What is the difference between craftsman snow blower 88691 and 88970?

Answer 1

Kind of unusual when comparing similar models for the model with more features and thus higher price to have a smaller (or issued-earlier) part number.

From what my token research has found, there are two differences. The most important is that on the 88691, there are 2 additional trigger levers; one on each hand grip, located below each hand grip. These levers allow each drive wheel to be independently disabled from the self-propulsion system. This allows for more maneuverable turning ... its hard to steer around an obstacle when both wheels are actively driving. It also allows for powered turns (at the end of the driveway).

The other difference is more subtle. The plastic skids on which the snow intake rests and moves are larger on the 88691. The salesman swore to me that the bolt hole alignment for both size skids were the same. I have not verified.

Both of these features can be seen on the unit's pictures at the sears website.