The popularity of Craftsman snow thrower models has a lot to do with the fact that the company has an exclusive agreement with popular store chain, Sears.
Sears locations carry Craftsman snow thrower units, which makes the products quite easily accessible to consumers. All Sears technicians are also trained and geared with all information regarding your Craftsman snowblower, so you already know where you should go when you need to know anything about the brand.
The Sears agreement also helps strengthen the brand visibility of the company. But the main ingredient in the success of the brand still lies in the aggressive power and drive of its snow throwers.
One of the best Craftsman snow thrower model is the Craftsman 88999. This particular Craftsman snowblower is designed for heavy-duty snow clearing work. This is an affordable choice for those with large and long driveways, and also for people with hilly drives.
The machine is also built to handle even sloping and gravel driveways easily and to clear away various snow profiles, from compacted snow to deep snow. It is also a highly effective machine which can easily clear away snow by throwing it as far as 28 inches away.
Compared with other snow throwers at its same range, the Craftsman 88999 already offers great value for its price. The 88999 is backed with a powerful four-cycle 250cc engine. Its top features include an adjustable chute deflector and power-driven wheels that make the machine easy to manage.
Although there are other more powerful machines than this, it is definitely one of the most affordable models at this range at only around $1,070. At this price, you also get a two-year warranty.
Gas Snow Throwers from Craftsman
Aside from that, Craftsman offers an extensive collection of gas snow throwers, with engines ranging from 4, 5, 5.5, 6.5, 8.5, 9, and all the way to 11.5 HP. Their 11.5 HP model is a two-stage snow thrower with a clearing path of 30 inches, a 23-inch intake height, 6 forward and 2 reverse speeds.
The engine, similar to those of most other Craftsman snow blower models, is a 4-cycle Briggs and Stratton engine that provides a powerful drive and a smooth maneuverability.
The model comes with a single-hand control system for convenient usage and you can even rotate the chute into a 180-degree position for easy snow throwing. This model, however, is a bit bulky and is not advisable for small and mid-level usage.
For small-scale uses, the Craftsman 6.5 HP two-stage gas snow blower is a reasonable choice. It has a 24-inch clearing path and a 21-inch intake height. It comes with the usual 6 forward speeds and 2 reverse speeds, made possible by its Briggs and Stratton OHV 4-cycle engine.
The model is known for its unparalleled torque and its smooth operation, which translates to less vibration, less noise, and better usage.
This is also a top choice for budget-conscious folks because the machine’s OHV engine is designed for fuel efficiency and reduced consumption of oil. This also helps reduce levels of oil emissions, which makes the machines more durable than most other snow equipments.
The Craftsman Advantage
The main advantage in buying a Craftsman snow blower unit is that you can easily find one at any Sears store and can also easily have your snow thrower serviced at the same store. Craftsman snow machines are known for their powerful engines.
The Craftsman construction is simple: Briggs and Stratton engines for their smaller models ad Tecumseh engines for their bigger models. The exclusive use of highly trustworthy and durable engines is an essential part in the consistent success of Craftsman products.
Pros: Availability, accessibility, convenient after-sales service, reliable Briggs and Stratton OHV and Tecumseh engines, 180-degree chute rotation, 6 forward and 2 reverse speeds, ease of use, lower noise and vibration level, fuel economy Cons: Not as durable as snow blowers from several other brands
The Verdict
Craftsman mainly offers its customers two things: convenience and power. Craftsman snow blower models are built to perform and get the snow out of the way.
These machines are a force to reckon with during the cold season, and if you value power and performance above anything else, then Craftsman is the name for you.
