Poulan Pro PR8P27ES
3.5
5
4
4
Adequate most of the time
I work on a US base in northern Japan. I purchased it in the military exchange. We get a LOT of snow. I have used this machine one whole season and had no problems with maintenance. It does the job for most snowfalls, although with heavy snow, it is slow-going. It will sometimes stall in very hard or ice-mixed snow. During use, three times I had a stone jam in the impeller causing the machine to stop/stall. I had to use a chisel and hammer to remove the stone each time but no damage except scrapes all around the inside of the impeller housing. Did not have to change any shear bolts. I had a bent auger blade but was able to straighten it. While adequate most of the time, I wish the store had a bigger, more powerful machine. As it was, I bought the largest one they had in stock.
A minor performance issue is that the speed control to the right on the control panel, seems to be really one speed-high- as no matter where I place the lever, it jerks forward as I engage. Some control can be gained by only partly engaging the clutch. I do not recommend this machine for a small person.
On purchase, some assembly was required. The instructions could have been more clear about installing which spring where and what ends-had some trial and error time there-machine started up first time. Engine oil was proper level. I just finished ordering replacement parts for next season, including impeller and traction belts. Part numbers in the manual do not match the numbers of the belts on the retail site. Ie: traction belt is PP40001 on the retail site but in the manual it is 532 41 97-44. I hope the retail site was correct saying the belts are for my machine.
March 13, 2013
Pretty good, could use more power, tougher welding.
I've generally been happy with my snow blower. For loose snow it is awesome. The engine has trouble with heavy, wet snow and densely packed powder. I learned to set it in low gear and creep forward a few inches at a time, but I wish I could've afforded a bit more power.
This last storm (Nemo?), I was about 2/3 done when the drive system went out. The blower parts still worked, but I couldn't get it to move forward except by pushing really hard.
Upon examining the drive assembly, I found out that the small sprocket on part #34, the "Sprocket Weldment" had broken free of its weld and was turning freely around the shaft. The part wasn't too hard to remove, although I'm having trouble ordering a replacement. I am concerned, though, that there seemed to be only a single weld on ONE side of the sprocket. In my mind, this doubled the chances of the part breaking. There should have been two welds.
February 11, 2013
Snow Thrower PR8527ES
My unit has less than 2 hours on it; the cost through the Base Exchange was $999.00. The unit will not throw snow, the belts were inspected, they are in new condition, and correctly installed, but the auger will not rotate. There is no belt adjustment according to the Owner’s manual so the belt could not be adjusted if it were loose and slipping. Within the first hour of use, one of the auger bolts sheared off and had to be replaced. I am very disappointed because I have spent so much money and now I need to spend more to have repaired, and it has less than two hours use.
December 28, 2012
Workhorse
My Poulan Pro is a snow-throwing workhorse
Primes and starts up quickly every-time
Low maintenance - Sear/Shear bolts easy to purchase and replace
Colorado 35' north side driveway plus sidewalks no problem
Snow throw is about 10" through 15" differing with snow pack types - good controls to aim snow
Enough horse power left over to clear the neighbors walks without overheating
Cons: Noise - gets a louder with more use
Heavy to move if you run out of gas :)
May 23, 2012