The Craftsman 88694 is a snowblower designed with an ultra-quiet, gas-powered engine that is powerful enough to clear away even the nastiest snow storms.
Purchasing a snowblower is a big investment, and you must think carefully think about it before committing your hard-earned money. While tools like snow shovels can be helpful in light snow, for snow more than six inches deep, you must get a snowblower to save the hassle. Not only are snowblowers faster and more efficient at handling deep snows, but they also don’t cause a lot of back or muscle strain. So, if you regularly get at least six inches of snowfall, one machine worth checking out is the Craftsman 88694.
Introducing the Craftsman 88694
If you need to clear up your driveways that is roughly 80 feet long, then one recommended product is the 88694, which is equipped with the quiet 208cc engine. While it isn’t a cheap model, it does come premium features that are only found on pricier machines. Perhaps the greatest thing about this snowblower is that it doesn’t require any hearing protection, making it convenient to use at any time! There are other beneficial features as well such as the fact that it is self-propelled, so there is no need to push it. Moreover, it has no-mar skid shoes and an electric start, making it safe and easy to use.
Pros
- The engine is so quiet that ear protection is not needed
- Fitted with a convenient steering that can be easily steered in different directions
- Ensures durability, long life, and ease of use
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a headlight
- On the expensive side
- It takes a little time to get the hang of this snowblower
Features & Benefits
When it comes to getting out of your way, we tend to look for the most efficient option that can help us get our work done in just a short time. You need such a machine that can help you clear out the snow so that you don’t get late for work. At the same time, the snowblower should also not harm the surfaces below the snow.
This is where the Craftsman 88694 snowblower comes into play. It is a feature-rich model and helps to get done with the task quickly!
- Allows you to work at any time of the day
Perhaps the most unique feature of the Craftsman 88694 is its quiet engine. According to the manufacturer, this engine is 45% quieter as compared to previous Craftsman models. As a result, the machine allows you to blow the snow at any time convenient for you; early in the morning or even into the evening and your neighbors will have no complaints!
The engine is also quiet enough that ear protection is not necessary as it exceeds standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health. So, no need to worry about all the noise causing a headache. Plus, the low noise level also reduces the risk of hearing loss (and bothering your neighbors).
- Powerful and efficient engine
The quiet, gas-powered Craftsman 88694 comes with an electric start feature which helps you to move more quickly. In fact, the majority of the gas snow blowers make use of the fast electric ignition feature to lower the number of startup attempts.
Moreover, the engine is fuel efficient and doesn’t need an oil-gas mixture too. Despite being quiet, the 208cc engine is a powerful, four-cycle engine. The engine features an efficient overhead valve motor start that lets you do the job efficiently and quickly.
- Easy Chute Control
The side-to-side movement of the chute can be controlled using the joystick present at the dash controls. The joystick also allows you to control the up-and-down movement of the deflector cap. Since the chute can be rotated up to 200 degrees, you can throw the snow on the sides.
Since the chute is rotated using the joystick, you have one hand free that you can use to steer the machine. So, thanks to the single-hand operation, you can make these adjustments while the machine is moving and continue clearing the snow while changing the chute’s direction. Plus, the chute is designed so that it minimizes clogging.
- Versatility of Speed
The Craftsman 88694 comes with eight different speeds. There are six forward speeds along with two reverse speeds, giving you the freedom of choosing how quickly you want to get the task done. Moreover, the different speeds also compensate for obstacles, incline, and snow texture so that you don’t face any problems when clearing snow.
- Ergonomic Handles
The Craftsman 88694 is fitted with plow-style ergonomic handles. You can drive the handles with one hand, which means that your other hand is free to work the chute or the throttle. Moreover, the handles minimize the strain on your hands, legs, and back, so that you can get your work done without experiencing any pain.
- Zero-Turn Power Steering
The zero-turn power steering makes the machine easy to use. In fact, the zero-turn steering along with the four-way joystick control allows the blower to do all the heavy lifting for you. You will find two small levers below the handles that allow you to steer the blower with only your fingers, making it easy to maneuver this 36-inch snowblower.
- Poly Skid Shoes
Like many other snowblowers, the Craftsman 88694 features poly skid shoes that are designed to be as tough as steel shoes found on other brands. Yet, these shoes ensure that there are no marks on your driveway or new patio so that you can work on getting rid of the snow without worrying about the surface being scratched!
- Large Tires for Easy Steering
The 88694 snowblower features large, deep tread tires that provide you the traction needed to clean your patio, sidewalk, and driveway. The tires give a solid grip, enabling you to finish cleaning in a short time.
- Good on Multiple Surfaces
The snowblower can be used for various functions. You can use it on gravel and paved surfaces, walkways, sidewalks, and patios along with trails and grass pathways. Moreover, it can handle all kinds of snow, ranging from light to heavy, wet blizzard snow.
In fact, the Craftsman 88694 is ideal for a stained concrete drive, too and allows you to handle snowfalls where the snow is more than 12 inches deep. Its cleaning depth and width allow you to get rid of piles of snow that are left by municipal snow plows.
- Easy to Store
Measuring 26 inches in width, you won’t have a problem in getting the machine past your garage door. So, once the snow season is over, you can easily store it away.
Customer Reviews
According to customer reviews, the Craftsman 88694 is an efficient two-stage 26-inch snow blower. Users particularly like the excellent handling the machine has to over along with the impressive plow-pile removal and the removal speed. Customers are so impressed by the quiet operation of the engine that they don’t require ear protection while operating the machine.
Bottom Line
All in all, with the Craftsman 88694, you can quietly but quickly move the snow because of the powerful 208cc engine. Moreover, features such as four-way chute control, electric start, and power steering, make the model unique as compared to the other models in the same price range. It is ideal for a gravel driveway and allows you to work without disturbing your neighbors!
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