Most definitely the King of all snow blowers. I actually watched another vid where a guy was filming his 6-7 year-old daughter turning the Kraken in circles in his garage. (Machine was not running). If I remember correctly, he asked her "How much do you weigh??" And she yelled out "46!!" Heavy machine, but if a 46-pound little girl can maneuver it, that is a testament to its balance. Congrats on the machine!!
Thanks for the comment and greetings from the other end of the North American continent. I've always wanted to visit Newfoundland as I have ancestry in the Nova Scotia area.
Nice review. I am in the mountains of Northern Utah at 7800 feet. Lots of snow here! My dirt/gravel driveway is 400' long plus some wide parking/turn around areas so I did not want to mess around--and invested in a Kraken. My thoughts halfway through my first winter with it: 1. It definitely is a beast! 2. I LOVE the variable track control vs the manual 3-position control of the other Pro models. My driveway is steep, undulates a lot, and I am constantly doing minor corrections to keep the machine moving forward over small bumps and valleys. Stopping and having to push or pull the handles would be a real pain. I can make minor adjustments on the fly and keep on trucking along. 3. I agree with the other guy regarding the switches for the lights and track control. Really poor design. When snow is blowing around, it builds up ice under the rocker switches, until I can't easily use them. Especially the track control, I'll try to press it 'up' and it's completely seized up. I have to stop and get the ice out from under it, or take my hand off the drive lever and pull up on the bottom of the switch while also pushing the top. A real pain. Those switches absolutely need to be better design with rubber boots protecting them. 4. I do wish reverse had a little more power...though I know it's a safety thing. Sometimes I have to back up while going downhill (so backing up 'uphill") and it's super slow, and I usually have to get all the way in wheel mode and pull on the machine to keep it moving.) 5. The electric chute control is a game changer. Being able to rotate the chute while also turning the machine (which means having to move the tracks up into wheel mode at the same time using that electric button) makes for a seamless turn without having to move my hands to make manual adjustments to the tracks or chute. Such a smooth motion, I love it. 6. Besides making the switches less prone to clogging up, another nice touch would be some sort of indicator light for when the track control is all the way up in wheel mode or down in dig mode, and maybe even when right in the middle for track mode. Maybe three LED lights, one for each position. Right now, the only way to be sure is to look down at the piston to see if it's extended or not, as when the machine running, there is no way to hear the 'clicking' mode when you reach the top or bottom of the range. Just a minor point but it would be nice to have a dash-mounted indicator of track position. 7. Lastly, I agree with the other comment that there is no need for in impeller kit. The gap between the blades and chute is very small, and I can't imagine ever needing to throw snow any farther than this beast throws it. And I have had no clogging issues...not once. I do hit the inside of the machine and the chute with wd40 or silicone spray frequently Overall, I am very happy with the performance and have used it many times this winter...whether 4 inches or 18, it simply eats the snow. I will add, especially for folks with sloped driveways that are dirt or gravel and not perfectly flat--This machine is HEAVY at nearly 400 lbs, and it takes a bit of time to learns to work with the machine and not fight it, especially going uphill. For me, especially uphill on an uneven dirt driveway, it's a finely tuned combination of skid height, and then fine adjustment of the track control combined with the right speed. Too fast, will lose traction. Too much 'dig' mode....will get stuck until adjusting the track back up toward track mode. To keep moving, my thumb is constantly making minor track adjustments on the fly. I am thinking about adding longer skid plates (Armor Skids they are called) to help clear the little undulations that tend to 'catch' the shorter skids. I wanted the biggest baddest machine for my first winter on this property, and have zero regrets in spending $4800 (US) for it. The upgrade charge for the electric controls on the Kraken are significant, but well worth it in my case!
Can you elaborate more on the auto turn? I have a skid steer style Honda tracked machine and have been looking into the Ariens Alpine edition but not many good reviews on it in regards of working on uneven surfaces or when you have to bust up berms that have turned a bit solid. I keep wondering will a machine like this with auto turn be able to chew through those kinds of obstacles without me having to fight it to keep it going the direction i want it to go in.
If it were Winter, I would go out and demonstrate. A slight push on the handlebar to the right or left and it turns by slowing the opposite track. It works impressively well,
Not sure why but here in Colorado, Boulder county, I have not seen many Ariens around. Where do you live and are they popular. If I had the money and there were dealers near bye me this would have been my choice.
We are in Central Alaska. Honda is most popular but Ariens is considered a quality brand. We found our local Dealer by using the Ariens website Dealer Locator Tool. As of this post, we do not get paid for showing products we like. www.ariens.com/en-us/dealer-locator
I own this exact unit. The only things that bother me is that snow gets clogged up under the buttons. Also like other snowblowers, y the heck is the brush on the housing when it should be under the control area away from packing snow, the butterfly bolts for the drift cutters tend to get in the way (I take completely off and don't use), and the skis are too small length wise. Otherwise, this thing is INSANE & well WORTH it.
Yes, same here. I keep it covered when not in use so the snow does not build up under the switches. I plan to do more videos to show those sorts of things. Minor issues.
@@livingmyalaska absolutely is a minor issue till u go house to house & it keeps happening, still minor but annoying in my situation. I store mine in the garage, that's not the issue. When snow is blowing around from anywhere, it tends to build up under all the buttons & I use the track option a lot. So when I try to adjust the track, I have to find a way to remove it. Most of the time I just blow hot air & as hard as I can to get it out. I would use the brush but as time goes on using the button, it tends to pack down under the button till I can no longer adjust the tracks & the bristles of the brush can't do anything. I kind of wish it was the same as the shoot control but under the control panel to avoid any impact of anything. The brush should be under there as well, not on the housing. Would be nice (on any model) if not only all the controls were headed but the auger housing as well. Maybe not electronic but could use the muffler system.
@@swizlestick G.... Thanx If u have not done commercials before. Try doing this in a storm working on ur client's house &/or rescuing people, 4+ feet high or more, all while wind is blowing everywhere. Thanx for the heads up, I'll remember that next time! lol
Good idea but the Kraken it's not necessary. I do a lot of residentials as a business & it has nvr clogged once, from time to time it throws way too far if I don't pay attention. Plus especially being under warranty & cost, I paid nearly $7,000 for mine, I personally wouldn't want to take any chances.
@@Charles53412 Nope! The Ariens pro machines with the 420cc engines and cupped impeller do not clog ever under any circumstance. I've blown snow so wet when you squeeze it water comes out, no clogging. I've blown a foot of snow where the bottom two inches was clear because it was saturated sitting in a puddle, no clogging. My 31 years experience running all different types of snow blowers confirms that these machines will not clog ever. My old 1332 Pro Ariens with the 358 cc 13hp Tecumseh and the old style impeller will clog. 10 years of running the Pro machines with 420cc and cupped impeller, never a clog. I do commercial snow removal and do many properties every storm.
Great question! The Kraken has a unique system where it takes only one hand and a slight amount of push and the machine turns on its own axis. One track stops moving while the other track pulls to turn.
More awesome videos in our Backwoods Living in Alaska Playlist www.youtube.com/@livingmyalaska/playlists
Most definitely the King of all snow blowers. I actually watched another vid where a guy was filming his 6-7 year-old daughter turning the Kraken in circles in his garage.
(Machine was not running). If I remember correctly, he asked her "How much do you weigh??" And she yelled out "46!!"
Heavy machine, but if a 46-pound little girl can maneuver it, that is a testament to its balance.
Congrats on the machine!!
We liked the fact that the Ariens snow blower was built in America, according to their website.
That would be overkill for most folks, but for Alaska, it's perfect.
Very true. I assumed it might be too much for us but we are glad we have it. When things are too much to plow, the blower gets it done.
This video makes me want a bigger snowblower so badly. That thing is a tank!
Lol, larger snow blowers. Compensating for other inadequacies?
@@livingmyalaska you might be. My snow blower is small and 20 years old!
That's a Snow Moving Machine , Great Review
Thanks for the comment and greetings from the other end of the North American continent. I've always wanted to visit Newfoundland as I have ancestry in the Nova Scotia area.
Great review, thank you!
Nice review. I am in the mountains of Northern Utah at 7800 feet. Lots of snow here! My dirt/gravel driveway is 400' long plus some wide parking/turn around areas so I did not want to mess around--and invested in a Kraken. My thoughts halfway through my first winter with it:
1. It definitely is a beast!
2. I LOVE the variable track control vs the manual 3-position control of the other Pro models. My driveway is steep, undulates a lot, and I am constantly doing minor corrections to keep the machine moving forward over small bumps and valleys. Stopping and having to push or pull the handles would be a real pain. I can make minor adjustments on the fly and keep on trucking along.
3. I agree with the other guy regarding the switches for the lights and track control. Really poor design. When snow is blowing around, it builds up ice under the rocker switches, until I can't easily use them. Especially the track control, I'll try to press it 'up' and it's completely seized up. I have to stop and get the ice out from under it, or take my hand off the drive lever and pull up on the bottom of the switch while also pushing the top. A real pain. Those switches absolutely need to be better design with rubber boots protecting them.
4. I do wish reverse had a little more power...though I know it's a safety thing. Sometimes I have to back up while going downhill (so backing up 'uphill") and it's super slow, and I usually have to get all the way in wheel mode and pull on the machine to keep it moving.)
5. The electric chute control is a game changer. Being able to rotate the chute while also turning the machine (which means having to move the tracks up into wheel mode at the same time using that electric button) makes for a seamless turn without having to move my hands to make manual adjustments to the tracks or chute. Such a smooth motion, I love it.
6. Besides making the switches less prone to clogging up, another nice touch would be some sort of indicator light for when the track control is all the way up in wheel mode or down in dig mode, and maybe even when right in the middle for track mode. Maybe three LED lights, one for each position. Right now, the only way to be sure is to look down at the piston to see if it's extended or not, as when the machine running, there is no way to hear the 'clicking' mode when you reach the top or bottom of the range. Just a minor point but it would be nice to have a dash-mounted indicator of track position.
7. Lastly, I agree with the other comment that there is no need for in impeller kit. The gap between the blades and chute is very small, and I can't imagine ever needing to throw snow any farther than this beast throws it. And I have had no clogging issues...not once. I do hit the inside of the machine and the chute with wd40 or silicone spray frequently
Overall, I am very happy with the performance and have used it many times this winter...whether 4 inches or 18, it simply eats the snow. I will add, especially for folks with sloped driveways that are dirt or gravel and not perfectly flat--This machine is HEAVY at nearly 400 lbs, and it takes a bit of time to learns to work with the machine and not fight it, especially going uphill. For me, especially uphill on an uneven dirt driveway, it's a finely tuned combination of skid height, and then fine adjustment of the track control combined with the right speed. Too fast, will lose traction. Too much 'dig' mode....will get stuck until adjusting the track back up toward track mode. To keep moving, my thumb is constantly making minor track adjustments on the fly. I am thinking about adding longer skid plates (Armor Skids they are called) to help clear the little undulations that tend to 'catch' the shorter skids.
I wanted the biggest baddest machine for my first winter on this property, and have zero regrets in spending $4800 (US) for it. The upgrade charge for the electric controls on the Kraken are significant, but well worth it in my case!
Can you elaborate more on the auto turn? I have a skid steer style Honda tracked machine and have been looking into the Ariens Alpine edition but not many good reviews on it in regards of working on uneven surfaces or when you have to bust up berms that have turned a bit solid. I keep wondering will a machine like this with auto turn be able to chew through those kinds of obstacles without me having to fight it to keep it going the direction i want it to go in.
If it were Winter, I would go out and demonstrate. A slight push on the handlebar to the right or left and it turns by slowing the opposite track. It works impressively well,
Not sure why but here in Colorado, Boulder county, I have not seen many Ariens around. Where do you live and are they popular. If I had the money and there were dealers near bye me this would have been my choice.
We are in Central Alaska. Honda is most popular but Ariens is considered a quality brand. We found our local Dealer by using the Ariens website Dealer Locator Tool. As of this post, we do not get paid for showing products we like. www.ariens.com/en-us/dealer-locator
Kubota bx 2680 with a cab and heat would be great
I own this exact unit. The only things that bother me is that snow gets clogged up under the buttons. Also like other snowblowers, y the heck is the brush on the housing when it should be under the control area away from packing snow, the butterfly bolts for the drift cutters tend to get in the way (I take completely off and don't use), and the skis are too small length wise.
Otherwise, this thing is INSANE & well WORTH it.
Yes, same here. I keep it covered when not in use so the snow does not build up under the switches. I plan to do more videos to show those sorts of things. Minor issues.
@@livingmyalaska absolutely is a minor issue till u go house to house & it keeps happening, still minor but annoying in my situation.
I store mine in the garage, that's not the issue. When snow is blowing around from anywhere, it tends to build up under all the buttons & I use the track option a lot. So when I try to adjust the track, I have to find a way to remove it. Most of the time I just blow hot air & as hard as I can to get it out. I would use the brush but as time goes on using the button, it tends to pack down under the button till I can no longer adjust the tracks & the bristles of the brush can't do anything. I kind of wish it was the same as the shoot control but under the control panel to avoid any impact of anything. The brush should be under there as well, not on the housing. Would be nice (on any model) if not only all the controls were headed but the auger housing as well. Maybe not electronic but could use the muffler system.
@@ScottWhalen81 Stop blowing into the wind.....
@@swizlestick G.... Thanx
If u have not done commercials before. Try doing this in a storm working on ur client's house &/or rescuing people, 4+ feet high or more, all while wind is blowing everywhere. Thanx for the heads up, I'll remember that next time!
lol
Put a Impeller Kit on the Impeller and you'll have a 99.99% non-clogging snow blower, plus increase blower snow throw distance!
Good idea but the Kraken it's not necessary. I do a lot of residentials as a business & it has nvr clogged once, from time to time it throws way too far if I don't pay attention. Plus especially being under warranty & cost, I paid nearly $7,000 for mine, I personally wouldn't want to take any chances.
Yea, this machine doesn't need an impeller kit. I've had mine for 3 seasons now. Clogging is not an option 😁
@@smallblock412 you will in due time!
@@Charles53412 Nope! The Ariens pro machines with the 420cc engines and cupped impeller do not clog ever under any circumstance. I've blown snow so wet when you squeeze it water comes out, no clogging. I've blown a foot of snow where the bottom two inches was clear because it was saturated sitting in a puddle, no clogging. My 31 years experience running all different types of snow blowers confirms that these machines will not clog ever. My old 1332 Pro Ariens with the 358 cc 13hp Tecumseh and the old style impeller will clog. 10 years of running the Pro machines with 420cc and cupped impeller, never a clog. I do commercial snow removal and do many properties every storm.
How do you turn it around when you get to the end of the row?
Great question! The Kraken has a unique system where it takes only one hand and a slight amount of push and the machine turns on its own axis. One track stops moving while the other track pulls to turn.
It also has a rapid track, the tracks lift up and turns it into a wheel-like unit. These tracks also allow us to climb curbs & stairs if necessary.