Ariens Consumer ST20E (20") 205cc Two-Stage Snow Blower

After surviving three heavy snow storms in the span of three months, I finally had had enough of making due with a single-stage snow thrower.

Single-stage snow throwers will handle ninety percent of the snow falls that we receive here in Maryland if one stays on top of the snow. However, single-stage machines are next to useless when heavy snow fall occurs during the night.

Furthermore, one can forget about moving more than a couple of inches of heavy wet snow or the compacted stuff that plow trucks leave at the end of one's driveway with a single-stage snow thrower without a lot of grunting. Anyone who claims otherwise is stretching the truth.

The ST20E is only slightly larger than most single-stage snow throwers. However, unlike single-stage machines, the ST20E will chew threw serious snow.

I needed to run the tank empty after performing the belt run-in procedure, so I attacked what was left of one of the snow piles on my property. The ST20E chewed a foot of what can best be described as snow cone without missing a beat.

My single-stage snow thrower would have bogged down and quit on this type of snow.

After surviving three heavy snow storms in the span of three months, I finally had had enough of making due with a single-stage snow thrower.

Single-stage snow throwers will handle ninety percent of the snow falls that we receive here in Maryland if one stays on top of the snow. However, single-stage machines are next to useless when heavy snow fall occurs during the night.

Furthermore, one can forget about moving more than a couple of inches of heavy wet snow or the compacted stuff that plow trucks leave at the end of one's driveway with a single-stage snow ... more

Delivery of my snow blower was on the date and time I selected.I was very happy with the service provided by the freight carrier and the sales people at Snow Blowers Direct.

The unit came two weeks before a big snow storm and worked better then expected .The snow was heavy and wet and it handled it with no problem (6" to 8" deep ) and quickly.

I also live on a dead end street and the county plows leave a pile of compressed snow in front of my driveway. The snow blower handled it with no problem.

I also purchased the non-abrasive skids because I have a Paver Stone driveway and did want to leave any marks on the light gray stones. The skids worked great- not one mark left.

I would recommend this snow blower to anybody that needs a smaller unit with power. Get the skids if you don't want to leave any marks behind; and get them from Snow Blowers Direct because of their good service and prices.

Delivery of my snow blower was on the date and time I selected.I was very happy with the service provided by the freight carrier and the sales people at Snow Blowers Direct.

The unit came two weeks before a big snow storm and worked better then expected .The snow was heavy and wet and it handled it with no problem (6" to 8" deep ) and quickly.

I also live on a dead end street and the county plows leave a pile of compressed snow in front of my driveway. The snow blower handled it with no problem.

I also purchased the non-abrasive skids be... more

I ordered my snow blower here after a recent storm. The snow blower arrived on an R & L Carriers truck and was gently lowered to the ground within 5 minutes of arrival. The item was in a cardboard box and appeared to have been handled with care.

I un-boxed the snow blower in my drive way and had the unit assembled within 10 minutes. The bolts that go in to the handle were difficult to fully insert, but a few gentle taps with a hammer took care of the problem. The rest of the assembly went without incident.

The instructions say to run the unit for 15 minutes, which I did. I immediately put the unit in to service and was amazed at how it ripped through 4 day old snow. I had my driveway and walk cleared within 45 minutes.

This was a great value for the money. The item arrived late, but this was due to inclement weather.

I did phone the customer service here at SnowBlowersDirect.com asking for assistance with the shipping and was treated a bit surly. I am overlooking this as the snow blower itself is awesome.

SBD RESPONDS: We hold ourselves to the highest service standards, and have already sent an apology to this customer. With the record storms across the country we have been doing our best to keep up and meet everyone's expectations.

I ordered my snow blower here after a recent storm. The snow blower arrived on an R & L Carriers truck and was gently lowered to the ground within 5 minutes of arrival. The item was in a cardboard box and appeared to have been handled with care.

I un-boxed the snow blower in my drive way and had the unit assembled within 10 minutes. The bolts that go in to the handle were difficult to fully insert, but a few gentle taps with a hammer took care of the problem. The rest of the assembly went without incident.

The instructions say to run the unit for 15 minute... more

Well, after we got 17" and I killed my back shoveling I thought I would buy a nice snowblower.

Two weeks later we got slammed with 20"+... now remember the opening is only 17" high, so I thought it would never be able to deal with that type of workload.

I was very wrong....the thing wants to charge in to the snow. It took me about 90 minutes to dig out. It took about 6 hours last time.

I love this thing. I had to clear my snow today so I can help the rest of the street tomorrow. A+, well built, and worth every penny.

Oh- and yes, they are more expensive; but they will last a lifetime (at least in DC).

Well, after we got 17" and I killed my back shoveling I thought I would buy a nice snowblower.

Two weeks later we got slammed with 20"+... now remember the opening is only 17" high, so I thought it would never be able to deal with that type of workload.

I was very wrong....the thing wants to charge in to the snow. It took me about 90 minutes to dig out. It took about 6 hours last time.

I love this thing. I had to clear my snow today so I can help the rest of the street tomorrow. A+, well built, and worth every penny.
... more

Mine was delivered yesterday and this morning I woke to 22" of heavy, soggy, Maryland snow (which is still coming down hard as I'm writing this!).

I had assembled it last night (easy) and gave the belts the 15 minute run-in and adjustment recommended in the manual, so I was ready to go.

It started on the 1st pull and even though the snow was well over the top of the housing, it steadily worked it's way through it - in 2nd gear.

It needed 2 passes to clear all of the snow because the snow was so deep and over the top of the housing, but I was able to drive it from one end of the driveway and back without having to back-and-forth that I was afraid might be necessary since the snow was so deep.

The only problem that I had was making the U-turn at the end of my driveway with both wheels locked. A small price to pay for the self-drive needed to get it though that wet, heavy snow.

Later the snow plow came though and left a 2-3' ridge of packed, snow. It handled that also, but it did take a bit of work -- mostly because the snow is so heavy and packed that the tires couldn't get good traction, so I had to do a bit of pushing to help them out.

A great snow blower!

Mine was delivered yesterday and this morning I woke to 22" of heavy, soggy, Maryland snow (which is still coming down hard as I'm writing this!).

I had assembled it last night (easy) and gave the belts the 15 minute run-in and adjustment recommended in the manual, so I was ready to go.

It started on the 1st pull and even though the snow was well over the top of the housing, it steadily worked it's way through it - in 2nd gear.

It needed 2 passes to clear all of the snow because the snow was so deep and over the top of the housing, but I ... more

I was very impressed with the overall customer experience I received from Snow Blowers Direct.

I ordered my new Ariens 20" (Model #920007) snowblower on January 12th 2010, shortly after we received a heavy snowfall. The following day I received an email notifying me my snowblower had shipped.

The very next day, the trucking firm contacted me to set a delivery appointment. I decided to pick up my snowblower rather than take time off work to accept delivery.

The weather conditions have improved so I have yet to test the real strength and endurance of my new snowblower; but I am prepared now and can't wait for the next snowfall!

I was very impressed with the overall customer experience I received from Snow Blowers Direct.

I ordered my new Ariens 20" (Model #920007) snowblower on January 12th 2010, shortly after we received a heavy snowfall. The following day I received an email notifying me my snowblower had shipped.

The very next day, the trucking firm contacted me to set a delivery appointment. I decided to pick up my snowblower rather than take time off work to accept delivery.

The weather conditions have improved so I have yet to test the real strength and e... more

Our latest snow storm dumped 21 inches on us. After shoveling out our long driveway for hours I said "Time for a snow blower".

I went online (since there were no blowers to be found in town after the snow) and found Snow Blowers Direct.com. I picked out the one I wanted and ordered it.

The ordering process was simple, and the machine arrived quickly. There were a couple of bolts I had to install- they were no problem.

The blower is easy to start, run, and handle. I have only used it one time since I got it, but that is one time my back isn't hurting when I am done!

I know I got a quality piece of equipment at a good price.

No complaints- bring on the snow!!

Our latest snow storm dumped 21 inches on us. After shoveling out our long driveway for hours I said "Time for a snow blower".

I went online (since there were no blowers to be found in town after the snow) and found Snow Blowers Direct.com. I picked out the one I wanted and ordered it.

The ordering process was simple, and the machine arrived quickly. There were a couple of bolts I had to install- they were no problem.

The blower is easy to start, run, and handle. I have only used it one time since I got it, but that is one time my back isn... more

I bought the Compact 20 thinking I'd save the money. It works awesome on my three stall drive way. But where the City plows in the end of the drive way....not so much.

I don't know if the larger model would have done any better, but the 20 with the 17" opening was not enough. I had to use a shovel to break up the 3 foot drift and then was able to go through it.

All in all I'm happy, but maybe a taller opening on the Compact 20 would have been better.

Very happy with Snow Blowers Direct.com though. The snowblower showed up in less then a week from when I ordered it.

One slight glitch was that I requested and paid for the Lift Gate service and the truck that dropped it off did not have that. We did get it unloaded, and Snow Blowers Direct.com refunded my money!

I will recommend Ariens snowblowers to anyone, and I will recommend they buy from Snow Blowers Direct.com!

I bought the Compact 20 thinking I'd save the money. It works awesome on my three stall drive way. But where the City plows in the end of the drive way....not so much.

I don't know if the larger model would have done any better, but the 20 with the 17" opening was not enough. I had to use a shovel to break up the 3 foot drift and then was able to go through it.

All in all I'm happy, but maybe a taller opening on the Compact 20 would have been better.

Very happy with Snow Blowers Direct.com though. The snowblower showed up in less then a... more

I purchased my first 2 stage snow blower ever, an Ariens compact 20 model 920007 with extra shear pins, cover, and paint.

I'm still getting used to it because we just had our first snow of the year in Island Park, New York. Long Island usually doesn't get a lot of snow at once, but, wouldn't you know it- we got hit with up to 24" of the fluffy stuff over the course of 24 hours! Wow, what a rude awakening!!

Well, this 20" cut and 17" tall chute opening sliced through that stuff like a hot knife through butter, without so much as a whimper... And many times the snow was a foot over the top of the chute.

I will never, ever, not buy another blower that doesn't say ARIENS on it again. I wish I sold these things for a living, but, all in all, they sell just themselves.

In 3 hours of hard use it when through only 1 gallon of fuel. I did 3 driveways, our walkways, and even the street to get around.

In 6th gear I had to chase this thing down the block. Reverse was the best with 2 speeds as well.

I could have used a larger unit to save time, but I was having such a good time, i didn't care...

Snow Blowers Direct.com was great with price, delivery and quality of its products, and I would not hesitate to recommend them to anybody reading this, or friends in need!

ARIENS RULES the snow by far!!!

I purchased my first 2 stage snow blower ever, an Ariens compact 20 model 920007 with extra shear pins, cover, and paint.

I'm still getting used to it because we just had our first snow of the year in Island Park, New York. Long Island usually doesn't get a lot of snow at once, but, wouldn't you know it- we got hit with up to 24" of the fluffy stuff over the course of 24 hours! Wow, what a rude awakening!!

Well, this 20" cut and 17" tall chute opening sliced through that stuff like a hot knife through butter, without so much as a whimper... And ma... more