc engine. I replaced an older 180cc(?)(5hp). The difference between the two is huge. The snow we had yesterday, about 12 inches and wet, would have killed the smaller blower. The new, 306cc had no problem throwing the snow some 40-50 feet.
Where the 3rd stage would have been handy is with the snow drift at the driveway entrance. The snow plow trucks just dump a ton of snow and ice as they plow the road. The drift was about 30 inches. The 306 still kind of struggled with this packed drift. I am confident that the 3rd stage, designed just for this, would have handled it with no problem.
I am older and this is probably my last snow blower. However, if I am still blowing snow 10-15 years from now, it's a 3 stage for me.
Thanks for your video. It was much appreciated.
Great video thanks for posting. Wish I had known more about blowers before I bought my 30" 3 stage MTD . Your vid clearly shows IMO that the 2 stage Ariens is a better machine. The problem I find with the the 3 stage is the center auger just spins against the snow when the snow is heavy and deep to the height of the inlet instead of breaking through it. Im thinking of a mod for the outer center auger to hopefully make a difference. I was surprised though as just how short a distance the Cub Cadet through the snow. I did a couple vids ya can check out as well with some mods I already did. Mine has worked pretty good this winter and we had some deep snow. MTD has a patent on that center auger design so thats why you wont see it on Ariens or Husqvarna. MTD makes the Cub Cadet, Columbia, Troy bilt, Yardworks, Yardman etc. Keep posting videos!! :)
Yes the bucket does raise. Just needs a heavier steel bar mounted to the housing. Ariens sells one, but it is on the light side.
A 3 stage can do good things with hard packed snow, but the downfall can also be that there is residual snow splattered back out of the auger and left on a driveway. A powerful 2 stage can cut through hardpack and completely clean it up. There are pros and cons.
I always thought that front propeller was stupid 👍
I have a 30 " Ariens platinum with a 391 engine and I installed a $30.00 impeller kit. It will out throw any snowblower I've seen in any conditions, including Honda or yamaha which cost much more.
I just purchased a new 2018 Deluxe 28" and would like to add the kit you mentioned, could you tell me the brand and or where I can get it. Many thanks....
The Ariens, carburetor needs cleaning. Thanks from.St. Paul Minnesota.
One needs to ask, why doesn't Honda, Ariens and Toro make a 3-stage snow blower? Simple answer, they don't need too. There 2 stage HD models still get the job done without all the extra moving parts. My Toro HD 1232 blows powdery snow 57' and heavy wet snow 40' and has never even hinted of clogging in heavy wet snow. Here in southeastern MI we just got hit with 8-9 inches of extremely heavy wet snow. Like I said, the machine was throwing that heavy wet stuff 40' without any problem. The Toro patented no clog system really works well. I used my old and trusty 1980 Toro 524 with an impeller kit and it got through the heavy wet snow without clogging as well, but the best it could throw the snow was about 15', which for an older machine was pretty impressive. My view on 3 stage snow blowers is, if Honda, Ariens and Toro don't make one, then that tells me they don't think there is enough of an advantage to engineer one.
Give me the Ariens any day. The Cub Cadet seemed sluggish in comparison to the Ariens. Like how the Ariens throws the snow further as well. Owned my Ariens for years and never had a lick of trouble and the neighbors scratch their heads at how far it throws the snow..........
I Just made this comment: "I have an old 28'' Ariens from the 70's that I retrofitted a 16hp Kohler on it and it will SMOKE both of these at the same time. 2000 bucks for a 28'' snow blower, like the saying goes "A fool and his money are soon parted" I understand that's what they charge but holy shit, you can buy a used Honda Accord for that !"
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Ariens has moved the axle in new models for more weight up front. I have the 2015 model platinum with 369 cc engine and I have the 414 cc engine. They require a weight kit sold by Ariens for about 75 bucks to keep the front down and then your good to go
I'm sorry, I don't understand this, " I have the 2015 model platinum with 369 cc engine and I have the 414 cc engine."?? Which engine is it, 369 or 414?
@@MrSTOUT73 the 24" model has a 369cc engine and the 30" came with the 414 and the PRO models had the 420 cc engines ...
Ya get it I have 2 ariens snowblowers
Look at the new toys! I myself prefer my 1977 Mastercraft no work done to it and starts first pull and walks through the snow with out a worry every time used
I was just given an older 1980's Ariens 8hp snow blower. I may sell my newer Snapper and keep this old girl. She can handle anything thrown at it and doesnt slip like the Snapper. Part of me wants to keep both but that's just silly. I get snow blowers all the time. I do hate the heavy snow blower as far as battling its size but it will power through anything where as the newer Snapper wusses out in deeper snow and rises up on the front, then spins the wheels. The heavy Ariens just marches through it like a lion. What would you keep?
@@scottfirman I would keep the older one. I have 6 snowblowers right now lol.. I buy them cheap broken and fix them up and sell them. Anyways, the older ones are just better. They're heavier, motors are stronger, the metal is thicker.. Less flex. I don't like newer machines. My favorite blower is my craftsman 8/26 from the 80s. It's a big gray monster. It will eat and spit out anything.
@@scottfirman It depends what year Snapper your talking about, which you didn't clarify. If its a model year 2003 and back, the Snapper. If its a 2004 and up fake Snapper, yea get rid of it and keep the Ariens.
My 2003 Snapper 10/26 will work as hard or harder than an 80's Ariens.
@@hugeslacker Those older Murray made Craftsman's have the largest impeller gap of all snowblowers, not great without the impeller mod done.
I swear by Ariens. I have a 30" deluxe Ariens and it blows any depth of snow, wet or fluffy and starts first pull. I do my annual maintenance and use fuel stabilizer. I would not buy any other brand. They are kings in my mind. 👊
same here with the exception of maybe a Honda.
Everything is great in your video... We have to go into debt this year for a "Bigger & Better" snowblower for this long mountain road. The one thing I do find lacking concerns me though...That little tike should be armed with his plastic snow shovel...fun to see him run being a good little helper...2 blowers/ 2 operators ...lol
With the size of your driveway you should sell both and get a bigger ariens 33” have one and it’s a great machine.
I am assuming you mean 32"
Ya get the Ariens to blow the snow all the over to the driveway of the neighbor you don’t like😏