What is missing from the article is that ALL of the machines listed are under the company MTD. Look up a website for MTD, that will have parts, manuals etc on PDF files. You will find that all of the companies are MTD. Many engines are the same, either Tecumseh, or Briggs and Stratton (US/Mexico) or maybe Kohler. I’d stay away from Tecumseh, other 2 are okay. So then you have to differentiate between the ease of operation, reliability and design differences in the blower. I don’t have one, but have a Troy-Bilt largest garden tractor for the lawn/garden. Anything else, would use the belly mower on the Deere full size tractor. Good luck. It is discouraging to try to find a product.
Troy-Bilt is now MTD and the quality was apparently "removed for clarity"!