Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I bought this machine because I needed a rugged machine that would last me. I would rather purchase a "Tim Taylor" machine rather than fuss with an inferior one. This beast has 13hp, 36" wide, locking diff, heated hand grips, light, elec start, ect.... I have a 100 foot paved driveway. It has snowed 4 times since I purchased it, and it has broke down on me 3 times.  everything from a factory recall that i wasnt notified of, so it burned belts (4)!!, to nuts & bolts falling out, chute breaking, auger stops turning, wheels stop driving, etc.... The dealer has a special place for it in his shop that they dont fill when it is at my place. I believe this machine would last forever,  if i dont use it. The dealer stood behind me 100% when I told them enough is enough I wanted something done, money back, or a replacement. Now it has snowed today, 20", I have a bad back and have to shovel while the ariens company sits on my $3000.00. Anybody else have this problem?

I have to agree with NHmatt on his call.  Nothing you said has indicated that the Honda is a piece of crap, or that the Ariens is a better machine.  The Ariens may suit your needs, expectation, patience, or use better, but thats about it.  You may feel you don't have to compare how a snowblower perform point by point, but without fair basis of comparison and real data, how did you ever arrive any conclusion?

I'm not convinced that the Ariens you mentioned will throw snow far better than the Honda.  Maybe the Ariens throws better in some situations, and the Honda better in others.  But far better is an exaggeration.   I'm also not convinced that the Honda rode up over snowdrifts any easier than the Ariens.   What position did you have the bucket in?  The condition you described is more likely with a wheeled snowblower instead of a tracked one.  Any snowblower will ride up if the forward speed is so high that the auger does not have time to move the hard packed snow in front of it. 

You hit a tomato cage, while flimsy, have wrapped itself around the auger and the force was not enough to snap the shear pin but bent or buckled the auger instead.  A tomato cage may look flimsy, but it has extremely strong tensile strength for its weight.   I'm not sure if any other snowblower exposed to the same situation would have fared worse or better than your expectation of just a broken shear pin instead of an expensive auger repair.  Was the correct shear pin used instead of any 4mm bolt?

I don't understand your comment about Ariens lawnmower.  "great lawnmower, great engine".  How can you say something is great and not liking it?  Too heavy, awkward to steer, costs too much money, flimsy? Would you like the lawnmower if it wore a Snapper brand and painted in red?   Sorry to digress.  Also, I'm not aware of any Ariens walk behind mower with a Honda engine, except of the new ones I saw at Sears.  These were budget mowers which are designed to specific market and pricepoints and may not represent an "Ariens lawnmower."

aa335:  Reasonable deductions and conclusions.  I agree with much of what you've said. 

Tomato cages at least the ones that I use, are far from flimsy.  One has to question how a tomato cage gets into a snow thrower in the first place?    If my snow thrower ate a tomato cage, I'd consider myself as getting off very lightly with bent augers versus a broken gear box or bent shafts.   

Bottom line and this is just my personal opinion, Ariens had their day as a premium snow thrower.  That day has gone.  At best, they are capable, middle of the road machines.  They do not rank with a Honda in any comparison measurement other than possibly throwing distance/volume (when new).   The Honda will run stronger, longer and more efficiently than late model Ariens machines.  Ariens have taken the "easy way to the money" route by compromising build quality to meet box store purchasing prices.   

Honda, as with most Japanese manufacturers will not sacrifice fifty years of building a reputation for quality to make a fast buck.   Unfortunately, the manufacturing sector in North America  do not share the same principles.   That and the financial sector's lack of scruples are  a couple of good reasons we're in the sh!t can we're in today.  

Look at the auto sector.  If the domestic manufacturers had read the writing on the wall thirty years ago and built Asian quality cars back then, do you think they'd be in trouble today?    Even if they had equaled Asian car quality just ten years ago, they'd still be viable because we'd be buying their cars.  Nope.  Hubris and arrogance  kept their heads up their a$$es until they ground the industry into the dirt.   I don't see Ariens deviating from the auto sectors way of doing things.   Keep building them cheaper each year to make the profit margins until the public no longer believes in the name.  Sooner or later, compromising build quality will destroy the faith of the customer and complete failure of the industry will be certain.    There's a lot to be learned from these hard times. 

aa335 and borat:
I respect both your opinions. You both seem very knowledgeable about snowblowers. I am not as knowledgeable about them as you are because I'm not as interested in them as you seem to be. I use and appreciate well designed and built machinery but I am not passionate about them.
The tomato cage my Honda ingested was buried under a snowbank. I should have known it was there but I didn't until too late. Honda had factory original shear pins etc. Possibly Ariens would also have bent auger, who knows? I hope never to find out. I repeat that the experienced welder who repaired the auger agreed with me that it was NOT a strong part. I have owned a number of snowblowers over the years. Have never had any real problems with any of them. I maintain machinery properly and use snowblowers in an appropriate manner. Please accept that I intensely disliked the Honda 928 and do not consider it to be the marvel you seem to think it is. I simply find the Ariens better to use. In other words, I think it is BETTER suited to my particular situation.
I seem to have confused aa335 with my lawnmower comment. My current lawnmower is a LawnBoy with a Honda engine. I like the Honda engine. It seems to be quieter and more vibration free than the L head tecumseh engine on my last Toro. I don't like Ariens lawnmowers because they are rather heavy and clumsy to use. And yes, I have owned an Ariens lawnmower some years ago. Borat is not very accurate in his appraisal of Japanese vs. North American cars. Any number of sources, including JDPower adknowledge that North American cars are equal to, and in some cases are superior to Asian vehicles. Go on the internet. Any number of sources will validate this. Some years ago, japanese cars simply dissolved and rusted away in a year or two in my part of the world. I owned a 1978 Honda Accord. Unreliable, expensive parts and flimsy. I did enjoy driving it before it dissolved. Anyway, I'm not going to post any more on this matter. I enjoy reading the forum and have for a few years now. These discussions are good reading but nobody's mind ever gets changed. People buy on emotion and then attempt to rationalize their decision. Consumers like or dislike machinery (and everything else) based on their own particular view of the world.

Terrier said:

 

1/  throws far better than the Honda ever did

 

   That’s just not possible unless the Honda was broken.  The Honda easily beats an Ariens of similar horsepower or higher easily.  That comes from using newer Ariens machines in the same conditions against a 15 or so year old Honda 8hp track. 

 

2/ My Honda 928 just didn't work for me. Either rode up over snowdrifts or if I put front right down, the tracks just spun and nothing happened.

 

  Either you did not use it properly or it was broken/out of some alignment.   All you say may be your experience but it’s not typical of what a Honda can do.  Their motor cranks are on roller bearings and spin faster than a Tecumseh.  The augers and impellers rotate faster and throw much better than an Ariens.  Honda’s generally will easily out toss a similar hp Ariens or any other US machine. 

   I have two Yamaha track 6hp 24 inch machines which are very similar to Honda tracks.  They easily stay up with 8’s and 9’s and match 10’s.  In all around capability the 624 is much easier to use. 

   The Honda track was used to clear and 8^th mile of very steep hill which it did easily and did not slip. 

   The tracks are a bear to move when not running which I often hear but who would be dump enough to do that?  Their wicked easy to start and move unless a U turn in a tight spot. 

    Your experience with your Honda is unfortunate but it seems you had a broken machine.

David

trouts2 wrote:
Have you tried a 2008  9526DLE or similar  ?  If it threw further it would be dangerous.
I also have a 1999 Ariens pro and there's a big difference.

Paul

Terrier

I still don't understand how the "experienced welder" agreeing with your assessment of the auger as not being a STRONG part has anything to do with a snowblower.  Strong enough to do what?  Till your  soil, dig trenches, or excavate earth for foundation?  Even if the Honda auger is not as strong as the Ariens, so what?  Maybe your welder was pissed because it was a b*tch to reshape those augers.  Maybe he would rather lay down a bead or a couple of tack welds and be done with it instead of softening it by reheating and then heat treat it again.  Maybe he's agreeing with you because you're the customer and paying the bill. 

If you look at the auger a little more closely, it is designed with more thought about strength than merely slapping on the heavy and thick metal.  Look at where the weld points are, where the bracing of the helical coil to the shaft occurs, and stiffening of the auger without using much materials.  HINT:  Look at corrugated boxes, u-channel, and I-beams.  Remember that being heavier and thicker means that it requires more power, exerts more stress on surrounding components, makes the machine slower and perform worse.   I don't see the Honda auger as not a strong part.  It is designed to do what it is supposed to do, to move snow towards the impeller.  It is not designed to take on steel wire or to drill holes in the ground.

I am clear now about your statement of lawnmowers.  You like Lawnboy, hate Ariens.

You indicated that you are not as passionate about snowblower, but you seemed to be passionate about expressing your disappointment.  That's fine, this is a forum where people express their views.  But if you were to contributing to the forum with your first post by bad mouthing a product, be prepared to defend your opinions.

pvrp:

>>Have you tried a 2008  9526DLE or similar  ?  If it threw further it would be dangerous.

>>I also have a 1999 Ariens pro and there's a big difference.

 

What’s so hot about a 2008 9526 or similar that it’s got some magical distance ability?   Does is have a higher impeller speed?  New shape of impeller, auger housing, blades, impeller outlet, chute design that’s going to make it very different than – you did not give the alternative just that it’s great and possibly dangerous. 

You have a 1999 that is different than what?  A Honda or the 9526?  Different in what way?  Have you tried the 9526 and compared it to what in similar conditions?  

 

What horsepower is your 1999?  What’s it’s compression condition. 

 

I had an Ariens 10hp (approx 2003-4) which was rebuilt and threw very well. An 8hp Yamaha could beat it.  The Yamaha was 15 years older.

 

I think Ariens has recently moved to 1300 impeller speed which start to get it caught up to Japanese Honda and Yamaha machines.  The Yamaha has 4 roller bearings in the auger gearcase and arms supported by roller bearings.

 

So what’s your point?  The 9526 is wicked dangerous.  How does it throw compared to … related to the ongoing discussion?

david

trouts2 wrote:

And what are you so uptight about ?

I asked if you'd tried a recent Ariens because first, I don't think you have, and second because they throw a lot
better than they used to.  So if someone today says it'll outthrow a (smaller, older ?)  Honda I wouldn't be surprised.  
Personally I wouldn't want an Ariens (pro) to throw further than it does.  I have no reason to send my snow into the
yard of the guy across the street, but I could with my new Ariens.

Paul

terrier wrote:

Don't know what planet you've been living on for the last six months but it doesn't sound like the same one I'm on.  Read the news, go on the internet to do some research on the existing North American auto industry situation.   Regardless of the JD Power ratings (usually assessed on INITIAL quality), which is dubious at best, there is a problem with North American vehicle quality compared to Asian vehicles.  Even the Koreans are building better vehicles.    If the domestic vehicle brands are as good as you claim they are, maybe you can explain why people won't buy them despite the fact that they're a couple grand less?   North American auto manufacturers have lost market share year after year since the introduction of Asian cars.  Maybe you can explain how that happened?    The domestic manufacturers can only buy so much propaganda.   Sooner or later, the consumer with have the last say.  When that last expression to buy Asian over domestic becomes so frequent that the domestics cannot compete, one can only conclude that the consumer is not happy with the domestic offerings and you can rest assured that it's not based on styling.   Style doesn't keep the car out of the service bay.  Know what I mean?

I've got many years of experience with both domestic and Asian brands.  For me, there is no comparison.  I have operated Toyotas for a fraction of the cost for an equivalent domestic.  I am not exaggerating.  My present 1996 Toyota pick up has cost me less in twelve years than my Ford pick did in one year.   I have not put a dime in repairs in my Toyota.  Maintenance (tires, batteries, oil change etc.) not included.  Repair costs are for things that fail.  All of my North American vehicles required at least $500.00/year, for every year of ownership.  I'd estimate that total repair costs for thirty years of Toyota ownership is less than $1000.00.   That's why I've been buying them since 1979.  If you've have good luck with your domestic vehicle good for you.  From the way the market has shifted away from North American vehicles you might be the exception rather than the rule.  If you can think of another reason consumers  are buying Asian vehicles in preference to domestics, I'd be interested in hearing it,

 

Borat; I don't really see what your views on japanese vs domestic automobiles has to do with snowblowers, but whatever. You may have driven japanese cars since 1979 but you don't seem to be aware of the issues they have. Are you aware there is a recall for your year toyota pickup because the frames rust out and the bodies fall off on occasion. Happened to my brother in law. There was also a class action suit against toyota/lexus because their v6 engines were sludging up due to inadequate oil channels in the engine block. The engines would simply seize up and have to be replace at a cost of thousands. The issue with leaky transmissions on both lexus and toyota. The transmissions on 2004 and newer highlander transmissions that won't shift gears. The list goes on. Look up toyota problems on the internet. Lots of toyota/lexus problems listed on lots of sites. Incidentally, JDPower evaluates many other factors besides initial quality. Look it up. Many other sites will also verify that many domestic cars are the equal to, or in some cases better than their japanese competition. Look them up so I don't have to list them all for you. Like you, I have extensive mechanical experience. I don't want or have to rebuild my own engines anymore, but I probably still could if I had to.
You mention propaganda put out by the domestic manufacturers. I see a lot of crap from toyota that I would certainly classify as propaganda, no different from the domestics.
The new Malibu would seem to be the equal of any toyota, according to the numerous road tests I have read. You may not agree that the new Malibu is a good car but you are simply uninformed and would seem not to be privy to much new information regarding the changing automotive world. Some Korean cars are now excellent cars, Hyundai comes to mind.
The average male person thinks he knows everything there is to know about cars. tv's, stereos and appliances. Unfortunately, the ones I talk to daily in my business don't seem to know much about anything. Lots of opinions, but not much actual knowledge. I think that Honda cars are much superior to toyota cars but this is an emotional reaction.
REMEMBER, this whole dialogue started because I am of the opinion that MY particular Honda 928 snowblower was a piece of crap, and that for me the Ariens 9526DLE is plain and simple, a better machine. People who own snowblowers that are more expensive (ie Hondas) feel compelled to justify their choice. Everything I read on this forum is just personal experience and preference. All brands have produced examples that are great and ones that don't work as their new owners hoped. I realize now that you just need to be right and that nothing anyone says will change your somewhat exalted view of all things japanese. Do us both a favour and let this be the last exchange on this subject. I come to this forum to read about snowblowers and nothing else.