Latest reviews about Craftsman 24&#34 179cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower

outcastvt says "craftsman 24 in snowbolower" about Craftsman 24&#34 179cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower

outcastvt — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:56:19 GMT

I purchased a craftsman snowblower 24" dual stage model 889571 Jan 2011 and it has now been back for repair 3 times for the same problem. The unit starts fine but when you engage the drive mech , the unit just sits there and does not move, After approx 5 min it will start to move forward. I am now awaiting the return after two weeks at repair shop in Mass. I am not at all happy with the performance of this machine.

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Cooltooler says "Craftsman 24 inch 2 stage snowblower......why did I wait so long" about Craftsman 24&#34 179cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower

Cooltooler — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:53:54 GMT

I purchased this snow blower during a particularly heavy snow fall. When I got it home I found the minimal assembly required was easy. I don't know why I waited so long to get one of these.....but I am very pleased with the one I got. My neighbors are pretty happy, too! I am able to clear my driveway and walks in 1/4 the time it took me with a shovel, and with a lot less back strain.

The snowblower starts easily, with or without the electric start. I have only used it a couple of times, but so far I am impressed.

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wbhg01 says "The Craftsman 24" 179cc Dual Stage Snow Thrower is well built " about Craftsman 24&#34 179cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower

wbhg01 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:25:37 GMT

Starts easily, very powerful and very easy to use. Shouldn't have a problem handling a 4 ft snow drift.

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OldJerry says "179cc snowblower sometimes needs a lower low gear" about Craftsman 24&#34 179cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower

OldJerry — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:10:02 GMT

Craftsman 24 in 179cc snowblower works well but I am rating it average. The first winter it worked well, in the worst storms in about 11 years. Except in over 12 inches of packed snow. I hate having to milk the throttle on and off to dig through hard snow when I know the belt is the clutch. My son spent a little more money and his Craftsman has a bigger engine that seems to power though anything. And his has a lever that disconnects drive to one or the other wheels to power steer. I should have spent a little more money or they should have put a lower low gear on this machine. I normally use the lowest gear preferring to shovel snow 5 inches or less. So I have a snowblower with 5 of the 6 gears gears I seldom use, and the lowest gear not always low enough. And they should have put a big tag on which machines had power steering and which did not. But this one is small enough to fit through my garage pedestrian door and that is a big point with me. My second season it would not start.......

Buffalo716 says "Had potential to be great but cheap parts stand out" about Craftsman 24&#34 179cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower

Buffalo716 — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:12:49 GMT

I purchased this machine in September 2011 while on sale. I live in Buffalo, so the snow doesn't really start until mid to late December so it sat in the garage until then. The first time I fired it up the machine wouldn't run smooth, the throttle seemed to be jumping up and down and the only way to smooth it out (for a very limited time) is to be constantly adjusting the choke. I went back to the store to complain and they allowed me to purchase an extended at home service agreement, that began the service trips. Here we are, into the second season and it still doesn't run correctly. I have already had one carburetor replaced and I still have the same issues. The service tech told me Craftsman started using cheap Chinese engines and they are running into this problem quite frequently. It’s a shame that I find this out so late into the purchase, I would have rather gotten my money back than be stuck with an unreliable machine. I purchased based on the reviews and the Craftsman name, and...

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jimmyjama says "Snow Thrower is more than adequate." about Craftsman 24&#34 179cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower

jimmyjama — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:57:53 GMT

I purchased this snow thrower because of the large amount of snow we have had over the last few years. We have fortunately have not had much snow this winter season. I have had the chance to use my snow thrower once this winter and it did the job. I am very glad I made this purchase.

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vuebern28 says "used less than 5 times, will not start" about Craftsman 24&#34 179cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower

vuebern28 — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:19:55 GMT

I am very disappointed in Sears and Craftsman. I bought this snow thrower last year and used it no more than 4 times with less than 5 inches of snow each use. This year after the first snow fall here in WI, the machine will not start. I have done all suggested troubleshooting (new fuel, new oil, new spark plug, etc), but with no success. Now I have to get help to load this heavy machine and drive it back to sears for them to look at it. Might be days/weeks before I get it back. For the newest and least used machine in my shed, I should NOT have to spend hours in the cold trying to figure out what's wrong with it.

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evultim says "Great Snow Blower" about Craftsman 24&#34 179cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower

evultim — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:19:52 GMT

Bought this unit in August 2011 and have waited & waited for our 1st good snowstorm. Of course it's been pretty warm all the way thru January. Anyway recieved 1st good snowstorm good drifts and accumulation. It started right up on 1st pull, and cut thru 3' drifts with ease. Just a great machine. My only complaint is shut controll should be on the drive panel but not really a big deal Tim in Ohio...

Dano45 says "Great when it runs!" about Craftsman 24&#34 179cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower

Dano45 — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:19:49 GMT

I live in the western suburbs of Chicago and the winters here can create snow thats wet and heavy. Very bad for the back. In Feb'11 we had a very snowny winter. Shoveling that heavy snow left me with a bulging back disc that required months of treatemnt w the chiropractor. Since then i swore i would never endour that torture again. I read all the reviews and decided on this blower. The price was right and for those heavy wet snows you definitely need the bigger 2 stage blower. The single stage just won't cut it. It's was very easy to use. I particularly like the auto drive, set it on 6 speed and its like a nice walk. Hit those heavy piles of wet snow at 6 speed and it makes short work of them. That Feb. we had a blizzard that dropped almost 3 feet of snow. This blower made short work of my driveway, the street and 5 neighbors driveways. The only negative is, these newer blowers have very sensitive internal carburetor parts that will gum up during the off season and u'll spend money getting...

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Greg-in-Denver says "Excellent Value! Solid Performer!" about Craftsman 24&#34 179cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower

Greg-in-Denver — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:00:03 GMT

I purchased this item to replace an older single-stage snowblower. While the single-stage models are generally less expensive, the costs of periodically replacing the "wear" components (auger and scraper blade - $150+) quickly add up. At $599, the price of this two-stage snowblower was too good to pass up. The only "wear" items on this snowblower are the inexpensive skid shoes so I expect to save money in the long run. Given the price, I was a little concerned that the machine would be poorly made using cheap components - this is NOT the case. The construction is sturdy and it is not underpowered for a medium-duty snowblower. The chute is made of plastic, but it installed easily and I have had no problems with it. I have used it four times since I purchased it (the last time to address a foot of snow). My impressions so far: Pros: - Starts right up! (I have not had to use the electric start as it usually starts on the first pull.) - Lots of features for the money - there isn't a two-stage......

jffryclough says "started first time but no snow yet!" about Craftsman 24&#34 179cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower

jffryclough — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:22:29 GMT

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pinlifter says "good product excellent price" about Craftsman 24&#34 179cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower

pinlifter — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:10:10 GMT

quick easy pick-up, very easy to assemble, overall great experience

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omahakid says "DISSAPOINTED!!!" about Craftsman 24&#34 179cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower

omahakid — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:01:29 GMT

Picked-up new snowblower on friday evening and assembled it with now problems. Auger would not turn, and after adjusting the cable, was able to get the Auger to operate. Saturday we had a wet, heavy snow and went to fire up the new blower, and not only did the Auger fail to operate, but the drive train wouldn't work! Brand new snowblower not operational at showtime!! Took it back to Sears, and of course, they do not have one in stock. Have to wait a week plus for a new one to come in. Told my story to some co-workers, and everyone swears that a single stage Toro is the way to go!!

Assembly was quick and easy, and the electric start worked just fine, but the drive train and Auger didn't answer the bell, and am thinking I may cash my chips in and go with a TORO!!

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silverstud says "Craftsman Comes Thru Again" about Craftsman 24&#34 179cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower

silverstud — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 02:58:15 GMT

I have had this snowblower for 3 years and could not be happier with it. Starts first pull every time-never used the electric start as it runs so well. Snow drifts 3 feet high are no problem. If the snow is wet & heavy just take a partial cut & it works fine. It's very important to use a gas stabilizer on any small gas engine to prevent carb problems and no starts from sitting over the summer and this one is no exception. I haven't experienced any of the plastic chute problems that other reviewers have had even though over half of my drive is gravel. It does pick up quite a few stones but no damage to the machine....

colbyb999 says "The Craftsman DualStage Snow Thrower always starts when needed." about Craftsman 24&#34 179cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower

colbyb999 — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:58:58 GMT

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Larry980 says "Heavy oil or grease leaking from housing auger..2011 Aug NEW" about Craftsman 24&#34 179cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower

Larry980 — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 16:19:34 GMT

Heavy oil or grease leaking from housing auger. Bought Aug 2011 Called Sears and will have to bring it in for service. This is my 1st snow thrower and it's not a good sign that something new needs repair. Will update after repair....

AlBuerkel says "seems well made and started right up." about Craftsman 24&#34 179cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower

AlBuerkel — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:37:24 GMT

This unit came oiled and with enough gas to start it.Started right away with no problems.I hope I don't have to use it this year.

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jansal says "Craftsman snow" about Craftsman 24&#34 179cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower

jansal — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:54:51 GMT

Have not used it yet.

It was easy to put together. My 14 year old son put it together all by himself.

Nice looking machine. Bring on the snow.

Janet

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jamell76 says "Cant wait for the first snow for me to try it out" about Craftsman 24&#34 179cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower

jamell76 — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:40:31 GMT

Only wish I could have gotten it in black or blue instead of red

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ProAriens says "Awful." about Craftsman 24&#34 179cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower

ProAriens — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 02:34:36 GMT

We bought this unit and assembled it. Upon assembling it, we realized the plastic chute didn't turn well. We thought if it didn't turn well now, without any snow, it wouldn't get any better with snow so we returned it. We bought an Ariens unit and are so much happier. The fact that the Ariens unit is made in America, it is all metal, and much better construction, we wish we would have discovered it first. Save yourself the energy, and just get an Ariens!

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