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

floydville says "Gears shift extermly hard, no light on this upline equipment." about Craftsman 26&#34 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower w/ EZ Steer

floydville — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:43:16 GMT

Very disappointed with hard shifting of gears found on all models, the binding movement of the shut, and the lack of a light on this upline model 26" 208cc with/easy steer. Sometimes starting is difficult.

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cardo111 says "Nice blower but questionable long-term reliability" about Craftsman 26&#34 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower w/ EZ Steer

cardo111 — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:06:59 GMT

These new blowers offer some convenience items that were rare 10-15 years ago, however their new cost cutting technique to offset the cost of the bells and whistles like joystick chute controls is to equip almost all sub $1000.00 machines with China manufactured engines (Powermore in this case; LCT is another one) instead of US made Briggs and Stratton, these engines are unproven and seem to have more issues than a high quality B&S engine.. Additionally the China built engines are US job killers. Buyer beware....

Alaskahomeowner says "Over all good with some minor weaknesses" about Craftsman 26&#34 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower w/ EZ Steer

Alaskahomeowner — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:42:01 GMT

Assembly is easy by following the manual. Since it comes shipped with oil, after it is assembled, just gas and start using. Manual and electric start both work reliablly. Throughing distance average. Power stearing is helpful, but had to fine control precisely. The chute control looks nice but in practical use, it doesn't alway stay exactly where you set it (it can move a inch or two from where you set it) and the low leverage provided by the short control arm makes it hard to control on the fly. Constuction is sturdy, skids on bottom of auger housing are easy to adjust. I use it in Alaska on a gravel driveway.

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edge10992 says "Engine Rusted " about Craftsman 26&#34 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower w/ EZ Steer

edge10992 — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:53:38 GMT

So I bought the snow blower on 12/26/2010 from the Middletown NY store. I assumed Craftsman products were solid, well built tools from a name I could trust. Sears and Crartsman. Right?

Wrong. My snow blower is dead after 1 season. The engine and carburator are rusted out so bad that it’s a total loss. I could not get it started on Oct 30, 2011, I removed the gas and oil in the spring, Garage kept, well maintained. I have good documentation, showing storage and maintenance. I used fuel stabilizer. Get this, Sears product repair services denied me warranty coverage. What’s more, they said the denial was due to customer neglect, improper storage, a tech from Long Island NY, a man I never met, said I improperly stored my snow blower.. Now I’m in the process of appealing the claim internally, next externally. What a mess. First a bad product, now terrible service. Booooo Sears…

Just saying, telling it like it is….

@Sears, look it up, Service order 40154483 from Middletown NY store.

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taxfreeair says "Great power and control, does the work for you, easy to handle." about Craftsman 26&#34 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower w/ EZ Steer

taxfreeair — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:24:14 GMT

This does the job our smaller single stage could not, yet without a lot of work. Power steering is awesome! Started with one touch, out of the box. Starts easy with pull also.

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snownut says "Craftsman 26 dual stage snow thrower # 34 208 cc" about Craftsman 26&#34 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower w/ EZ Steer

snownut — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:24:51 GMT

Purchased this mighty machine in 2009,very well worth the money,starts right up,no problems.since 2009 this machine has worked at least 17 storms,and we have a long driveway.I bought the light from sears,hooked up in 20 minutes,works great....

RobinsRenovations says "Craftsman throw sower with easey steer......" about Craftsman 26&#34 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower w/ EZ Steer

RobinsRenovations — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:35:48 GMT

Shared purchase wirh my son, three days before the unprescedented "Halloween" snow storm here in CT. We assembled it easily and it started on the second pull. Then we tried the electric start and that also worked very well.

The product's maiden voyage was into wet, slushy-snow, for the most part and except for the severall times I, understandably, had to clear the chute, the unit funtioned well. No electrical power in the house, but plenty of clearing power in the driveway.

We are happy we moved up to the EZ steer, it really works! I guess, at 70, I am finally going to be following most peoples advice to stop shovelling snow. Mostly.

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peacemkr05 says "Craftsman 26" thrower with EZ steer, got a great deal!" about Craftsman 26&#34 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower w/ EZ Steer

peacemkr05 — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 22:25:18 GMT

I just purchased this product and can't wait until the first snow. I received awesome customer service from the North Olmsted, Ohio (Great Northern Mall) location. I purchased an already put together model and had to partially take it apart to get it in my vehicle. The staff took apart what needed to be taken apart and were very clear on how to put it together. I got it home and put it back together then fired it up. Fired up immediately with no problem! It was a sinch. The chute moves well with the EZ Steer function. The six speed forward and two speed reverse functions will be very helpful this winter!

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suvayu says "Easy to assemble and operate. Excellent tool" about Craftsman 26&#34 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower w/ EZ Steer

suvayu — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:33:07 GMT

I have a 2 car garage and a drive way that would fit about 6 to 8 cars. This is the largest my garage space can accommodate and this has the best value for money. I shopped around at Home Depot and Lowe's before deciding on this one. We have heavy snow and I did my research and also talked with neighbors who have similar machines. I live 5 miles from a Sears store but preferred to get this delivered as I do not own a truck. The installation took me 15-20 mins only. I just had to put together the chute and rolled up the handles and tighten them. That is it. I filled gas and started up with one pull. Have not used the electric starter yet. I gave it a dry run. The EZ Steer is fantastic! The machine actually turns on two wheels! Very useful feature for a machine weighing 225lbs. Even on the first shift it is a shade quick as I had to walk at a brisk pace to keep up but remember, there wasnt any snow. I was just doing a dry run. With snow (resistance), it will be ok. Alright, bring on the snow!......

manoj338 says "Easy setup and quick start" about Craftsman 26&#34 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower w/ EZ Steer

manoj338 — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:16:32 GMT

Excellent product and simple controls - would recommend this product...

markjoy69 says "love my Craftman snow thrower, " about Craftsman 26&#34 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower w/ EZ Steer

markjoy69 — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:39:06 GMT

love my Craftman snow thrower, very well built machine, starts right up first time. The chute controls work awesome, power steering works like a dream, If your looking for a great snow thrower at even a greater price get this snow thrower and you wont be able to wait until it snows.

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Hedgedog says "Not happy with this model at all" about Craftsman 26&#34 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower w/ EZ Steer

Hedgedog — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:11:03 GMT

3 years old and have to either spend $475 to replace a seized drive shaft or buy a new one. Also need to replace carberator due to it deteriorating, even though I used fuel stabilzer and followed all of the recommended procedures for storage. It has never run properly from day one and the Sears Repairman who came to my house the second winter just kind of shrugged. Do yourself a favor and look around before purchasing. Thanks.

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shoreco says "26" Snow Thrower with Ez steer...simple set up...ready to go" about Craftsman 26&#34 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower w/ EZ Steer

shoreco — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:15:45 GMT

After researching snow blower after snow blower, I found myself undecided between a Toro or the Craftsman. Yesterday while searching the internet Sears had a one day online only 5% off special on outdoor equiptment. So for $807 plus tax, I hit the buy button. I went down to my local Sears today and picked it up. It took all of 10mins to unpack it and have it running. I toyed with the controls for a few minutes and the ezsteer is a huge plus. Last year we were hit with 18", 24" and multiple 12" plus storms. My back, my moral and my shovel were shot. I didn't want to wait for that first snowfall before purchasing. I am ready,looking forward to our first blast from ole'man winter....

bobh0113 says "Craftsman 26" Snow Thrower 886911 works great, and is a good buy" about Craftsman 26&#34 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower w/ EZ Steer

bobh0113 — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:59:57 GMT

I purchased the Craftsman 26" Snow Thrower (Model 247.886911) last year. It made it through it's first winter like a champ. Easy starting and reliable; and it easily handled some fairily frequent, moderately deep snow falls (up to 8-10"). Maybe next winter might give it more of a work-out (we will see). (I ordered a pair of the drift cutter bars for deep snow, separately, but haven't had a chance to use them yet.) The EZ steer feature is a definite plus. I woudn't want to have to wrestle a heavy snowblower like this around without that feature. I didn't have any of the trouble with the chute moving out of position while snow blowing that some others have reported.

I find the size to be just right. I bought it because it was the smallest of the heavy duty models, so it has plenty of power, but has a moderate size to fit within my limited garage space. (I can park it within the ~3 foot space between our two cars, and easily get it out of the garage.)

Cons: - It does not have...

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Dave7855 says "Handled the winter from hell with ease!" about Craftsman 26&#34 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower w/ EZ Steer

Dave7855 — Fri, 13 May 2011 19:01:12 GMT

I bought this machine in 2008 and have had absolutely no problems with it. Great machine for the price. We have had the winter that would not end this year. Three snowstorms with over 18 inches of snow and one of them was two feet! This baby ran like a clock, cleaned the snow in record time and never bogged down, even in 26 inches.

Highly recommend to anyone who wants to get out, get done and back sitting in front of the fireplace in record time.

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ABen says "The Craftsman 208cc Snowblower does the job." about Craftsman 26&#34 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower w/ EZ Steer

ABen — Tue, 10 May 2011 14:31:52 GMT

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....

shortb240 says "Great product which never failed to start on the first pull" about Craftsman 26&#34 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower w/ EZ Steer

shortb240 — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:33:14 GMT

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 this by multiple passes. Power steering is a little herky jerky but a nice feature. I'm disapointed that there is no light but then again I never blow in the dark so who cares. This was a bit of a light winter so I only got to use it about 7 times, if only I had this last winter. For all of you who didn't buy a snowblower this year you are welcome. My purchase is the reason for the easy snow...

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Rennster says "Throws snow like a champ!" about Craftsman 26&#34 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower w/ EZ Steer

Rennster — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:49:10 GMT

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....

daiseefoo says "Craftsman 208cc 26" Snowblowe is a back saver" about Craftsman 26&#34 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower w/ EZ Steer

daiseefoo — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 20:35:03 GMT

Purchased this back in Oct. 2010 for the upcoming winter season. Unpacking and set up was simple and quick took about 30 mins. The 1st time I put it to use was the Dec. 26 blizzard in the NY metro area. It started on the 1st pull and didn't have to pull hard. Handled the 20+ inches of snow including the icy stuff the plow trucks left behind. The feature where the auger is engaged leaves your hands free to use the joystick to control the chute. The power steering comes in handy. One tank of gas did my driveway along with 3 of my neighbors. The engine is quiet compared to other blowers I have used. It is a back saver cause 2 more storms after the Dec. blizzard....

Tom-j says "Still no external light hookup... check your BOX before you go!!" about Craftsman 26&#34 208cc* Dual-Stage Snow Thrower w/ EZ Steer

Tom-j — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 18:00:47 GMT

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 and he gave a honest viewpoint of the warranty options- so I was confident I had the right tool for the job. I got the unit home, assembled it and I cleared about 18in of snow in my driveway (and my neighbors) in about 45min. As a point of reference, my driveway can fit 7 cars easily. The problem happened when I noticed one of the features I purchased the blower for was not on my unit (a small pigtail for connect a headlight). Stopped by the store to advise the sales team what happened and honestly, my initial salesperson was the only one who got how serious of a matter this is (advertising and showing one product then allowing someone go home with another is a big deal). The department......