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

Second Post for me (not as controversial):

I was looking on the Ariens web site at their most powerful Single Stage Snowblower. It is the Ariens 722 EC.  (Model number 938018 ?).  Anyway, it is listed as a 7 HP model with a Tecumseh engine (they also have the more common 5 HP).

I could not get any information out of Ariens, as to how this engine differs from their 5 HP.  (They both are 139 cc , Tecumseh Snow Kings).  When I call Tecumseh, they tell me that they never made a 2 cycle Snowblower engine over 5 HP!   They don't know what I am talking about.

Someone explain to me how this can be? Inflated HP ratings? Marketing? Small horsepower ponies?  (As you would expect, the 7 HP Ariens lists for more $$$$$  than the 5 HP - about  $80) .  What are the torque figures on these engines? On paper, shouldn't this be a stronger single stage engine than the common Toro 3650 with its R Tek (Lawn Boy Duraforce) 6 1/2 HP engine that all the landscapers and contractors use - and even the Honda 4 stroke?

I know it sounds odd but manufacturers who use third-party-supplied engines are perfectly free to rate an engine above the original specs. It's possible that Ariens simply allows the (same) engine that powers the 5hp to run higher rpm's on the 7hp model. In theory this would boost the power curve but heavy snow might not be this machine's favorite grub.

Gelid wrote:

That may or may not be the case Gelid, but it's not done in practice as this would transfer significant liability to the OPE producer.

The 7hp 2-stroke is available from Tecumseh. It involves a tuned muffler and additional RPM (3950). I'm not sure who you spoke to at Tecumseh, but they are incorrect.

PK

It is a common practice for outboard motor manufacturers to make one engine of a specific displacement and market it as a 9.9 or 15 h.p.  Usually, the engines are identical other than some minor carburetor and exhaust changes and also the price.