Craftsman 26&#34 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower w/ EZ Steer Reviews


www.sears.com


3.77 of 5
(by 64 reviewers)
Rating Summary | 78% of reviewers recommend (47 out of 64)

Pros
  • starts every time 1st 2nd pull (32)
  • power steering is awesome (28)
  • chute control (24)
  • power steering (17)
  • good on gas (10)
  • handled 16 of snow with no prb. (10)
Cons
  • none (15)
  • no external light hookup (6)
  • no light attachment (5)
  • jumps up on uneven surface (2)
  • grinding, metal shavings, wouldn't start (2)
  • didn't last long (1)
  • no headlight (1)
  • stalls frequently after warrm up (1)
  • service people that prep them for sale. (1)
  • seting out for sale when not ready (1)
Most Helpful Favorable Review
This was a purchase to replace a defective floor sample I was sold by this same store (Glad to say the store took it back after 37 days buy I had a rare exception). My salesmen (Ernie) was awesome! Not only did he provide me a explanation the differences in all the models, he highlighted the features... read full review »
Posted on Jan 17, 2011
Most Helpful Critical Review
The machine is easy to operate and does a great job. Within 2 weeks of purchase one of the pins (part of the joystick mechanism, not a shear pin) broke. We were able to exchange the machine for a new unit. Sears said if this had not been within 30 days we wouldn't have been able to exchange it, which... read full review »
Posted on Dec 29, 2010

Craftsman 26&#34 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow... Reviews

Displaying reviews 1 - 13 of 64 in total

Powerful and Easy to use!

Took about an hour to set up. Most of the time spent was int taking it out of the box. Have used it 3-4 times so far. Works great and is powerful. The Sears Parts department claims there is a light that fits it - ordered it and would not work with it. Apparently the 2010-11 model does not have the light attachment - had to return it. They were very nice and took it back in the Pittsburgh Store. We have a very steep driveway and I was worried it would not climb it - Climbs very well. I love the Power Steering for turning!
Posted on Jan 10, 2011
Being new to the snowblower user's club, I was amazed at how easy it all went. Assembly from the box was fast and simple, mastering the controls was no problem, and starting with the electric start option or the pull rope was consistently easy. Having never run a snowblower, I didn't know what to expect with handling or power output. After just a few minutes of use, I felt like a pro. We have only had one significant snowfall since my purchase, but if the Craftsman 208cc Snowblower continues to perform like it did on its maiden voyage, I'm certain my purchase was wise.
Posted on Jan 04, 2011

Bought this snow blower back in September and was waiting for snow before I reviewed it.  Just did my first oil change due to blowing the parking lot (8 parking spots off street) off twice a day when it snows and couldn't be happier with this machines performance.

The first time I had to use it it was 0 degrees outside but it started with the first pull.  I was so happy right there.

The joy stick chute control is great, I can put the snow right where I want it over and over thanks to it and the one handed operation.

The power steering is great too, I just have to keep reminding my self that I...

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Posted on Dec 01, 2010

I bought this in Fall/2010. Live in Rochester, NY area. Only had to use it for about first 3 weeks of Dec./2010 so far. All snowfalls were less than 6 to 8 inches. Waiting for a bigger foot or more snowfall to make final judgement about this machine. BUT, so far it has performed less stellar than I expected. The auger makes this god awful sound when it first engages, but it does work OK for the most part. It appears that snow gets clogged up in the auger very easily, even with the relatively small snowfalls mentioned above that I have experienced to date. On some occasions I had to unclog...

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Posted on Jan 03, 2011

I just bought this snow blower about two weeks ago and got it home just in time for the lake effect snow in ohio. We are getting about 1" per hour and the craftsman 26" 208cc snowblower is plowing right threw it. I got this craftsman because consumer reports said the craftsman is one of the ********* and so far I am impressed with this snowblower. I got it home and out of the box and all I had to do was put the chute on and fuel it up. I removed the key and pulled it once to get the oil throughout the motor and I put the key back in and the first pull it started up. When I got it out into the...

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Posted on Dec 08, 2010
Bought this snowblower just last November (2010) and used it 5 times this season. Over the years this is my 3rd snowblower of comparable size and my 2nd Craftsman. This blower is by far the best due to the electric start and especially the "trigger power steering" feature. Most large snowblowers require some heavy handling when maneuvering in turns and around corners. Being older and not as physical as I once was I find this feature very very helpful. It makes a huge difference and requires far less effort in making 180 deg turns, it's just like driving a car with power steering.
Posted on May 10, 2011

Throws snow like a champ!

Works as advertised. Cuts through deep, light, fluffy snow as well as the heavy wet stuff. Push button start is great on cold mornings. Joystick control works great for directing snow. Stores in the space of a mower. Good purchase so far.
Posted on Feb 15, 2011
Bought this snowblower in September of 2009. Bought the extra shear pins but I have not needed them yet, none broke. Used it six or seven times last season on a large driveway that fits 12 cars. This blower is fantastic. It never missed a beat, cleared the driveway very fast. What was most impressive is that i pulled it out of the shed on Christmas after it was in there since last April. All I did was drain the gas when I put it away. The blizzard warning made me take it out and put it in the garage. After changing the oil, I primed it and it started on the first pull. I was impressed.... read full review »
Posted on Dec 28, 2010

I purchased an unassembled blower, spent about 45 minutes putting it together. The instructions were easy to follow and there weren't any tools necessary. I used the electric start just to make sure it would run and it started immediately.

Some of the features that will come in handy this winter will be power steering and chute control. My wife will needs to use it and these two options should allow her to handle clearing the driveway herself.

I anticipate this being a very good investment, with many Buffalo winters ahead.

Posted on Nov 17, 2010
Great tool. Started on the first try...love the power steering and the 6 speeds forwards and 2 speeds backwards. Especially like the power steering for turning. Handled 2 feet of snow easily!!!
Posted on Jan 17, 2011
I purchased this machine in the summer on sale anticipating a fair amount of use this winter ... talk about being lucky! So far almost 40" of snow in the last 3 weeks here in CT, and the machine has performed flawlessly. Almost 2 feet fell overnight, but the machine was able to handle it. I can't even imagine having to shovel this amount of snow. Powerful and easy to use, even though it is fairly heavy. So far nothing negative to state, so highly recommended.
Posted on Jan 13, 2011
I purchased this Snow Blower on 12/23/2010. I assembled it on 12/24. The drive train was grinding and metal shavings were coming out of the bottom. I returned the Snow Blower on 12/24 and was told the store had no new ones in stock and that I couldn't have a floor model. I went back to Sears at 7 AM on 12/26/2010 and was told I still could not have a floor model but could have a unit that was chained outside. I brought the 'new' unit home and it wouldn't start. I returned the second Snow Blower on 12/26/2010 at 11 AM. I will never buy a piece of lawn equipment from Sears again. Buy an Ariens, Poulan,... read full review »
Posted on Dec 27, 2010

This was my first Craftsman purchase and I was aprehensive. My family distrusts SEARS and Craftsman as a rule from previous bad experiences but those were 15 to 20 years ago so I took a chance. I was so happy with my snowblower that I blew off my neighbors sidewalks all winter just as excuse to use it more. It moved the snow everytime without much problem. It really only chugged on some very heavy stuff once but didn't clog. My biggest problem was it seems the center of gravity is too far back and thus the front end wants to ride up on top of hard packed snow instead of cutting through it. I handled...

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Posted on Mar 29, 2011

Reviews of Craftsman 26&#34 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower w/ EZ Steer