Customer Reviews

Poulan Pro PR827ES 27-Inch 205cc Briggs & Stratton 800 Series Gas Powered Two-Stage Snow Thrower With Electric Start 961920043

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Arrived in perfect condition. It took longer to get out of the box/crate than it did to setup about 30 min. Read the instructions, fueled it up, started it up (first pull by the way), and I was out throwing old snow from the cities snow plows so far I had to watch out for the neighbors windows and cars. I haven't even tried the electric starter yet, that will be the test for today's predicted storm. This machine is heavy and well built, and if you let it do the work it is very satisfying to use. I'm actually looking forward to the next heavy wet storm. If you want a heavy duty machine then this one should be on your list. Thanks Poulan and Amazon. Oct. 27, 2010 9" of heavy snow today machine still started on the first pull and blasted through the mess! Great machine!

I was a little skeptical about the brand because I have heard mediocre reports about Poulan's other power tools. But, this thing works really well and has a ton of features for the price. Yes, the speed control could be a little more refined, but once I get it where I want it I have little reason to change it very often so it doesn't bother me much. Suprisingly, I find the headlight to be a nice feature- I thought that seemed a little gratuitous at first. Can't comment on the machine's longevity, but I'm hopeful.

FYI- Most of the things Johnny O complained about in his 1 star review (the only review under 4 stars as of this review) are not true for my machine including: there is a control lever for both the discharge rotation and deflector angle, no 'wheelie' problem (althought that seems like a stretch to call a problem IMHO), it does have one hand control of both the drive and auger, the control levers are VERY easy to move (I am wondering if Johnny realizes that you need to press them in lightly to unlock them and allow them to move???). Yes it is loud. It is an 8HP snow blower! It does not strike me as louder or having more vibration than any of the several other brands I have used over the years.

I've used this machine six times now, in snow ranging from 2-7 inches. The one good thing I can say about it is that it does go through deep snow, plow drifts and wet snow with little problem. (see comment section - only applies if you keep things adjusted)

Now to the bad stuff:

The manufacturer description claims that the machine has 'EZ power steering system". This is NOT true and both the manufacturer and Amazon have admitted this. This is a big deal as it is a heavy machine that is not easy to turn. Precision is not a feature of this product. It goes where it wants to go, you just hold on and try to get it to go where you want. If you hit grass or such it actually tends to move towards it and it is hard to get it back on the right path.

As mentioned in other reviews, the speed selection is fairly random and hard to get right. This became especially difficult when my speed control pulley fell off. In the six uses I have had with this machine I have already lost two parts. The thing shakes like a beast and anything loose is going to come off. The speed pulley is not a user installed part and would be difficult to determine that it requires checking prior to usage. I've had to improvise on bolts to get it working again.

Using the machine does take some getting used to. Even at the slowest speeds the start up usually involves a "Wheely", with the machine jumping off the ground and leaving a pile of snow in it's wake. Return trips are par for the course.

The manual for this machine, which is specific to the PR8527ES, tells you how to set up the remote chute control. This model does not have that feature, although it would be a very 'nice to have'.

The manual also states that that:
"When both traction drive and auger control levers are engaged, the traction drive control lever will lock the auger control lever in the engaged position. This will allow you to release your right hand from the handle and adjust the discharge chute direction without interrupting the snow throwing process."

This does not work on my machine, nor do I see any linkage to the gearing that would allow this.

A minor complaint is that the control knobs quickly wear out your wrists. I am not a lightweight and have been using snow blowers for years. I suspect it comes with the lack of steering control, but have been able to mitigate it some as I get used to the machine. If you are not a strong person, you do not want this machine.

Minor complaints that I suspect are true for any two stage thrower are that it is loud, uses lots of gas and rattles like crazy. That I pretty much expected, but be aware of it if you choose to buy.

I have to put this item on the 'can not recommend' list, which is too bad, it could be so much better.
I'll be calling the dealer to buy parts, I expect this to be an ongoing effort.

Great buy. Bought it back in October before any snow in Utah and it was delivered on time and put in my garage. Set up was easy, about a half hour. Waited for snow. Snow came, blizzard warning. Run for the hills this is the storm of the decade. Um, storm only laid 5 inches of powder. Still not a bad start, I guess. Snow thrower threw powder 20-25 feet. Sun came out the next day and melted snow. I took this baby out for a real test in the street along the north curb that was soaked with wet snow from plow. It did a nice job. Threw wet snow 8-10 feet. Slowest speed is still a little fast for the wet stuff but it was manageable. Machine is well balanced and handles rather easily. Reverse gear is nice but should be faster if needed. Full speed forward nearly dragged me up my driveway. This thing will get you noticed; headlight, big snow throwing arc, and nice yellow and black paint. Briggs and Strat engine purrs like a tiger. Owner's manual is well thought out and all parts of all systems schematically laid out nice with part numbers. For the price, free delivery, B&S engine, and my Sears store will service it if necessary....I gotta give this 5 stars.

I purchased this after getting so much snow that the plow mounted on my lawn tractor was ineffective. This machine has many more features than similar price machines from other manufacturers. The electric start, remote discharge chute control and light are key. Very easy to setup and even easier to operate. The controls are straight forward and easy to use. I have a 100' plus driveway and between two back to back storms got almost 4' of snow. This machine cut throught it with very little effort.

As for Johnny O's review. My Daughter who is 14 was able to use it (with proper supervisoin of couse) without any problems. It seems that he is reviewing the wrong product, didn't get what he ordered, got a bad machine or needs to read the manual. I could go on to discount all his problems but will leave it at that.

Just set it up yesterday night. Took me approx. 60 min to assemble. Pretty much straight forward. Then the moment of truth: Put gas in, connected the extension cord, choke to full, and pushed the electric start button. The engine came alive immediately. Choke to off, and it was ready to go. Spent an hour plowing my driveway and sidewalk. Was late at night, so the flood light worked a treat. Overall I am very happy with it. Of course, it is heavy, so turns can be a little bit cumbersome, but all in all: Great quality and easy to operate. LOVE the remote chute control (i.e., throw orientation and throw angle). Motor seems to be strong enough, even for the wet, icy and compacted snow I plowed yesterday. You just need to go slowly enough. One thing though: I wonder whether I should have gone with the PR1030ES model (30 in collector, power steering and bigger engine). Nevertheless, I love mine. Amazon had ground delivery incl. basic indoor delivery included and a truck with a lift gate pre-approved. VERY NICE! Pile it on!

Not much that I can say bad about this machine. One down side is that the speed control lever is designed such that it is difficult to get the correct speeds every time - takes some getting used to and even then is a challenge. It is also not very easy to manuever - wish it had power steering, but once you get used the machine it's manageable. I wish the snow chute would adjust in smaller increments. Moving the snow chute from the operators control (instead of a hand crank) is really nice though.

Strong points: This machine goes through the heavy snow very well. It does a great job scraping even if the snow has melted and refrozen - I was very impressed as my older snowblower didn't even come close to the performance of this machine. It goes through the heavy snow really well, though the really wet stuff does require a slow speed and smaller cuts as you would expect. Very good traction. No need for chains on this machine since the weight seems well balanced on the rear wheels (can cause the front to jump a bit on the bumps though).

I would recommend this machine and buy it again.

My Snow blower arrived a bit late due to, of all things, no access to my house because of too much snow, but once unloaded and assembled it started up with the electric starter right away. For those not knowing, electric start on a snow blower does not mean that it has a battery and starts like a car. You plug an extension cord into the motor and push the start button on these things. Good for very cold mornings. You pull start to restart out in the snow, if necessary. The only problem was that the blower arrived missing the snow chute that shoots the snow off to the side. It was very difficult getting through to the right people at Poulan (Amazon said they couldn't help me, which made me a very unhappy customer), and they have promised to send out an urgent shipment of the replacement part, but its been quite a while and haven't seen the part, haven't seen any email notice of shipment, or even any acknowledgement that a replacement part is in process of order and shipment. If I ever get the snow chute, I will edit this and report on the machine's efficiency in moving snow. Physically, and engineering wise, the machine looks well designed, good manufacturing is apparent, and all the controls are in the right place and make this machine equivalent to some other brands that are much more expensive. Assembly is simple, and the manual is clear and easy to use.

I am glad I bought this out of season because it was cheaper. Everyone else thought I was crazy buying a snowblower in august. Method to my maddness, I saved 200$. I put this together and had to go back over seas before the first snow on Dec. 1st. My girlfriend was able to figure it out and plow the driveway by herself with little coaching over the phone. She was even impressed..she said it shoots the snow 100ft (possible exageration) and said that it's quite fast too!!!!!..I'M JEALOUS SHE GOT TO USE IT FIRST!!!! ARG!! Best investment I think I have made yet. I can't wait to use it myself when I get home!!!

I received it today. Freight had it 1/2 from my home, and said they may not be able to deliver it tomorrow because of expected snow storm. I picked it up. They loaded it in my minivan and I was able to unload it at home.
Took 1/2 hour to set up. I put some gasoline in it, took it out for a spin and everything is good so far. Did not use electric start (I should have tested it, now that I think about it). The pull start fired up right away.
One thing I did not like so far, but I think I can adjust, is the forward and reverse lever and the diagram do not match up, so it took a little fishing to know where 'neutral" is. Its snowing now, and I can't wait till morning, when snow is supposed to stop, and we're supposed to get 6-12 inches.
Will follow up.

8 inches of snow. Opened garage door, primed the blower; one pull and she fired up. I have two wide driveway about 120 feet long on main road. The driveway part was real easy. Hardest part was remembering to rotate the chute and directing the height of the chute (this is my first blower), and remembering to put the machine back in Forward after going in Reverse. Clearing where the driveway met the street took a couple of passes because of the packed snow from the plows, but still very easy. In all, it took me 1.5 hrs. A lot easier on the body and arms, but more brain work. Worth every penny. Can't speak to the reliability and longevity, but the machine seems well constructed and sturdy. So far, it has exceeded my expectations.

Can't wait till the next storm.