Living in a cold and snowy climate means you get the crispness of that beautiful snowfall. However, once the newness wears off, you’ve got no choice but to clean it up.
Shoveling snow is dangerous and has even caused countless injuries. As such, many are turning to snowblowers.
These machines can help you clear away snow out of your driveway and walkways easily and quickly. Good thing, the market offers many options from which to choose.
This Ariens Compact 24 review talks about the 225621 two-stage snowblower in-depth and provides you with a lot of helpful information.
Ariens Compact 24 Review
Most snowblowers can only clear snow off of hard surfaces, like a driveway or walkway. However, this model happens to work well on gravel, too.
Because of this, it is more suited for even more homeowners. In fact, those with uneven driveways may like the Ariens two-stage unit because it’s designed for harder jobs.
Other products can fling debris and rocks anywhere but not this one. Plus, it ultimately breaks down because of the added pressure and strain on the engine.
The newer 225621 two-stage model works on unpredictable terrain and uneven ground.
It was upgraded to have a larger engine (223 cc) than the previous one, with only 208 cc. Still, it kept the most exciting features.
Who Is This Product For?
If you live in a colder climate that sees regular snowfall, this product is for you.
However, it goes above and beyond what other snow blowers can do. You can use it on gravel surfaces and uneven terrain.
It’s not going to fling gravel and break windows, nor is it going to rip up concrete if there are uneven spots.
What’s Included?
When you purchase the Ariens snowblower, you get a complete product, but there will be some minor assembly required.
This includes the handlebars and chute. You get the cables and screws needed to do the work.
Overview of the Features
Here are this unit’s impressive features:
- Electric or Gas
At first glance, you’d find that the 225621 Two-Stage Snowblower is unlike any of its counterparts.
Most models are either electric or gas-powered, but this one is both. You can plug it in to a 120-volt outlet but also run it using oil and gasoline.
If you do plan to plug it in, do so directly into a wall outlet. Snowblower manufacturers do not recommend using extension cords.
This is because they can cause a drop in power and require the energy to travel farther to start and keep the engine running.
- User-Friendly, Versatile Design
Not sure if you can use this snowblower on your property? Thanks to its versatility, you won’t have to worry about that.
This is an easy-to-use snowblower that can tackle snow on uneven terrain and gravel.
- Electric and Pull Start
For even more convenience, you’d find that it has an electric start. Simply push the start button, and you’re good to go.
Alternatively, you can also use the pull-start if you wish to power up the engine using gasoline.
- Wide Clearing Path
The clearing path is quite wide at 24 inches, which means you can clear more snow in one go with fewer passes.
With this, you can tackle a large space or driveway in much less time.
In fact, you can move roughly 59 tons of snow each hour, which means you won’t have to stay outside for very long.
Instead, you can get right back into the cozy warmth of your home, reducing your risk of frostbite.
- Compact and Lightweight
Primarily, the name says it all. Since it’s a compact-sized blower, storing it won’t be a problem.
Many homeowners dislike snow blowers mainly because they take up so much space in the shed or garage.
Generally, high-power models are bigger and take more room. With this one, though, the handle folds up, which can reduce the space required to store it.
When the handles are lowered, it is about the size of a regular lawnmower. Plus, it’s lightweight as far as snowblowers go, so you can easily maneuver it.
With all that it offers, we aren’t done yet. This Ariens model matches your stride perfectly. It’s not slow or bulky, like other models on the market.
Since it is lightweight, it can propel itself much faster. There is a self-propelling feature here, so once you get it going, it’s a breeze.
- Variable Speed
You’re going to find that the engine has six speeds for forward motion with two reverse speeds. Choose the one you need or desire most.
Keep in mind that the reverse speed options are much slower than the forward-moving ones.
Therefore, you may want to only work with forward movements to keep things trucking along at a decent speed.
- Halogen Lights
Like many of the other Ariens snowblowers, this one features halogen headlights to allow you to work before dawn and after dusk.
However, they’re not very bright, so you shouldn’t use it in the dark of night.
Pros
Cons
How to Use a Snowblower
Everyone has a general idea of how a snowblower works, but using one takes a little bit of planning and skill.
The first step is to think up a plan. Just as you follow the same paths when mowing your lawn, you should do the same with a snowblower.
Go back and forth in a pattern to clear all the snow from a particular area. Consider the spot where you want the removed snow to go.
Some blowers only blow it to one side, but this one has an adjustable chute. Therefore, you can make back-and-forth motions and just twist the chute as needed.
Just make sure that you’re not shooting the snow toward your house or vehicles. It’s also wise not to blow it into the street, as this can be a problem for other drivers.
Plus, the city plows might push it back onto your property.
You would also want to focus on the wind pattern. Small breezes can help you if you aim the chute correctly.
You may want to add some spikes or flags to mark the edges of the driveway or walkway. That way, you’re not running over the lawn and tearing it up accidentally.
Preparing the Snowblower
Make sure that you read and fully understand the owner’s manual and follow all protocols for operation.
It is going to have clear controls for chute directions and steering, as well as the drive clutch and more. Know where each of the controls is and how to use them safely.
Since the Ariens brand is gas-powered, too, you should check the fuel and oil levels each time you go to use it.
There are no tires, so you don’t need to check air pressure. Instead, consider inspecting shear pins, belts, skid shoes, and everything else.
Beforehand, try removing as much debris from the area as possible, such as sticks. These are going to get in the way and could stop the snowblower from working.
You should also ensure that you’re wearing the right clothes.
Choose warm pants and a coat, both of which should be well-fitted. Scarves, gloves, and hats should be worn, as well.
Tips When Snowblowing
It’s best to start operating the blower before the snow has stopped falling. That way, there isn’t too much accumulation for the blower to be effective.
Though it’s not time-effective, making multiple passes can be easier.
You may also experience better results than when trying to clear heavy snowfall from one attempt.
Again, make sure that you’re wearing safety goggles to protect your eyes from debris.
Though it might only be snow, it can cause excessive blinking, which could lead to an accident.
Start your thrower and make sure it is in position for that first pass. Now, adjust the discharge chute so that it’s pointing to the direction you desire.
Engage the drive and start pushing gently. The auger lever is going to start throwing snow.
Once you’ve cleared that first path, disengage the drive and auger lever. You may now need to adjust the chute. Do so, and then turn the machine around for the next pass.
Engage your controls once again and continue walking forward in a straight line. You should walk at a steady and slow pace.
Otherwise, you could overtax the machine’s capacity, which can easily lead to clogging and other issues.
You can run the blower at its full speed, but walk slower when it is heavy or wet.
A pro tip here is to use some non-stick cooking spray and coat the auger and chute to prevent clogging.
Maintenance
Before the season starts, change the spark plugs and belts, as well as the oil.
Check all the components and wax the chute’s inside to help with clogging. Lubricate everything as recommended in your owner’s manual.
During the season, you should use a fuel stabilizer to protect the fuel lines. Check the components each time and wipe down the machine to reduce the risk of rust.
When the season is over, drain the fuel from the compartment so that it doesn’t get old.
Lubricate the machine again and wipe it all down. Doing this gets rid of salt stains and prevents corrosion.
Alternative
Though the Ariens 225621 is an excellent choice for many homeowners, it might not be exactly what you need.
You’ll find that the Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker is another excellent choice. It is 28 inches wide, whereas the Ariens model is only 24 inches.
It also features power steering to make it easier to turn. You’d appreciate the heated handgrips, too, which makes it more comfortable to be outside.
There’s also a clog-resistant shoot, which throws the snow farther than other models.
Another convenient feature is the electric-start. Combine that with the gas engine, and you’re sure to cut down on the time it takes to remove snow from your driveway.
Then again, to get such upgraded features, you are going to pay more. This is the downside of this model, so you might want to keep that in mind.
Is the Ariens Compact 24 Right for You?
Hopefully, this Ariens Compact 24 review showed whether or not the 225621 Two-Stage Snowblower is the right choice for you.
Still, we understand that it’s not perfect, which is why we included an alternative. That way, you can compare features and determine which one is more suitable for your needs.
If you ask us, both options work well, but the Ariens unit is a little less expensive. Plus, it has features that the other one doesn’t.