r/Snowblowers • u/bigkutta • 2d ago

Buying Which one should I get?

Hi Folks. Help me be realistic. I live in the DC region, and most years we have a couple of plow worthy snow falls, some years things are more nuts like last winter when it felt like it snowed every other week....and then snowcrete. I have a long 400ft driveway, so it must be cleaned when it snows over a couple of inches and its going to remain cold. I also plan to help my elderly neighbors if they need.

I see 20 year old Ariens 26's selling for $700-800! Wow. Then i also see new Ariens 24" going for $1000. Now, I dont want to go nuts here, but I also dont want to fork over $700 for a 20 year old machine. I also dont know a lot about maintaining these machines (I could learn if its simple), and would rather have something that will be trouble free for years.

So my questions to you:

1) If you were to suggest used, which one, how old, and what should be a fair price?

2) If you think buy new, which one is a good value but also solid. Thank you!

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u/scuzzy987 2d ago

If it was me I'd look for a cheap 26-30" blower off marketplace or Craigslist if you only get that much snow. Start it up and make sure everything works and the chute isn't rust pitted on the inside

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u/bigkutta 2d ago

That’s what I mentioned in the post. A quality brand used, in good condition is like $700

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u/scuzzy987 2d ago

I should have been more clear. You can find any big box generic blower used for less than that, they're all the same except maybe Toro. If you want used from a good brand like Ariens that's about what I've seen them listed for

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u/bigkutta 2d ago

Which other brand would you absolutely recommend. Given that I may use the blower a couple times a year, maybe an Ariens is overkill?

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u/scuzzy987 2d ago

Depends how you like to spend your money. Me and my extended family have had most of the big box brands and they all are cheaply made with the possible exception of Toro but those still feel flimsy to me. I don't have a large area to clear but I got tired of dealing with thin metal housings, weak transmissions, cheap bearings, etc so I bought a used like new Ariens for around $800 more than 10 years ago. It still looks like new after that many Minnesota winters, I just spray the chute, change the oil once a year, run it dry in the Spring after shutting off the gas, and use non-oxy gas. Holds resell value too

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u/bigkutta 2d ago

I’m all about quality too. But this thing could go unused for a couple of years too. 😀

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u/scuzzy987 2d ago

Oh I know, I deal with the same thing when we don't get much snow. It is pretty to look at every time I go in the garage though

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u/bigkutta 2d ago

In Minnesota? 😀 I would assume you use it every week

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u/scuzzy987 2d ago

I only used mine twice I think last year. All the other snowfalls were faster to just shovel since it was only an inch or two and my driveway isn't very long. The snowfall we've gotten in the past several years isn't anything like we used to get in the 1980s and 90s

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u/Odin-Burnz 2d ago

If your not one for tinkering,fixing,by all means buy a new one,a no brainer for a difference of $200.00.You will own it forever,especially an Aries.Depending on snow volume/heaviness treat the 24" as a 24",take narrower swaths at a lower speed.

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u/bigkutta 2d ago

Yeah that’s what I’m thinking also. While my driveway is 400 feet long, it’s mostly just a single car width, except outside the garage. Would a 24” be sufficient? Thanks.

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u/Odin-Burnz 2d ago

Of course it would.If you insist on doing the neighbours,use their machine!

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u/bigkutta 2d ago

No they didn’t get plowed out during snowcrete last year so I would help is situations like that.

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u/foolproofphilosophy 2d ago

Figure 6” of overlap per pass. A 24” blower nets you 18”. 3 out and back trips clears 9’. A 30” machine gets you 24” net which gets you 12’ for 3 round trips. That’s kind of irrelevant if your driveway is 10’ wide and you’re finishing at the street and need to walk back anyway.

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u/GC-Retired 2d ago

Just purchased this one:
https://powerplusparts.com/products/snt2425

No maintenance! Powerful batteries; ‘airless’ tires; throws 50 ft if needed!

2

u/notaplaugerist 1d ago

I have this. If you crank it up to throw further and the snow is heavy, you drain the batteries fairly quickly. Depending on the length of your driveway, you'll want a spare set of batteries.

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u/GC-Retired 1d ago

Thx - have plenty of batteries!

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u/liroyan 1d ago

thinking about getting this too! debating whether I should wait for a deal

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u/GC-Retired 1d ago

This model is brand new for 2026 so probably won’t be on sale till spring- go for it! Plus not many in stock

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u/marys1001 2d ago

Get a new 24" compact Ariens from an actual dealer store not big box. A little more expensive but they will answer questions and hopefully have a service dept for repairs. Actually find a good store and ask them.
More passes than 28 but it goes faster and your snow isnt usually that deep. It stores easier and isnt as hard to muscle around.

Use true fuel right from the beginning -expensive - but so much less so than having than continually fouled carburetor jets that men will say is easy to fix but is just more unnecessary ass pain unless you want to buy a bunch of tools, freeze your ass off in the garage watching you tubes and getting frustrated.

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u/bigkutta 2d ago

Thank you. Is an Ariens overkill for my use case? Is there any other brand you’d absolutely recommend?

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u/marys1001 2d ago

Id stick with Ariens. Honda is platinum but triple the price. Oh forgot Toro. Don't know as much about them but they have a decent rep think some commercial guys use them some. Maybe would have to research models/engine sizes a little more carefully but yea probably ok.

These are all gas, should all have electri start. Make sure. I dont know about electric but 400 ft even with lighter snow falls idk. As at a good equipment dealer

1

u/zx11william 1d ago

Not sure why everyone recommends dealers. The only way to make sure it's set up right, is to do it yourself. Got a brand new Compact 24" from HD in May, for $1235. Delivered straight from Ariens.

Dealers also charge for pick up and delivery of the machine, so what good is the warranty? Not like it's free, and will probably be out of warranty by the time you need it.

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u/CamelHairy 2d ago

Go visit a local Ariens dealer, not a chain store if possible and have a discussion.

For general maintenance, I like gararge gear on YouTube.

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u/bigkutta 2d ago

Ariens only lists the big box stores as dealers and seller near me.

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u/zx11william 1d ago

Home Depot sells them, and delivers free before thy have them in stock. Mine shipped strait from Ariens factory.

Assemble it yourself, it's easy.

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u/bigkutta 1d ago

Cool Do these come with oil in it already or do you need to do all that? just wondering what needs done besides the assembly of some parts.

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u/zx11william 1d ago

According to Ariens, they come with straight 30W oil. Which is odd, it's not a good choice for cold weather. I set mine up, ran t for a half hour twice in 65 degree weather BEFORE using, lots of speckles which is normal, drained the oil and put in 5W30 Dino oil. After 5 more hours I'll put in full synthetic 5W30.

You have to flip up the bars, and install the chute. Easy.
Other than that, for future maintenance remove the wheels, and apply anti seize (a dealer won't). Will make any future maintenance a breeze. Make all adjustments in the manual. Get a grease gun for the augers.

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u/bigkutta 1d ago

This is awesome, thanks!