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?

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!!!!