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

After reading of the hardship some of the newer Ariens models have with handling, some have been called "...a bear to handle", I want to get something that's really easy to navigate with.

Am confuzzled by the discomatic and the various names for drives.  Which model(s) has the traditional tried and true differential?  That is, one without wheel pins and/or hand levers to control drive and steering?

I'll go one step further and say I'm looking for one with a small intake (24" or so) and with a powerful engine.  And are last years models any different than this years models?

Model  924DLE has automatic traction control (921004) and the more conservative 24 inch width.   You'll have to step up to the professional series to get the  "commercial grade cast iron Gear Case with alloy steel auger gears ." (9526DLE) but you'll also get a overhead valve engine.  With the demise of Tecumseh maybe Ariens will fall into the hands of briggs and statton? Discomatic is just another name for the wheeled drive. It's fine but it's not hydro.

There are other models with the (automatic traction control).  Look at the table here and  you can compare the features:

http://www.ariens.com/pdf/08-09SnowSpecs.pdf

Hi, Harold. I've spent a lot of time looking around, at Ariens, etc., too.  I agree that the 924DLE is a great machine.  It has the Automatic Traction Control differential that goes between two-wheel drive and differential mode, automatically.  It has the Tecumseh L-Head engine, not the Tecumseh OHV. 

I don't know what the future holds now that Tecumseh is stopping engine production December 15th, 2008.  Parts?  Don't know yet.  Ariens should release more information within a month, at least according to their answer to my email I sent a couple of days ago.  I have suspended looking for a snow blower for a bit until I get more information.  Perhaps Ariens will switch to Briggs and Stratton for 2009.  If so, hopefully all Intek OHV.   Go to Arien's website and contact them if you'd like more information.

If you're interested in going to Craigslist, maybe you could hunt down a 1996 model ST824.  My son got one off Craigslist for $800 only three weeks ago.  It's an 8HP Tecumseh L-Head, and 24 inches, with differential AND differential lockout knob on the left wheel, letting you choose between two-wheel operation or the differential.  Nice.  Also, the 2003/2004 models 8524DLE (8.5HP Tecumseh L-Head, and 24-inch) and 1124DLE (11HP Tecumseh OHV, and 24-inch) both have the differential and differential lock-out on the left wheel just like my son's ST824.  See this link (I just tried it a couple of minutes ago to see if it still works---it does): 

http://www.kensserviceandsales.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?veh=12887#detail

You can also check out the 1124DLE model by going to the little menu box just to the right of the picture. 

Also try this link for the Ariens ST824:  http://www.greenacres4u.com/Power%20Equipment/824_ariens.htm

Hope this helps out as far as older models.  Maybe these dealers has one or both, used, or something?  At least it's information on these blowers.  I wonder if you have some outdoor power equipment dealers/repair shops that sell used stuff?.   Doesn't hurt to look.  Or Craigslist, as I said.

For 2007 and 2008, Ariens kept the four Pro models the same, but the smallest is the very nice 9526DLE (9.5HP Tecumseh OHV, and 26-inch).  For both 2007 and 2008, the only Deluxe series model with Automatic Traction Control is the 1130DLE with a Tecumseh L-Head.  Probably bigger than what you want. 

I'd go for the 924DLE, new for 2008, if you buy new.  Or wait for the Tecumseh issue to be resolved.  I can't say how successful you'd be looking around for an ST824, 8524DLE, or 1124DLE.  If you find one of those, you'll be a happy man (except for the Teucmseh engines?).

Oh, before I forget:  The Disco-Matic drive is just the 6-forward/2-reverse speed selecting feature, which most blower manufacturers have.  The user is advised to stop the moving motion of the blower to change gears, then proceed to move again.  It just helps prevent wear on one of the two internal discs that has a rubber tread.  The Honda blowers, and the top three models of the 2008 Husqvarna snow blowers feature the Hydrostatic drive, where you just keep moving and shift to whatever speed you want.  NO pre-set speeds.  Wow!  Only these models have the hydro drive, to my knowledge.  But Honda doesn't have a differential on any of their blowers, and they're much higher in price than Ariens.  Ugh on both counts.  Husqvarna uses power steering levers.  Don't worry about this stuff.  The 6/2 speed controls are so commonplace, even on the Husqvarna blowers outside of their top three blowers.

Sorry for the length, but after what I've been going through looking around, I just wanted to help someone out.  Let us know what happens in your looking and choosing.

Thanks coasteray.  That's a lot of information explained well.  I'll go in search of a 924DLE.  Am limited in size by a 29" door opening so it appears that's the best option.

A local place in Boston lists the 921004 924DLE 9.25hp L head Tecumseh 24" clearing width for $1300.  Is that a fair price for the unit?

Anything else I should be aware of?

Thanks again.

Harold wrote:

Harold, Yes, that price is decent, at least from what I've seen so far at two local dealers.  I've seen it as low as $1265 at one dealer, and for, I think, about $1289 at another dealer.  Considering that my son paid $800 for his used 1996-year Ariens ST824, I think that an extra $500 for a new machine doesn't seem too bad. 

As far as other things to know about, I'm still concerned about the Tecumseh engine being on that machine.  Updating my previous post about Ariens and Tecumseh:  According to the response I got from Ariens from an email last week, they have enough Tecumseh engines to satisfy current orders, and have some excess models (with Tecumseh engines) available for order, but still don't know about the future for Tecumseh parts availabilty quite yet, hopefully within a month.  They have also secured Briggs & Stratton engines for additional units for an expected time frame of late November or early December 2008.  I'm wondering if you could order a 924DLE with a Briggs engine.  That would solve any fears about Tecumseh parts availability.  At least it's worth asking a dealer, or even contacting Ariens through their web site.  Good luck, and let us know what happens.

If you want to consider other brands, take a look at Husqvarna's Professional series model #924SB-XLS.  It has everything you would ever want.  Hydrostatic drive for infinite speeds (like Honda), 24" width, 23" width, power steering levers, halogen headlight, premium-grade cables, electric start, 12" auger and impeller, Tecumseh 9HP OHV engine (future problem?), remote chute rotation and deflector, hand warmers, bearing auger support, grease zerks, single-hand lever operation (very standard feature on most brands), drift cutters and weight bar included, 16"x4.8" wheels, blah blah.

The only thing Troy Bilt has with power steering is the Storm 3090 model ($1099 at Lowe's), but it's 30" wide, too much for your door.  So avoid Troy-Bilt because their other models don't have power steering.  Too bad.

According to the Ariens site they had a naming convention that tells you what you want to know.

A model with a "d" in the name has a differential I.E. 926DLE - about 9HP, 26" swath, Differential, comes with a Light and has Electric start.

In their explanation of the term "Discomatic" they describe 3 versions, Professional Duty, Deluxe and Compact. All refer to the method used to change the speed and direction that the traction system moves the unit, they are not part of the differential.