Forums Archive Index > Outdoor Power Equipment > New vs old Ariens chute controls?
Date: 21 Dec 2005 5:07 pm
The maintenance department at my work has an Ariens 1332 Pro so I decided to stop and have a looksy. I really liked the balance of the machine and it seemed to pretty manageable for its size. I also noticed that it has a toggle switch/electric motor to move the chute from the left to the right. This seems like a really awesome system for managing the chute. Later I looked on the web and didn't notice the electric chute as an option. Can anyone explain what the new chutes are like and how they work? I thought I heard somewhere that the new chutes bind up easily unless they are adjusted perfectly?
Thanks,
Jason
Date: 21 Dec 2005 7:03 pm
Jason- Your maintence dept has last years model. They were electric that is correct. This year Ariens made some changes (not for the better IMHO) They changed the chute control, instead of the switch or a crank handle they went with one lever that swings left to right and as it swings left the chute turns to the left and as you push it to the right the chute goes to the right. The problem that eveyone is talking about is it is hard to get the chute to stop where you want it in the middle of the swing range. Another thing is when you have the chute and handle all the way to one side (left or right doesn't matter) the lever seems to get stuck and is hard to get moving again. I have personally tried it and don't like it and I would like to see Ariens go back to the crank handle. If you can stop by a Home depot and try one out for yourself and tell us what you think. - Kris :D
Date: 21 Dec 2005 8:33 pm
well the controls used to be either controled with an electric motor or they were controled with the typical crank type unit.
both worked pretty good in my opinion.
however ...and i say this with absolutley no proof only a hunch.
they were looking ahead and saw the day when they would be installing the briggs engine or even a honda for that matter.
the actual instalation isnt that big a problem (the motor box is a little narrow but do able)
the tricky part comes with the chute control rod.
because the inteck and the honda have angled cylinders,the rod is now in the way.
you have to make some sort of modification to it or the whole design of the rod.
in the shop where i work we just lengthened out the lower part of the rod...pretty simple for us.
however im sure we were lucky and on some models it just isnt that easy .
so ariens just designed the control to go over the top of the engine .
i think its a good idea .however it has to be adjusted properly at the shop .
so if you cheep out an buy one at the hardware store then the little kid that pushes the carts back inside is the one that put your snowblower together...DO NOT blame ariens ,read the owners manual and put the machine together yourself .
you will at least have the satisfaction of knowing the job is done right and will then have a better understanding of how your machine works.
any questions class...
there will be a test in the morning- you must acheive 90% or better or you wont have any snow.
for those of you that get 100% a blizzard will be dialed up right away.
chris
Date: 21 Dec 2005 8:49 pm
Thanks for clearing this up guys! I would probably hold out for a used last years model before taking my chances with the new chute. That electric chute seems just too cool to pass up.
Date: 21 Dec 2005 8:59 pm
It does sound very cool, but it also sounds like another system to go wrong too. :o
Date: 22 Dec 2005 4:54 pm
we got a new 926 pro model in today.
of course it has the new style chute control.
i was a bit apprenhesive about it but after burning the book and looking at a pic of one in the brichure i managed to get the chute to function okay.
would i want 1...it is fast but there is not much control.
so i probably am not a fan of it at this time .however i havent used it in the snow either.
the other thing is ...this is a new snowblower we ordered and it arrived with the tecumseh engine.
has the new style trigger control.
the trigger is aluminum alloy but everything else is plastic except the differential itself.
it looks like it will be better than some other brands that i deal with.
.
chris