Poulan Pro PR827ES 27Inch 205cc Gas Powered 2Stage
| Brand: | Poulan | ||
| Average Rating |
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Make short work of snow-covered driveways, sidewalks, patios and more! The PR8527ES is powered by an 8.5 HP Tecumseh Snow King engine that’s ready to take on anything winter throws at you. Easy assembly. U.S.A. more info
The machine is great, customer service ???
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
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.
Works great right out of the crate!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
It was delivered off the truck and moved up my driveway (125′) from the street. While I was opening the crate a plow came by and put a 3′ berm infront of my driveway.
I set the Poulan up, fired it up and went to work on the berm. Took about 20 minutes. There are 6 forward speeds which might be nice for a track meet but with heavy snow and ice the slowest speed works best. Otherwise it will climb over ice berms. We had over 7′ of snow in three weeks. This new blower was delivered and other than one plowing of my driveway since then haven’t had to use it. I’m looking forward to more snow:)
Set up was very easy, toughest part was cutting open the box on the crate. Directions are straight forward and all parts are easily identified and quick to set up.
Poulan snowthrower 8.5hp
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
The snowthrower was as expected but was a little damaded in shipping, promt service was given through Northern Tool and resolved quickly. The unit started right up with minimal effort to assemble minor parts. I have not needed this yet but I believe it will do the job easily.Poulan PR8527ES Pro 8.5 HP 27-Inch 2 Stage Snow Thrower With Electric Start (Non-CARB Compliant)
A BEAST!!!!!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
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!!!
Lots of work to keep it working – from day 1
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
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.