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Snow Blowers
- Electric power shovel Toro Power Shovel *Est. $110
- Single-stage electric snow blower Toro 1800 Power Curve *Est. $330
- Single-stage gas snow blower Toro Power Clear 210R 38587 *Est. $580
- Budget two-stage gas snow blower Craftsman 88957 *Est. $600
- Powerful two-stage gas snow blower Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 XP 31AH55Q5711 *Est. $1100
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- Good value
- Handles deeper snow and bigger driveways
- Self-propelled
- Has a headlight
- Discontinued
- Unknown reliability
Reviews say the Craftsman 9-horsepower 88999 is a solid choice for deep snow (eight or more inches) and big driveways. The Craftsman 88999 has a 28-inch wide clearing path, along with a joystick chute control and independent wheel disengagement for better maneuvering. It has six forward and two reverse speeds, as well as a headlight. It costs more, but the Toro Power Max 828 LXE (*Est. $1,670) has a longer throw distance that's better for wide driveways. This is a new model, an update of last year's highly rated Craftsman 31AE5HTG99, so long-term reliability of the new model is unknown.
ConsumerReports.org tested last year's version of this snow blower, comparing its performance to other two-stage gas snow blowers. While some ConsumerGuide.com snow blower reviews say they involve hands-on testing, we saw no indication of testing for its evaluation of the Craftsman.
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
This brief overview is free online, but a subscription is required to see the 12-model ratings chart. The Craftsman 88790 (last year's version of the Craftsman 88999) is among four two-stage gas snow blowers ranked.
Review: Snow Blowers: Faster And Easier, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, Dec. 2007
Paul Sikkema's evaluation of the Craftsman 88999 is based on features. He says the Craftsman looks like a good bet, but Sikkema prefers Tecumseh engines to the Briggs & Stratton engine used on this model.
Review: Craftsman 250cc 28 inch Steerable Two Stage Snow Thrower Model 88999 Review, Paul Sikkema
As is often the case regarding Consumer Guide, it's unclear whether there was hands-on testing in addition to reading and evaluating the manufacturer's specifications. For what it's worth, the Craftsman 88790 gets an average rating overall but a high score for value. This model is last year's version of the Craftsman 88999.
Review: Expert Review: Craftsman 9-hp Snow Blower 88790, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, Sept. 24, 2007
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