Craftsman 88957

There are, however, a few minuses. Smaller users (or those with bad backs) may find the 88957 hard to turn; it doesn't have power steering, and you can't disengage the left or right drive wheel (or both) to make turning easier. Several owners say they find it difficult to change direction. In addition, you must stop the machine and manually adjust the angle of the chute's deflector top.

Good snow-removal capability

Experts say the Craftsman 88957 is powerful enough to tackle moderate snowfalls, is very good at removing piles of snow left by a snowplow, and leaves a surface relatively clean of snow. A majority of owners posting reviews at Sears.com agree that it "does well in deep snow," and one writes that when he "woke up to 1 foot of heavy snow, it cleared the snow very easily in front of our house, and for five other neighbors over the next two hours." According to Paul Sikkema, this Craftsman 24-inch snow blower is "just right" for a 16-by-80-foot driveway, although it won't remove snow as quickly as larger, more powerful snow blowers can.

Best reviews for the Craftsman 88957

ConsumerReports.org tests the Craftsman 88957 and includes it in its most recent ratings chart, comparing it to 13 other compact two-stage gas snow blowers. (Other 24-inch MTD-made brands aren't tested, but are included in the chart based on their similarity to the 88957.) Paul Sikkema at MovingSnow.com reviews the 88957 and names it the best value among 24-inch snow blowers. Owners of this model weigh in at Sears.com, while the equivalent Troy-Bilt model, the Storm 2410, receives high marks from owners on the Troy-Bilt website.