Briggs & Stratton 1022ER vs Craftsman SB230 21" Gas
Quick take: The Craftsman SB230 21" Gas costs $150 less; the Briggs & Stratton 1022ER clears a wider 22" path per pass; the Briggs & Stratton 1022ER throws snow farther (up to 30 ft).
| Spec | Briggs & Stratton 1022ER | Craftsman SB230 21" Gas |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699 | $549 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Single-Stage Gas | Single-Stage Gas |
| Power | 208cc Briggs & Stratton 950 Snow Series | 123cc 4-cycle OHV |
| Clearing Width | 22" | 21" |
| Intake Height | 12.5" | 13" |
| Throw Distance | up to 30 ft | up to 25 ft |
| Weight | 93 lb | 95 lb |
| Starting | Push-button 110V electric + recoil | Push-button electric |
| Heated Grips | No | No |
| Drive & Handling | Auger-assist propulsion — the rubber-edged auger bites pavement and tugs the 93 lb machine along, so it walks itself on flat concrete. The R in the name is remote chute control worked from the handle, with 200-degree rotation; oversized mitten-friendly knobs throughout. | No true self-propel, but the 9-inch rubber auger grips the pavement and pulls the 95-lb machine forward as it works — classic single-stage auger-assist. The 190° chute adjusts from a handle control. No headlight and no heated grips, so dawn clearing means a headlamp and good gloves. |
| Warranty | 3-year residential | 3-year |
Pros & cons
Briggs & Stratton 1022ER
- ✓208cc engine is enormous for the price class — punches through wet snow that stalls budget rivals
- ✓Push-button electric start plus a carb rated to start at 20 below zero
- ✓Remote chute rotation standard — no walking around the machine mid-pass
- ✓93 lb with auger-assist pull makes it nearly effortless on flat pavement
- ✓Oversized mitten-friendly controls and 200-degree chute range (most rivals stop at 180)
- ✓Typically $50-150 cheaper than an equivalent Toro or Ariens single-stage
- ✗Thermoplastic auger polishes over hardpack and ice instead of scraping it clean
- ✗Owner reports of the drive belt slipping off and being awkward to re-seat
- ✗No headlight, no heated grips, and a notoriously poor instruction manual
- ✗Deflector angle is manual even though rotation is remote
- ✗Availability is spotty since B&S's restructuring — often out of stock at Lowe's mid-winter
Craftsman SB230 21" Gas
- ✓Cheapest name-brand gas snow blower with electric start (~$549)
- ✓4-cycle engine runs on straight gas — no premix, less winter fuss
- ✓Rubber auger-assist grips pavement and pulls the machine forward
- ✓13-in intake plus gas torque powers through slush and plow piles
- ✓190° chute control adjusts from the operator position
- ✓3-year limited warranty beats the 2-year electric-brand standard
- ✗Owner reviews report spotty QC — missing parts and dead starters out of the box
- ✗95 lbs with no true self-propel gets tiring on slopes
- ✗No headlight or heated grips at a price where rivals add them
- ✗Gas upkeep is real: oil changes, carb care, and off-season stabilizer
- ✗Warranty service through MTD dealers can be slow and hard to find