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

Considering getting an older Ariens blower, but am wondering about the different types of controls that are out there. I'm assuming that the older machines have some of the controls mounted beside the motor like this one,


and the newer machines have the more conventional on the handlebars like this one,


What's the difference for ease of use, are there preferences out there, is one better than the other?
I've not studied either one up close, so, dumb question, can the impeller/auger housings be interchanged between these two types?

Thanks

Thanks to both of you for the replies and Trouts2 for the operating explanations. Based on your details I think I will stick with the newer style machine because I may get into trouble with the older one.
At the moment I don't have any Ariens machines, these are two that are currently selling locally. I was too slow on the newer style machine & he sold the bucket before I contacted him, just the tractor section is for sale now.
I currently have an older MTD 5-24 re-powered with an HM80 that I am tweaking to throw farther. I also  picked up an older TTI 10-28 just to rebuild the engine for the 24".  Based on my space I need a smaller bucket but due to threes & hedges I need to throw farther. Based on some thoughts Trouts2 put down about auger impeller performance (in this discussion about Does impeller size matter http://www.abbysguide.com/ope/discussions/42982-0-1.html) I'm thinking that I may go to an older Ariens (for the larger auger) with the rebuilt HM100 and a slightly higher impeller speed to get the distance I need (along with a slightly narrower pass each time).
Does that make any sense?

Cheers

What is TTI?  I never heard of that.

What is the impeller speed of the 5hp MTD?  It might be a better base impeller speed to start from than an older Ariens.  MTD probably had 10hp models avaiable using the same 5hp frame with small tires but it would be worth checking some drawings and the MTD site or partstree.com.

Below is an ST824 924050 it is more modern that the 10,000 series and the bulk of prior 924's.  BTW this is one I just rebuilt with 1 coat of undercoat and two top coats, rebuilt auger gearbox, and new flange and ball bearings in the bucket and tractor  

The 924's has mostly 1080 impeller RMP and 108 auger RPM.  Not the best for distance.  The factory rating for these models was 3-30 feet and that covered up through 11hp.  I put a new 11hp OHV on ths same model last year.  It threw well and could do 30-35 feet in good conditions of eastern Mass.  Note the forward tilt of the chute back angle.  The second picture shows the low chute crank which an OHV head can go over.  These bodies took at least 11hps from the factory.  Not sure about 13hp.

The 924 series and 10,000 splatter their output so not the best if you want to reliably throw 25-30 feet and not get anything below that say in an area you just cleared.  For distance I'd start with a better base and tweak that for RPM and put on a better chute.  I'm currently fixing up an older 10hp Snapper fitted with newer tall slow back angle John Deere chute but I don't expect a big improvement even with that great chute. 

You could probably tell your auger RPM by putting a piece of tape on an auger and counting rotations for 10 seconds like a nurse does your heart beat.  I've been thinking about this for some time so will give it a shot tomorrow. 

A good base to start from would be a 624 Yamaha body.  They come up used all the time.   It might throw well enough to meet your requirements as is.    I tossed in the same conditions with a Yamaha 624 and an Ariens 1028 with a newly rebuit engine with 5% leakdown compression.  The Airens just barely beat the 624. 

What do you think your getting for distance with the 8hp?  Where are you, in dry or heavy snow country?

   Got out and did RPM auger check by sticking some tap on the auger blade and counting the revs for a number of seconds.   For an old Ariens 910962 the count was 100 RPM on the auger so the impeller is probably 1000 RPM.  The engine RPM should be on the money but 100 seems low.   I'll have to do it again and see if it comes out the same.   It's a bit confusing to watch the tape on the auger.  They go by pretty quickly.  A better thing would be to make a mark on the rake shaft as it easier to watch.