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

Hello all, I am in the process of deciding which snowblower to buy as I purchased a house this year in Mass and (hopefully) Ill need to use one a lot! Our driveway is paved and about 100' long with a slight curve to it. I have a couple turnaround areas that are rock (medium sized rocks, not really gravel). The unit will be stored in a shed thats entrance is raised so the unit will need to climb a wooden ramp that's probably 215-20 degrees or so and will have to climb the side yard to get from the driveway to the shed which is probably about the same slope as the ramp. Now -- I just cant shake the coolness factor of tracks instead of wheels from factoring into my decision here. The Ariens 28 Deluxe Track model is the one I have my eye on (although it is admittedly more than I wish to spend). I have a few questions about the track models (I have bounced around the forums but havent seen threads with updated info so maybe todays track models are a little different).

• Are the Ariens track models really hard to turn? They look like they have power turning but Ive read that track models are hard to turn so Im confused there.
  
• Are the track models reliable? I could see where a more complex assembly might break more often, but as long as its pretty reliable Ill take my chances.
  
• Are there other pros or cons I should be considering about tracks besides 1) They look cool 2) Better traction for biting in to banks and whatnot 3) Possible turning issues 4) Reliability. 

And the big question: Should I just be going with the Ariens wheel model for my needs and ignoring the coolness factor or tracks?

Thanks in advance!

PS - and I probably know where most of you stand on this but Ill ask anyhow - if I were to scale back my cost closer to 1100-1200 would it be stupid to go with the Troy Bilt track model over the Ariens wheel model?

I have a Ariens  8 hp with wheels. I'v had it how for 9 years. Other than changing the belts and shier pins I'v never had a problem. The only thing I dislike is wheeled snow throwers don't dig in the snow like tracks. Then again i'v never used front weights eather. I here track units have better traction. I'm on a fair size hill and have no problems. The only thing is if I stop, the snow blower will drag you down the hill if you are not careful . I here track units will not do that. Track units are hard to roll and steer. I can't see my self trying to drag a 250 lb snow thrower in the snow if it stopped running for some reason. So if I did buy one it must be reliable. Most units have a disc o matic trans. Very easy to work on. Troy builts have nice features. But I cant find anyone to say anything good about them. I even tryed to get info from them about there engines. They blew me off. No one on u tube using one. I here troy units are nice and reliable too. They do not have track units though. I here Honda is top gun of snow blowers, then Ariens, Toro. I also here Sears units are junk. Personally I would love to get a Honda unit. But it is totaly out of my price range. Ariens i'v lived with for a wile and know the machine well. Mine is a older unit. You can get a new wheeled unit if you can't afford tracks. If it works fine for you  GREAT. If not and you really want tracks you can ADD THEM LATTER. I here they have lock out hubs. What ever your decide on make sure it is at least  11.5 hp.

Thanks for your reply! Couple things Im wondering about from what you said -- First, the lock out hubs on the track models... It looks like Ariens shows the levers that disengage one side on the new track models... but their wording is so vague that I cant tell for sure. Lock out hubs seem like a real pain to use so if thats what theyre using I dont think Ill go with them. Second, Troy Bilt does have a track model shown on their website (this one also has the levers to disengage one side for turning and they talk about how well it maneuvers so I believe thats what they use). Ive just read so many things about how Troy Bilts are poorly built and they use cheap parts and that scares me. Does anyone else have some info they can share on this?

Another followup -- Ive read that Troy Bilt and Craftsman snowblowers are both made by MTD -- well if you look at their 30" models, those are the same exact units! So if the Sears ones are junk, then the Troy Bilt must be too I would think.

Ariens uses 3 systems. #1 is lock pins, with that the wheels are pined (easy to remove) and adjust to the axle, both wheels turn when locked, you can unpin one side for easy steering. # 2 are lock out hubs, they work the same way as pins except you just turn the hub to lock or unlock. Both pins or lock out hubs can be left locked if you want  wile snow throwing. When you are done it is just easyer to manuver it onto your garage unlocked. The last system Ariens uses  is automatic traction control. With that system it steers like your car- you turn left it will drive left- you turn right it will drive right. With that you do nothing- it sences directional change.

     As for Troy built. I can say that trigger steering is nice. I do question there reliability. Troy built uses Japaniese clone engines. They used to have Techunseh engines. Techumseh made very good engines, mine is 9 years old, Techumseh stopped making engines though. Techumseh was #2 top dog for snow blowers. Most everyone is using Briggs & Stratton now.  Honda is # 1. Troy Built is using clone engines. A clone engine is cheap copy of a  Honda engine. For example a Honda GX340 engine will cost you  $500 or more alone. A clone will cost  $250 or less. They sell cheep clone engines at HarborFreight.com. Just be aware. Personally if you don't  want to go with a Ariens unit I would go Toro. Toro has steering like Troy Built-. Toro makes VERY good quality , they don't have a tracked model though. My next choice is Sears. yes some of there units are cheap. I'm not sure of there Tracked units though. The good thing with sears is if you don't like it ,you can take it back, you can also get an extended warranty. I think there units are made by MTD. MTD makes Yard machines and Troy built units. You can get a Sears unit just like the Troy built with tracks and a good Briggs & Stratton engine.What ever your choice stay away from CLONES. Some companies trick you. They will say 10 hp over head valve engine, but won't tell you who made it. It is a clone.
        Ariens offers you a choice of engines. Briggs & Stratton or Suberu. Both are good engines. What ever you choose make sure it has eather a Briggs & Stratton. Suberu, or REAL Honda engine. The levers on the Ariens units are your drive lever on the left and the auger enguagement lever on the right. The auger lever will lock so you won't need to hold it wile snow blowing. It will disenguage when you release the drive lever. Personaly I would go with Ariens.Let me know what you deside on.

Thanks so much for the information Bus708! Im curious though -- if you have a minute take a look at the picture of the Deluxe Track 24 or 27 on Ariens website (ariens.com). They have 4 levers, the drive and auger lever are the big ones on the top, and then they show 2 smaller levers on the bottom. Would these be to maneuver with or am I wrong?

The 921022 Ariens 28LET Deluxe does not have a differential or steering assist. The Pro 28 Track does have the traction control w/manual lockout. The controls on the Deluxe are the auger and traction clutch paddles, the speed selector, the remote chute deflector control, chute rotation crank, and the height adjustment trigger. The unit is also about 40% slower than a wheel drive equivalent. The Ariens track system is robust and simple. A311 stress relieved CD steel, HSLA plate steel, 8 additional ball bearings, etc. Certainly however I would not recommend one unless it is needed. Unnecessary weight and turning effort and they don't roll freely when not under power. If you lived in the Alps this would be a good tradeoff, but it doesn't sound like you do. The nice thing though is it's effortless to bull through snowpiles with a track drive. No muscling it at all, just walk behind it. Lots of traction and weight will do that. Do yourself a favor though and get a wheel drive unit.

Hi ,
SNOWMAN is right with the levers. I think the levers you are referring to is for you to tilt the auger up for travel and snow throwing on a gravel driveway. It should have 3 positions.  UP- NORMAL- and SCRAPE. I agree with snowman. The Pro unit is better. You get a stronger auger gear case and steering. Its a freaking beast of a machine.There are movies on U TUBE folks using them. The wheeled units are there too . They are strong enough to blow 50 + feet. check out U TUBE
Go with pro track 26 or 28 , read there review at Ariens .The wheeled units are your wisest choice. Play with them both at your dealer. Follow your heart. If  you really want tracks go for it. You will be happy

If you think you need tracks get them... If you don't---- don't ...

Have you ever tried to roll somthing around the yard with tracks? Or moved it from one side of the garage to the other,  or try to put it in a tight area?

Do the shop's in the area carry all the parts for it? Or do they only stock the wheeled parts? 

I would rent one first see if it could get everything I needed done...  If it saves you a hour of blowing snow, but if you have to shovel for a hour the spots you can't get it to clear...

Good Luck,

Friiy