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

Now Ariens has a platinum series line.Which is last years deluxe models.The only new item on the snowblowers is the B&S engines.Someone should tell Ariens either come up with new features or stop this relabeling of the same machines.Maybe I will lol.Now last yrs deluxe models dont have the auto traction control .The more things change the more they stay the same.

Is the automatic traction control feature the same as the differential?

While I understand marketing's constant need to use hyperbole to describe whatever they are trying to describe I also feel that the overuse of certain phrases devalues the actual message that is trying to be conveyed.

<tongue only slightly in cheek>

The term "Platinum" is normally (mis) used to imply top of the line, best in class, beyond even the "gold" standard. So is the term "Pro". So which is it? Is the "Pro" series "better" or is the "Platinum" line better and what about the poor little "regular" and "deluxe" lines, should we just ignore them as being just not "good enough" to even be considered ?

</tongue only slightly in cheek>

The real point I'm trying to make is that too many superlatives muddies and dilutes ( a mixed metaphor is I ever heard one) the actual message that is being delivered and leads to confusion. I will have to examine the web site to see if I can winnow out the real data. As always my rates for testing new equipment are reasonable.

Paul7, the Automatic Traction Control feature is a type of differential. Not the planetary type that has been used historically (or still used rather on Pro Track units). This one is actually a bidirectional over-running clutch. It's completely different internally. The end result is similar to the planetary system, only it locks and unlocks automatically. "Automatic Traction Control" is a contemporary term borrowed from the automotive industry to try to get customers to understand what is does. Certain customers without mechanical aptitude could struggle understanding the term "differential". The problem with both is that people want to know how it works. It's complicated to explain and nearly impossible for some to comprehend. What should really be the focus is what it does, not how it works.

Nibbler, the Platinum series is meant to convey the "top line" product availabe at mass retailers. The Pros are the top line product availabe through any and all sales channels. Regardless, I can largely agree with you about the excessive and/or confusing marketing-driven nomenclature. If you think of the Ariens snow products separately in the dealer or mass retailer channels it's not too bad though.

Snowmann wrote:
Snowmann, one thing is for sure...it's very difficult for ME to understand.  And all I'm thrying to understand is what they do.  After all my reading I think that it works like this:

Ariens Pro "wheel" models  -  I think that they have a true differential that automatically supplies a percentage of the total power independently to the right and left wheels as required.  On straight lines the power might be divided 50:50.  On turns the power might be divided 90:10.

Ariens Deluxe "wheel" models  -  I believe that they have a remote lock/unlock lever that locks the axle so both wheels are powered the same.  When unlocked the left wheel is free turning but the right wheel is powered for easy left hand turns.

Ariens Platinum Deluxe "wheel" models  -  They have the automatic traction control that I think works the same as the remote lock/unlock lever however the locking/unlocking of the axle happens automatically without the need to manually operate a lever. 

I might be all wrong with my perceptions so please feel free to correct anything that's off base.

In marketing 101 you learn to never mention a feature without it's benefit.  Example, the Ariens Deluxe 30 has a dual handle interlock system, which to the user means...(insert benefit).

Whoever manages Arien's website does a nice job of listing all the features...but a terrible job of associating a benefit to those features. 

Here are the phrases from the web site.

1. Pro Track - Traction control with axle-mounted lockout
2. Pro - Automatic traction control
3. Deluxe Track - Dual handle interlock
   
4. Deluxe Platinum - Automatic traction control
5. Deluxe - Dual-handle interlock system
6. Compact - Not stated

The web site is kind of nice and it looks like a lot of thought and work has been spent on it. It was also quite fast to navigate around in.

Here are suggestions for improvement:

1. The forward and reverse speeds are in MPH, how about yards and metres per minute? That way I can easily figure out how long a swath on a driveway will take. Most of the driveways I clear are much less than 1 mile ( kilometre) ;
2. Give all the speeds, admittedly I tend to use the fastest in each way but I also like knowing the other ones;
3. Put the type of traction control in the same place in the specifications for all models, right now I found it in the overview, structure and tread control sections. I'd suggest the same thing for all other features;
4. Rename the tread control section to traction, we are not controlling the treads, they come installed on the wheel/track.
5. OK, I give up what is a 2.5X ice drill remote chute control? Can I use it for ice fishing or something?
   
6. I thought the tracked units had a slightly slower top speed, they are listed the same as the others, are they now the same or is it rounding?
   
7. Explain somewhere what the terms mean.
   

While I understand the concept of same function same description, I've seen too many sales types who claim one thing and deliver another by deliberately mixing up the terminology. I also find that if someone does not use correct descriptions or tries to change the meaning of words to suit their own agenda then my BS meter climbs rapidly to overload and they get totally ignored. Basically even if two different sub-systems do the same thing, calling them the same thing when they aren't,  insults my intelligence and makes me wonder what type of snake oil is being sold. I agree that you can get too descriptive and end up just being confusing. At the same time there must be something that tells me when there is a significant difference in the way a sub-system works, OHV and L-Head are a good example.

Looks like some good stuff and a surprising wide array of offerings. I'm saving my pennies as I type.

Nibbler I don't think that the dual handle interlock feature on the deluxe model is related to traction control.  I'm not sure but I think that it means you can operate the snowblower with both the drive wheels and the auger engaged by depressing a single lever on either either the right or left handlebar.  If that is correct then I think that the duel handle interlock feature may mean a user could operator the snowblower with one hand while having the other hand free to do other things like adjusting the chute direction.

Which leaves me wondering what turning assist feature is associated with the Ariens Deluxe models.  Over the last few years the larger Deluxe models came with a remote axle lock/unlock lever.  I recommended the deluxe models to a lot of people based on that feature so hopefully it's still there.  I'd hate for someone to buy a one only to find out that they have to bend over and manually pull the axle pin every time they turn the machine.

As far as the 2.5X Ice Drill remote chute control goes....I have nothing.

Guys, the axle feature isn't necessarily tied to the platform of the machine. The terms Pro, Deluxe, and Compact refer to the base platform (Think Ranger, F150, F250 Super Duty etc). Each platform has a certain latitude of features it can be equipped with.

Your questions revolving around the Ariens axle features...

The Automatic Traction Control (ATC) is a bi-directional overrunning clutch (available since 2007). That is, it senses torsional load across the axle from one side to the other and unlocks the over-running wheel when you start to turn the machine. When the axle resynchronizes (when the turn has ended) it re-locks the axle. This is available on Pro and Platinum or DLE Deluxe models. A test drive is the best way to get a feel for the convenience of this feature.

The Pro Track models do not get the ATC feature because the tracks do not supply enough torsional load accross the axle to properly unlock the ATC clutches. The tracks don't counter-rotate like wheels when you turn, they scrub the ground mostly. These units use the older style planetary differential with a knob on one of the drive wheels to lock the axle when needed.

The Remote Locking Axle is a trigger on the left handlebar that cycles the left wheel's power. One click unlocks power from the left wheel making it easy to turn. Another click and it re-locks that wheel. This works like the Simplicity Easy Turn with the added benefit that you don't have to hold the trigger to keep it in single wheel mode. This feature is available on Deluxe models only.

The conventional pin-lock system (lynch pins at the axle) is used on all compacts and the entry level Deluxe models.

There are alot of confusing terms used by certain other manufacturers with repsect to axle systems. Pin-lock units have been referred to as "Differential Lockouts" (how is that when no differential is present?) and sometimes "All wheel drive" (well, yeah...). Other systems are referred to as "differential equipped" when it is really more like a dog clutch (like the dual trigger "Power Steering" systems that are fairly common).

"Automatic Traction Control" is the premier feature in this category as it requires no inputs from the operator and is fully automatic.

The "Ice Drill" chute crank... Well, it's the normal 2.5X Quick Turn (a crank with 2.5 turns lock to lock) whereas the crank is forward of the dash and in an intermediate location on the crank itself (not on the end of the crank rod, in the middle, like an old style hand drill).

Snowmann, thank you.  I finally get it...The Automatic Traction Control "is" the true differential and comes on the Pro and Platinum Deluxe wheeled models.  And the D in DLE continues to designate the differential.  Also, I'm very pleased to know that the larger deluxe models will continue to be supplied with the remote lock/unlock lever.  

It looks like Arien's line-up of snowblowers is well positioned to fill the needs of a wide variety of customers.   If I sounded frustrated it wasn't due to the products but because I was having trouble differentiating between them.  What might be helpful is a PDF type of file of noting the features of the entire line-up side by side.   It's not on the website yet but it's probably in the works.

Thanks again for taking the time to explain this.

Paul7

PS...Are you this "up" on other Ariens products?  If so I have a lawnmower question I'd love to ask.

My point snowmann was that its last yrs model. They added hand warmers.The only reason it has a different engine is because tecumseh is gone.And this yrs deluxe is last yrs deluxe with less features and probably the same price.They r repackaging the same model.Take something from here and put it on this model and take something off this model and put it on this model.Nothing new just juggling a few features around and renaming them.So now Ariens has a compact,deluxe,deluxe platinum and pro models.Geez what r they going to do next yr?Add a silver and bronze model lineup lol...And then they will take something off the platinum model and add it to the silver lineup??Last yrs deluxe had the quick turn remote chute now it doesnt.Now the deluxe gets a manual one(2.5x ice drill).

Personally I think the Ariens webmaster should take your explanation and put it somewhere in the snow thro section of the site. Its not necessarily what everyone wants but it is what I want .

Automatic Traction Control  - bi-directional over running clutch
Directional Snow Trac          - planetary differential ( only on pro tracked units?)
Locked Axle                            - deluxe tracked units
Remote axle lockout             - trigger release/engage of left hand wheel to the axle

Your comment about all the names that are used out there is what I was referring to and is bang on. I much prefer the correct mechanical descriptions than some sort of new name made up by a sales type who wants to "simplify" things while actually confusing the issue and trying to make their pin lock system sound like something its not. As a final thought look at the amount of time we are spending trying to figure out what is actually being said.

BTW - I also evaluate web sites for ease of use and clarity of presentation.