Ariens Deluxe 28" ST28DLE 254cc Two Stage Snow Blower

I RECIEVED MY ARIENS SNOW BLOWER WITH THE HELP OF THE UPS FREIGHT IT COST ME $60+ TO SHIP IT. NO FREE SHIPING NO DAMAGE WAS NOTED. SUPER JOB FOR THEM. I BOUGHT THE 28" SHO MODEL AND WAS VERY IMPRESSED AND THE BUILD TIME WAS UNDER ONE HOUR. ONCE ASSEMBLED, CHECKED THE FLUIDS, FUELED IT AND WITH SEVERAL CRANKS  YAHOO IT DIDN'T START. BEING SO EXCITED TO HEAR IT RUN I FORGOT TO TURN ON THE IGN. SWITCH. COME ON, WE HAVE ALL DONE IT!!!!! QUITE THE MACHINE. ONE THING I WISH THERE WAS A SWITCH FOR THE HEAD LIGHT. ITS NOT NEEDED DURING THE DAYTIME I FEEL AND WITH THE WEATHER IN NEW ENGLAND RIGHT NOW, IT SHOULD COME WITH A UMBRELLA HOLDER. STAY WARM!!!!!        

It does take a few hours to assemble handles and cables.  Pain in the neck, BUT, very valuable to understand how these cables work--so I am glad I did it.  Now I can adjust them when needed, whereas on my old Arens, I sent it to the shop, so it turned out to be a benefit and a money saver.  It tends to drive a little crooked, until you get used to it.  Throws snow beautifully, and that's what it's all about.

    Here in the historic Massachusetts snowfall of 2015 everyone in my area was sold out of snowblowers, so I am grateful to Jack's for sending me one.  Office personel (lady) was very, very nice when I had a question about delivery and called me back as promised.  Even though it was purchased over the internet, there were real people there who will talk to you.  Thank you!

I don't remember the woman's name who placed my order for the snow blower, however she was excellent with the order process and any questions I had. I can only assume she signed the receipt " Enjoy your Purchase". The delivery was as promised and the Ariens has been put to the test in North West New Jersey. I have been a long time parts purchaser at Jack's and every order was shipped as promised and NEVER had an issue. Jack's is the best small engine company in the North East.

Jim

Blairstown , NJ

Review from Bill in East Amherst NY,

Price:

Advertised at the same purchase price as major local hardware stores...which did not have them and didn't know when they would get any more. Jacks had exactly what I wanted and couldn't get anywhere else (nowhere locally. Only online) without getting severely over charged.

A+  to Jacks Sales Team on price.

Order and Delivery:

I placed an order with Jacks for the Ariens ST28DLE Deluxe 28" 254cc Two Stage Snow Blower on 12/13/2014 at 8:40:02 PM.  On 12/15/14 I received the following e-mail:

Good Afternoon, <o:p></o:p>

Thank you for the recent order.  We are in the process of shipping your equipment, however we noticed you did not select “lift gate” as a delivery option.  If you have a fork lift or a method to unload the equipment,  lift gate will not be necessary.  If not, you may wish to opt for this service which is an additional $50.  A lift gate equipped truck will be used to deliver your equipment.  <o:p></o:p>

This item is 360LBS. Please call us at 877-737-2787 and ask the rep to check your order notes. Please let me know how you would like to proceed.  Thank you again for your order.  <o:p></o:p>

Linda

Customer Service<o:p></o:p>

Jacks Small Engines<o:p></o:p>

877-737-2787

I didn't see the e-mail (often it's a while between e-mail views), so they called me and explained the concern. I opted to pay the $50 for the lift gate delivery. When it came via UPS Freight on 12/17/14 (very prompt delivery), I realized how on top of their game they were. The delivery man used the lift gate and then a pallet jack (it came well boxed on 2 pallets) across the road and up the mild slope of the driveway (I helped push as he was struggling near the end due to the weight) and into the garage right where I wanted it. No Way could I have done it without smashing myself or the snow blower.

A+  to Linda and Jacks for taking care of me there.

Product Condition at Delivery:

So I open it and pull out the packaging and the snow blower. I start going through the manual and verifying the cable install and adjustment set-up. Everything is done. It's done correctly. Even the oil is at the top mark. The only things I had to do was attach the discharge chute and crank, adjust a bolt on the chute deflector (it angles the snow up and down) a little looser to get full range (it addresses exactly that in the owners manual), and add gas.

There were white marks all over the place on the blower. As I wiped them off, I realized they were intentionally placed wax marks as part of the assembly check list indicating that it was done. I'm not sure if they were from Ariens or Jacks, but it was assembled thoroughly and correctly, and the wax just wipes off.

A+  to Jacks shop guys or the Ariens manufacturing plant for the set-up. 

Product Performance: 

I searched the web, found and watched videos of this snow blower in action, and read all the reviews I could from multiple web sites and blog forums prior to my purchase. What you see and read is what you will get. Yes, it throws the snow 50 feet. It can clear the full 28 inches of heavy wet snow. You may have to pause for a second to let it clear out all the snow, but again, that's worst case scenario full load of heavy wet snow. Its a snow removal monster. That "Auto Turn" thing they like to tout on the video... is accurate and factual. Its a 360 pound machine that turns on a dime and does not pull to either side. Just make sure the skids are even and the tire pressure is even. That advice I saw on a video. I've had no problem with mine whatsoever. Even when moving it by hand with the motor off, the travel is easy. It is well balanced for tipping back and pulling or pushing into it's spot prior to start.

The Ariens ST28DLE Deluxe 28" 254cc Two Stage Snow Blower is everything it is advertised to be from Ariens, Jacks, YouTube videos, blogs/forums, and now by some guy named Bill in East Amherst NY who is a very satisfied customer.

A+  to Ariens regarding this product.

P.S.-I just got the box of chainsaw stuff I ordered from Jacks, who again had everything I needed/wanted. The order came quickly and well packaged with the correct 5 separate items I had ordered. 

Great machine! Great Price! I paid less for this unit than I did 9 years ago for a P.O.S. Craftsman of comparable size.

The quality of the Ariens is far beyond a Craftsman. Heavier steel, larger impeller and augers. The Ariens starts first pull every time. I do not use the electric start because it starts so easily.

I am very impressed with Jack's. Not so much with the shipping company as I paid for a truck with lift gate to lower the crate to the ground. No gate, but the driver assisted me in sliding the crate down a couple boards to the ground. I contacted Jack's and they refunded me the price I paid for the lift gate. Great customer service.

I plan to order a rider mower from Jack's and hope the carrier can accommodate my needs next time.

Jack's, you folks are the best and I will recommend you to anyone!

R. McBryde

Sault Sainte Marie, MI

The ST28DLE was delivered promptly, price right and has done an excellent job for our company.  I highly recommend Jacks for any snow blower purchase, they are knowledgeable pleasant to deal with and are have very competitive pricing.

A very fine product by Ariens.  Assembly went very well and the machine started immediately.  I've used it three times since delivery in February, and totally pleased thus far with the ease of operation and the unit's power.  The order process and free delivery from Jack's was quick and easy.

Mike T

Fantastic machine. Really happy with the purchase.  No issues whatsoever.  Starts quickly and runs through 8 inches of snow with ease.  Moving snow is no longer a chore.

I was impressed with Jack's delivery service.  Shipped quickly and the communication was excellent.  I will definitely purchase from them in the future.

great people at Jack's, very helpful and knowledgeable!!

My only knock on this blower is the tires, they aren't as beefy as other blowers

The manual does not read like it has been reviewed for clarity by someone wholly unfamiliar with the product; the multiple model diferences are not well distinguished; 8.5"x11" paper should be used with clearer, larger drawings.

The output chute horizontal angle limits should be increased beyond 180 degrees, to say 240 degrees.

Engaging & disengaging the axle lock is somewhat cumbersome.