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

I here from many that  Ariens track drives do not have steering. They say that they have differentials that can lock both tracks for better traction. If I unlock the right side then just the left will be driving. To me that is confusing because if the left is driving then the unit will want to go right . So what is the differential doing? What is its purpose. I thought differentials switch the drive/driven tracks  to the left making a right turn and right to make a left  turn. That being it does have steering.  If it does not then it will always want to go right unless both tracks are locked.  I never test run any of Ariens  track models so i do not really know how they steer .  The only trigger steering tracks I see are from troy Built .  I'm not impressed with there reliability or quality. I love Ariens,  but I question their tracks ease of steering.

NY, true differentials have been used in friction disk drive snowblowers for 40 years.

New_Yorker wrote:

THe Husqvarna models that have hydrostatic drive , do not have a "Friction  Wheel"

drive system,  neither does my Craftsman 529931 (built by Husqvarna ) with  hydrostatic  drive.

These models do not have an automotive  type differential.  There is no differential,  steering is accomplished by the 2 little levers below  the hand grips  that  regulates   power to either wheel ,

to accomplish either a gradual return or a zero radius Turn.

My snowblower is not a track drive, but it has a differntial.  It's 40 years old,  a John Deere 526 model.  Nice easy turning and either wheel seems to drive it when needed.  There is a lock on the left wheel that will make both wheels drive equally if wanted.  This seems to be a really good blower, and I have worked on it to replace the traction disk, but other than that, it's a winner.