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

I didnt even know this model existed! When I seen how big this motor is in a 28" width I almost $#%* myself! lol I thouht this mountain motor only came in 36"+ wide units.

How does this thing turn? How does the power steering compare to that of a Toro?

I just bought a Ariens ST28LE Deluxe... is that different than a ST28DLE...  so many "model names" going around who can keep track.  Anyway, the ST28LE Deluxe seemed to me to be a good compromise on width, weight, and price. Seems well built as compaired to some of the others I looked at.  My only quam so far is the remote wheel lock function sometimes does not lock and unlock on the first try, but this is on dry ground. When I put the snow blower to the test this winter, here in Vermont, I'll find out just how reliable the remote wheel lock actually is.

Intruder wrote:

I looked at the Deluxe before I purchased my Toro but now I am looking for a large motor machine, the ST28DLE has a 420cc engine which is totaly friggen out of this world for a 28" wide machine. There are 40" wide units that dont have this kind of power!

Anyone else?

stresst wrote:

What is it exactly you're looking for? The ATC differential is automatic. It locks and unlocks automatically. Same technology is used in certain Tuff Torq transaxles, UTV's etc. Why don't you wheel it around the showroom? The turning effort under power will be the same.

stresst wrote:
You don't need to ask permission or concurrence on buying the biggest and baddest snowblower.    It's got more displacement than some motorcycles.

I am picking up the Pro 28.  The ATC is not powersteering.   IN FACT it's harder to steer under power than the Toro.  The difference is that when you are turning under power the OUTSIDE wheel released and the INSIDE wheel is powered.  Not ideal for turning.  The thought process on the ATC is to keep the machine going straight.

mvedepo wrote:
I'm having trouble understanding this concept.  How is this an improvement over solid axle between two wheels?  If you want it to go straight , don't you want the two wheels rotating at the same speed and torque? 

I can see Ariens ATC will allow gentle turns while under power, but for 90/180 degree turns, I think the Toro trigger systems seems to make more sense to me.

This is question for Toro owners, can you feather the trigger to turn more or less as desired?

It seems to that ATC is a step above fixed axle in some situations, but it is not superior to the trigger release just because its different.

The ATC is "better" in theory because it's a "traction control"  If you start spinning a wheel it takes power away from it.  Also if you take on snow that unevenly distributed and it causes the blower to pull to the left it will take power away from the right wheel and only power the left in essence trying to keep the machine straight.  Thats it in theory.  In the real world I have no idea how well it works. 

Sounds like an implementation of "limited slip differential"

Essentially yes.