Ariens / Snow Cab? Original Message Dec 27, 2005 4:57 pm
Has anyone used the optional snow cab on their Ariens snowblower? I guess the question applies to any snowblower. I just bought a new Ariens 1126DLE and now thinking about adding the snow cab. Is it worth it? I appreciate all comments and advice as I did when I made my purchase selection of the 1126dle.
Im sick of getting a face full of snow. Do any of you have one? I was just wondering how they worked. Can you see thru them when the snow hits? I would like any input.
I had one on my previous machine.... used it ONCE... and decided it wasn't worth the aggrevation. It did nothing by gather dust until I disposed of the unit. I felt I was better off with ski goggles in really bad weather. So that all I've ever used, when necessary, since. A Russian fur hat with earlugs, ski goggles...there isn't much exposed with all that!!! A snowmobile outfit might work...but I never explored that.
I to had this question last year. I have now used my snow cab for last season and the beginning of this season.....here are some thoughts.
I always have alot of wind. I hate wind. I hate that cold slap in the face of blowing stinging snow. I like my cab. I bought the "offical Ariens" cab. It seemed much higher quality then the aftermarket ones I saw. I paid $160.00 for it.
Pros- I do not have to bundle up near as much. I do not need my ski goggles anymore. I do not look like a snowman when I come in from snowblowing. The windshild never gets bilt up with snow.
Cons- after starting, (I have key start) I have to walk around the cab to adjust down the choke down 20 seconds after I start it. The light sometimes gets dimmer by the snow blowing over the clear light window. Not bad, but the light is a bit brighter without the snow cab. If I hit a rut with the blower and it lurches sideways a bit, my arm can hit the side of the snowcab a bit. It would not hurt the snowcab, but you may feel it in your arm. If you are transporting it in a pick-up, you would want to unsnap the cab so the wind does not catch it. You can no longer transport this in a pick-up that has a cap.
That's about all of the things bad I can think of. In short. I LOVE HAVING MY SNOW CAB. It was worth it for me.
Make sure you can get it into your garage or shed. On my monster 13 hp Ariens, the cab comes to 78.5 inches high and 31 inches wide. You can spread the frame wider or narrower depending on how big you are. I do not feel closterphobic (spelling??) in my cab.
It may seem pricey, but this accessory was way less then even 10% of the cost of the snowblower, and makes the task way more bearable.
Just my own opinion based on my situation. My advice is to try someone elses snowblower that already has a cab and see what you think......
Frank D.
Ariens 1332DLE Pro, Exmark 52" HP ZTR, Gardian Generac generator, Shindiawa T230 Excell/Honda PW, Craftsman rototiller, Favorite IPE- My Mac + Ipod- No Windoze for me!
Make sure the snow cab you buy fits your unit, light, etc. TRY before you BUY if you are not sure...go to your dealer and ask him to give you names of people who he has sold one...go try their's out first.... I would not want to be without mine now.....
Frank D.
Ariens 1332DLE Pro, Exmark 52" HP ZTR, Gardian Generac generator, Shindiawa T230 Excell/Honda PW, Craftsman rototiller, Favorite IPE- My Mac + Ipod- No Windoze for me!
There shouldn't be any drilling involved. I had one on my old snowblower for almost 20 years and never had a problem with seeing . Now I have one on my Toro that I bought in '03 and still love it. I did buy the weight kit for the Toro Just makbecause it's a lighter machine than my old Bolens was,but that's up to you. I'd never be without a cab again. No snow blowing back at you,no cold wind.........it's great ! Just make sure it'll fit through your shed door. You can always tilt it so that it does.
There is no drilling....It is easier to "build" the frame right on the blower then to assemble the whole frame , then install it. Mine is very quality....made just for my year Ariens.....
Frank D.
Ariens 1332DLE Pro, Exmark 52" HP ZTR, Gardian Generac generator, Shindiawa T230 Excell/Honda PW, Craftsman rototiller, Favorite IPE- My Mac + Ipod- No Windoze for me!
it gets pretty loud in the cab, i bought ear protection.
You should use ear protection when using a snowblower even if you don't have a cab.
I use ear plugs and ear muffs at the same time. From what I've read the plugs give a couple of db more protection. The ear muffs keep my ears a bit warmer. I use the setup I got for using a chainsaw, hard hat, mesh face sheild and ear muffs attached to the helmet. I don't use the shield that often when I need it I just flip it down.