I have a Ariens 24"Compact and it was bought last summer after considerable research on my part. Just a little narrower for ease of storage. Look at the reviews on that online site that sells snow blowers to get insite on different makes.
The machine has gotten a work out this winter and moves the stuff at the end of the driveway from the town plow that is as tall as the front of the machine. It is one tough mother. Im very happy with it. Starts right up no problem.

 

Thanks for the reply CT trapper. Do you have any problems with snow sticking to the metallic snow chute on the Ariens? Someone mentioned to me that this could be an issue with the Ariens.

 

I have not as of yet. This is my first winter with it but like U, We've been hit hard. I've blown powder, wet snow, icy snow, plow packed snow etc. The only thing it wont throw is mostly water snow,lol.
But no, no problems with sticking. I liked the 5 year Warr on it too. I added the handwarmers on it. A nice upgrade. They get hot. ( I gotta protect my trigger finger after all)

 

Just my two cents, but I do not think you can go wrong with any name brand blower. With the exception of chute materials, gear box speeds and makers of the engines, they all blow snow the same.

I own an 18 year old Snapper blower that I bought new. It is a 24" wide cut with an 8 horse Tecumsah engine. With the exception of belt and pulley replacements over the years, I have had to only do routine maintenance.

Andrew

 

Bugger! I thought it read "Aliens vs Toro Snowblower" :vollkommenauf:

 

Bugger! I thought it read "Aliens vs Toro Snowblower" :vollkommenauf:

Ha ha! I'm on my first cup of coffee this morning and thought the same thing. No personal experience with either brand, but assuming you might need service some day, which dealer has the better service department? Those BS "Insurance Regulations" signs aside, ask to see/tour the service department. If it looks like my workbench, run!

 

Go with John Deere! But in all honesty as long as it is two stage and a name brand you'll be good

 

I think long term reliability is something to consider.
I have original Troy built stuff, log splitter, tiller, mower, all good stuff. I got a leaf blower after they sold to Mtd and it is not the same quality. No where near as good.

 

I have the 30 inch cut Ariens, and it is a great machine. The driveway is near 300 feet, and this snowblower moves any snow way out of the way. There hasn't been any problem with snow jamming in the chute, and the controls are easy to operate even with mitts on. The heated grips are good too, and I thought the salesman was kidding when he told me about them!

 

I haven't used either brand. I have a 24" Simplicity and I've used John Deere for a few years. My neighbor uses a Troy Bilt. Sorry I can't help with this one...

 

We sell and service ariens snowblowers where I work. This year they got a pretty good workout. The ariens we see come back in the short term are customer's not knowing how to use them, fuel issues, and hitting thing's (patio blocks, rock's etc). You will have the random 1 that needs something fixed when brand new (we have changed a carb, and a gearbox this year of over 80 pieces sold). I have not worked on a new Toro but would assume they are a good unit. Simplicity is a good machine also. I believe ariens makes the john deere. One I would not buy is a husqvarna (for everyone that has 1 that works fine I will not argue) Of all the blower's we work on the ariens is just a good machine, plenty of part's support and pretty easy to work on. If buying new you will love the auto turn. Honda is a excellent product, we never see them but you will pay for the performance. I would also avoid the big box store's as they do not service them and most dealers will put you on the back burner to service the unit they sold first. Hope this helps
Karl