Ariens Prosumer ST27LE (27") 305cc Two-Stage Snow Blower

This Snow Blower is really nice but dosen't fit my needs that well. First, living in So. Cal. at about 5200ft we are often on the cusp of the "snow levels" so we commonly end up with wet, heavy snow.

The Ariens ST27LE throws the wet heavy stuff fine, but struggles to dig into the wet, frozen 4ft+ berm that the snow plow leaves in front of my driveway.

For some reason the tires tend to ride up the berm rather than pushing into it (I am considering adding the front weight kit but, don't know if it's worth the $70 bucks).

Second, I have a 100ft+ driveway that has a very steep grade. After being dragged down the steep grade by the sliding, out of control snow blower it was obvious that I needed "tire chains" for the unit.

The chains did help with the sliding, but I have still have traction issues even with them. I feel that both of these problems would not have been such an issue if I had gone with tracks.

I was kind of discouraged by a few of my neighbors to not buy a unit with tracks, because "it's too hard to turn" or "you have to man-handle it"! If you have a steep driveway or huge berms BUY A UNIT WITH TRACKS!

If you have a fairly flat driveway and lots of dry fluffy stuff this snow blower is the way to go, it's super easy to start and control and it purrs like a kitten.

This Snow Blower is really nice but dosen't fit my needs that well. First, living in So. Cal. at about 5200ft we are often on the cusp of the "snow levels" so we commonly end up with wet, heavy snow.

The Ariens ST27LE throws the wet heavy stuff fine, but struggles to dig into the wet, frozen 4ft+ berm that the snow plow leaves in front of my driveway.

For some reason the tires tend to ride up the berm rather than pushing into it (I am considering adding the front weight kit but, don't know if it's worth the $70 bucks).

Second, I have a ... more

I have to say that I was not sure what to expect ordering a snowblower over the Internet.

I was real impressed with every step of the process. The price I was quoted was the price I paid, not a penny more.

They kept me informed on the status of my order and it arrived in less than 1 week. The blower arrived at my door intact, well packaged and with no damage.

I would definitely recommend Snowblowers Direct.com to anyone. As a Canadian buyer I didn't save any money but what I did get was what I wanted, the 27" blower with the 305cc engine for the price of the 249cc.

As an added bonus and to my surprise it also came with the Briggs & Stratton Max engine. With dry snow the blower shoots the snow 40 - 50 ft and works well in wet snow as well.

I have nothing bad to say about Snowblowers Direct.

I have to say that I was not sure what to expect ordering a snowblower over the Internet.

I was real impressed with every step of the process. The price I was quoted was the price I paid, not a penny more.

They kept me informed on the status of my order and it arrived in less than 1 week. The blower arrived at my door intact, well packaged and with no damage.

I would definitely recommend Snowblowers Direct.com to anyone. As a Canadian buyer I didn't save any money but what I did get was what I wanted, the 27" blower with the 305cc engi... more

I've read raves about this snow-thrower. I used this one for 3 storms. Now the thing is broken and will take at least 3 weeks for repairs.

It is under warranty, but breaking down in the beginning of January! What kind of quality is 3 storms and a failed gear case? That is what it seems. The auger not turning, it is not the shear bolts, the upper stage is working....

I am disappointed in this ST27LE. I hope it is a fluke. This kind of damage to a new snow machine is expected in a cheaper machine. I did not buy this at a Big Box store, either. It had ALL the maintenance required.

The engine is great, but that is not Ariens' product. This is my first snow machine. What a disappointment.

SBD RESPONDS: You might want to give the folks at Ariens a call, toll free, at 800-472-8359 to find a different authorized service center in your area that has a better turn-around time.

I've read raves about this snow-thrower. I used this one for 3 storms. Now the thing is broken and will take at least 3 weeks for repairs.

It is under warranty, but breaking down in the beginning of January! What kind of quality is 3 storms and a failed gear case? That is what it seems. The auger not turning, it is not the shear bolts, the upper stage is working....

I am disappointed in this ST27LE. I hope it is a fluke. This kind of damage to a new snow machine is expected in a cheaper machine. I did not buy this at a Big Box store, either. It had ALL the main... more

OK, I got it on time and totally as expected. The crate was a little bent, but then that's what a crate is for, right?

I checked the contents before the surly driver left- shiny, orange and completely intact. (I'll know for sure when I take it out for first use.) The box was delivered by pallet lift as I paid the extra $50 for a lift truck.

It's in my garage. No fuel yet, and I just received 2 cans of Sno-Jet. I'm going to coat the beast and hope it snows tomorrow.

I feel like Tim, the Tool Man! I wonder if the unit will take a supercharger belt...

Seriously, Snow Blowers Direct are good people.

Nice job, SBD! WHERE'S THE SNOW??!!!!

OK, I got it on time and totally as expected. The crate was a little bent, but then that's what a crate is for, right?

I checked the contents before the surly driver left- shiny, orange and completely intact. (I'll know for sure when I take it out for first use.) The box was delivered by pallet lift as I paid the extra $50 for a lift truck.

It's in my garage. No fuel yet, and I just received 2 cans of Sno-Jet. I'm going to coat the beast and hope it snows tomorrow.

I feel like Tim, the Tool Man! I wonder if the unit will take a superchar... more

I'm very happy to congratulate your company on "cracking the code" with respect to the web-based purchasing experience for Canadians.

After some recent snowblower shopping and research here in Canada, I came upon the Snow Blowers Direct website. I was impressed with how easy it was to navigate, to select and learn about various models, and then determine the total cost.

I was very pleasantly surprised that your company had taken into consideration the issues of cross-border shipping, taxes and brokerage.

I was a little hesitant to order the snowblower online as I wasn't sure whether all of the potential additional costs had truly been factored in.

By my calculations, I was able to save approx $260CDN vs. purchasing the same snowblower from the most competitive local retailer, so I was willing to take the chance.

My order was acknowledged immediately, and I was provided a UPS tracking # and a delivery date. The snowblower arrived in less than a week on the exact date that was originally forecast.

At over 300lbs. I had concerns that it could get banged up in the long trip. The unit was delivered on a pallet, and the driver arranged to have it placed in my garage.

The packaging was immaculate and there were no last minute, unwelcome surprises about additional freight charges or brokerage.

Your company has truly figured out the entire end-to-end purchasing experience for the online Canadian customer.

I don't mind telling you that you definitely have gotten it right. I'm very impressed and have been telling all my friends.

Thank-you for your excellence in customer service - it's been a pleasure dealing with your company.

I'm very happy to congratulate your company on "cracking the code" with respect to the web-based purchasing experience for Canadians.

After some recent snowblower shopping and research here in Canada, I came upon the Snow Blowers Direct website. I was impressed with how easy it was to navigate, to select and learn about various models, and then determine the total cost.

I was very pleasantly surprised that your company had taken into consideration the issues of cross-border shipping, taxes and brokerage.

I was a little hesitant to orde... more

Don't let the details confuse you.

Ariens made two versions of a 27-inch, prosumer-grade snow blower with a Briggs & Stratton engine.

Here's the catch. They used two different types of engines.

In January 2009, they used a powerful 305cc (14.5 ft-lbs gross torque). Now, they use a weaker 249cc (11.5 ft-lbs gross torque).

We bought more than 200 pieces of the more powerful version at the same price as the weaker engine.

We've already sold half of our inventory, and don't even plan to carry the newer version until it sells out.

This is a great offer for smart buyers who want extra power without the extra cost.

Don't let the details confuse you.

Ariens made two versions of a 27-inch, prosumer-grade snow blower with a Briggs & Stratton engine.

Here's the catch. They used two different types of engines.

In January 2009, they used a powerful 305cc (14.5 ft-lbs gross torque). Now, they use a weaker 249cc (11.5 ft-lbs gross torque).

We bought more than 200 pieces of the more powerful version at the same price as the weaker engine.

We've already sold half of our inventory, and don't even plan to carry the newer version until it ... more