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

I didnt even know this model existed! When I seen how big this motor is in a 28" width I almost $#%* myself! lol I thouht this mountain motor only came in 36"+ wide units.

How does this thing turn? How does the power steering compare to that of a Toro?

Essentially yes.

mvedepo wrote:
I think Ariens should make a video showing this ATC actually works.  Then they can convince would be buyers from buying Toro machines single stage snowblowers. 

I agree.  The problem is that people get it confused with the ability to turn around easily.  Not going to happen.   Now when you turn the machine around unpowered its fine.  The wheel disconnects and you can spin it right around.  But the with the Toro you can pull the trigger on the inside of the turn and actually power the blower around.

I have an old 1983 Cub Cadet 26" machine which has a complete differential with spur gears enclosed in the housing.  When it is driving forward it will pull hard with both wheels.  If i try to hold it back in the driveway it will spin both tires, but, whey you go to turn it if you hold back on the handle on the side you want it to turn to it disengages that wheel and only sends power to the other side making almost a zero radius turn. This machine with an 11hp engine and 20lbs of nose weight weighs well over 335lbs and it will turn on a dime and still pull with both wheels when allowed to pull forward on its own.  If you hold back on either handle it will turn in that direction instantly. It has a option to lock both wheels to a single axle but there is really no point in using it as it is a beast to try to turn with them locked.

Yeah thats exactly opposite from Ariens ATC.

I have an older Ariens ST1032.  Which has the lockable hub on the left side and the axle differential unit.  Which does function like a limited slip car rear end and as it has been described here.
I think I have only locked the axle maybe twice in the last two years  When the hub is in the locked position both wheels spin at the same speed. Which makes it a real bear to turn.
Actually it won't turn you have to drag it to turn it.
With the hub unlocked I can literally make a 180 degree turn with little effort, I've done it one handed.  If I'm in first or second gear I can turn left and almost keep the left wheel planted and simply pivot around it. While the right wheel drives the blower around.  If I'm in a higher gear I'd have to almost run to keep up with it as it turns. The only situation that locking in the axle would probably be useful in. Would be trying to blow deep snow going up a rather steep incline. Or simply driving the blower through deep snow. I've never had a traction problem with the hub unlocked regardless of the snow depth. Just my observations.

Very interesting thread.........Seems the Toro is King as far as the power steering goes.....

I've got an Ariens Platinum with ATC, and I have also used a friend's Toro.  I found the Toro to be able to turn sharper turns more easily than my Ariens. The ATC works, it's just that the Toro seemed to give me more control over the turn with less effort once you spend a few minutes getting used to the trigger controls.  I'm fine with the Ariens' ATC though. 

stresst wrote:
Ariens is the king of snow.    I don't see anything wrong with Toro being king of powersteering.

slinger wrote:
Also:
I've got an Ariens ST824 (1993 model year), and I really like the real differential action on that, just like with a car. It's so easy in turning, even sharp turns.  Of course, with the knob on the left wheel, I can always convert it to a straight-forward locked two-wheel drive. 

Now with the ATC (Automatic Traction Control) feature on the last few years of  Ariens models, I am wondering just how hard it is to make those sharp turns.

I've used a Husqvarna snow blower at one of the schools I work at, so I know how the trigger release feels when turning either direction.  It's not as smooth as the old Ariens differential, but you can ease your way into a turn by pulling the trigger lever over and over again to avoid the sudden turn action due to that one wheel disengaging if you just pull the trigger and don't let go of it right away.