One thing is for sure…when you get a big hit of snowfall you need to know you can wheel out a robust and reliable snowblower. This is no time to find out your machine can’t handle the 12 inches of white stuff sitting on your drive.
I recently decided to compare Ariens vs Cub Cadet snow blowers to find out which is best and what functions, features, and level of reliability do they bring to the party, so let’s plow through it…
Which Is Better Ariens Or Cub Cadet?
Comparing the top brands can be difficult as they all offer good quality by the fact that they are amongst the top snow blower brands. Picking between them can bring into question less obvious criteria, such as engine quality, durability, and reliability.
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Ariens Vs Cub Cadet Snow Blower
I think it’s also fair to say depending on the technology you compare, the results can also sometimes be variable. Here’s what you need to know so that your buying decision is straightforward.
Ariens Single Stage Snow Blower
The Ariens snowblower has a single four-stroke cycle engine with an electric recoil start. It consists of 9.5-pound torque and 208 cubic centimeter drive.
With this blower, the 7.5-inch wheels will prevent you from sliding in your 21-inch clearing path while you plow the snow and blow it through the top chute. The Ariens snowblower is gas-powered, consisting of a 2.9-quart tank. It weighs 117 pounds.
Cub Cadet Single Stage Snow Blower
The Cub Cadet snowblower has a 21-horsepower, single four-cycle motor. Push a button to start the 179-cubic centimeter gas engine. The nine-inch rubber auger works at your pace to clear a 21-inch wide pathway of snow up to six inches deep.
You can even blow snow up to190-degrees using the plastic clog-resistant chute on top of the machine. Other features include a metal frame, two-quart fuel capacity, and 8 x 2.125-inch beige wheels.
The Cub is not perfect out of the box it will need a blade adjustment to get flush clearance low to the ground. But once set up it is a powerful machine that can handle wet or dry snow.
Snow Blower Feature Comparison
Here is a comparison of features between the Ariens and Cub Cadet snowblowers.
Ariens:
- All steel components
- One halogen headlights
- 205-degree chute radius
- Four-cycle gas engine
- Disc-o-Matic Drive System
- More expensive
Cub Cadet:
- Steel components along with polyurethane skid shoes
- Two LED headlights
- 200-degree chute radius
- Four-cycle gas engine
- Less expensive
Who Makes the Engines for Cub Cadet and Ariens?
There are some distinct differences between manufacturers for both of these engines. Here’s the low-down.
Ariens Engines
Ariens snow blowers feature engines by either a Briggs and Stratton Polar Force engine, or Ariens new AX series engines, made in China.
Cub Cadet Engines
Similar to Troy Bilt, Powermore manufactures Cub Cadet engines. Unlike Troy Bilt, the engines aren’t manufactured overseas; they’re made in the United States. MTD has manufactured Powermore engines for several years and continues to do so today.
Which Is the Most Reliable Snow Blower Brand?
Ariens is the best brand machine of the two. Its reliability rests on the strong build quality, good aftersales support, and product features they offer:
- Disc-o-matic Drive System for smooth transitions between their many forward and reverse speeds
- Auto-turning and locking of the inside wheel for an easier 180-degree turn
- Automatic chute rotation instead of a crank that you can control from the dash
- A+ rating through BBB for customer service.
- All steel components for durability and long-lasting use
Some Cub Cadet snowblowers consist of plastic or rubber parts that may not be as sturdy as steel or aluminum. The Cub Cadet organization is not BBB-accredited, so if that matters to you, Ariens might be your snowblower of choice.
Who Makes the Best 2 Stage Snowblower?
To allow us to compare the Ariens to the Cub Cadet two-stage snowblowers, I need to talk about the features and benefits of each product…
Ariens Two-Stage Snow Blower
It is like killing two birds with one stone when you use the Ariens Compact (24″) 223cc Two-Stage Snow Blower. The auger chops the snow and pulls it into the unit, where the impeller tosses it out through the chute.
The Ariens snow uses a four-cycle engine with a 223-cubic centimeter displacement to plow through the harshest snow. There will be no confusion about how this machine works because the large buttons and controls are easy to see.
Do you worry about the blowing snow hitting you? Don’t worry, because a tall snow guard encloses the auger and protects you and the dash from that.
This snow blower includes the “Disc-o-Matic” Drive System, with six forward and two reverse speeds to ease you into a smooth transition while operating the machine. It has a push-button 120-volt electric start instead of a cord, so you don’t have to worry about straining your back.
The Ariens two-stage snow blower consists of steel, including the handlebars, dash, outer shell, skid shoes, and chute. The cast iron gear case has five-year warranty coverage. The metal chute has a 205-degree turning radius that is easy to maneuver and can throw snow at a range of three to 40 feet.
Other features include snow track tires to prevent the unit from sliding and a built-in halogen headlight on the dash to help you see at night.
Cub Cadet Two-Stage Snow Blower
The Cub Cadet 2X 30″ HP Snow Blower Two-Stage Power also has a dual function. Like the Ariens, it uses the auger and impeller to draw and expel the snow. This particular machine has a 357-cubic centimeter engine with a push-button 110-volt electric start. The tank holds up to five quarts of fuel.
This snow blower allows you to use a trigger to control the power steering and let the machine propel itself with little effort from you.
The 16-inch X-Trac tires can withstand deep snow, while the reversible polyurethane skid shoes glide along smoothly without damaging your sidewalk or driveway. For variable depths of snow, you have six forward and two reverse speeds to help you plow through your pathway. Two LED headlights on the dash shine at night to help you see.
Most of the components of this unit contain steel, including the chute and serrated auger. The gearbox itself consists of heavy-duty cast aluminum. The hopper has a 30-inch clearing and rotates 200 degrees.
With this snow blower, you get three limited warranties. They include a 3-year residential, one-year commercial, and a five-year auger gearbox warranty.
Verdict: Ariens Vs Cub Cadet Snow Blower
Both Ariens and Cub Cadet have a strong reputation for snowblowers, so when purchasing one of their 2 stage snow blowers it is hard to see how you can fail.
However, if one of the brands stands out from the other, I would have to side with Ariens, for the simple reason of the superior build quality, 5 years warranty, and excellent customer aftersales support.
