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

Upper Peninsula is the true test

Manufacturers flock to old airfield’s eight feet of snow to test their prototype snowblowers

By RICK BARRETT
rbarrett@journalsentinel.com

Posted: Jan. 24, 2005

For people who design snowblowers, heaven could be a closed, desolate air base buried under 8 feet of snow, where engineers can engage in hundreds of hours of continuous machine testing.

This week at such a spot, Brillion-based Ariens Co. is putting prototype snowblowers through the equivalent of more than 10 years of average homeowner use in a matter of days.

Testing at the former K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base, near Gwinn, Mich., has become an annual ritual for Ariens Co., which measures things like how many tons of snow a machine can move in an hour and what happens when you shift from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive 13,000 times in very cold temperatures.

“There’s nothing like nature’s test,” said Dan Ariens, company president.

Wisconsin companies that make snow removal equipment, such as Ariens and Simplicity Manufacturing Inc. of Port Washington, have rushed to fill orders as cities from Milwaukee to Boston dig out from last week’s blizzard.

Such a massive storm can drain on this season’s inventory well before winter is over. It can also give manufacturers an early jump on next winter’s sales as homeowners vow not to be caught again without proper equipment.

Ariens might have to begin next year’s production cycle early, which puts more pressure on testing.

“We may have to call the guys in Michigan and tell them to work 15 hours a day instead of 12,” Ariens said.

The former Air Force base that Ariens uses is in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, about 23 miles south of Marquette. It has more than 5,000 acres of open land and miles of runways once used by bomber airplanes.

With more than 8 feet of snow on the runways now, it’s the perfect place to test snowblowers.

“We get the extreme cold so that we can freeze the units overnight and see how they start in the morning,” Ariens said. “You get the true test” of how a machine runs in cold, as well as deep snow.

The human side

A typical homeowner in southeastern Wisconsin runs a snowblower about 15 hours a year, according to Ariens. It’s much higher in some other states, where the machines can easily run 40 or more hours a season.

In field testing, Ariens looks at the human side of operating a snowblower for hours at a time.

“We measure things like the locations of handles and how much stress they put on wrists,” Ariens said. “Ergonomics, vibration, noise and spring tension are important.”

Ariens employees, including engineers and production managers, see for themselves what it’s like to push through the drifts.

Working in shifts that can last several hours, the testers tackle worst-case scenarios, such as running a snowblower off the edge of a road where it picks up gravel, sticks and other debris.

Snowblower technology has come a long way in recent years as the machines have become lighter and easier to use. Some of the biggest changes have been “ease of use” features such as better steering systems, said Troy Blewett, communications manager for Simplicity.

 

http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/jan05/295904.asp

http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/jan05/295904.asp

An interesting article. Thanks for posting it. The manufacturers should all get up there and have some snow throwing contests for distance and accuracy; EOD races, shear pin longetivity competitions, etc. Maybe Consumer Reports would sponsor it.

                If Ariens does all of this testing, why the "Blow By Problem" last year or the drive problem?

In their testing they must of seen the problems !

                                                           Fred    

jubol wrote:
Don't know Fred, why?

jubol wrote:
Fred,

I think the issue with Ariens is their new "just in time" manufacturing process.  Not that its bad, its just new, and the employees are having a difficult time adjusting to it (though the operations manager should be fired).  But when I read reports of Ariens rushing to fill demand because of the New England snow, if the manufacturing processes are not implemented properly they will show up at the consumer level.

--SnowRemover

What ever happened to " leave well enough alone " and " if it's not broke dont fix it " ??     My antique Ariens 724 is a work horse. Why not use the proven heavy duty design of old with the newer chute for distance and the updated engines and let it be ?  All the companys are trying to add gimicks to sell there machines. Who needs a joystick ? I was born with one and thats the only one i need. Take a proven old design and let it be. No more using plastic and thin metal. The housing on my old 724 is thick and has no rust at all. My new 1128dle has a thinner metal and does not feel as heavy duty as my antique machine.    If Ariens came out with a retro built limited edition machine made spec for spec as there old 1970's machines i would be in line tomorrow for one.

Price is the answer.

Kneebiter,

Considering the retro-cars have been such a big hit, I think this would be a great marketing campaign.  Did you know that, according to Chrysler, most people that buy the HEMI's don't know what makes the HEMI engine different.  They just know that they want it.

Ariens could come out with the RETRO-724, jack up the price $200 and use the newer engines.  Then they can run an ad campaign that says:
"Don't make 'em like they used to?  Well we do - introducing the Ariens Retro line of snow blowers."

As for the joystick - I like mine on the Toro.  I almost have it down that I can pull the joystick exactly as I'm doing a 180 and never have to stop the machine from moving and still keep shooting the snow in the direction I want it to go.   Almost!

--SnowRemover

While I would enjoy an Ariens built with the quality of my old 724...with heavier gauge sheet metal and larger cast iron gear cases.....I really don't miss my old one.

Ergonomically my old Ariens sucked. The handel bars were too short and the chute rotater was too low. No remote deflector either. All that bending over the machine to move it up a step on the sidewalk, turn the chute numerous times and adjust the deflector for wind took a toll on my back.

How about a modern Ariens with the heavier sheet metal and drive system, larger gear case of the old....with the modern OHV engine and ergonomics.  

That would have my vote.

                                                                                            Dan

Dantheman wrote:
Uh, didn't you just describe the pro line of Ariens blowers?  Sounds to me like you did.

Not true. My 1128 pro model is brand new and i could grab the side of the auger box with my hand and bend it in if i wanted. My old machine you could hit it with a sledge and you might get a scratch. Also the gear box in the newer pro might be cast but its no where near as heavy as the old models. terrapin24h wrote:

I have to say I think my Ariens St1236 which is about10yrs old is built better than todays models. I notice all of Ariens' newer models have plastic gears which flex when you crank the shoot left or right (side to side). Mine has a nicely machined metal worm gear and 3 yes 3 metal universal joints that don't flex at all. Build quality was better years ago but features and ergonomics are better today. I'm glad I got rid of my old mid '60 Ariens but am glad I don't have one of todays models either. - Kris    

LOL, well, blame the lighter weight sheet metal & castings on technology.

AutoCad type designing now allow the analysis of the mechanical stresses put on a component.

The result is a lighter weigh component with a designed 5 times safety factor versus the "best guess" of 15 years ago.

Also, if you haven't noticed, steel price increases over the last year have a major impact on current design trends.

Blue

I agree that the thickness of sheetmetal has changed over the years. Well illustrated by comparing my 1929 Ford with my 2003 Ford Focus.

Blue, welcome to Abby's, glad to see you made the trip across the river. 

Terrapin,

No, I did'nt describe the new Ariens Pro series. Compare the size of the gear case of an early 70's 724 and a new Pro Series blower.

Compare the thickness of the sheet metal and drive componants.

I don't think any manufacturer out there wants their machines to last as long as many of the Vintage Ariens 724's do.

Obviously we know they could for a few dollars more....But they would like to sell you a new one in 10 to 15yrs. Not one every 35 to 40 yrs.

And the question arises....we all talk a good talk....but how many of us would spend the money for a machine like that?

Everyone admits Honda's are fabulous machines....but many of us have spent a few bucks less on a Toro, Ariens or Simplicity.

                                                                                                                   Dan

People around here use MTD.  They probably don't see the need for quality because we don't get much over 8" in a storm.  When the big ones come 36" or more, then I'm glad I have the quality.  Looking ergonomically at the older Ariens, I'd take mine.  It is just a good feel when I'm out there blowing. 

Guys, this does look like heaven.  It looks like my 926 DLE, what does you guys think? 

AJace, that's wild! Great PIC buddy! 

  AJace,

             Is that a photo of you?? Looks like about 30 to 35 inchs of snow.

When did you get that much snow?

                                                                           Fred  

AJace wrote:
My leaf blower could move that small amount of snow.

Here's what I had to deal with.

Dantheman- I don't think Hondas are fabulous. I have never used one to know. From what I've read or been told there suppose to be good but don't really know. Hondas haven't been around long enough for anyone to really know (imho). One of the things I've learned in life are alot of people will not say that they bought a piece of junk.(I'm not saying Honda is junk.) I am not afraid to spend the money if I think the equipment is worth it. (Look at my sig on the bottom.) I looked at Honda before I bought my ST1236 and didn't like the build quality I was getting for the money. I don't care how reliable Honda is suppose to be, but you do make a point, I have heard alot of people ( not necessarily on this forumn) say they will spend the bucks and when it comes time to put up or shut up they usually have an excuse why they didn't.  My thoughts - Kris

Oh, man I really wish that was me.  But, it's not.  It was on the article that Blue9R gave us.  I just had to post it.     

krislu wrote:
       Hi Kris

            Honda's aren't fabulous!!    THEY"RE INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


 
 
 
 
           Sorry I just had too..                    Tom  

HA  HA, Tom !   - Kris

sawme wrote:

Yes, they are!

hickster

Anybody ( Paul ? ) willing to sponsor me on a trip to Ariens to do a little picture taking and R&D in the Snowfield of the Great midwest??

I have a Fuzzie fur hat to keep me warm....

I just where Beeny caps. What else do you need? You won't get me wearing a hat that has a dead skunk on it lol.