Product Description
Includes ST24LE Compact 24 205cc Electric Star 24-in Two Stage Snow Thrower - 920014
| List Price: | $1,019.99 |
| Price: | $956.99 |
| as of Tue, 05 Mar 2013 08:48:11 GMT ***Remember, deals price on this item for sale just for limited time*** | |
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #55023 in Lawn & Patio
- Brand: Ariens
- Model: 920014
Features
- Powerful 205cc Ariens' polar force engine is made by Briggs and Stratton
- Certified to start at -20 Degrees F
- launches snow from 3-ft to 40-ft
- Easily shift into any of the six forward to two reverse speeds
- 205 degree chute turning radius makes aiming the chute a breeze
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
90 of 92 people found the following review helpful.
By Victor H. Agresti
Ariens 24" Two-Stage Snow Blower
Ariens makes minor revisions to their snow-blower models every year, such as changing the headlight design; but the basic machines stay pretty much the same. E.g., we bought an Ariens 24" blower at Home Depot a few years ago, and this model is nearly the same. Some observations:
- If you're an old guy like me, a snow blower could save your life by preventing a heart attack. It's not easy operating this thing, but it's FAR less taxing than shoveling for hours. Besides, this machine can clear a one foot snow from our 55' triple width driveway at least 5 times faster than the couple next door, with their shovels. The deeper the snow, the faster and easier this snow-blower is, compared to shoveling.
- 24" versus a wider machine?
A) Storage space may dictate which machine is best. E.g., our garage would only accommodate a 24" model.
B) 24" models are more maneuverable and easier to handle.
C) 24" models cost a bit less, especially if you buy the machine locally; hint, hint.
D) a wider machine clears an area faster...
- Ideally, the machine you buy should handle the deepest snows in your area. The scoop height on this Ariens is 20", so it will cut through 20" deep snow in a single pass. (See Customer Images for examples.) During massive snowstorms, I use the machine before snow gets to the 20" mark, otherwise snow sliding over the top of the scoop makes things much more difficult. On the other hand, if snow depth is only an inch or two, it may be easier to clear it by hand...
- This machine has decent-sized [knobby] tires to plow through deep snow. This is a professional caliber machine suited for extensive use during major snow storms.
- No brand gets a higher rating from Consumer's Reports. They give the Ariens top marks for throwing distance, removal speed, clearing compacted snow, and handling.
- My Ariens has a Briggs & Stratton engine; hopefully they will continue using American made engines. Also, compare the steel thickness (e.g., on the scoop) to other brands at a Home Depot, and you'll see that the Ariens is more sturdy. Plus, the thrower section is all steel, rather than cheap plastic.
- My Ariens snow-blower starts the first or second time with its 110v electric starter. When there's a power outage, the pull rope works fine, although it takes some strength.
- Negatives:
... Machine is very loud, as the "muffler" is way too small. Much louder than a lawn-mower. I use ear-plugs when operating it. Muffler has no heat shroud, so it can burn you or your clothing.
...This is not a machine for a small person, as it takes strength to move it around. If you're out of shape, your muscles will likely be sore after an hour or two man-handling this thing.
- Maintenance wise, start it every few months during the off season so gas doesn't gum up the carburetor; shut it off by turning the gas valve off (rather than using the off switch); use Sta-Bil in the gas tank; change the oil when called for, check the gearbox oil level annually, etc.
- The gas tank is large enough to operate the machine for a couple of hours. Since it's a 4-cycle engine, you don't mix oil in the gas. Most 4-cycle engine manufacturers say you shouldn't use gas with an Ethanol content greater than 10%.
- The six forward and two reverse speeds are extremely useful! E.g., use the higher speeds to quickly move the machine over cleared ground or to clear minor snow, use the lower speeds when clearing deep snow, and use a reverse speed to simplify moving the machine backward.
- The pin-lock axle feature allows for 1 wheel or 2 wheel drive. 1-wheel drive is used most of the time, as it's far easier to control (turn) the machine. You might need 2-wheel drive if snow-blowing going uphill, as that provides maximum traction.
- We brush the snow off the machine after each use and store it inside where it stays dry; it has no rust anywhere, a testament to the excellent paint job.
- Includes a detailed 33 page parts manual and an operator's manual in English, French, & Spanish.
- When something binds the blades, such as a newspaper or thick ice, the Ariens has a fail-safe mechanism that protects the drive shaft and the motor from potentially damaging torque; i.e., a shear pin that will break. Actually, there are two shear pins, one for each half of the blade assembly. For extra shear pins; search Amazon on "Ariens Shear Pin" (part 51001500).
Summary:
Our Ariens 24" snow blower has been 100% reliable through a dozen snows (36" total last year), has always started easily, and its performance is consistently impressive. We'd get the same machine again.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful.
By Lyman W. Lyon
I have their very similar earlier model. If you are social security age, and don't lift weights, I strongly advise spending extra money on a model with power steering. It's heavy.
In deep wet snow, it needs tire chains. Chains go on easier if you jack the machine and slide off the wheels. Since chains can mark concrete, you probably shouldn't run chains if you don't have to. A second set of wheels, with permanently mounted chains, would be handy. I'm looking for used wheels, because new wheels cost a hundred dollars. Each.
Even running the machine through a few feet of slush can burn out the impeller belt, which instantly sacrifices itself to save the shear pins. Belt replacement was designed to be done by a left handed, double jointed gnome with a high pain tolerance and armored knuckles. I now call the local repair shop to trailer the machine to their shop and bring it back fixed.
The good news is the machine is solid metal, and built to last. I generally plow out the block. Some of the neighbors landscape with small rocks, which migrate to their sidewalk and eat shear pins. Amazon has, by far, the best price on pins. Hardware stores soon run out of shear pins after a big snow storm, so buy extras with the machine.
Electric start is very useful the first time you start the machine, come winter. It always starts with the pull rope after that. It has sufficient power. It looks new after three years, all the controls work right, and it is easy on gas. It does a nice job.
18 of 23 people found the following review helpful.
By Looking for beef
This is a nice machine in the sense that the motor starts reliably, the controls are generally okay, and when working properly does a nice job. But there are significant design issues that in the three years I've had this machine have really come to annoy me.
+ The muffler is not shielded and very exposed. If you touch it (which is very easy to do) wearing nylon gloves or jacket you've just melted your nice winter clothes.
+ In the first year the electric start failed. I'm sure the engagement gear is stripped. This should never happen on a quality consumer device.
+ The drive belts are just a bad design, and a cheap solution (rather than a more rigorous clutching mechanism). Be prepared to replace these belts periodically because they wear out fast. Keep one on hand along with some shear pins. And it's not just me, my neighbor just had to replace his. Plus as an extra bonus the belts do periodically slip off of the pulleys.
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