Forums Archive Index > Snowblowers-Reviews Only Please > 2005-2006 Ariens 926LE Deluxe Sno-Thro Snowblower Review

Author: EGreen

Date: 8 Feb 2006 12:29 pm

2005-2006 Ariens 926LE Deluxe Sno-Thro Snowblower Review
Purchased:
Early-Mid January 2006 for $999, tax made it just over that. Best value for a snow thrower in my opinion with out sacrificing quality.

Purchase Location:
Aqua Supply and Irrigation
7071 TRANSIT RD
EAST AMHERST, NY 14051
Phone: 716-688-0439

Snow thrower was delivered at my convenience, sales and services reps were very helpful and courteous.

Blower arrived and was demonstrated to me and my father. Ran great, controls all in perfect working order. Great setup. Free oil for first oil change after break in period.

First problem that occurred was the knot on the recoil mitten grip came undone when I was starting it. Minor problem since I have an electric start, called the dealer, blower was picked up, repaired and rechecked from head to toe, returned in less than 24hours. This occurred when I was showing the machine off and not during a storm or snow fall so it was little inconvenience.

The first snow fall the blower was used in:


Although areas south and east of my area received up to 2-3feet I received 1-2 inches the first day, then 3-4 the second, drifts increased accumulation in some spots. I waited for the Lake Effect event to end before using the blower.

The blower met and exceeded my expectations. One minor thing I noticed is that the chute likes to rattle during transport, minor problem, doesn't bother me. Some don't like the loud sound of the Tecumseh L-Head but its music to my ears and isn't as loud as some make it seem. When throttle is at idle it?s perfect to talk to neighbors or clear a stick out of the way etc.

The snow was light and fluffy in some spots but heavy and wet in others, the blower took all in stride and the plume of snow got many neighbors interested to watch the "show". This blower far surpasses the old Snow Giant in throwing performance, as it should with a HMSK90 (9HP) engine.

Many have criticized the new chute control but I believe that to be a problem of setup rather than a bad design. My controls work great and the lever allows you to aim the snow where you want it, the other lever that controls distance works great too. One hand operation is also a great feature and with the chute controls the way they air the machine is easy to operate. I have the wheels locked this time and just as I thought once there is snow on the ground its pretty easy to turn, or at least easier than my old blower with sold rubber tires.

I would recommend this unit to anyone who needs a snow thrower, I would then recommend the 11528LE for those that have wide driveways and would like a trigger locked wheel rather than a pin-lock. The 926DLE I recommend if you need the stronger gear case and need the added maneuverability of a differential. For my needs the 926LE is a perfect replacement to my Snow Giant.

End of season review to come.....but here are some pictures:



Action Shots:


Videos:
When you view them remember to select the option for NO zoom or 100% zoom, otherwise it will distort them:
This was into the wind but shows it going right over the tree and about 10-15 feet, it trew it farther than it looks in the video, one of the optical illusions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSgZmoHyik8
This was throwing into the light wind (which gusted and thats how i found out it was into the wind) and it still throws it clear across the driveway.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74d-jdUhivo

Author: blackforestco
Subject: *NEW* Ariens 926LE at Home Depot for $398.00

Date: 26 Feb 2006 3:02 pm

I just bought a new 926LE here in Colorado for $398.00 - seasonally clear outs on ALL Winter stuff at 50% or more off...

Author: ramit
Subject: Re: *NEW* Ariens 926LE at Home Depot for $398.00

Date: 1 Mar 2006 1:28 am

blackforestco wrote:
I just bought a new 926LE here in Colorado for $398.00 - seasonally clear outs on ALL Winter stuff at 50% or more off...

damn good deal.
Did you have a lot of snow in Colorado this year?

Author: EGreen

Date: 4 Apr 2006 1:22 pm

End of Season Review:

Although buffalo has been known to recieve snow after this date, I feel I used it enough to get a good seasonal review on it.

Performed and met my expectations for "low snow" amounts. Did great on the 5-8 inche storm we had, drifts slightly higher in places, never showed any sign of struggle, dug in and threw the snow far.

One minor concern, the part of the chute which controls the throw distance appears to be not aligned correctly, one part of the chute where it rubs against has actually taken the paint off, will be contacting dealer about that.

Fixed a problem with the alignment of the chut control cable which could come in contact with the ground, and cause the engine to stall. Thanks to apost on this forum I was able to catch it before there was any problem.

I am also surprised that it appears the Aluminum gearbox has no proctection coating of any kind, its real powdery, will be cleaning that up, also the locations of welds on the aguars seems to be showing slight rust. Will also need to clean that up.

Will update with information on its end of season dealer visit regarding any warranty work or other service that may need to be done when I do final inspection for the season.

Author: EGreen

Date: 17 Oct 2006 5:21 pm

First "Storm" Use, heavy wet snow, for complete storm information see here: http://www.opeonthenet.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3051

Review Amendment:
The Ariens performed superbly, dispite at one point the belt slipping (remember this machine technically hasn't even gone threw enough action to be considered broken in) but an adjustment to the accessory pulley quickly got her into working order again. Superb machine, I will have to adjust the creeper gear slightly though, sometimes it would go forward faster than it could throw, but working the clutch and letting it clear the augars solved the problem, from my understanding thats pretty simple to fix...plus its not every snow fall that you have augar housing filling heavy wet snow with a base of ice/slush Razz For most snow that speed is good...but I figure why have 6 speeds if your not going to set them up so you can use at least the first 4 for snow throwing and 5/6 for moving around.

Was very pleased all in all, and am VERY glad that Snow Giant is dead, as it was a pain in the ass to get started with the pull cord, where as the Ariens was one pull, off you go, the hardest part was getting it out of the Garage. It was still stored away, had to take off the drift cutters to sneak it between a ladder and stove we bought but have been to busy to move into the house. If I bought an 1128LE it would have been still back there Razz. Great balance between Large and Big.

The morning after I came out and blew all the snow out of my driveway, then moved on to help the neighboors...well the ones I could get too, trees down everywhere, I made paths to their doors so they could go out. All weekend my grill was fired up cooking all sorts of stuff in peoples freezers that was slowly melting and probibly going to go bad if not eaten.

The Greater Buffalo Area truely is the "City of Good Neighboors".