The Ariens Compact 24 is a two-stage snowblower that offers up 24 inches of clearing width and features a self-propelled drive.
If you are in the market for a medium-duty snowblower from one of the most highly regarded manufacturers in the industry, the Ariens Compact 24 snowblower might be just what the doctor orders.
This two-stage gas blower has been in the Ariens family for quite some time now and offers up a laundry list of features designed to help you clear away snow as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Pros
- Solid Ariens AX 208cc engine
- Includes self-propelled drive
- Official Ariens parts are readily available and cost-effective
Cons
- Although it includes a headlight, it is not the brightest
- The engine is on the noisy side
Features and Benefits
Ariens has been in the snowblower business for decades and outfits its machines with an assortment of useful and proven features and benefits. The Ariens Compact 24 is no exception.
Compact Size
When you are choosing a new snowblower, size is always a primary concern. You need a machine which is big enough to handle the jobs you throw at it, however, you also need a machine which can be stowed away easily. Bigger machines are always better if you have the space for them, after all. This Ariens product is big enough to handle most household snowblowing jobs without being so huge that it is difficult to store it when not in use. The handlebars can be folded down to aid with storage, too.
24” Clearing Width
When you are clearing snow, you want to get the job done as quickly as possible. With a clearing path of 24”, the Ariens Compact 24 will easily tackle large driveways and open spaces in significantly less time than a smaller snowblower would. This means you can return to the warm indoors much sooner!
Self Propelled
Though the Ariens Compact 24 is no lightweight at 187 pounds, it is fairly easy for just about anybody to handle thanks to its self propel feature. As soon as you start up the machine, it starts moving on its own, so you really just need too point it in the right direction.
Speed Selection
Another bonus with the Compact 24 are 6 forward speeds and 2 reverse speeds. No matter the snow conditions, you can find a speed to best suit your needs at a moment’s notice. Plus, the three-blade impeller is freeze resistant, so even working in wet snow when the temperature drops means you can still get the job done.
40-Foot Blowing Distance
If you’ve got a larger driveway, you’ll be impressed with the 40-foot blowing distance of the Ariens Compact 24. And the chute can turn 205 degrees, so sending snow in any direction is a snap.
Headlight Included
Fitting in snowblowing during the winter months when daylight hours are slim can be very frustrating. Luckily, this Ariens blower includes a headlight which, while not the most powerful thing in the world, is good enough to help you see where you are going and avoid hitting any obstacles when you’ve still got snow to clear when the sun goes down.
Customer Reviews
The feature which most buyers speak highly about is the inclusion of an electrical starting feature alongside the pull-cord start system. Although the snowblower is gas-powered, you can plug it into the electrical socket and simply press a button to start it up. Then, when you’ve got the machine going, you can unplug it again. This feature is ideal for those of us physically cannot or simply do not want to yank a cord in-order to start our snowblowers. The electrical cord is conveniently placed, too.
Other Ariens Compact 24 owners appreciated the wheels being able to navigate deep snow, being able to tackle powder that was 18-20 inches deep,
On the negative side, some owners complained that the machine doesn’t stay on course very well and that keeping it going in a straight is challenging. Others didn’t like how often the chute got bogged down with snow; however, one owner sprayed a non-stick lubricant inside and said that cleared up the majority of his snow-sticking issues.
Conclusion
The Ariens Compact 24 is a great all-around snowblower. It can handle fairly heavy snowfall without complaint and it’s reasonably affordable for a machine of this quality and with these features. It’s 24-inch clearing width is great for the majority of driveways, but if you’ve got a particularly large space to clear, you’d be wise to jump up to a 28- or 30-inch model.
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