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

I am considering replacing my Ariens 926 snowblower with possilby a Honda.  I want a better motor and something that is going to tackle the plowed driveway a little better.  I think if I could get a Subaru motor on a larger size Ariens, I would still consider one but they only offer it on the smaller compact model.  Anyway, I can't make up my mind on a tracked model or wheeled model honda.  I live in Wisconsin and have a 3 car wide driveway and sidewalk to do.  Will the tracked unit clear down to the cement or do I have to shovel the little bit it leaves behind after blowing?  Also, would I be able to turn 180 degrees when I get to the end of my sidewalk with the tracked unit or would I have to make my turn in the driveway because I may need more room to make a turn on about a 4 foot wide sidewalk?  Probably still have to do that with a wheeled unit anyway.  I've head a few people state that the tracked unit moves a little easier when you have a little bit of snow under the track but since I have a concrete drive, I may not have that little bit extra to easy the turn.  I really would like to try one out but most all of the dealers around here don't stock the two stage only the single stage.  I would assume because of price and low sales on the larger units.  I saw a used HS1230TA from about 2004 for $2500 but feel that might be too big.  It looks like new and only has about 4 hours of use.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

John 

njal wrote:
No he doesn't.  He just wants to have every machine on the block.

aa335 wrote:

I owned and operated a Honda HS624WA wheel drive snowblower for 10 years. I just sold it this past year when I purchased a used low hour Honda HS928TA track drive from a friend who got relocated down south. The 624 was much more nimble than the 928 but the track drive does provide better overall traction, especially going up and down my sloped (15* or so) 135' long driveway. I sold my 624 because I got what I felt was a good deal on the 928 and had been considering an upgrade to the 9 HP the past couple of years.The 6 HP did the job but it was a bit underpowered for the EOD garbage that I typically deal with on my road.

There's no comparison when it comes to EOD cleaning - the 3 way bucket adjustment combined with the track drive and 9 HP engine provide impressive cleaning (down to the pavement), traction and throwing distance. Manuverability with the tracks is not as challenging as some folks will lead you to believe but it is definitely much more physical than a set of wheels. Learning the proper technique for turning and overall handling is really the key to ease of use. Having snow under the tracks also makes turning much easier than when on dry pavement. Your situation seems better suited to a wheel drive model than tracks as your driveway is fairly short and sounds like it's flat as well (you don't mention any inclines to deal with).

I think aa335 hit the nail on the head as far as owning 2 pieces of equipment. A nice single stage will give you down to the pavement cleaning, handle the smaller storms better than a 2 stage and offer much better manuverability in tight areas such as walkways, etc... while the 2 stage is obviously better suited to handle the larger storms (6" +) and clear the EOD garbage. You could own the 2 Toro's that aa335 suggests and be the envy of your neighborhood. Let's face it, who does'nt need a few extra toys in the garage to make life a bit easier! 

rubinew wrote:

I think many people who are buying a tracked snowblower don't really need it. Oh for certain some do, but most just get it for the coolness factor, I myself thought I needed tracks but I didn't. You on the other hand have a whole nother problem with that drifting snow that fills in your driveway and the tracks will be a big help in grinding into the big snowbanks that you get. Lower that puppy to chew pavement and it will crawl along as nice as can be. The hydrostatic tranny can creep as slow as you need to go so less chance of it riding up.

rubinew wrote:
All of that goes away with the track drive. Set the bucket in the middle position, adjust the hydrostatic tranny speed and let the augers process the snow, slush, etc...

The 926 Ariens has a good power to auger width ratio and shouldn't lack "oomph". Perhaps the carb is set below the 3600rpm level. I bought a Toro Professional grade mulching Lawn Mower with a 6hp. Kawi a number of years ago that didn't mulch the grass very well at all.  I put a tach on it and found the engine was turning about 3050 rpm. I adjusted up to 3550 and it made all the difference in the world.

I spoke to the dealer who told me that the engine manufacturers usually set the engines below the 3600 mark.

With regard to the riding up issue -Have you tried a weight kit? Very few people do but in my experience they are very effective. I had an old paddle wheel Simplicity which had a rather long wheel base and small tires .It rode up badly at the EOD till I bolted on a weight kit.

Marc 

lseap107 wrote:
Someone recommended the 26" 8hp Toro 826OXE.   While it's a fine machine, and I like the dual sbowblower approach, I don't see it providing a better motor or better performance for EOD plowed snow over what you currently own.  Same 26 inch bucket as your Ariens and one less hp.  

The 9hp Honda engine would likely be better than the 9hp on your current Ariens but would it be more powerful than a 342cc Briggs?  

The best way to handle plowed snow always seems to lead to trade-offs.  In my opinion plowed snow became more of an issue when manufacturers went away from tires that needed chains.  Back in the 70's if your machine had enough overall weight plus chains on the tires it would plow through anything.  Today's SnowHog type chainless tires are good on snow but will lose traction on icy snow.  So to solve the loss of traction problem, manufacturers didn't go back to chains, they built machines with tracks...which in turn created maneuverability problems.  One would expect the tracked Honda to provide an improvement with deep plowed snow but is that the machine you want to wrestle with to clear a small 3 inch snowfall.

So there's no perfect answer.  Just for giggles though if I were you I'd try fitting the Ariens with appropriate tire chains and see how it does.

Also, has an aside, the augers on older snow throwers were positioned so that they protruded in front of the bucket sides by six inches or so.  Nothing by speculation on my part but I think that aided in breaking up packed snow better than todays design.  Today the augers are positioned well back inside the buckets.  My guess is that the change was made for safety and liability reasons.  The mega blowers, the one's attached to semi tractor-trailer cabs, still have the augers well in front of the housing. 

Thank you all for the informative answers to my question.  I think I am leaning towards the Honda.  I was set on going with the HS928TAS tracked unit but my dealer said he would sell me the HS1132TA tracked unit with electric start for $205 more.  Should I go with the bigger 11hp 32" cut or just stay with the 9hp 28" cut?  My driveway is 38' x 38'.  I have a three car garage with sidwalk.  Any suggestons?

I would go with the HS1132TA, but I think the electric start is money thrown out the window, since these machines start on the first pull all the time.

I used my new HS928TA and I love it, again starts on the first pull.

lseap107 wrote:
Sounds like your dealer is trying to move that 1132 since there is only a price differential of $205 from a 928.  I would suggest go with a 928 and try to negotiate in commercial side skids or a light kit if it doesn't already have one.