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

What do you guys feel about Ariens  track driven snow blowers? I want  a track model that will turn easy

Last winter was my first using my new to me Honda HS928TA track drive. I was a bit apprehensive about going the track drive route myself as I had heard many horror stories concerning the difficulties turning the beast. I got a decent deal as a friend got transferred down south and no longer needed his barely used machine so I figured I'd give it a shot and if I did not like it, I would just sell it and move on.

As other track drive owners (not one time users) will tell you, it's all about technique and finesse. Yes, it's difficult to move unpowered in your garage (keep it on a dolly and problem solved) but under power and on snow, it turns rather easily. I have a fairly  long +/- 130' slightly sloped driveway, a good sized EOD area and many walkways going to my firewood storage areas and the tracks work out well for my situation. My cleaning time after a 8" - 12" storm is about 2 - 3 hours depending on the density of the snow. I would not recommend a track drive to someone who has a lot of tight turns and detail work to perform but for large EOD work, straight runs and sloped areas, the tracks can't be beat, especially with the hydrostatic transmission.

I'm on my third year using a tracked snowblower, and this is my first 2 stage snowblower as well.   I went for the biggest HS1132 machine without any experience operating a 2 stage snowblower.  It does require coordinated effort to turning versus wheeled snowblower with differentials, especially on high friction surfaces.  Tracked snowblower and hydrostatic transmission snowblower does not roll down the hill on its own.  I have a steep driveway and ice makes going up and down without tracks a nightmare.  It has pulled me up the driveway a couple of times when I just dont have enough traction on my feet to walk up.

I'm so used to tracks now that it doesn't feel heavier or awkward.  If you have bad back or hips, tracks are not for you.  You will be more active operating and staying warm, so there's no need for handwarmers.  Snowblower cabs are more useful when it's really windy and cold outside, I use thinner gloves when behind a cab.  I never had any need for handwarmers.  Lights comes in useful occasionally, but they're more for keeping me visible to cars.

Another point of track snowblower is that it can climb stairs.  This should be approached with caution though.  It can also climb up on snow mound so you can cut down tall mountains by layers.

I have two single stage snowblower for finish work and in close quarters near the house, when it's too tight for the track snowblower to move in.

Coldfingers wrote:
With only one track driving in the unlocked mode, isn't the unit always trying to turn? I know it has a differential. Does the differential help it to go straight in the UNLOCKED mode, or do you have to fight it?