Snow Thrower Brand Reviews: Craftsman Vs. John Deere Snow Throwers

Pros, cons and features of John Deere and Craftsman snow throwers.

If you live in an area that experiences snow fall you will need a top performance machine to help clear your driveways and sidewalks. Horsepower, price, durability, and snow discharge distance are all considerations that will need to be taken into consideration when you start shopping for your snow thrower. Two of the companies that manufacture snow throwers are Craftsman and John Deere. Both are names that most people are familiar with, and also are companies that produce quality machinery. When trying to decide whether to buy a Craftsman 88799 or a John Deere TRS21E, prioritize your wants and needs and use this list as a guideline for making your decision on which machine to buy.

The John Deere TRS21E, retailed at around $679, weighs in at 72 pounds, has a 21-inch clearing path, and can discharge snow up to 35 feet. It has a 5 hp, 2-cycle engine meant for light work, and is only intended to clear areas less than 12 inches deep. This machine only has one forward speed and no reverse, however because it is so light, it is still easy to maneuver. The discharge chute can be adjusted easily even while the machine is in service. Another benefit of this model is that is stores easily. The handlebars fold in, and the discharge chute can rotate up to 190 degrees.

A snow thrower model in the same price category as the John Deere TRS21E is the Craftsman 88799. It retails at around $899.99, however it provides more power, a larger plow blade, and multi-speeds and directions. Weighing in at 240 pounds, this machine is heftier than the John Deere is, but it maintains its maneuverability by providing six forward speeds and two reverse speeds. It has a 9 horsepower, 4-cycle gas engine that provides the power to clear 1900 pounds of snow per minute. It can clear a path 29 inches across, and has a discharge range of 40 feet. The Craftsman 88799 has fat tires that give it extra traction. This feature is helpful when you are plowing a steep driveway. Other benefits to this model include an electric starter, a cast iron lined cylinder, and a one gallon gas tank that allows for longer running times between fill ups.

 When weighing out the pros and cons of these two models you must ask yourself which machine is more practical for the type of snowfall and terrain you have at your house. If you have light snowfall with relatively flat terrain, then the John Deere snow thrower is a perfectly good snow thrower to purchase. However if you live in an area that has heavy snow fall, and/or need to plow areas where the terrain is steep, then the Craftsman model is the better choice. Another consideration to making your selection may be which model you will be able to handle. The John Deere is light, but it needs to be manually maneuvered with push and pull actions. The Craftsman, on the other hand, is three times as heavy, but it has six speeds forward and two speeds in reverse which reduces your need to manually push and pull the machine into areas when plowing. Both models have electrical starters and gas engines so you don't have to pull start either. Price may come into play if all other areas of comparison don't lead you to select one model over the other. The John Deere retails for $679 and the Craftsman model retails for $899.99, a difference of only $220.99, however this may be the deciding factor. If you still are undecided ask your neighbors what they use, or what they have used in the past to get a better idea on which model works the best in your area. If all else fails you can ask a salesperson in the lawn and garden section of your local retailer.

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