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

I was at a local OPE dealer today, and was told that the Ariens 9526DLE is being fitted with a Briggs & Stratton engine, and that they would begin to receive these snow blowers probably next month, selling them for an extra $80.   

Questions:

1) Why is this change in engines occurring? Does it have anything to do with Tecumseh's engine division being bought by Platinum Equities?

2) Is Ariens going to go through their entire line of blowers and replace Tecumseh for Briggs & Stratton, in particular the Intek OHV engines?

3)  What are other blower manufacturers going to do with Tecumseh?

4) Is the Tecumseh L-Head on its way out? If so, why buy a new blower with one?   How about parts availability?

Thanks for any information anyone may have.