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Ray |
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private |
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NE Washington State |
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| Personal Quote |
El Toro! 1028 LXE
Tecumseh 358cc
10hp |
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Normal user |
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142 |
| Number of Posts |
142 |
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Mar 3, 2008 |
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Nov 1, 2014 8:05 pm |
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Re: Snowstorm feuding with the neighbors.......
#1 Feb 12, 2014 3:50 pm |
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I like to take my Toro 1028 LXE along the street in front of my house, and also in front of my two side neighbors, doing about three swaths. When I'm in front of their properties farthest from my yard, I just send the snow to the area where their lawns meet the curb. As I get nearer my house, I can adjust the chute quickly to send the snow into my yard because the rooster tail just flies over their yards into mine. Also, as I approach my yard, I just keep turning the chute more and more toward a right angle into my yard. I never put snow onto their cleared-out street-to-house sidewalks. We don't have curb sidewalks on my side of the street. Nobody has ever complained. I think that would be rude, but you never know what people are thinking, I guess. Now, when the plow comes by if the snow is deep enough for that, well, it undoes everything I did, but I have fun with it anyway.
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Re: Auto turn vs prior auto steering
#2 Feb 12, 2014 3:28 pm |
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Does anyone know the differences between the autoturns? Ariens says it is the first ever seen on a snowblower. But didnt they have "traction control" before on platinum and pro models. Also deere had a version called ez steer. Does anyone know the differences between the three if there are any? Here's some further aid for this question: Please copy and paste the below internet links to your browser to get to the actual pages. Note the reply numbers of the posters so you can find them! Ariens had the ATC system for several years, then improved to a better version of it for the 2014 lineup. These links explain this. 1) http://www.abbysguide.com/ope/discussions/65950-0-1.html from Snowmann himself (of the Ariens company. His mention of the new Auto Turn is near the end of his comments about the 2014 lineup of blowers (even the info on the engines is interesting to know!). I've pasted his comments from this forum below: Snowmann  
Joined: Dec 2, 2003
Points: 490
![]() |  | Re: Ariens Platinum 24 291cc 14.5ft lbs.
Reply #1 Aug 24, 2013 8:39 am | | The 250cc Briggs on the Platinum 24 from last year was also made in China, as are all Briggs snow engines starting this year. The last of the US-made snow engines, the 305cc and 342cc, were discontinued when Briggs transitioned production from Auburn, Alabama to Chongqing, China. The Ariens AX engines are contract manufactured by LCT which is a US company based out of Traveler's Rest, SC with manufacturing facilities in China. LCT has a joint manufacturing partnership with Lauson/CPC out of Janesville Wisconsin who hold the remnants of Tecumseh Power. All Ariens AX engines and parts are serviced and supported directly through Ariens. That is, the warranty and service process is unified for the machine and engine rather than having to work with the engine manufacturer to get service and support separately (although that is still an option). Along with the power upgrade from last year (up 2.0 ft-lbs torque), the Platinum 24 gets larger 16" tires and a 2nd generation Auto Turn. The latest Auto Turn releases power from the interior wheel for tighter turning radii, has a wet sump for longer life, and unlocks faster than the old system (formerly called ATC, Auto Traction Control). I hope this helps. PK |
Then here are two more very insightful comments I've pasted from this forum regarding the Hilliard Auto-Loc mechanism, comparing John Deere's application vs. Ariens' application. They are not the same. Interesting! 2) http://www.abbysguide.com/ope/discussions/33911-0-1.html scopes01
Location: Montreal, CANADA
Joined: Nov 26, 2011
Points: 22
![]() |  | Re: John Deere 1130 SE
Reply #305 Nov 29, 2011 8:07 pm | | I purchased the JD 1130E from Lowes in 2009. The "easy steer" system is probably fine for paved driveways but I live in the country and have a very large gravel driveway. Because of the uneven surface I think the easy steer system is a detriment to me. Is there any way to disenage or disable it? I find myself wrestling with the machine to get both wheels turning in sync. Thanks. Hi there...your machine's "easy steer" feature is an Auto-Lok differential from a company called Hilliard...they supply the industry with this differential unit...It is neat system when it is properly integrated into a product so it is effective an efficient...The problem that your having is that your Auto-Lok differential is mounted on a main sprocket and driven with a chain....same concept as a bike...The problem is that there is too much slack and not very much surface contact for the driving mechanisms to work properly. Ex: Ariens is using this technology on their Platinum and Professional series machine too...however, it is integrated and designed differently and better in my opinion. Here is the reason why...The main difference is that the ARIENS is using a spur gear around the Auto-Lok unit and a pinion to drive the gear for both wheels. The spur gear surface is about 1" wide and the pinion even more. Perhaps, 1.250" of surface for the pinion. I would have to open and measure to get exact size, but its about that. This surface contact increases the stability, rigidity and decreaes the vibration of the axle. John Deere doesn't have a spur gear around the Hillard Auto-Lok unit and neither a pinion. They are using a sprocket and chain to drive the axle. The sprocket is fitted to Auto-Lok and expected to give you that Easy Steer you looking for. Unfortunately, it's not giving you the performance you were expecting....Perhaps, it is also defective too...eventhough it is mounted on a sprocket and chain it should still be going on a straight line and in-sync... Here is a link to JD manual for your machine on page 6 https://groundscare.custhelp.com/ci/fattach/get/32489/ Here is a link to Ariens service manual..go to page 20 figure 18 to see how Ariens is mounted differently. http://apache.ariens.com/manuals/02983600.pdf If it is a real irritant for you...you might want to consider removing this Auto-Lok and installing a straight sproket...just remember if you this, it will be harder to turn. This is how standard MTD snowblowers operate... This message was modified Nov 29, 2011 by scopes01 |
3) http://www.abbysguide.com/ope/discussions/61611-A-1.html
scopes01
Location: Montreal, CANADA
Joined: Nov 26, 2011
Points: 22
![]() | | | Re: John Deere 1330 long term review or NEW Recommendation
Reply #6 Dec 4, 2011 7:03 am | | Hi there did you consider the new 2011-12 ARIENS ST28DLE (926038) Professional Series?...I just purchased this model machine for $ 1800.00 plus taxes in Canada and was also considering the John Deere 1330. For a couple of hundred dollars I would definitely consider the ARIENS ST28DLE Pro model. The ST28DLE Pro machine comes standard with a 420 cc Briggs & Stratton Polar Force engine having 21 ft./lbs. of torque and 14.39 HP . This engine also comes with a crankshaft balancer, cast iron cylinder sleeve and a forged crankshaft. Personally, I would focus on the heavy duty points of a snow blower. The John Deere 1130 and 1330 machine have a short 3"-4" auger shaft sticking out from their gear box from each side. Then to compensate, a support bracket is installed on top of the gear case and screwed underneath the blower housing. This is to prevent the gearbox from twisting during action. The Pro 28,32 & 36 models machine from ARIENS have a full length auger shaft that goes from onside to another, eliminating the bracket support. The Automatic Traction Control on the ARIENS….it is also a really good feature that is offered. There is a little resistance when you turn, but almost unnoticeable. If you stick to a smaller machine like a 28” housing, it is very easy to manoeuvre than a 36” machine. Also, I happened to take a closer look at the ATC system on the ARIENS Professional series. It is a really cool design. It is a Hilliard Auto-Lok differential system. It has two female internal splines bore on each side of the gear/differential assembly for the axle shaft to enter. Then the Auto-Lok acts like tension device to release the resistance when you turn and yet still have traction on both wheels. John Deere 1330SE model also offers the same feature under a different marketing name called the "Easy Steer"...and it is also a Hilliard product. However, weaker on the design side by John Deere...let me explain. Now the way it is integrated into the snow machine's design is another issue all together. I have closely looked at both the ARIENS ST28DLE and JD 1130/1330SE Auto-Lok Differential from Hilliard. The main difference is that the ARIENS is using a spur gear around the Auto-Lok differential unit and a pinion to drive the axle for both wheels. The spur gear surface is a little over 1" wide and the pinion even more. Perhaps, 1.250" of surface for the pinion. I would have to open and measure to get exact size, but it’s about that. This surface contact increases the stability, rigidity and decrease the vibration of the axle. John Deere doesn't have a spur gear around the Hilliard Auto-Lok unit and neither a pinion. They are using a sprocket and chain system to drive the axle. The sprocket is fitted unto the Auto-Lok and expected to give you that Easy Steer you looking for. Unfortunately, it will not perform as expected. You can read the other threads from the other members on this topic. You will have this machine for a very long time an it worth spending an extra few bucks for a more reliable machine. ARIENS is made right here in North America and service parts readily available anywhere. Good Luck and regards, Scopes01 This message was modified Dec 4, 2011 by scopes01
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I hope this helps out.
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Re: Ariens back in the game again, a new single stage snowblower.
#3 Sep 29, 2013 2:24 am |
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Not sure if 2 stage snowblower purchases are on the decline that tip the scale in favor of a single stage, but Ariens have returned to the SS market. Ariens 21" Path Pro. The design looks like a safe bet, has all the right elements. Nothing too revolutionary but it has a hinged cover easy service. This is the only thing that sets it apart from other SS. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ7zSo2cGBk It would be great to see if Ariens could become a major player in the SS market. I never have understood why they have never been a major producer of them in all the years gone by. Toro has made both for years. I guess they probably thought the 2-stage machines were the way to go.
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Re: Ariens Platinum 24 291cc 14.5ft lbs.
#4 Sep 21, 2013 12:51 am |
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1) The Ariens AX engines are contract manufactured by LCT which is a US company based out of Traveler's Rest, SC with manufacturing facilities in China. LCT has a joint manufacturing partnership with Lauson/CPC out of Janesville Wisconsin who hold the remnants of Tecumseh Power. All Ariens AX engines and parts are serviced and supported directly through Ariens. That is, the warranty and service process is unified for the machine and engine rather than having to work with the engine manufacturer to get service and support separately (although that is still an option).
2) Along with the power upgrade from last year (up 2.0 ft-lbs torque), the Platinum 24 gets larger 16" tires and a 2nd generation Auto Turn. The latest Auto Turn releases power from the interior wheel for tighter turning radii, has a wet sump for longer life, and unlocks faster than the old system (formerly called ATC, Auto Traction Control). I hope this helps. PK I added the numbers to Snowmann's comments to help simplify my comments: 1) I saw a new 2013-2014 Deluxe 28 with the new AX engine while at Home Depot today. It sure looks different. I wonder if this new LCT/Lauson/CPC engine line is going to be a really good thing when compared to Briggs, Honda, Kawasaki, and Subaru, for example? I'm hoping for something really good here. 2) So this new Auto-Turn is going to make turning even easier, that is, no muscling to turn the blower? Would it be as easy to turn as the old-style differential that Ariens used to have back in the early 2000s and the 1990s? My son has a 1993 Ariens ST824 with its differential that is absolutely effortless to turn. Of course, that old system wasn't perfect since you could end up with one wheel slipping while one wheel keeps turning if you hit a slick spot with that one wheel, for example, but I'm only trying to say how easy it is to turn. I hope this new approach will duplicate that ease. I'd like to hear some comments about the new engine and new Auto-Turn when some guys out there have experience with them.
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Re: Ariens ST824 got its first workout in the blizzard
#5 Feb 27, 2013 10:08 pm |
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One of my sons also owns an Ariens ST824, and we had to plow through two feet of snow back in December of 2008. It worked great just as you said. Just this last fall, we completed a project to replace several bad and worn parts, including impeller and auger shaft bearings, impeller, lower handlebars, rubber drive plate, adjusted and lubed the chain, repainted certain parts. We also serated the auger blades. See the below Abbysguide link---it doesn't work, so just copy and paste to your browser bar---to see what the original poster did to his augers. My son and I did the same to his augers. Takes a few hours, but it's well worth it, just in case you are interested. I made some comments and had pictures of my own, but for some reason when I called back his link, all I get is the first four posts, and mine were like #41 and 43. Anyway, his pictures tell it all. Again, thank you for sharing your story. You really have a well-built machine. Take care of it, and enjoy future big snows!!
http://www.abbysguide.com/ope/discussions/59639-0-1.html
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