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bus708


Location: Maryland
Joined: Jul 24, 2010
Points: 321

Ariens pro track 26-28- 32
Original Message   Jan 30, 2011 5:07 pm
Has anyone had the opportunity to try one of Ariens tracked models? How does it fair against a Honda. I do not know is Ariens models tilt up an down like Hondas. i here Ariens has steering and Honda does not.  I here a lot about Honda but nothing about Tracked Ariens. I want to hear your opinions
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FrankMA


Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587

Re: Ariens pro track 26-28- 32
Reply #1   Feb 1, 2011 10:44 am
It's kind of odd that finding any type of review or feedback in general on these Ariens track drive models is pretty scare. I've read that one can convert a wheel drive Ariens to a track drive with a kit that they sell but have never heard of anyone doing so. Maybe someone will chime who has some experience with these models.

Here's a review I found on the Snowblowers Direct website on the Ariens Track Drive Conversion Kit which costs $ 500.00:

Tracks work well

I live at a bit over 6000' elevation in an area that, despite being in southern California, can get heavy snow (3' in a storm).

My driveway is about 120' long and steep, and naturally when the snow is deep the plow leaves a small mountain of it at the foot of my driveway. When the blower was on wheels, I had two main problems. First, it rolled too easily and if I stopped going uphill on my driveway it would roll back on me. In general it was hard to control on a steep slope.

Second, when the auger teeth would bite into the hard berm left by the plow the blower would pitch backward. Since I'm not very big (and not very young), my shoulders would take a real beating trying to control the thing.

After the installation of the tracks (which was easy), I can stop going uphill and the blower just sits there, it no longer rolls back.

Even better, because of the track angle foot pedal, the blower no longer pitches back when it bites into ice. It also has better traction in heavy snow. The fairly hefty price for the track kit was well worth it for me.

The downside is that it's now more work to turn the blower, but since I spent 20 years with a Craftsman blower on tracks that really doesn't bother me, despite the fact that the Ariens weighs half again what the Craftsman did. I also find that I need to use the track angle pedal to lift the auger housing pretty much whenever I back up. Not a big problem.

One hint. Since I did the installation alone, I had to make a little stretcher to help me get the tracks over the bogies. I used a roughly 8" long (eye-to-eye) turnbuckle with a little wood block with a notch bolted to each eyebolt.

To stretch the track, I just put the contraption between the shafts (I had to do each track separately) and turned it until I could engage the track tension adjustment nuts. The lashup looked ridiculous, but worked fine.

Incidentally, the blower itself has been pretty good. The no-adjustment carburetor isn't great at 6000', and since my blower lives under a tarp sometimes a bit of moisture can get into the cables that control the chute and the deflector. Once it freezes the chute can't be adjusted unless I warm the cables with a heat gun.

To anyone who is trying to decide on an Ariens, there is one way it is VASTLY better than the Craftsman. It can throw snow (especially powder) easily twice as far. Since I live on a hillside, and part of my driveway snow has to be thrown uphill, it makes a huge difference.

It never ceases to amaze me how far it will throw snow. In general, a good blower and the tracks were a worthwhile addition due to my steep driveway and heavy snow
This message was modified Feb 1, 2011 by FrankMA


Toro Wheel Horse 522xi GT, Honda HS928TA, Honda HS621AS, Honda HS520A, Toro CCR3000 (work in progress), Honda HS624WA (sold 08/23/2010), Stihl BR550 Backpack Blower, Stihl MS250, McCulloch MS1635, Honda EM6500SX Generator
Dr_Woof


Don't blow into the wind, and don't eat yellow snow. WOOF!

Location: Saskatchewan
Joined: Dec 13, 2010
Points: 253

Re: Ariens pro track 26-28- 32
Reply #2   Feb 1, 2011 11:08 am
bus708 wrote:
Has anyone had the opportunity to try one of Ariens tracked models? How does it fair against a Honda. I do not know is Ariens models tilt up an down like Hondas. i here Ariens has steering and Honda does not.  I here a lot about Honda but nothing about Tracked Ariens. I want to hear your opinions

I just got a Honda 928 tracker and like it a lot.  Tractionwise, probably similar to th Ariens although I have no experience with the latter.  But the hydrostatic drive on the Honda is a big plus as it allows shift on the fly  with precise adjustment of speed to conditions.

FrankMA


Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587

Re: Ariens pro track 26-28- 32
Reply #3   Feb 1, 2011 11:51 am
Dr_Woof wrote:
I just got a Honda 928 tracker and like it a lot.  Tractionwise, probably similar to th Ariens although I have no experience with the latter.  But the hydrostatic drive on the Honda is a big plus as it allows shift on the fly  with precise adjustment of speed to conditions.


This is my 1st season with my new to me Honda HS928TA and I really like the track drive and have always liked the hydrostatic tranny (owned an HS624WA for 10 years prior). I was a bit apprehensive about going the track drive route after reading all the horror stories about the poor manuverability and handling but it truely comes down to applying the right technique. I could see where someone who is not physically capable or small in stature would have some difficulty because it is more work than a wheel drive. The tracks definitely offer more forward torque (especially on the EOD garbage) and provide better traction on inclines.

Toro Wheel Horse 522xi GT, Honda HS928TA, Honda HS621AS, Honda HS520A, Toro CCR3000 (work in progress), Honda HS624WA (sold 08/23/2010), Stihl BR550 Backpack Blower, Stihl MS250, McCulloch MS1635, Honda EM6500SX Generator
JohnWI


Joined: Nov 15, 2010
Points: 38

Re: Ariens pro track 26-28- 32
Reply #4   Feb 1, 2011 12:28 pm
While I like my wheeled Pro28, I don't know if I'd stay with it in a tracked version from the money perspective?  I wanted a SOLID, American-made, blower at a (somewhat) "reasonable" price.  I got that with both my wheeled Pro28 and the Toro 210R.  And I won't lie to you that the little Toro gets more use (but the Pro28 saves me from a hernia/heart attack at the EOD almost every storm).

But now that we're in the $2500 range, I'd probably look at the Honda.  MOSTLY because of the hydro. 

If the Husqv w/hydro was near me, I would have loved to felt that in my hands.  But I didn't have one near enough to me.

"The Husqvarna 16530EXL features a hydro drive system and can easily consume 23” snow drifts, while clearing 30” swaths through even the wettest of snowfalls. Its 16.5 gross torque Briggs & Stratton Endurance engine is designed to start reliably in cold weather. Standard features include a drift cutter, weight bar, power steering and a deflector extension. In addition, the 16530EXL comes with a halogen light to illuminate your pathway when the days are short. Hand warmers add comfort while tackling your chores in adverse weather conditions."

Of course that is also wheeled, but at the same $ level as my Pro28... ???

2011 Ariens Pro 28; Toro 210R, older Powerlite and a generic single stage w/ Tec. engine.

God Bless America!

Paul7


Joined: Mar 12, 2007
Points: 452

Re: Ariens pro track 26-28- 32
Reply #5   Feb 1, 2011 12:48 pm
JohnWI wrote:

But now that we're in the $2500 range, I'd probably look at the Honda.  MOSTLY because of the hydro. 

If the Husqv w/hydro was near me, I would have loved to felt that in my hands.  But I didn't have one near enough to me.


Speaking of the feel of a machine I'm curious if the handle bar height is adjustable on the Honda Track blowers.  I was just at a Tru-Value hardware store and they were demonstrating their snow blowers.  I tried out a Honda Track unit and I agree that the speed control of the hydro is neat.  However I felt uncomfortably "bent over" while operating it.  Is the handle height adjustable?  I didn't have an opportunity to ask the tech because my wife's patience had worn out and it was time to go.  In her defense we did have to wait a while before I got my turn.
FrankMA


Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587

Re: Ariens pro track 26-28- 32
Reply #6   Feb 1, 2011 1:18 pm
Honda does offer an extension kit for the Track Drive models. I think it is a 2" or 4" extension that raises the handle height. I'm 5'9" and it works OK for me although 2" higher would be better. I believe they are built to accommodate the Japanese stature.

Toro Wheel Horse 522xi GT, Honda HS928TA, Honda HS621AS, Honda HS520A, Toro CCR3000 (work in progress), Honda HS624WA (sold 08/23/2010), Stihl BR550 Backpack Blower, Stihl MS250, McCulloch MS1635, Honda EM6500SX Generator
aa335


Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434

Re: Ariens pro track 26-28- 32
Reply #7   Feb 1, 2011 1:33 pm
Paul7 wrote:
Speaking of the feel of a machine I'm curious if the handle bar height is adjustable on the Honda Track blowers.  I was just at a Tru-Value hardware store and they were demonstrating their snow blowers.  I tried out a Honda Track unit and I agree that the speed control of the hydro is neat.  However I felt uncomfortably "bent over" while operating it.  Is the handle height adjustable?  I didn't have an opportunity to ask the tech because my wife's patience had worn out and it was time to go.  In her defense we did have to wait a while before I got my turn.

There's a handle extension kit that raises it about 2 inches (I think).  That's the max it can go without stretching the existing cables.  It's not adjustable, just extendable.

http://www.mayssnowblowerrepair.com/hb_extensions.html

http://www.mayshonda.com/eshopprod_cat_6411-71869_product_939449.Handlebar_Extension_Kit.htm
aa335


Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434

Re: Ariens pro track 26-28- 32
Reply #8   Feb 1, 2011 1:37 pm
FrankMA wrote:
Honda does offer an extension kit for the Track Drive models. I think it is a 2" or 4" extension that raises the handle height. I'm 5'9" and it works OK for me although 2" higher would be better. I believe they are built to accommodate the Japanese stature.

Yes, you are right on.  They are built for older Japanese demographics.

See my previous post.  The kit does offer a 2" extension, so that would be perfect for you.
Coldfingers


Joined: Nov 20, 2008
Points: 84

Re: Ariens pro track 26-28- 32
Reply #9   Feb 15, 2011 6:42 pm
Bus 708 I've got an Ariens pro 9526 I think its called. Its got the 9.5 hp. overhead valve motor with a "26" width. I really like mine, they are slower than the comparable wheel models, someone said 40% slower but I don't run it around town I just use it at home and its plenty speedy for me. I looked at the honda models as well and they are excellent machines also. I bought the Ariens because it turns alot easier as in regular mode, if you will, onlt the one track pulls so you can turn it nicely, if you really need the traction you can lock the other track and then it really goes but doesn't turn as well. I have a honda single stage that I use normally for the lighter snow falls and just take the big one out when conditions are there for more power. I hope that helps? Coldfingers
bus708


Location: Maryland
Joined: Jul 24, 2010
Points: 321

Re: Ariens pro track 26-28- 32
Reply #10   Feb 16, 2011 12:06 am
Thanks coldfingers,

My big delima is steering. There are no showrooms here for me to test one. I herd the new pro tracks have a diferential. Yours you said has lock outs. If you unlock one side it will want to turn with the driven track RIGHT?? Wouldn't you be fighting it to turn or go streight? I herd with diferentials you dont worry about it steering . it steers like auto triggers. I just hate to have to munky a heavy machine to turn it. 
This message was modified Feb 16, 2011 by bus708
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