Craftsman 26" 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower Reviews
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Rating Summary
“Get this snow thrower!!”
- Gadget fanatic, average homeowner, a grill master, a bargain hunter
- Pros
- easy to use., easy set up.
Craftsman 26" 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower —
I love, love, love this machine. If you have the $ to spend -- no, invest -- in a good snow thrower, this is the one to get.
I bought this at the beginning of this season (2009). I made the decision to upgrade and sold my 20-year-old Deere single-stage on craigslist in Nov. After doing a considerable amount of research on-line, I had narrowed it down to this model and the next lower one, the 179cc with the 24" path. For the price difference I decided to get the extra cc's of this model.
But the primary reason I went up a model was for the joystick-controlled snow chute. I can't talk enough about what an indispensible feature this is! Once the auger is engaged on the left-hand control and you're in gear moving forward, the right-hand propulsion control locks the auger on so you can keep moving forward, and take your left hand off the auger control in order to change the direction and elevation of the chute and you keep on rollin' and throwin' the whole time. This cuts down significantly on your overall time spent out in the winter weather. This is quite simply THE number one reason to get this model (or the other Craftsman models which also have this feature).
We've had a couple of good snowfalls already here in Chicago this season and this baby handles everything Mother Nature has thrown at it. I have a fairly short but pretty steep and wide 3-car driveway and the knobby tires and steady drive system do a great job at keeping me moving. Last snowfall, we did lots of driving over the snow before I had the chance to get rid of it and it got packed down pretty hard, and then got iced over. I raised the skid shoes all the way and the blade really cleaned up down to the blacktop, and ate up all that hard packed snow and ice.
With a decent amount of snow, it's able to throw easily 20-plus feet, even into a stiff breeze. So on my 3-car driveway, I can start right down the middle and work my way out, and not throw anything that I'll have to then re-throw as I work my way toward the sides.
The electric start is great. After it's already warmed up, the pull start works easily on the first try. (I spent many a curse-filled cold snowy night killing myself trying to get my old Deere restarted if I had to shut it down to refuel or it clogged up on me.) I filled my Craftsman with gas at the beginning of the season and haven't had to add any more fuel yet after 3 uses. The job goes so fast with this thing!
I was concerned that it would be too heavy to maneuver easily, but by pushing down on the handles and raising the blade, you can easily pivot it on a dime. Even with the engine off, it's relatively easy to push around or back up to get into and out of the garage. (The reverse gears are also great for this!) Just don't think you're going to lift it up!
All in all, I'd highly recommend this thrower. I haven't a thing about it I don't love.
Craftsman 26" 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower
