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

toros freewheel steering seems to be the way to go.So why would simplicity only have one wheel stop on such expensive machines?Is it as good turning right and left as toros?How much more would it cost to put a trigger mechanism for each wheel?

Having one of the wheels free wheel during the turn is the thing that gives the most benefit. I have a pin lock system and don't notice much difference turning left or right when the wheel is free. I have not tried the Toro system but I suspect that there is little difference between releasing one side or the other. To me it sounds more like a sales feature ( helps make the sale) than a real difference. The joystick operated chute control on the other hand is a true innovation.

The system is more complicated that just having a trigger on each side so I would expect that having it on just one side is mechanically less complicated and possibly more reliable. I have seen other blowers out there with dual triggers, Poulan and some Craftsmen come to mind.

I think it would be helpful to know that the popular Ariens 927LE has a "Fingertip Remote Lock/Unlock" lever on the left handlebar, in similar fashion as the Simplicity machine.   It only releases the left wheel, and you can't perform this function while the machine is under load, that is, moving with power to the wheels (I've seen the 927LE manual at Home Depot).  So you are moving forward with both wheels driving together, then you stop to pull the left lever, then you make your turn left or right without any power to the wheels.  After you've re-positioned your blower, then you release the lever to again power forward with both wheels locked together.  This isn't really a bad feature at all, because at least you can very easily turn the machine, though without power, to re-position it for another straight run at the snow.  It also keeps the mechanics simpler, which, admittedly, is not a bad idea.  I've used a Husqvarna at work that uses pin-locked wheels.  No way to turn easily at all short of pulling a pin to release a wheel, and I get tired of it.  A left-wheel release would be much better.

Regarding Simplicity, I assume you can pull the left lever and keep moving with only the right wheel driving.  It would seem easier to turn left than to the right since the right wheel is going full speed.  I prefer Ariens'  "Automatic Traction Control" differential feature on their DLE models, where it goes from two-wheel drive to differential drive automatically.  I also like their previous version of this technique with their differential lockout knob on the left wheel.  There you choose two-wheel drive or differential.  There are several DLE models prior to 2007 that have differentials with a "differential lock-out" feature on the left wheel (2003/2004's 8524DLE and 1124DLE come to my mind for the 24-inch size).  My son bought a 12-year old (1996) Ariens ST824 with the differential lockout on the left wheel.  This stuff is old hat with Ariens.  Simplicity would be more interesting to me if they had a differential feature, but I think they build really nice machines, regardless of the  wheel drive method.

The Toro you mentioned has levers on both sides so you can turn either direction at your choice.   This is very nice.  It is their power steering feature, just like on the middle-line and top-line 2008 Husqvarna snow blowers, as well as the Troy-Bilt "Storm 3090" model, and other brands that happen to have this feature.  Your local Lowe's store should carry Troy-Bilt (my stores do).  You could then take a look at how they are built.  Sears also has their top-end model with steering levers.  It's a Husqvarna machine with the Craftsman label and a red paint job instead of orange.  Or just visit a Husqvarna dealer.  Also see your local Ariens dealer.

To get something better than steering levers, you'd want the Ariens  "DLE" models, as I mentioned before.   No sudden jerks to the left or right as with power steering levers, which just completely dis-engage one wheel or the other.  Of course, with the differential, lesser power goes to the inside wheel as you turn, making turning smooth and easy just like a car.  I don't know who else besides Ariens has this kind of drive system. 

The bottom line is that we can all choose the features we want.  It's nice to have all these choices.

I have to disagree with coasteray. While it is true that power only going to the right wheel will create a tendency to turn left in my experience it hasn't been that noticeable. Turning right is quite easy, especially in comparison to having both wheels locked. If I let one wheel free wheel two things happen:

1. I have half the traction and forward or backward movement is harder in slippery conditions;
2. Turning left or right is much easier and seems to be almost independent of which wheel is being driven.
   

It seems that some participants look at wheel lock/release devices as a function similar to four wheel drive.  I own a machine with the wheel lock/release function.  Seldom, if ever,  do I use it to actually throw snow while powering one wheel only.  For those unfamiliar, this mechanism is primarily used to make a steering correction (usually when stopped but not always) then to engage both wheels once direction is changed to carry on throwing snow.  It's also very useful while moving the machine around in your garage when the engine isn't running.    One wheel release is more than enough.  Two are twice as many as necessary.  Making overly complicated equipment to do simple work, in my view is unwise.  It does however make good bait for those who are more impressed with gizmology than simplicity.    

Borat you are correct so I guess Simplicity is also guilty.Why would a company take a simple chute rotator and make it electric??I think an electric chute rotator has a higher failure rate than the regular mechanism...They all have their own gizmos for a sales advantage.

mikiewest wrote:

Totally agree with you bud.  That's why I bought a machine with mechanical actuation everywhere.  Don't get me wrong.  I love technology.  However, it has it's place.  Electric control components on a snow thrower is not a wise place.   Electric start is alright.  Those components are well protected and stout enough to handle the elements.  As you say, the manufacturers are putting "tinsel" on the machines to make them attractive to suckers for technology.  Which, unfortunately, is the majority of males.  Myself included.  Experience has taught me to overcome the allure of the gizmo and go with what's tried and true.  The simpler the machine the better.    Since Briggs & Stratton have taken over Simplicty, I suspect that B&S marketing have had an influence on product design.  You can bet they know what sells, regardless of whether or not the design will function properly in it's intended roll or environment.   

By the way, which Simplicity models have the electronic chute control?  I checked their site and didn't see any.

I said electric chute rotator.It's on the signature pro models.I think your machine will have less problems than the pro model .What happens if that chute rotator fails ?Can it be manually overridden?

mikiewest wrote:

I doubt it.  If I recall correctly, there were a number of complaints on this forum regarding the electronic chute/deflector control on quite a few brands of snow throwers.  Yeah.  It's something to watch guys in the shops going ga-ga over electric joy sticks and giggling when the servo motors make their neat robotic sounds.  Not so great when the servo mechanism freezes and they can't change the direction of the chute.  I watched one guy do his entire driveway in one direction because he had lost control of the chute. Due to the location of his house, he can only throw snow one way.  So he'd make a forward pass throwing snow, drag the machine all the way back and repeat.  Really now, is it that difficult to turn a crank or pull a lever?  Do we need an electric motor to do the work of two fingers and a thumb?   The more we support this type of design philosophy, the more it will prevail over the more simple, sensible and reliable designs.  SAY NO TO THE GIZMO!!!!