This has been an amazing year. Thank you so much for watching my videos and supporting through comments, likes, and shares. I especially would like to thank you, my subscribers, for supporting what I do here. Feel free to leave a comment below. (I do moderate the comments so it may not show up right away) Thanks for watching and please Subscribe!
Only you Paul can take 20 minutes to review a sno-thro an still be interesting throughout. You are the best. Your passion is contagious. Greetings from Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.
Thank You Michel. With so many different snow blowers out there that all look the same I realized about 15 years ago that many people buy the wrong machine for their property. Explaining all the details how each snow blower is different and why those details matter has helped thousands of people find the best snow blower for them.
@@PaulSikkema like I said , you're the best Paul . Because you care , it feels. Thank-you so much for sharing your time. I'm sure thousands out there feel the same ; You are like a big brother or a father for some others. We know we can count on you . You and Donyboy. We are blessed.Thank-you.Greetings from Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.
I just picked up my new Ariens Pro 28" RapidTrak model # 926078. This is the updated model for 2019. It no longer comes with the Briggs and Stratton motor or the 6 quart (1.5 gallon) gas tank as shown in this video. For 2019, it comes with an LCT motor and only 3 quart ( 3/4 gallon) gas tank. That may be a major issue for many commercial user's. If you want last year's {2018) model # 926060 with the B & S motor and double the fuel capacity, there's a few left. You may need to call around to find one. Other than the motor and fuel tank change, I don't believe there's any other differences.
I have a 2012 Ariens Platinum. Glad to see that they improved the chute rotation handle, as mine is horrendous. However, I am surprised to see that they got rid of the brace for the front gearbox, that mine has.
Your gearbox uses inner stub shafts inside the augers. That's why your shear pins are near the gearbox. The brace holds the gearbox in place. The Pro uses a full-length shaft inside the auger and the shaft extends all the way to the auger housing. The shear pins are near the center of the shaft. It doesn't use the brace because of that.
Thank you very much for your information. The problem was that there was gasoline in the oil. When I checked the oil level, I couldn't recognize the oil so much that the oil was like water. In addition, the level was significantly higher than usual. I changed the oil and it works normally. Is it normal that after 6 to 7 months of not being used that it does this? I have never closed the fuel valve and have never done that to myself. Can it still do this for a short time without working? Because in winter, there is quite a long time without snow. Could there be a problem with the carburetor? THANKS.
Fuel leaking past the float valve is normal for most brands of "winter/snow" carbs and that is why they have a fuel shut-off valve. Husqvarna, Ariens, and Toro are the primary brands. Your operator's manual spells this out in the storage section. That said, Since I never know when the next snow is coming or even what snowblower I need to use - I ALWAYS use the fuel shutoff valve. I go a step farther and leave the engine running - turn off the valve - and let the engine run out of gas. i.e. the carb empties out. This does two things. 1. If you are using ethanol blended fuel it keeps moisture from gravitating down into the carb and mucking it up. 2. If you are using a fuel stabilizer, like SeaFoam, it leaves the carb coated so it stays "new" inside. When you want to use the snowblower the next time just open the valve, wait 30 seconds and you are good to go!
Hello, Can you tell me if the arien rapidtrack 926060 blower (engine briggs stratton polar force pro 420 cc) has a sensor to prevent starting in the event that the oil level is too low? It's not mentioned in the manual.
No, it does not. Most operator's manual recommend you check the oil before you use it. Since you typically use a snowblower and then don't move it until the next storm any leak would be quickly noticed as a big oil spot on your garage floor. Low oil sensors are usually found on stationary engines like generators and water pumps that run for hours and hours at a time.
Hi Paul, We finally have decent to use our snowblowers in BRF. I always wanted to ask you if you know if the pro models with the 420cc engine have a oil pump or a splash system. I was told they don't have a oil pump. I'd think they would just because of the other extras they out in this engine. I'm looking for durability and longevity for my last machine I buy.
Hi Jeff, all snow blower engines use a splash system. The B&S Pro is designed to last many years working 8-10 hours a day - everyday clearing snow. It has proven reliability and one of the best reputations for commercial snow blower use.
Excellent video! Would this unit be your top choice for a commercial application for walkways for the 2019-2020 season? I am located in the Cascade mountain range in Washington state where we see all types of snow (light/deep - wet/dry) and everything in between.
Yes, this snow blower will cut your clearing time in half compared to a typical residential machine. Install the optional cast iron skid shoes and there will be no maintenance other than gs and oil. It will last years.
Nice Review! I have an old 1236 Ariens, bought new in 1989 or 90. It still looks almost new, works great, and chucks snow a good 50-60 feet....but it's a beast to bull around. As is family tradition, I'm going to give the machine to my son and treat myself to one more new machine at 66 :) I was all set to break from the Ariens mold and go with a Honda 1332 ATD, but in fairness wanted to look into our old family stand by since the 60s. I'm now liking what I see in the Rapid Trak Ariens. Here's a couple questions: I wonder if the chute adjustment lever on the handlebars, being an open hole on top, could accumulate a lot of snow, freeze and/or get bound up? Same question for the front chute gear case area...It would appear to be not sealed and could ingest some freezing snow? The old 1236 chute system was a definite weak link for freezing up. How fast does it go in reverse? Can it be free wheeled for moving with the engine off? Thanks -- Steve .... in the center of the Upper Peninsula of MI
Hi Steve, You will really appreciate this snow blower with the amount of snow you get! Does the chute system freeze up? No, Ariens has had this control on the Pro for a while now and it's very quick and snow doesn't build up on it. How fast does it go in reverse? Faster than I am comfortable with. Can it be free wheeled for moving with the engine off? Yes, you can freewheel it but like any hydro with tracks, it's a little stiff to push when the engine is not running. I use Seafoam fuel stabilizer in the fuel all the time so this one starts on the first pull all the time. Because of that I just start it if I have to move it.
Thanks Paul! If you could go either way: Which engine....Briggs or Ariens AX? I kinda like the EFI idea. I'm curious if you have ever hands on tested the new Honda Track machines? From your response below, it would seem Honda missed some engineering on the new one? I do like some of the bells and whistles on it, but as I dig deeper into the two companys, Ariens is winning the battle. On another subject, I believe it was your review of garden tractors that led me to my 46" Craftsman Pro tractor a few years ago.
Also...as I had a 36...I was also considering a 32. One of the drawbacks to the old 36 was that in addition to being a beast to throw around, the 36" cut was too big in somes cases (we have no southern exposure) as it bridged over a car track and back to pavement....leaving some area to clean up. A 28 would probably do me unless the RapidTrak will really push the front end to pick up the car track. Thanks.
I'm a big fan of the 28-inch width. Especially with an Ariens Pro or RapidTrack because it doesn't push snow out the front like many of the other brands do. What that means is with most snow blowers you either have to take a 3/4 width pass or slow way down. If you don't those snow blowers will push snow out the side that's already cleared. The Ariens Pro and RapidTrack will easily handle 16-18 inches of snow and not push it out the front or onto the already cleared path. The high capacity 14-inch impeller is one of the main reasons for this. So if you can use all the 27-28 inches of the snow blower you only need to take two round trips on single car driveway - A 32 inch doesn't save you any time.
Steve, thanks for coming back! I'm glad the Craftsman Pro tractor is working out. I won't know until late July if Ariens will offer the AX on the RapidTrack this fall. Right now they only offer the Briggs. The AX EFI is also something I'd want if I had the choice. No worries about fuel - or cold - it just starts. That said, the Briggs is a commercial engine and I know it will last the life of the snow blower. The one I used this winter started on first pull every time. Guys love their Honda snow blowers... but the Ariens Pro and RapidTrack have over 30% more capacity than the comparable Honda and will throw the snow just as far. That means you can walk a lot faster with it and it will just keep going. You can't plug the Ariens Pro or RapidTrack - even if the snow is mainly slush. In addition, the Ariens will clear a gravel driveway without tearing up the inside of the impeller housing.
Hi Paul, with the track in the up position to use the machine more like a wheeled unit, did you notice if the machine feels rough or more rigid compared to one with tires? Basically I'm wonder how the ride quality is. Thanks.
I didn't notice a difference but the tracks make a big difference going in and out of the shed. I have a 3-inch lip to go up into the shed and with the tracks raised, I can back the snow blower right over that lip just as if it was on flat ground. By the way, I have a video coming soon where I use it and a Deluxe 30 on turf and gravel. The tracks are really easy to use!
Looks like a good unit. Thanks for the thorough review. One thing I've never liked is the paddles for the controls on the top of the handle. It seems awkward to have to reach over the handle to pull them down.
I struggled with the same idea for many years. But after owning this type, ones with the levers on the bottom and many other ways the paddles on the top is still one of the easiest to use for long periods of time. When using these controls you are basically using tension by pulling on a cable and spring to tighten a belt. So, using gravity to hold that tension it a lot less strain on your wrists. In other words, the weight of your hands holds these handles down.
Hello, My Arien Rapidtrack blower will not start. When I pull on the rope, the rope doesn't come. She's like blocking or something is stopping him from coming. However, in the spring, he was doing very well. Could it be a problem with the piston being too high and preventing the fuel from going down? Will changing the carburetor solve the problem? Do you have any other solution? THANKS.
I would start by removing the spark plug. Then pull the starter rope. If it turns over freely then fuel most likely trickled through the carb and "hydraulicly" locked the engine. This is usually caused by leaving the fuel shut-off valve open. If it moves pull the rope 10 or more times to clear the cylinder. Then leave the spark plug out for few hours so the gas can vapor off. If pulling the spark plug doesn't work then there is a mechanical obstruction somewhere. I've found mouse nests inside the engine shroud over the years.
@Paul Sikkema , would you recommend this blower in 2020? I have a path of grass to blow around the house and it gets packed with "roof discharge" snow. It's mostly flat, but the amount of snow we get here (Qc city...5th in the world), it can get up quite high. How reliable do you think this model is going to be through the years? Do you think it'll rust quickly? Thanks
Yes! I highly recommend this snow blower for what you have to do with it. It will chew through that "settled" snow and throw it up to 60 feet away. The RapidTrak will be awesome for pushing through that heavy snow. The Briggs engine is one of the best snow engines and the entire unit is built for commercial use so it will last. I will guess you will get 20 years out of it before you have any rust through. If there is no dealer close to you here is a link to HomeDepot.ca homedepot.sjv.io/Zj0QW (The only other snowblower that will do as good of a job is the wheeled Toro 1428)
Thanks alot for the quick reply, i'll be buying it this week. There's about 3 dealers in the city and they can deliver to my house with prep and service (if need be). I hope the auto turn works well enough :)
The combination of the AutoTurn and how easy it is to use the hydro lever - you'll really enjoy it. With a little practice you won't ever need to stop the snowblower to change directions. Put 10 hours on it and you'll never go back to trigger steering.
Ordered an hour ago! Seems like they are retiring the 926060 in favor of the 926078, basically they put an ariens AX engine instead of the Briggs. I don't know how different it'll be but i assume it'll perform the same. Thanks so much for your feedback.
Thanks for all of the informative videos, they're really helpful. Just bought model # 926338 for use in the northern part of norway. Here we have lots and lots of snow, often up to 7 feet. And just for the fun of it the plow truck throws wet and icy lumps in my driveway several times a day. So I needed a proper snow blower to handle the job and your videos got me looking into Ariens. Curious about how the Ariens will perform compared to the Honda 970 HSS. Anyway, I'm very excited and looking forward to throwing the snow far away from my driveway. Cheers.
You'll find that the Ariens is much faster at clearing snow - up to 30% faster. The Ariens won't throw the snow quite as far as the Honda (12-15 meters verse 12-18 meters) but that is still a respectable distance.
How? By helping others. I own a couple of websites and I have over 10 years of helping people find the best lawn & garden equipment for them. In addition, I've been in the lawn care industry since the early 90's. In the video and in the written description below the video, I am very clear as to what I do with equipment the brands send me. In this case, I return the equipment to Ariens every spring.
Paul, on a new Ariens Platinum Rapidtrak machine, does it really matter that much if your scraper blade is pushed all the way back, or is pushed all the way forward ? I just set my new Ariens up and now I'm sitting thinking that I loosened the scraper bar mount bolts and then I pushed the scraper bar all the way back (inward , rearward ) .. Now I'm sitting thinking did I make a mistake in doing that ? Note, I did adjust the skid shoes to raise the scrapper bar 1/8 off the ground. So at least I did that right lol.
It doesn't matter. If you run your scraper bar right on the ground it will wear. If it wears enough so that it no longer cleans like you want it to you can loosen those bolts, drop it down and get a few more years of use out of the scraper before you have to replace it. A nice feature that most other brands don't give you!
I have had no issues with the RapidTrak and everyone I know who has bought one has had no issues at all. It's the best and most reliable track drive on the market.
@@PaulSikkema thanks Paul. I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my comment. How many season on it and the engine is made by American company based on my research. I am thinking of picking up a 22’ model that was used just one time for half off. Love the track system which should help my driveway layout. Thanks again and keep up the great work you have been doing for us. Cheers and God bless
This one is 6 years old and it was just used to clear 4 foot drifts out at the farm. Yes, LCT is an American company and the engines are made in Vietnam.
Have you done a snow blower on review between Ariens 28 inch Rapid Track SHO 369cc engine. Verses The Ariens 28 inch Rapid Track 420cc engine that Lowe’s sell. I’m trying to decide what model to buy? I live in Alaska and I have a long sloped driveway. My friend just bought a Ariens 32” wheel model with the EFI engine. When he started up the front end was popping up. So purchased a plate weight for the Does the 420cc Rapid Track model have this problem? Thanks Lars.
The RapidTrak SHO is a residential model. It has a 6-speed friction disk transmission in it. If you are just doing your own property it is a good machine. The RapidTrak Pro is a commercial unit. Heavier duty handles, drive train, commercial engine. If you make money with your snowblower is the ONLY one to buy. I'm assuming you mean the front end pops up when you engage the drive handle? Look at your friends snowblower and make sure the traction/wheel cable running from the handle to the frame and a little slack in it when the handle is released. If it's tight loosen that cable. When you engage the drive handle you only want the spring to expand 1/2 inch or so. If it's a hydro start at a slower speed and then move the speed lever after the unit is moving. If it pops up clearing snow check to make sure both of the shear pins in the front auger are good. No, Ariens Pro snowblowers won't ride up in snow. The front weight is a counter weight when you install the Ariens Snow Cab.
The only issue I can see is when draining the oil the drain tube is located right on top of the rear axle brace plate and will run the used oil on top of it, not a big deal. However it would be nice to see these machines use a twist release oil drain, like Briggs uses on their Simplicity machines to drain the oil same design used in many lawn/garden tractor applications.
Your comment is quite valid and I'd probably bend a piece of cardboard in the middle and make a channel to run the oil into a container. Oil is becoming an interesting topic. Most service centers don't drain the oil - they suck it out the fill tube. That way all the environmental issues with spilled oil are minimized. Do you even need to change the oil? Synthetic oil like Mobile One never actually breaks down - it just gets dirty. So do you even need to change the oil in clean environments like snow blowers? Briggs has realized this with their walk-behind mowers and now has models where you never have to change the oil.
Hi Paul Joe from CT Please I have making myself crazy between the 2020 Pro Rapid Track Vs the Honda , did you ever use both? or do you have any input which way to go, the local dealer has both BUT no one there used both to give an honest answer to which is better. I am going more towards Ariens from your Videos Thank you
Hi Joe, The Ariens RapidTrak Pro advantages compared to the Honda: Pro is a lot faster. The large drive wheel is the difference. With the AutoTurn it's also much easier to use and won't wear you out as quickly as the Honda. The Pro has about 30% more capacity than the Honda. With the faster speed and increased capacity, you can clear 10-12 inches as fast as you can walk. The Pro does not clog on heavy/wet snow. Honda came out with a modification to their chute but it's still not as good at handling the wet stuff. The Pro is made for hard surfaces but it will handle gravel and turf very well. Check out this video where I use the Pro on the grass. ruclips.net/video/7t0fSOPvews/видео.html You can raise the front of the Honda up for transport. On the Pro with the tracks in the "wheel" position, it's very well balanced and you can easily push down on the handles to raise the front up to move it around your yard. The Honda has an electric chute control that stuck out in the middle of the dash. The Pro has a mechanical quick chute control that's a lot faster and sits on the dash where it's easy to use. The Pro uses two impeller belts and they last years. Companies like ski resorts that relied on the Honda track drives for years are switching to the Ariens RapidTrak as fast as they can. It's faster to use, has more capacity and they expect better reliability over the years.
@Tony, In general, track drives have a lot more traction than a wheeled snow blower. They are great if you have a lot of "off-road" cleaning to do like forest paths, paths out to the farm sheds, and steep driveways. This snow blower is different from the other track drives. It's much faster than the other track drive snow blowers. It is designed for rapid clearing on packed down snow, hard packed snow, etc. It's a great choice because of the following: If you have a huge area to clear.If you get a lot of deep, wet snows.If you have to clear areas that vehicles drive on.If you have to clear sidewalks that get snow piled on them from the city snow plow.This is a very easy to use snow blower. Yes, it's big and heavy but with the tracks in the "wheel" position the weight is balanced and that makes it easier to turn and maneuver than any other model with trigger style power steering. Even moving it around inside your garage is a breeze.The hydro is designed so you can vary the speed and shift directly into reverse without stopping the snow blower. If you have a lot of corners to clear and obstacles to go around this is your dream machine.If you have a sloped driveway that is too steep for a wheeled snow blower. This snow blower is a good choice for you.The Ariens RapidTrak Hydro 28 Pro is built for the commercial user but anyone else who wants the very best in capacity, long life and ease of use will appreciate this snow blower. It's newest feature is the RapidTrak system that allows you to have the speed and maneuverability of a wheeled snow blower and also the traction and cleaning power of a tracked unit. The RapidTrak is completely different than any other track drive on the market. I go into detail about those differences in the first video below.It features a commercial grade Briggs & Stratton Pro engine that combined with the design of the machine gives this snow blower more power and throwing capacity than any other 28 inch snow blower on the market. It's an engine that the commercial users trust to last them years and years. In fact, it has 38% more listed capacity than it's only competitor - the Honda HSS928ATD. (Listed Specs on the Honda site are 57 tons per hour versus 79 tons for the Ariens)
@@PaulSikkema I plan on picking up a 28 or 30 in rapid track for next season. There is the pro which is commercial and the platinum which is residential if I got this right. I also have a UTV with a plow. This year we have so much snow that I use my utv plow to push it to the edge or bank I have created over winter, to big to push the bank farther to the side so then I use my old 16 yr old light duty to blow off the snow I pushed to the edge. My old girl is getting replaced with the rapid track. I have 1000 ft at most to blow snow off. If it ever gets to deep for the plow I may have to clear the complete road with the rapid track. Do you suggest the platinum or pro version if I had to clear that much snow. This would be isolated and not an often scenario to have to clear the complete road with the rapid track.
For the amount of area you want to clear and the fact you also want to use it to cut back plow piles from the UTV I strongly recommend the Pro series. The Pro has a much larger motor so it won't bog down on the heavy, dense plow pile. The Pro can also clear 6-12 inches as fast as you can walk. It has the heavy-duty hydro, commercial square-tube handles and all-around is built so well it will be the last snowblower you'll ever need to buy. The Platinum Rapid is a great snowblower if you have a 200 feet, 2-car driveway and average 60 inches or so of snow a year. It has a smaller engine, 6 speed disk transmission and everything else Ariens offers in a residential snowblower.
Paul I have a 32 Rapidtrak but am finding traction issues, the right side is always engaged, however if that side ever loses traction and spins, the left side doesn't engage, and I have to physically muscle the machine to get it to regain traction/momentum. This happens in all 3 traction modes. It turns and spins around great, tons of power to throw any type of snow, but this traction issue is a concern, doesnt seem right when trying to just go straight ahead both tracks wont engage when the right side starts to spin. I cant even get this to up up wooden ramps into my truck which was never a problem with my wheeled snowblower
You have something wrong with it. It should always have drive/traction to both sides unless you are turning. Have someone help you. Let them drive it and watch the left axle right where it comes out of the transmission case. Does the axle turn but not the track? It could be as simple as a sheared axle key. If the axle and the track spins then it's something internal. I strongly recommend taking it to the dealer and let them troubleshoot it. Please let me know what you find out.
@@PaulSikkema hoping for the easy fix of axle key, do you know correct part number for the key used on the long track differential? The parts diagram shows where a key should go but it isn't broken out separate from the axle itself the axle part number is 03996100
The part number is 06600002 for Ariens. But just go to your local hardware store and buy a length of .25 x .188 Bar stock. Cut off a one inch piece. It's usually in the front of the steel rack.
Hi Paul, I just picked up a 926078 (28" Pro RapidTrak) I tried to source through local Ariens dealers, 2 of 3 didn't return calls or emails and the third didn't have what I needed. I ended up getting it from Lowes, who unfortunately attempted to assemble it. They kept the assembly guide, do you happen to have a link to the assembly guide? I'd like to go back through and double check their work, plus the shoot doesn't even turn. lol Thanks in advance!
Here is the "standard diagram" for assembly. It's close enough for now. By the way I got off the Home Depot site. images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/3e/3e710817-a230-458f-a266-792104206100.pdf Here are two videos from Ariens that will also help. Quick Chute Assembly: ruclips.net/video/L8MO-gBUeGA/видео.html Set-up: ruclips.net/video/S2ZNklFw7DM/видео.html
The best way to answer this is the 28 inch has over-the-top power. The 32 inch has plenty of power for it's size and you will not be disappointed! Unless you have large, wide areas to clear I personally prefer the 28 because it's a little easier for anyone to maneuver.
Paul Sikkema just looked at a toro 1428 new style for $2199 and a pro hydro wheel 28 for 2499. I like them both, toro more because I have many toro commercial pieces in many different mowers. Plus I'm a exmark guy and have excellent luck on their stuff too. After watch this rapid track in your video and watching other rapid track versions climb stairs and be so agile. what do think about the wheeled ones in comparison to ariens 28 hydro vs toro 28 hydro. Wheel vs wheel. Then your opinion on the rapid track you have, To either of the wheeled versions I mentioned. I want something to punch through the negative temp ice on the sidwalks that is 15inches from the snow plow. I have a toro 826 HD with 252cc. it actually does the job! I need to push it and wiggle it in ways that are not thought of by the typical user! The 826HD doesn't die out. Doesn't get clogged! it is missing paint inside after a few of these hard uses though. it Labor's but gets it done. Will the rapid track in plutinum model or this hydro 28 push through the ice better with little of me forcing everything I have in me to make it go through?
Hi Brandon, Having all of your equipment from one dealer does have its advantages and most ExMark dealers are the best. Like you, ExMark's have been my primary mower since 1996. But I also have to say that if I were buying new lawn equpment today I would have to seriously look at the Gravely(Ariens) mowers. They have come a long way in the last few years. Getting back to snow blowers- The new Toro Power Max HD 1428 is a solid step up for Toro. They now have a snow blower that is competitive with the Ariens Pro line. One of the reasons your 826 cuts through a snow plow drift well is because the weight of the snow blower is balanced over the wheels. The 1428 and Hydro-Pro 28 are the same - but have even more weight over the wheels. So, they will have more traction to push through the drifts. Both of them also have more than enough power to throw any snow considerably better than your 826. That said, The Ariens Hydro Pro RapidTrak takes all the good features and adds even more traction. The three different modes of the RapidTrak make it the best for the areas you want to clear. In Wheel mode, it's just as maneuverable as a wheeled unit. Drop the tracks down and it has at least 30% more traction - yet is easy to turn. Finally, if you are on a hard surface the rear of the track can be locked down and it has more traction than any other snow blower on the market. With the extra traction and 420cc engine, it will clear 12-14 inches as fast as you can walk and can easily clear 15 inches or more 2-3 times faster than your 826. The biggest advantage of the hydro transmission on the Ariens is with a little practice you can make small speed adjustments and even change directions without stopping the snow blower to shift. The hydro lever is located right next to the handle and is very easy to move - even with your thumb. Being able to change speed and direction without stopping will save you even more time.
Paul, I’m faced with a dilemma of sorts. I want to purchase an Ariens snowblower this fall. Here’s what I’m not sure about: i am looking at two machines, they both are Professional machines, it’s a matter of getting a unit with EFI and Hydro and wheeled or the standard carburetor with Rapid Track and Hydro. Basically the rest of everything between them is very similar, if not identical. I could get away with the wheeled unit with exception of if/when it’s very deep. When very deep the track would be better because of the dig-in setting. The wheeled would ride up in this case. The two machines are: the Alpine (926080) and the Professional 28 (926084). As for the rapid track, this is a feature I would like but not 100% necessary. Now this may all be a mute question pending any changes when the models are released. However, what way would you go/chose? Most important is the “why” (reason) for your answer. Please give me the address of the website I’ve visited with great information that you comment in. Thanks
I've gotten so used to using the RapidTrak with the heavy-duty hydro that I don't like to use a wheeled snowblower anymore. It is so much easier to use. If you want RapidTrak and EFI both the 32 inch Mountaineering and Kraken have both. Otherwise unless you needed EFI for high altitude work I'd go with the Pro 28 RapidTrak
No, not at all. EFI solves all the fuel related issues. That said, if you want EFI and a RapidTrak in a 28 inch snowblower I suggest waiting until August. That's when Ariens introduces their new models.
@@PaulSikkema thanks Paul, i will wait per your advice. If you hear anything early please keep me in mind. I would greatly value input on the not yet know one’s which will meet my needs. Thanks again.
The Platinum uses a friction-disk tranny so technically it's true. (The Pro has a hydrostatic transmission so it is a true shift-on-the-go) When it's new the friction wheel is very sticky so it won't shift at all on the go but after a while the rubber friction wheel will wear a little and you can then slide it up a gear. The Ariens drive linkages are strong enough to handle it.
You need tools to adjust the height of the skid shoes on a 2-stage snow blower so those of us who clear both paved, gravel and turf will compromise. Normally you set the gap under the scraper bar at about 1/8 inch for pavement but if you are also doing gravel then increase that gap to 1/4 - 3/8 inch. Yes, that will leave some snow on the paved but that usually - quickly melts off. This Ariens in track mode and wheel mode is balanced perfectly so it won't dig into the gravel. Don't use the dig in mode on gravel until the gravel driveway has frozen solid otherwise the front will dig in.
Well not every 2 stage, it's competitor Honda can do it on the fly, just trying to decide if that's a deal breaker. Mostly I'll be on pavement sidewalks and driveways. Only occasionly ally
Only the tracked Honda models have a transport position. MTD and Husqvarna also has a transport position on their track drive models. This snow blower track system is a very different concept and designed for high speed, high volume production work. It can travel and clear snow almost twice as fast as the models you are referring to .
Yes, but I'll never post a video about them. 1. My local dealer sold 6 of them last year. EVERY ONE had something wrong with it and he had to wait weeks to get the part/parts so he could deliver it to the customer. One even had bad welds on the snowblower housing. He's a DR Power dealer and even though he likes a lot of DR Power equipment he will NEVER sell another one of their snowblowers. 2. The DR Power and it's twin - the Generac are 100% made in China. (There is a much higher profit margin in buying/welling Chinese Products that "look" like the items made here) 3. Actual use they are nothing special. If you have a limited budget buy a Troy-Bilt or Cub Cadet. You can get parts/repairs easily and they are more dependable. If you can - spend a little more and get and Ariens or Toro.
Nice video 👍RapidTrack certainly offer some nice features, but, in my opinion, you loose what I consider to be the biggest selling point of having tracks (at least here in Norway) : the ability to lift the front so that the machine can be used on gravel without throwing massive amounts of the stuff onto your lawn, severely scratching the auger housing etc. in the process. But still a nice piece of kit though ☺️
Hi Alexander, Yes, these tracks are designed for a contractor who has to clear a lot of sidewalks, pavement, and driveways quickly. It will give you tremendous traction scraping off hard packed snow and busting snow plow drifts. If you need to clear gravel just raise the skid shoes up to clear the surface.
Would you recommend this machine for clearing out goat pens - uneven terrain, some roots? I'm currently using an old wheeled Lawn Boy and it is tough to move it through the area - the wheels frequently spin free so I have to muscle it around. I also clear a gravel driveway and paths across the yard to the barn and other outbuildings.
This snow blower is definitely tough enough but the design does not allow you to keep the front housing off the ground. If you want to clear snow with the front of the snow blower an inch or two off the ground I suggest this one: ruclips.net/video/Kwm84TqHRd4/видео.html
Hi Paul, Nice video! Was wonder if you think this machine is really worth the money there asking for this machine. It's one of the machines I'm really interested in.People are telling me that I don't need a track verses a wheel model. Your honest opinion would be appreciated. Thanks
Hi Jeff, If this snow blower is worth the cost really depends what you want. This is a true commercial snow blower and designed to work hours a days for weeks at a time. It will easily outlast 3 or 4 residential grade snow blowers doing the same work. In addition, it's much faster than other track drive snow blowers so it saves the commercial operators a lot of time. If you are just clearing your own driveway and a couple of neighbors Ariens does make a less expensive version. The Ariens Platinum 28 SHO RapidTrak gives you all the features of this snow blower and will still last you many, many years. Ariens Deluxe and Platinum wheeled snow blowers have a lot of traction. Unless you have a steeply sloped driveway or sidewalks that get snow plow snow you may not need track drive.
Hi Jeff, As a Brand Ariens is No 1. By my calculations they sell over 160,000 snow blowers a year. They have snow blowers for any size driveway and are the only brand with true commercial machines. But, Toro is a very close second. Their SnowMaster, 826 and Power Max HD snow blowers are also some of the best on the market.
Hi Paul, I like Ariens myself.Ive owned two of them in the last ten years. I would like to update from the model I have now.Its a 30" platinum model.The next one I buy will probably be my last one. I like the pro models and the rapid track caught my eye. I have not seen one in person yet. I like the way you demonstrate and explain everything about each model. Awesome! The machines you try out are they right from the manufacturer or a dealer? Are you just doing this for fun?....Or are telling each manufacturer where there machines need improvements? Didn't I see somewhere or read you live in EauClaire? I live In Black River Falls. You do a great job Paul!
Hi Jeff, Barstow street auto and Union Sales in Eau Claire have the RapidTrak Pro to look at. It depends on the brand if the machine comes through a dealer or straight from their warehouse. Either way, I get production run machines to test. Yes, I do this for fun - but I've been doing it for a very long time. If there is a question about a machine I can't answer or an improvement that could be made all the brands have been great to work with over the years. I live in Chippewa Falls.
That Ariens Compact is a good, well-built snow blower and it has about the same capacity as the 24 inch Troy-Bilt, Cub Cadet, Husqvarna and Honda snow blowers. It will throw most snow about 30-40 feet. The track version has plenty of traction to handle a sloped driveway and go "off-roading" to clear a path to your shed and out buildings. But it has a solid axle and NO steering. It can be hard to turn for many people. Because of that I don't recommend it unless you need a small snow blower for a sloped driveway and you are fit enough to turn it.
That is something you have to experience for yourself. When Lowes and Fleet Farm get them out on the floor this fall just try to turn it. It will act the same way on your driveway as it does on the sales floor. Big, strong muscular people don't mind it - everyone else complains its to hard to turn.
@@PaulSikkema i bought one. pretty much impossible to turn in reverse but turns very smoothly in forward without any muscle power put into it. impossible to turn with the engine shut off but thats ok. overall i like it.
I've gotten into the habit when backing up is to push down on the handles and put the RapidTrak in wheel mode. It's a lot easier to turn that way. When I go forward again I just drop the track back down. Yes, ALL hydrostatic drive snow blowers are a pain to move with the engine shut off. I make a dolly out of four caster wheels under a price of plywood to move the older ones that don't always want to start:)
I know you are not paid by Ariens but you seem to prefer their products a lot over other brands. As a result of your endorsement, I have been shopping Ariens Pro & Platinum blowers to replace my John Deere 1130 SE which is really a Simplicity machine painted green and yellow. (Side note: why do you not review Simplicity units?) A dealer who sells multiple brands (including Ariens) stopped short of endorsing the Hydrostatic Ariens machines. He said nothing negative but also would not say anything positive. He said their Platinum and Deluxe models were excellent and durable. Also, he said that some people had trouble keeping the Auto turn machines from staying in a straight line because if one wheel is slightly impeded the machine wants to turn. He prefers the design with the levers which disengage the 'drive' gear. His general opinion was that the Pro models cost almost as much as the Honda HSS units which have been around longer (with no problems) and have very high resale and trade-in values. Do you have any thoughts on those questions? Also, in your opinion...are friction drive and carburetor machines soon to be obsolete (replaced by Hydrostatic trannies and Fuel injection) because of the frequent maintenance requirements?
Hi Nik, I cover all your questions in depth over at movingsnow.com. That said, I'll give you short answers here. I'm here to help you find the best snow blower for you and the majority of my subscribers/blog readers need a snow blower that will handle heavy/wet snow. The Ariens Deluxe/Platinum/Pro, Toro PowerMax HD, Troy-Bilt Actric Storm and Husqvarna 300 series are the best for that type of snow. In addition, many subscribers have large areas to clear, or live in areas of high snow fall, or want to get done quickly and the Ariens Platinum/Pro are one of a handful of snow blowers that will do this type of work well. Simplicity is owned by Briggs & Stratton and with the exception of the Pro model the Simplicty/Briggs snow blowers are the same. I cover the Briggs at movingsnow.com. Many dealers sell what is most familiar to them and your dealer may not have a lot of experience with the Ariens Pro or using the AutoTurn. The Ariens Pro snowblowers are commercial units designed to work everyday, all day long on multiple properties and last years. The Ariens Deluxe/Platinum are homeowner units designed to last you years on your property. The auto-turn is an auto-locking differential. Ariens is not the only brand using it. It is much easier to use than a solid axle snow blower and turns where you want it go go without having to pull a trigger to make it turn. You don't have to remember to pull a trigger under the handle to make it turn - you just turn it. It's just like using a shopping cart or walk-behind mower with castor wheels on the front. The AutoTurn in the Pro removes about 70 parts from inside the transmission and will last the life of the snow blower. I'm going to finish the rest of your questions in another reply
To finish: Your dealer is not telling you the entire story. The Honda HSS was introduced in 2015 and they immediately had a 100% recall because of a bad transmission. So in reality, the snow blower was reintroduced in 2016. It is a completely different snow blower than the older HS Hondas that everyone loves. Many owners are very disappointed with how the new Honda handles heavy wet snow and have to add an impeller kit and modify the chute to make it work well. In addition, many owners change the carb jets so it has more power. Yes, the old HS series does have a high resale value compared to other brands of the same age. The current Ariens Pro was introduced in 2017. It needs no modifications to handle ANY type of snow. It has over-the-top power. When you compare the 28 HSS Honda to the 28 Ariens Pro (or 32 to 32) the Ariens has about 30% more capacity and throws all types of snow farther. In addition, The Rapitrak is much faster than the Honda track and can clear 12-14 inches of "normal" snow as fast as you can walk. EFI is the future but just like it took the auto industry 10 years to completely switch over it will take a few more years before you see EFI on most snow blowers. Ariens was the first, Toro, Husqvarna and MTD have the tech to do it but as of March 2019 have not introduced it on any machines. The friction disk drive is here for the foreseeable future. It's inexpensive to repair and all the snow blowers built in the U.S.A. have friction drives designed to last years. Hydro is expensive to buy and extremely expensive to replace if they go bad. By the way, Honda is using a residential grade hydro in their snow blowers -Ariens uses a heavier-duty commercial grade hydro in their Pro units.
@@PaulSikkema OK, but what does it do? Is it electric? If we want the back of the tracks to dig down, what pushes them down? Is it spring-loaded? Can it be actuated while running the snowblower?
It's a very simple mechanical latch. 1. Push down on the handles about 2 inches and the back of the tracks lock up for wheel mode. (The snow blower is very well balanced so it's very easy to do) 2. Pull the trigger and the tracks drop down for track mode. 3. Lift up on the handles about an inch ans the tracks lock into dig in mode. This locks the front onto the pavement so you can clean packed down and pushed into hard packed drifts.
No wonder why you have inside the house and they were sitting in like it you’re lucky you’re getting three machines free machines I would do that for errands in Albany New York
This video is taken inside my shed. (office) I've been doing this a long time and it took me years to save up for that shed. It's not luck, it's 15 years of hard work, being honest with you and not picking favorites with the brands. You can see the outside of the shed here: ruclips.net/video/131mj6rjias/видео.html. Here is a video of what I had before. ruclips.net/video/oFo2wrZpXIs/видео.html
What’s the difference between this one and the platinum sho models? I’m conflicted on getting this or the Honda track models. The platinum sho seemed to be getting bad reviews. Great video by the way, you may have just swayed me to the ariens side. The difference between you and the seemingly uninformed reviewers is that you seem to know your stuff.
Hi Alpha, Thanks for the vote of confidence! This Pro model is designed for commercial use - meaning it will run every day, all day long for years. It uses heavier duty components and a commercial grade engine that rated in thousands of hours. The Platinum SHO has been redesigned in the last three years and it doesn't give you problems. As a homeowner it will last you years. By the way, this snow blower has about 30% more capacity than the Honda 32, it will throw farther and is easier to use. I really like the hydro controls on this machine
I don't quite understand your comment but MTD does not make all snow blowers. Here is an article about who makes what: movingsnow.com/2012/whats-the-difference/
To be precise. The federal government requires that I tell you if someone is paying for me to do a review. I am also required to tell you if the company gave me the equipment for free to review and they don't want it back when the review is completed. But in this case, I'm just borrowing the machine. For example, if I just borrowed my neighbor's Cub Cadet to make a review would you consider that a paid review? This is the same, I get the snowblower in the fall and return it in the spring. I don't get to keep it, I'm not paid in any way to do the review, I can say whatever I want about the machine and I'm responsible for it if something happens to it. No games here...
just by looking at this machine it is not even anywhere close the quality of my HS1332 Honda snow blower. The engine is a briggs instead of Honda 13 hp and it is not was good as the Honda engine.
Hi Martic, I appreciate and highly value your opinion of the two snow blowers but I would like to point out two things. One, this is the Briggs Pro engine. There is no statistical proof that your Honda engine is "better." Second, The HS1332 was produced in Japan and is no longer available. The current U.S. made HSS1332AT/HSS1332ATD Honda is a completely different machine and does not yet have the respect of your older Honda Snow Blower. In the video, I compared this to the current snow blower - not an old model. So while it may be advantageous to you to compare your old machine for you to decide if it's time to buy new - comparing the current snow blowers to old iron does little good for the person wanting to buy a new snow blower today.
As a Briggs & Stratton engine owner experience with my 35 years old lawn mower with no problem except for 2 spark plugs replacement during those years & 1 replacement of the rubber primer bulb due to old age last year. I had another 12 years old with the same B&G engine at another place with no problem, no parts replacements and service works. Just because it's not a Honda doesn't means it won't last or works just as reliable. Recencently bought a low budget priced 22" Murray snowblower 7522ES with electric start 163cc B&G Snow Series engine with manual chute which cost 300% less $$$ than the comparable entry level 20" single stage HONDA with no electric start and no remote chute. My MURRAY B&G engine starts with 1 single pull every time. I have also tried the electric start to test & see how good is it. Yes only 1 touch of the electric start button and starts up. If buying certain brand names by paying plenty of extra $$$$ or having that brand name plate that mades a difference for you to brag to your friends and neigbours or to feels good personally then go ahead. But there are other brands you may not experienced or have not explored were just as reliable but could cost a lot less $$$ or as good or better. Dollar$ & sense#* folks.
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This has been an amazing year. Thank you so much for watching my videos and supporting through comments, likes, and shares. I especially would like to thank you, my subscribers, for supporting what I do here. Feel free to leave a comment below. (I do moderate the comments so it may not show up right away) Thanks for watching and please Subscribe!
Only you Paul can take 20 minutes to review a sno-thro an still be interesting throughout. You are the best. Your passion is contagious. Greetings from Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.
Thank You Michel. With so many different snow blowers out there that all look the same I realized about 15 years ago that many people buy the wrong machine for their property. Explaining all the details how each snow blower is different and why those details matter has helped thousands of people find the best snow blower for them.
@@PaulSikkema like I said , you're the best Paul . Because you care , it feels. Thank-you so much for sharing your time. I'm sure thousands out there feel the same ; You are like a big brother or a father for some others. We know we can count on you . You and Donyboy. We are blessed.Thank-you.Greetings from Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.
Thank-you Paul for sharing your knowledge. And you make great videos. Glad to have a guy like you who takes the time for us.
Excellent, informative and thorough vid Paul thanks for posting it! That is a state of the art machine.
Ariens builds excellent snowblowers, this model looks VERY well built. Thank you for sharing !
Thanks Paul, great review, after watching for video a couple of times , I bought this same model today
Thank you Sir, Very thorough review. Very much appreciated. There are not many down to earth reviews like yours on the interweb.. ~Best
Great review and walk around...I'm in the market for a new snow blower, I will sure be looking at this model.
Paul #Ariens you were the reason I bought a Rapidtrak in Pennsylvania.
Great Videos
I just picked up my new Ariens Pro 28" RapidTrak model # 926078. This is the updated model for 2019. It no longer comes with the Briggs and Stratton motor or the 6 quart (1.5 gallon) gas tank as shown in this video.
For 2019, it comes with an LCT motor and only 3 quart ( 3/4 gallon) gas tank. That may be a major issue for many commercial user's. If you want last year's {2018) model # 926060 with the B & S motor and double the fuel capacity, there's a few left. You may need to call around to find one. Other than the motor and fuel tank change, I don't believe there's any other differences.
I have a 2012 Ariens Platinum. Glad to see that they improved the chute rotation handle, as mine is horrendous. However, I am surprised to see that they got rid of the brace for the front gearbox, that mine has.
Your gearbox uses inner stub shafts inside the augers. That's why your shear pins are near the gearbox. The brace holds the gearbox in place. The Pro uses a full-length shaft inside the auger and the shaft extends all the way to the auger housing. The shear pins are near the center of the shaft. It doesn't use the brace because of that.
Thank you very much for your information. The problem was that there was gasoline in the oil. When I checked the oil level, I couldn't recognize the oil so much that the oil was like water. In addition, the level was significantly higher than usual. I changed the oil and it works normally. Is it normal that after 6 to 7 months of not being used that it does this? I have never closed the fuel valve and have never done that to myself. Can it still do this for a short time without working? Because in winter, there is quite a long time without snow. Could there be a problem with the carburetor? THANKS.
Fuel leaking past the float valve is normal for most brands of "winter/snow" carbs and that is why they have a fuel shut-off valve. Husqvarna, Ariens, and Toro are the primary brands. Your operator's manual spells this out in the storage section. That said,
Since I never know when the next snow is coming or even what snowblower I need to use - I ALWAYS use the fuel shutoff valve. I go a step farther and leave the engine running - turn off the valve - and let the engine run out of gas. i.e. the carb empties out.
This does two things. 1. If you are using ethanol blended fuel it keeps moisture from gravitating down into the carb and mucking it up. 2. If you are using a fuel stabilizer, like SeaFoam, it leaves the carb coated so it stays "new" inside.
When you want to use the snowblower the next time just open the valve, wait 30 seconds and you are good to go!
Hello,
Can you tell me if the arien rapidtrack 926060 blower (engine briggs stratton polar force pro 420 cc) has a sensor to prevent starting in the event that the oil level is too low? It's not mentioned in the manual.
No, it does not. Most operator's manual recommend you check the oil before you use it. Since you typically use a snowblower and then don't move it until the next storm any leak would be quickly noticed as a big oil spot on your garage floor.
Low oil sensors are usually found on stationary engines like generators and water pumps that run for hours and hours at a time.
Hi Paul, We finally have decent to use our snowblowers in BRF. I always wanted to ask you if you know if the pro models with the 420cc engine have a oil pump or a splash system. I was told they don't have a oil pump. I'd think they would just because of the other extras they out in this engine. I'm looking for durability and longevity for my last machine I buy.
Hi Jeff, all snow blower engines use a splash system. The B&S Pro is designed to last many years working 8-10 hours a day - everyday clearing snow. It has proven reliability and one of the best reputations for commercial snow blower use.
Excellent video! Would this unit be your top choice for a commercial application for walkways for the 2019-2020 season? I am located in the Cascade mountain range in Washington state where we see all types of snow (light/deep - wet/dry) and everything in between.
Yes, this snow blower will cut your clearing time in half compared to a typical residential machine. Install the optional cast iron skid shoes and there will be no maintenance other than gs and oil. It will last years.
Nice Review! I have an old 1236 Ariens, bought new in 1989 or 90. It still looks almost new, works great, and chucks snow a good 50-60 feet....but it's a beast to bull around. As is family tradition, I'm going to give the machine to my son and treat myself to one more new machine at 66 :) I was all set to break from the Ariens mold and go with a Honda 1332 ATD, but in fairness wanted to look into our old family stand by since the 60s. I'm now liking what I see in the Rapid Trak Ariens.
Here's a couple questions: I wonder if the chute adjustment lever on the handlebars, being an open hole on top, could accumulate a lot of snow, freeze and/or get bound up? Same question for the front chute gear case area...It would appear to be not sealed and could ingest some freezing snow? The old 1236 chute system was a definite weak link for freezing up.
How fast does it go in reverse?
Can it be free wheeled for moving with the engine off?
Thanks -- Steve .... in the center of the Upper Peninsula of MI
Hi Steve, You will really appreciate this snow blower with the amount of snow you get!
Does the chute system freeze up? No, Ariens has had this control on the Pro for a while now and it's very quick and snow doesn't build up on it.
How fast does it go in reverse? Faster than I am comfortable with.
Can it be free wheeled for moving with the engine off? Yes, you can freewheel it but like any hydro with tracks, it's a little stiff to push when the engine is not running. I use Seafoam fuel stabilizer in the fuel all the time so this one starts on the first pull all the time. Because of that I just start it if I have to move it.
Thanks Paul! If you could go either way: Which engine....Briggs or Ariens AX? I kinda like the EFI idea. I'm curious if you have ever hands on tested the new Honda Track machines? From your response below, it would seem Honda missed some engineering on the new one? I do like some of the bells and whistles on it, but as I dig deeper into the two companys, Ariens is winning the battle. On another subject, I believe it was your review of garden tractors that led me to my 46" Craftsman Pro tractor a few years ago.
Also...as I had a 36...I was also considering a 32. One of the drawbacks to the old 36 was that in addition to being a beast to throw around, the 36" cut was too big in somes cases (we have no southern exposure) as it bridged over a car track and back to pavement....leaving some area to clean up. A 28 would probably do me unless the RapidTrak will really push the front end to pick up the car track. Thanks.
I'm a big fan of the 28-inch width. Especially with an Ariens Pro or RapidTrack because it doesn't push snow out the front like many of the other brands do. What that means is with most snow blowers you either have to take a 3/4 width pass or slow way down. If you don't those snow blowers will push snow out the side that's already cleared. The Ariens Pro and RapidTrack will easily handle 16-18 inches of snow and not push it out the front or onto the already cleared path. The high capacity 14-inch impeller is one of the main reasons for this. So if you can use all the 27-28 inches of the snow blower you only need to take two round trips on single car driveway - A 32 inch doesn't save you any time.
Steve, thanks for coming back! I'm glad the Craftsman Pro tractor is working out. I won't know until late July if Ariens will offer the AX on the RapidTrack this fall. Right now they only offer the Briggs. The AX EFI is also something I'd want if I had the choice. No worries about fuel - or cold - it just starts. That said, the Briggs is a commercial engine and I know it will last the life of the snow blower. The one I used this winter started on first pull every time.
Guys love their Honda snow blowers... but the Ariens Pro and RapidTrack have over 30% more capacity than the comparable Honda and will throw the snow just as far. That means you can walk a lot faster with it and it will just keep going.
You can't plug the Ariens Pro or RapidTrack - even if the snow is mainly slush. In addition, the Ariens will clear a gravel driveway without tearing up the inside of the impeller housing.
Hi Paul, with the track in the up position to use the machine more like a wheeled unit, did you notice if the machine feels rough or more rigid compared to one with tires? Basically I'm wonder how the ride quality is. Thanks.
I didn't notice a difference but the tracks make a big difference going in and out of the shed. I have a 3-inch lip to go up into the shed and with the tracks raised, I can back the snow blower right over that lip just as if it was on flat ground.
By the way, I have a video coming soon where I use it and a Deluxe 30 on turf and gravel. The tracks are really easy to use!
Excellent, thanks for the reply
Looks like a good unit. Thanks for the thorough review. One thing I've never liked is the paddles for the controls on the top of the handle. It seems awkward to have to reach over the handle to pull them down.
I struggled with the same idea for many years. But after owning this type, ones with the levers on the bottom and many other ways the paddles on the top is still one of the easiest to use for long periods of time. When using these controls you are basically using tension by pulling on a cable and spring to tighten a belt. So, using gravity to hold that tension it a lot less strain on your wrists. In other words, the weight of your hands holds these handles down.
Hello, My Arien Rapidtrack blower will not start. When I pull on the rope, the rope doesn't come. She's like blocking or something is stopping him from coming. However, in the spring, he was doing very well. Could it be a problem with the piston being too high and preventing the fuel from going down? Will changing the carburetor solve the problem? Do you have any other solution? THANKS.
I would start by removing the spark plug. Then pull the starter rope. If it turns over freely then fuel most likely trickled through the carb and "hydraulicly" locked the engine. This is usually caused by leaving the fuel shut-off valve open. If it moves pull the rope 10 or more times to clear the cylinder. Then leave the spark plug out for few hours so the gas can vapor off.
If pulling the spark plug doesn't work then there is a mechanical obstruction somewhere. I've found mouse nests inside the engine shroud over the years.
@Paul Sikkema , would you recommend this blower in 2020? I have a path of grass to blow around the house and it gets packed with "roof discharge" snow. It's mostly flat, but the amount of snow we get here (Qc city...5th in the world), it can get up quite high. How reliable do you think this model is going to be through the years? Do you think it'll rust quickly? Thanks
Yes! I highly recommend this snow blower for what you have to do with it. It will chew through that "settled" snow and throw it up to 60 feet away. The RapidTrak will be awesome for pushing through that heavy snow. The Briggs engine is one of the best snow engines and the entire unit is built for commercial use so it will last. I will guess you will get 20 years out of it before you have any rust through. If there is no dealer close to you here is a link to HomeDepot.ca homedepot.sjv.io/Zj0QW (The only other snowblower that will do as good of a job is the wheeled Toro 1428)
Thanks alot for the quick reply, i'll be buying it this week. There's about 3 dealers in the city and they can deliver to my house with prep and service (if need be). I hope the auto turn works well enough :)
The combination of the AutoTurn and how easy it is to use the hydro lever - you'll really enjoy it. With a little practice you won't ever need to stop the snowblower to change directions. Put 10 hours on it and you'll never go back to trigger steering.
Ordered an hour ago! Seems like they are retiring the 926060 in favor of the 926078, basically they put an ariens AX engine instead of the Briggs. I don't know how different it'll be but i assume it'll perform the same. Thanks so much for your feedback.
Congtrats!. The Ariens AX engine has a great reputation and you will like it a lot!
Thanks for all of the informative videos, they're really helpful. Just bought model # 926338 for use in the northern part of norway. Here we have lots and lots of snow, often up to 7 feet. And just for the fun of it the plow truck throws wet and icy lumps in my driveway several times a day. So I needed a proper snow blower to handle the job and your videos got me looking into Ariens.
Curious about how the Ariens will perform compared to the Honda 970 HSS. Anyway, I'm very excited and looking forward to throwing the snow far away from my driveway.
Cheers.
You'll find that the Ariens is much faster at clearing snow - up to 30% faster. The Ariens won't throw the snow quite as far as the Honda (12-15 meters verse 12-18 meters) but that is still a respectable distance.
How do you get the Ariens to send you a snowblower to try out and what do you do after the snowblower do have to send it back ?
How? By helping others. I own a couple of websites and I have over 10 years of helping people find the best lawn & garden equipment for them. In addition, I've been in the lawn care industry since the early 90's.
In the video and in the written description below the video, I am very clear as to what I do with equipment the brands send me. In this case, I return the equipment to Ariens every spring.
Paul, on a new Ariens Platinum Rapidtrak machine, does it really matter that much if your scraper blade is pushed all the way back, or is pushed all the way forward ?
I just set my new Ariens up and now I'm sitting thinking that I loosened the scraper bar mount bolts and then I pushed the scraper bar all the way back (inward , rearward ) ..
Now I'm sitting thinking did I make a mistake in doing that ?
Note, I did adjust the skid shoes to raise the scrapper bar 1/8 off the ground. So at least I did that right lol.
It doesn't matter. If you run your scraper bar right on the ground it will wear. If it wears enough so that it no longer cleans like you want it to you can loosen those bolts, drop it down and get a few more years of use out of the scraper before you have to replace it. A nice feature that most other brands don't give you!
You are a solid guy. And how reliable has this snowblower and the track system been for you? How many hours on it and how often do you use it ?
I have had no issues with the RapidTrak and everyone I know who has bought one has had no issues at all. It's the best and most reliable track drive on the market.
@@PaulSikkema thanks Paul. I appreciate you taking the time to respond to my comment.
How many season on it and the engine is made by American company based on my research. I am thinking of picking up a 22’ model that was used just one time for half off. Love the track system which should help my driveway layout.
Thanks again and keep up the great work you have been doing for us.
Cheers and God bless
This one is 6 years old and it was just used to clear 4 foot drifts out at the farm. Yes, LCT is an American company and the engines are made in Vietnam.
Have you done a snow blower on review between Ariens 28 inch Rapid Track SHO 369cc engine.
Verses
The Ariens 28 inch Rapid Track 420cc engine that Lowe’s sell. I’m trying to decide what model to buy? I live in Alaska and I have a long sloped driveway.
My friend just bought a Ariens 32” wheel model with the EFI engine. When he started up the front end was popping up. So purchased a plate weight for the
Does the 420cc Rapid Track model have this problem?
Thanks Lars.
The RapidTrak SHO is a residential model. It has a 6-speed friction disk transmission in it. If you are just doing your own property it is a good machine. The RapidTrak Pro is a commercial unit. Heavier duty handles, drive train, commercial engine. If you make money with your snowblower is the ONLY one to buy.
I'm assuming you mean the front end pops up when you engage the drive handle? Look at your friends snowblower and make sure the traction/wheel cable running from the handle to the frame and a little slack in it when the handle is released. If it's tight loosen that cable. When you engage the drive handle you only want the spring to expand 1/2 inch or so. If it's a hydro start at a slower speed and then move the speed lever after the unit is moving.
If it pops up clearing snow check to make sure both of the shear pins in the front auger are good.
No, Ariens Pro snowblowers won't ride up in snow.
The front weight is a counter weight when you install the Ariens Snow Cab.
looks like a beast of a blower I'm looking for a new one thanks
The only issue I can see is when draining the oil the drain tube is located right on top of the rear axle brace plate and will run the used oil on top of it, not a big deal. However it would be nice to see these machines use a twist release oil drain, like Briggs uses on their Simplicity machines to drain the oil same design used in many lawn/garden tractor applications.
Your comment is quite valid and I'd probably bend a piece of cardboard in the middle and make a channel to run the oil into a container.
Oil is becoming an interesting topic. Most service centers don't drain the oil - they suck it out the fill tube. That way all the environmental issues with spilled oil are minimized. Do you even need to change the oil? Synthetic oil like Mobile One never actually breaks down - it just gets dirty. So do you even need to change the oil in clean environments like snow blowers? Briggs has realized this with their walk-behind mowers and now has models where you never have to change the oil.
Hi Paul Joe from CT Please I have making myself crazy between the 2020 Pro Rapid Track Vs the Honda , did you ever use both? or do you have any input which way to go, the local dealer has both BUT no one there used both to give an honest answer to which is better. I am going more towards Ariens from your Videos Thank you
Hi Joe, The Ariens RapidTrak Pro advantages compared to the Honda:
Pro is a lot faster. The large drive wheel is the difference. With the AutoTurn it's also much easier to use and won't wear you out as quickly as the Honda.
The Pro has about 30% more capacity than the Honda. With the faster speed and increased capacity, you can clear 10-12 inches as fast as you can walk.
The Pro does not clog on heavy/wet snow. Honda came out with a modification to their chute but it's still not as good at handling the wet stuff.
The Pro is made for hard surfaces but it will handle gravel and turf very well. Check out this video where I use the Pro on the grass. ruclips.net/video/7t0fSOPvews/видео.html
You can raise the front of the Honda up for transport. On the Pro with the tracks in the "wheel" position, it's very well balanced and you can easily push down on the handles to raise the front up to move it around your yard.
The Honda has an electric chute control that stuck out in the middle of the dash. The Pro has a mechanical quick chute control that's a lot faster and sits on the dash where it's easy to use.
The Pro uses two impeller belts and they last years.
Companies like ski resorts that relied on the Honda track drives for years are switching to the Ariens RapidTrak as fast as they can. It's faster to use, has more capacity and they expect better reliability over the years.
Paul, I am getting the Pro Hydro 32 per your recommendation. What is the run time on a tank of gas i should expect?
60-90 minutes depending on the amount of snow you are moving.
@@PaulSikkema Thank you!
Hello from 🇺🇸Harrisburg Pennsylvania 🇺🇸 is the track Better than the wheel snow blower ? I own a wheel 28 deluxe
@Tony, In general, track drives have a lot more traction than a wheeled snow blower. They are great if you have a lot of "off-road" cleaning to do like forest paths, paths out to the farm sheds, and steep driveways.
This snow blower is different from the other track drives. It's much faster than the other track drive snow blowers. It is designed for rapid clearing on packed down snow, hard packed snow, etc.
It's a great choice because of the following:
If you have a huge area to clear.If you get a lot of deep, wet snows.If you have to clear areas that vehicles drive on.If you have to clear sidewalks that get snow piled on them from the city snow plow.This is a very easy to use snow blower. Yes, it's big and heavy but with the tracks in the "wheel" position the weight is balanced and that makes it easier to turn and maneuver than any other model with trigger style power steering. Even moving it around inside your garage is a breeze.The hydro is designed so you can vary the speed and shift directly into reverse without stopping the snow blower. If you have a lot of corners to clear and obstacles to go around this is your dream machine.If you have a sloped driveway that is too steep for a wheeled snow blower. This snow blower is a good choice for you.The Ariens RapidTrak Hydro 28 Pro is built for the commercial user but anyone else who wants the very best in capacity, long life and ease of use will appreciate this snow blower. It's newest feature is the RapidTrak system that allows you to have the speed and maneuverability of a wheeled snow blower and also the traction and cleaning power of a tracked unit. The RapidTrak is completely different than any other track drive on the market. I go into detail about those differences in the first video below.It features a commercial grade Briggs & Stratton Pro engine that combined with the design of the machine gives this snow blower more power and throwing capacity than any other 28 inch snow blower on the market. It's an engine that the commercial users trust to last them years and years. In fact, it has 38% more listed capacity than it's only competitor - the Honda HSS928ATD. (Listed Specs on the Honda site are 57 tons per hour versus 79 tons for the Ariens)
@@PaulSikkema I plan on picking up a 28 or 30 in rapid track for next season. There is the pro which is commercial and the platinum which is residential if I got this right. I also have a UTV with a plow. This year we have so much snow that I use my utv plow to push it to the edge or bank I have created over winter, to big to push the bank farther to the side so then I use my old 16 yr old light duty to blow off the snow I pushed to the edge. My old girl is getting replaced with the rapid track. I have 1000 ft at most to blow snow off. If it ever gets to deep for the plow I may have to clear the complete road with the rapid track. Do you suggest the platinum or pro version if I had to clear that much snow. This would be isolated and not an often scenario to have to clear the complete road with the rapid track.
For the amount of area you want to clear and the fact you also want to use it to cut back plow piles from the UTV I strongly recommend the Pro series. The Pro has a much larger motor so it won't bog down on the heavy, dense plow pile. The Pro can also clear 6-12 inches as fast as you can walk. It has the heavy-duty hydro, commercial square-tube handles and all-around is built so well it will be the last snowblower you'll ever need to buy.
The Platinum Rapid is a great snowblower if you have a 200 feet, 2-car driveway and average 60 inches or so of snow a year. It has a smaller engine, 6 speed disk transmission and everything else Ariens offers in a residential snowblower.
@@PaulSikkema thank you for the info Paul
Does this adjust up and down easily? hard to tell? not sure if that is a standard feature or not. thanks.
Yes, It is very easy. One lever on the right handle that you pull and gravity does the rest.
Paul I have a 32 Rapidtrak but am finding traction issues, the right side is always engaged, however if that side ever loses traction and spins, the left side doesn't engage, and I have to physically muscle the machine to get it to regain traction/momentum. This happens in all 3 traction modes. It turns and spins around great, tons of power to throw any type of snow, but this traction issue is a concern, doesnt seem right when trying to just go straight ahead both tracks wont engage when the right side starts to spin. I cant even get this to up up wooden ramps into my truck which was never a problem with my wheeled snowblower
You have something wrong with it. It should always have drive/traction to both sides unless you are turning. Have someone help you. Let them drive it and watch the left axle right where it comes out of the transmission case. Does the axle turn but not the track? It could be as simple as a sheared axle key. If the axle and the track spins then it's something internal. I strongly recommend taking it to the dealer and let them troubleshoot it. Please let me know what you find out.
@@PaulSikkema hoping for the easy fix of axle key, do you know correct part number for the key used on the long track differential? The parts diagram shows where a key should go but it isn't broken out separate from the axle itself the axle part number is 03996100
The part number is 06600002 for Ariens. But just go to your local hardware store and buy a length of .25 x .188 Bar stock. Cut off a one inch piece. It's usually in the front of the steel rack.
Hi Paul, I just picked up a 926078 (28" Pro RapidTrak) I tried to source through local Ariens dealers, 2 of 3 didn't return calls or emails and the third didn't have what I needed. I ended up getting it from Lowes, who unfortunately attempted to assemble it. They kept the assembly guide, do you happen to have a link to the assembly guide? I'd like to go back through and double check their work, plus the shoot doesn't even turn. lol Thanks in advance!
Here is the "standard diagram" for assembly. It's close enough for now. By the way I got off the Home Depot site. images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/3e/3e710817-a230-458f-a266-792104206100.pdf
Here are two videos from Ariens that will also help.
Quick Chute Assembly: ruclips.net/video/L8MO-gBUeGA/видео.html
Set-up: ruclips.net/video/S2ZNklFw7DM/видео.html
I find that the chute rotation handle is very stiff on my new Rapid Track 28 inch. It required less force to rotate the chute on my previous Ariens.
I realized I was trying too hard. Once I didn't try to force the handle everything worked a lot better.
Haha, honey, I'm gonna bring the snowblower into the house, do you mind?
Haha, that's my workshop. Since this is in Wisconsin, I built it with larger doors so I could get this inside.
Would like a comparison of the Professional 32 Hydro RapidTrak vs the 28". Is the 32" underpowered?
The best way to answer this is the 28 inch has over-the-top power. The 32 inch has plenty of power for it's size and you will not be disappointed! Unless you have large, wide areas to clear I personally prefer the 28 because it's a little easier for anyone to maneuver.
Paul Sikkema just looked at a toro 1428 new style for $2199 and a pro hydro wheel 28 for 2499. I like them both, toro more because I have many toro commercial pieces in many different mowers. Plus I'm a exmark guy and have excellent luck on their stuff too. After watch this rapid track in your video and watching other rapid track versions climb stairs and be so agile. what do think about the wheeled ones in comparison to ariens 28 hydro vs toro 28 hydro. Wheel vs wheel. Then your opinion on the rapid track you have, To either of the wheeled versions I mentioned. I want something to punch through the negative temp ice on the sidwalks that is 15inches from the snow plow. I have a toro 826 HD with 252cc. it actually does the job! I need to push it and wiggle it in ways that are not thought of by the typical user! The 826HD doesn't die out. Doesn't get clogged! it is missing paint inside after a few of these hard uses though. it Labor's but gets it done. Will the rapid track in plutinum model or this hydro 28 push through the ice better with little of me forcing everything I have in me to make it go through?
Hi Brandon, Having all of your equipment from one dealer does have its advantages and most ExMark dealers are the best. Like you, ExMark's have been my primary mower since 1996. But I also have to say that if I were buying new lawn equpment today I would have to seriously look at the Gravely(Ariens) mowers. They have come a long way in the last few years.
Getting back to snow blowers-
The new Toro Power Max HD 1428 is a solid step up for Toro. They now have a snow blower that is competitive with the Ariens Pro line. One of the reasons your 826 cuts through a snow plow drift well is because the weight of the snow blower is balanced over the wheels. The 1428 and Hydro-Pro 28 are the same - but have even more weight over the wheels. So, they will have more traction to push through the drifts. Both of them also have more than enough power to throw any snow considerably better than your 826. That said,
The Ariens Hydro Pro RapidTrak takes all the good features and adds even more traction. The three different modes of the RapidTrak make it the best for the areas you want to clear. In Wheel mode, it's just as maneuverable as a wheeled unit. Drop the tracks down and it has at least 30% more traction - yet is easy to turn. Finally, if you are on a hard surface the rear of the track can be locked down and it has more traction than any other snow blower on the market. With the extra traction and 420cc engine, it will clear 12-14 inches as fast as you can walk and can easily clear 15 inches or more 2-3 times faster than your 826.
The biggest advantage of the hydro transmission on the Ariens is with a little practice you can make small speed adjustments and even change directions without stopping the snow blower to shift. The hydro lever is located right next to the handle and is very easy to move - even with your thumb. Being able to change speed and direction without stopping will save you even more time.
Paul, I’m faced with a dilemma of sorts. I want to purchase an Ariens snowblower this fall. Here’s what I’m not sure about: i am looking at two machines, they both are Professional machines, it’s a matter of getting a unit with EFI and Hydro and wheeled or the standard carburetor with Rapid Track and Hydro. Basically the rest of everything between them is very similar, if not identical. I could get away with the wheeled unit with exception of if/when it’s very deep. When very deep the track would be better because of the dig-in setting. The wheeled would ride up in this case. The two machines are: the Alpine (926080) and the Professional 28 (926084).
As for the rapid track, this is a feature I would like but not 100% necessary. Now this may all be a mute question pending any changes when the models are released. However, what way would you go/chose? Most important is the “why” (reason) for your answer.
Please give me the address of the website I’ve visited with great information that you comment in. Thanks
I've gotten so used to using the RapidTrak with the heavy-duty hydro that I don't like to use a wheeled snowblower anymore. It is so much easier to use. If you want RapidTrak and EFI both the 32 inch Mountaineering and Kraken have both.
Otherwise unless you needed EFI for high altitude work I'd go with the Pro 28 RapidTrak
@@PaulSikkema thanks for your input. I’m a bit hung up wanting the EFI. Do you think I’m nuts? Thanks
No, not at all. EFI solves all the fuel related issues. That said, if you want EFI and a RapidTrak in a 28 inch snowblower I suggest waiting until August. That's when Ariens introduces their new models.
@@PaulSikkema thanks Paul, i will wait per your advice. If you hear anything early please keep me in mind. I would greatly value input on the not yet know one’s which will meet my needs. Thanks again.
I purchased the Platnium 28 SHO. Someone mentioned you can’t shift on the go. Is this true?
The Platinum uses a friction-disk tranny so technically it's true. (The Pro has a hydrostatic transmission so it is a true shift-on-the-go) When it's new the friction wheel is very sticky so it won't shift at all on the go but after a while the rubber friction wheel will wear a little and you can then slide it up a gear. The Ariens drive linkages are strong enough to handle it.
Do I need to adjust the height going from paved driveway to gravel ally? Can the height be adjusted easily?
You need tools to adjust the height of the skid shoes on a 2-stage snow blower so those of us who clear both paved, gravel and turf will compromise. Normally you set the gap under the scraper bar at about 1/8 inch for pavement but if you are also doing gravel then increase that gap to 1/4 - 3/8 inch. Yes, that will leave some snow on the paved but that usually - quickly melts off. This Ariens in track mode and wheel mode is balanced perfectly so it won't dig into the gravel. Don't use the dig in mode on gravel until the gravel driveway has frozen solid otherwise the front will dig in.
Did you know your responses are showing up three times every time you reply?
Well not every 2 stage, it's competitor Honda can do it on the fly, just trying to decide if that's a deal breaker. Mostly I'll be on pavement sidewalks and driveways. Only occasionly ally
Yes, and RUclips can't figure out why.
Only the tracked Honda models have a transport position. MTD and Husqvarna also has a transport position on their track drive models. This snow blower track system is a very different concept and designed for high speed, high volume production work. It can travel and clear snow almost twice as fast as the models you are referring to .
Have you tested any D R snowblowers?
Yes, but I'll never post a video about them.
1. My local dealer sold 6 of them last year. EVERY ONE had something wrong with it and he had to wait weeks to get the part/parts so he could deliver it to the customer. One even had bad welds on the snowblower housing. He's a DR Power dealer and even though he likes a lot of DR Power equipment he will NEVER sell another one of their snowblowers.
2. The DR Power and it's twin - the Generac are 100% made in China. (There is a much higher profit margin in buying/welling Chinese Products that "look" like the items made here)
3. Actual use they are nothing special. If you have a limited budget buy a Troy-Bilt or Cub Cadet. You can get parts/repairs easily and they are more dependable. If you can - spend a little more and get and Ariens or Toro.
Nice video 👍RapidTrack certainly offer some nice features, but, in my opinion, you loose what I consider to be the biggest selling point of having tracks (at least here in Norway) : the ability to lift the front so that the machine can be used on gravel without throwing massive amounts of the stuff onto your lawn, severely scratching the auger housing etc. in the process. But still a nice piece of kit though ☺️
Hi Alexander, Yes, these tracks are designed for a contractor who has to clear a lot of sidewalks, pavement, and driveways quickly. It will give you tremendous traction scraping off hard packed snow and busting snow plow drifts. If you need to clear gravel just raise the skid shoes up to clear the surface.
Would you recommend this machine for clearing out goat pens - uneven terrain, some roots? I'm currently using an old wheeled Lawn Boy and it is tough to move it through the area - the wheels frequently spin free so I have to muscle it around. I also clear a gravel driveway and paths across the yard to the barn and other outbuildings.
This snow blower is definitely tough enough but the design does not allow you to keep the front housing off the ground. If you want to clear snow with the front of the snow blower an inch or two off the ground I suggest this one: ruclips.net/video/Kwm84TqHRd4/видео.html
Do you know the height of the box that this is shipped in?
No, I don't. If you are buying from a wholesaler I'd contact them for the dimensions. If you are buying from a dealer it comes set up, ready to run.
Hi Paul,
Nice video! Was wonder if you think this machine is really worth the money there asking for this machine. It's one of the machines I'm really interested in.People are telling me that I don't need a track verses a wheel model. Your honest opinion would be appreciated. Thanks
Hi Jeff, If this snow blower is worth the cost really depends what you want. This is a true commercial snow blower and designed to work hours a days for weeks at a time. It will easily outlast 3 or 4 residential grade snow blowers doing the same work. In addition, it's much faster than other track drive snow blowers so it saves the commercial operators a lot of time.
If you are just clearing your own driveway and a couple of neighbors Ariens does make a less expensive version. The Ariens Platinum 28 SHO RapidTrak gives you all the features of this snow blower and will still last you many, many years.
Ariens Deluxe and Platinum wheeled snow blowers have a lot of traction. Unless you have a steeply sloped driveway or sidewalks that get snow plow snow you may not need track drive.
@@PaulSikkema Hi Paul, Thanks for the info. I always enjoy watching your videos. They are very informative. Would you rate the Ariens brand # 1?
Hi Jeff, As a Brand Ariens is No 1. By my calculations they sell over 160,000 snow blowers a year. They have snow blowers for any size driveway and are the only brand with true commercial machines. But, Toro is a very close second. Their SnowMaster, 826 and Power Max HD snow blowers are also some of the best on the market.
Hi Paul, I like Ariens myself.Ive owned two of them in the last ten years. I would like to update from the model I have now.Its a 30" platinum model.The next one I buy will probably be my last one. I like the pro models and the rapid track caught my eye. I have not seen one in person yet. I like the way you demonstrate and explain everything about each model. Awesome! The machines you try out are they right from the manufacturer or a dealer? Are you just doing this for fun?....Or are telling each manufacturer where there machines need improvements? Didn't I see somewhere or read you live in EauClaire? I live In Black River Falls. You do a great job Paul!
Hi Jeff, Barstow street auto and Union Sales in Eau Claire have the RapidTrak Pro to look at. It depends on the brand if the machine comes through a dealer or straight from their warehouse. Either way, I get production run machines to test. Yes, I do this for fun - but I've been doing it for a very long time. If there is a question about a machine I can't answer or an improvement that could be made all the brands have been great to work with over the years. I live in Chippewa Falls.
can you review the compacttrak
That Ariens Compact is a good, well-built snow blower and it has about the same capacity as the 24 inch Troy-Bilt, Cub Cadet, Husqvarna and Honda snow blowers. It will throw most snow about 30-40 feet.
The track version has plenty of traction to handle a sloped driveway and go "off-roading" to clear a path to your shed and out buildings.
But it has a solid axle and NO steering. It can be hard to turn for many people. Because of that I don't recommend it unless you need a small snow blower for a sloped driveway and you are fit enough to turn it.
@@PaulSikkema thanks. is it possible for you to video the problems with turning it ?
That is something you have to experience for yourself. When Lowes and Fleet Farm get them out on the floor this fall just try to turn it. It will act the same way on your driveway as it does on the sales floor. Big, strong muscular people don't mind it - everyone else complains its to hard to turn.
@@PaulSikkema i bought one. pretty much impossible to turn in reverse but turns very smoothly in forward without any muscle power put into it. impossible to turn with the engine shut off but thats ok. overall i like it.
I've gotten into the habit when backing up is to push down on the handles and put the RapidTrak in wheel mode. It's a lot easier to turn that way. When I go forward again I just drop the track back down.
Yes, ALL hydrostatic drive snow blowers are a pain to move with the engine shut off. I make a dolly out of four caster wheels under a price of plywood to move the older ones that don't always want to start:)
I know you are not paid by Ariens but you seem to prefer their products a lot over other brands. As a result of your endorsement, I have been shopping Ariens Pro & Platinum blowers to replace my John Deere 1130 SE which is really a Simplicity machine painted green and yellow. (Side note: why do you not review Simplicity units?) A dealer who sells multiple brands (including Ariens) stopped short of endorsing the Hydrostatic Ariens machines. He said nothing negative but also would not say anything positive. He said their Platinum and Deluxe models were excellent and durable. Also, he said that some people had trouble keeping the Auto turn machines from staying in a straight line because if one wheel is slightly impeded the machine wants to turn. He prefers the design with the levers which disengage the 'drive' gear. His general opinion was that the Pro models cost almost as much as the Honda HSS units which have been around longer (with no problems) and have very high resale and trade-in values. Do you have any thoughts on those questions? Also, in your opinion...are friction drive and carburetor machines soon to be obsolete (replaced by Hydrostatic trannies and Fuel injection) because of the frequent maintenance requirements?
Hi Nik, I cover all your questions in depth over at movingsnow.com. That said, I'll give you short answers here.
I'm here to help you find the best snow blower for you and the majority of my subscribers/blog readers need a snow blower that will handle heavy/wet snow. The Ariens Deluxe/Platinum/Pro, Toro PowerMax HD, Troy-Bilt Actric Storm and Husqvarna 300 series are the best for that type of snow. In addition, many subscribers have large areas to clear, or live in areas of high snow fall, or want to get done quickly and the Ariens Platinum/Pro are one of a handful of snow blowers that will do this type of work well.
Simplicity is owned by Briggs & Stratton and with the exception of the Pro model the Simplicty/Briggs snow blowers are the same. I cover the Briggs at movingsnow.com.
Many dealers sell what is most familiar to them and your dealer may not have a lot of experience with the Ariens Pro or using the AutoTurn. The Ariens Pro snowblowers are commercial units designed to work everyday, all day long on multiple properties and last years. The Ariens Deluxe/Platinum are homeowner units designed to last you years on your property.
The auto-turn is an auto-locking differential. Ariens is not the only brand using it. It is much easier to use than a solid axle snow blower and turns where you want it go go without having to pull a trigger to make it turn. You don't have to remember to pull a trigger under the handle to make it turn - you just turn it. It's just like using a shopping cart or walk-behind mower with castor wheels on the front. The AutoTurn in the Pro removes about 70 parts from inside the transmission and will last the life of the snow blower.
I'm going to finish the rest of your questions in another reply
To finish: Your dealer is not telling you the entire story. The Honda HSS was introduced in 2015 and they immediately had a 100% recall because of a bad transmission. So in reality, the snow blower was reintroduced in 2016. It is a completely different snow blower than the older HS Hondas that everyone loves. Many owners are very disappointed with how the new Honda handles heavy wet snow and have to add an impeller kit and modify the chute to make it work well. In addition, many owners change the carb jets so it has more power. Yes, the old HS series does have a high resale value compared to other brands of the same age.
The current Ariens Pro was introduced in 2017. It needs no modifications to handle ANY type of snow. It has over-the-top power. When you compare the 28 HSS Honda to the 28 Ariens Pro (or 32 to 32) the Ariens has about 30% more capacity and throws all types of snow farther. In addition, The Rapitrak is much faster than the Honda track and can clear 12-14 inches of "normal" snow as fast as you can walk.
EFI is the future but just like it took the auto industry 10 years to completely switch over it will take a few more years before you see EFI on most snow blowers. Ariens was the first, Toro, Husqvarna and MTD have the tech to do it but as of March 2019 have not introduced it on any machines.
The friction disk drive is here for the foreseeable future. It's inexpensive to repair and all the snow blowers built in the U.S.A. have friction drives designed to last years. Hydro is expensive to buy and extremely expensive to replace if they go bad. By the way, Honda is using a residential grade hydro in their snow blowers -Ariens uses a heavier-duty commercial grade hydro in their Pro units.
Damn, I watched this for nothing. You didn't show how the tracks are adjusted to the 3 positions. What actuates them up and down?
Sorry, the little lever under the right handle.
@@PaulSikkema OK, but what does it do? Is it electric? If we want the back of the tracks to dig down, what pushes them down? Is it spring-loaded? Can it be actuated while running the snowblower?
It's a very simple mechanical latch. 1. Push down on the handles about 2 inches and the back of the tracks lock up for wheel mode. (The snow blower is very well balanced so it's very easy to do) 2. Pull the trigger and the tracks drop down for track mode. 3. Lift up on the handles about an inch ans the tracks lock into dig in mode. This locks the front onto the pavement so you can clean packed down and pushed into hard packed drifts.
Thanks. I would have liked to see this in action in the review.
Thank you, I'll try to do better
No wonder why you have inside the house and they were sitting in like it you’re lucky you’re getting three machines free machines I would do that for errands in Albany New York
This video is taken inside my shed. (office) I've been doing this a long time and it took me years to save up for that shed. It's not luck, it's 15 years of hard work, being honest with you and not picking favorites with the brands.
You can see the outside of the shed here: ruclips.net/video/131mj6rjias/видео.html. Here is a video of what I had before. ruclips.net/video/oFo2wrZpXIs/видео.html
What’s the difference between this one and the platinum sho models? I’m conflicted on getting this or the Honda track models. The platinum sho seemed to be getting bad reviews. Great video by the way, you may have just swayed me to the ariens side. The difference between you and the seemingly uninformed reviewers is that you seem to know your stuff.
Hi Alpha, Thanks for the vote of confidence! This Pro model is designed for commercial use - meaning it will run every day, all day long for years. It uses heavier duty components and a commercial grade engine that rated in thousands of hours.
The Platinum SHO has been redesigned in the last three years and it doesn't give you problems. As a homeowner it will last you years.
By the way, this snow blower has about 30% more capacity than the Honda 32, it will throw farther and is easier to use. I really like the hydro controls on this machine
So MTD, MTD gives you other machines to test. You say 5 of their brands but its all MTD.
I don't quite understand your comment but MTD does not make all snow blowers. Here is an article about who makes what: movingsnow.com/2012/whats-the-difference/
No more Briggs an strat :(
Struggling to hear what you are saying.
Yea,, these new phones don't have a way to hook up and external microphone. This is the last time I'll use it for these videos.
Honda is a Honda they don't make stuff like they used to
if yur not paying 4 yur equipment.....you ARE being paid !!!!!lets get that outta the way
To be precise. The federal government requires that I tell you if someone is paying for me to do a review. I am also required to tell you if the company gave me the equipment for free to review and they don't want it back when the review is completed.
But in this case, I'm just borrowing the machine. For example, if I just borrowed my neighbor's Cub Cadet to make a review would you consider that a paid review? This is the same, I get the snowblower in the fall and return it in the spring. I don't get to keep it, I'm not paid in any way to do the review, I can say whatever I want about the machine and I'm responsible for it if something happens to it.
No games here...
just by looking at this machine it is not even anywhere close the quality of my HS1332 Honda snow blower. The engine is a briggs instead of Honda 13 hp and it is not was good as the Honda engine.
Hi Martic, I appreciate and highly value your opinion of the two snow blowers but I would like to point out two things. One, this is the Briggs Pro engine. There is no statistical proof that your Honda engine is "better." Second, The HS1332 was produced in Japan and is no longer available. The current U.S. made HSS1332AT/HSS1332ATD Honda is a completely different machine and does not yet have the respect of your older Honda Snow Blower. In the video, I compared this to the current snow blower - not an old model. So while it may be advantageous to you to compare your old machine for you to decide if it's time to buy new - comparing the current snow blowers to old iron does little good for the person wanting to buy a new snow blower today.
As a Briggs & Stratton engine owner experience with my 35 years old lawn mower with no problem except for 2 spark plugs replacement during those years & 1 replacement of the rubber primer bulb due to old age last year. I had another 12 years old with the same B&G engine at another place with no problem, no parts replacements and service works. Just because it's not a Honda doesn't means it won't last or works just as reliable.
Recencently bought a low budget priced 22" Murray snowblower 7522ES with electric start 163cc B&G Snow Series engine with manual chute which cost 300% less $$$ than the comparable entry level 20" single stage HONDA with no electric start and no remote chute. My MURRAY B&G engine starts with 1 single pull every time. I have also tried the electric start to test & see how good is it. Yes only 1 touch of the electric start button and starts up. If buying certain brand names by paying plenty of extra $$$$ or having that brand name plate that mades a difference for you to brag to your friends and neigbours or to feels good personally then go ahead. But there are other brands you may not experienced or have not explored were just as reliable but could cost a lot less $$$ or as good or better.
Dollar$ & sense#* folks.