Husqvarna 14527SB-LS 27-Inch 305cc Briggs & Stratton Snow Series Max Gas Powered Two-Stage Snow Thrower With Variable Speed, Power Steering, Drift Cutters & Electric Start 9619300-49

Comment: I just purchased this blower from my local dealer for $1,399.99 which is suggested list price. I suppose Amazon's $1,599.99 includes $200.00 for the free shipping. This is one sweet unit. If you have a lot of turning, backing up, and curves, thing to blow around this is especially nice for that. The power steering is real sweet. On each handle on the bottom side is a finger grip that you pull up on that releases the drive to that side. Both wheels are pulling all the time until you release one side or the other to turn. If you want to pause to let the blower catch up in some deep/heavy snow pull up on both sides for a short time. If you want to turn in the shop on concrete when it's not running pull up on them both. This one has the Briggs & Stratton engine (USA made) that is available on the LS series and the pro models. The cheaper consumer line uses a Briggs engine that is made in China. Go Figure. The blower has the throttle control so you can idle it down if you want to let it warm up or if someone stops by to talk for a short while. I'm from the old school that likes to let my equipment warm up first. It is very quite as it has the larger muffler. The cheaper mufflers are those small ones that look like a short hot dog bun. My old blower had one of those cheap mufflers and was as loud at idle than the Husky wide open. My old one I always used ear muffs. The Husky you could get by without them. It's very quite. Buy one with the big muffler. You won't be sorry. The reason they don't put a throttle control on some machines is so they meet the new emmissions. When they are at idle they run a little dirty compared to wide open. Damn the government again. Watch for this when comparing machines as alot of the newer machines in the last couple of years don't have a throttle lever but have a space for it that's blocked off. Looks like you could add one later but the dealer can't sell them new with it on. Just certain engines. This model also has dual controls on the chute which is a real plus if you have tight spaces to blow in. A lot of blowers only have left/right and manual for up/down. As far as buying from the big box stores make sure you do your homework as they sometimes use cheaper parts. I.E. China engines vs USA engines, etc. Check to see if you can get warranty service from your local dealer. Here is a real world example from my dealer which is a top notch dealer for 40+ years. A farm/home type store just a block away sells some of the Husqvarna line (not the full line). Some lawn mowers and a few chainsaws. A lot of times they are the cheaper models made at a price point for the big box stores. Thin mower decks, plug up easy in wet grass, etc. Things are cut back to save costs. So you save $100.00 or $200.00 on a $1,500.00-$2,000.00 mower. You aren't saving anything just getting less value. When it comes to warranty work the dealers get a flat rate from the manufacture for doing the repairs. Typically a 2 hour job they pay the dealer for 1 hour flat rate. The dealer gets about 50% of what it should be. The dealer is lucky to break even or even loose money doing the warranty work and it's not uncommon to find dealer that refuse to do warranty work unless they sold the item in the first place. They take care of their loyal customers. If you are buying something from other than you local dealer check on the warranty & service work first or you might be hunting around to find a dealer willing to do the warranty and driving out of town up to 60 miles for repairs unless you want to just pay the shop rate of $59.00/hour. This info comes right from my dealer and the factory rep from Husqvarna who just left my shop 6 hours ago when he dropped of my new machine. If fact the rep drove 65 miles one way to another dealer to pick up the blower as the one I got was the last one that the dealers had. If you want a different manufactured machine close to this you will need to get into a John Deere 1130 or an Ariens pro or platinum series. They have the auto traction control/differential type of set up. The small units have a locking pin on the axle to release one side for turning. John Deere's quick release pin is real nice but all the others that you have to pull the pin are a pain in the butt if you have a lot of turning. Otherwise you just run with one wheel driving most of the time. If you are running with only one wheel driving all the time does that mean you need to rotate your tires like you do on you car. LOL. I'd watch if looking at the Ariens as some models have a Subaru engine. I wonder what it would be like finding parts if you needed much less 10 years from now. I'm blowing approximately 5,000 square feet with 1/2 being class 5 gravel driveway and 1/2 over grass to the back of the shop to the wood pile. I'll stop back here after we are done with our March snow storms here in Minnesota and update this. Warren.