Our 10 yo MTD has more problems then it is worth repairing, so we have been looking. We seem to have focused on the Ariens because they seem more rugged and better engineered. Plastic or metal chute doesn't mean much to me; but the metal seems thicker, pieces more rigid, controls more connected.
The 'Professional' models seem out of reach financially. That left the Deluxe and Deluxe Platinum.
The Platinum includes a bigger motor (342 vs 305 cc), a one lever chute direction/deflection control, heated hand grips, and the 'automatic' overruning clutch detroit locker like differential. It is $300 more and probably worth it.
However, last year Ariens build some of the Deluxe models with a 287cc Subaru engine. That engine is overhead cam instead of just overhead valve, has nearly double the gas tank size, and just looks better built. Unlike Briggs and Stratton, Subaru publishes full performance numbers. It looks like an impressive piece. It is basically the same price as the 2010 305cc model with identical features.
Now that is the choice. And it appears to be coming down to 342 B&S vs. 287 Subaru and is the 'automatic differential' any good.
I have my concerns about the differential. the overrunning clutch basically runs power the INSIDE wheel in a turn. On a race car it promotes understeer. On a snow blower it would mean you have to push the outside wheel on its larger radius. The Deluxe has a release on the left side only. In the store it seemed a little erratic; does it work ok in real life? It would mean the outside wheel would be powered on left turns, the inside on right. Is that better than the automatic differential?
The Platinum has hand warmers; are they useful or just a novelty?
And most importantly, how are the Subaru and Briggs and Straton motors? Is the Subaru better as it seems or is the difference very small?
Thanks,
David
