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

I'm considering updating from a 1993 Ariens ST824 to a newer machine.  Recently, I've been looking at a few Ariens Platinum and Pro models, a few of Simplicity's Large Frame and Pro models, the John Deere 1330SE, and the Toro 1128OXE, as well as used but recent models with a Tecumseh OHV engine or Briggs OHV.  Wheel and chute controls are an issue with a lot of people, so does anyone have experiences to share?

Differentials:

1)  Does anyone have experience with Ariens' "Automatic Traction Control or John Deere's 1330 SE differential ?  Does the Ariens know when to go to locked-wheel drive, or when to come out of it back to differential?  Will this design hold up after many years of usage?  Does the JD stay in differential mode, or does it have the locked-wheel option?  How do these blowers feel in operation?

2)  How does Simplicity's "Easy Turn" feature feel when turning left or right?  Don't you also have to stop the machine to go into and out of this mode ?

3)  Same questions about the Ariens Deluxe models with that left-hand trigger release feature.

Chutes:

1)  Then there are those new electric chute controls on the Simplicity Large Frame models and John Deere 1330SE.  Does anyone have any stories about these?

 2)  Toro has their "Quick Stick" feature, but how long can it last before the plastic parts break?

3)  Ariens' "Quick Turn" feature seems pretty nice, but I'm not sure about that cable release lasting long, and many guys have complained about having to constantly re-adjust it, or it flops around too much.  Also, the chute  deflector cable seems to freeze up a lot with some users.  Any comments here?

4)  Why can't Ariens just go back to a crank system that doesn't allow the chute to wander around at all?  Ariens, I hope you are listening.

 

trouts2 wrote:
Hi Trouts,

Yes this is exactly the rig I have.  The culprit is the so-called control arm (#20).  The bottom of this arm (as depicted in the illustration) has to engage precisely with the cogs on the circumference of part #5.  It's a little hard to get a sense of this from the illustration, but when the control arm engages those cogs, it temporarily locks the chute into the position you want it to be at that moment.

Unless my control arm was distorted somewhat when it was installed in the factory(and therefore needed only a tiny bit more distortion to become ineffective), I found that just modest usage (perhaps 8-10 snowblowing sessions of one hour each) wore the control arm out so that I had to replace it.  When I removed my original control arm, the end that engaged the cogs was visibly splayed open (maybe just 1/16" or so... but enough so it wouldn't lock the chute).  The spring (part #18) was a $#%* to install, since one end has to press up against the inside of the bracket on top of the pole. You have to keep parts 6, 21, 20, and 19 aligned as you tighten nut #11... all the while with the spring loaded and pressed against the bracket.  If you back off the bracket momentarily, the spring snaps down and you have to try it again.  Not fun!

The spring is also too small-- it fits between the two flanges of the control arm with the protrusion of part #21 holding it in place... but it still has plenty of room to skew to one side, which is another frustration.

I could make a video of this, but that would mean taking the pieces apart first.  Can I simply video me smashing my thumb with a hammer?-- that would be less painful!

And... yes, #20 is the part I think should be cast.

I like my toro. Plastic is a non issue. If its strong enough for the beating that the ski's on a ski-doo take, its easily strong enough for the dash and chute of a snow blower. And it does have the benefits that it won't rust or clog.

Since Simplicity and John Deere  are both built by Briggs and Stratton, It boils down to which color you like best. The Toro uses a lot of plastic: good? bad?

So I believe the Ariens is your best choice, or a Husqvarna .

royster wrote:

The OP asked "Who's best?  Ariens, Simplicity, John Deere, Toro?"   Not Husqvarna! 

But I think I'll go ahead and recommend a Yamaha.    Its one of those brand, in addition to Husqvarna, that the OP can't get in the US.  So all is good!