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Remember to wear your safety glasses

1/31/2019 6:00:00 AM


By: Aaron Abler, Email Marketing & Content Specialist,

using a snow blower safey with proper clothing 

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How to use lawn mowers and snow blowers safely in 2019​​

As a family-owned brand, Ariens values the importance of our family members, which is why we understand your importance to your family members. We value each other, and that's why we believe you can never be too safe when operating a lawn mower or snow blower.

Though the safety practices outlined ahead apply to both lawn mowers and snow blowers, we'll use this opportunity to focus more on snow blower safety since we're still caught in the middle of winter. Just know that the content in this post isn't a substitute for the details listed in the operator's manual for your unit. We strongly recommend reading the safety instructions located in the front pages of your operator's manual in their entirety before operating your outdoor power equipment. For sake of brevity, we'll quickly skim some of the safety highlights here.

Clear the driveway

That's the objective, but before you clear the sidewalk and driveway, you first need to clear the driveway from any ice skates, hockey sticks, rocks, frozen newspapers and other obstructions that could get caught in the auger and impeller. Survey the entire clearing area and think about what could be hidden under that fresh blanket of snow. It's especially helpful if you marked the perimeter of your driveway before the season—think about that for next year.

Not only could an obstruction damage your unit, but they could get tossed from the impeller and projected toward another person or property and cause injury or damage.

Keep the kids inside

It's extremely dangerous for kids to be outside during snow clearing. As an operator, your attention is devoted to the task at hand and less on anyone who wanders into the clearing area, making it possible for pets and small children who enter the clearing area to be unseen and unheard. This risk is even greater with blowing snow and during nighttime operation.

If you're a parent who likes taking their children for rides when cutting the grass, we know it's because you like spending time with your kids and giving them fun experiences, but we strongly urge you to keep them far away from outdoor power equipment while in use. The only surefire way to prevent tragic accidents involving kids, pets and outdoor power equipment is by keeping them inside under and the watchful eye of a responsible adult.

using a snow blower safey with proper clothing 

Clothes

When considering your attire for clearing snow, it's most important to make sure loose clothing and hair is neatly tucked close to your body to help prevent it from getting caught in moving parts. Additionally, make sure you’re wearing clothing that's adequate for the season. There’s no sense risking hypothermia over a clean driveway.

Quality winter boots with good traction, goggles and hearing protection are highly recommended. Ariens makes quiet snow blowers, but no outdoor power equipment with an internal combustion engine is quiet enough for you to skip the earplugs or earmuffs. Prolonged exposure to noise that may seem quiet enough can actually be loud enough to damage your hearing over time. Don't think that it couldn't happen to you.

You'll also want to use protective eyewear. Simple protective goggles may help prevent a rogue ice chunk or piece of asphalt from flying into your eyes and injuring them, but a quality pair of ski goggles are best for superior coverage, comfort and visibility.

Practice situational awareness

Take pauses every now and again to scan your clearing area, and, if you see a cause for concern, stop the engine, remove the key and wait for all moving parts to stop before leaving the operator’s position, and correcting the situation.

Being alert is especially important when operating near a roadway, whether it's busy or not. We've all seen the news stories of the police officer or tow truck driver struck by a distracted or impaired driver when stopped on roads with busy traffic. If some drivers can’t see flashing emergency lights during a dry summer day, there’s no way they'll see you walking into the roadway in the middle of a blizzard at dark, even if you have a bright orange snow blower with a headlight. Always operate with caution.

Operating while intoxicated

This goes for your snow blower, too. Just don't. Operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs is never acceptable, regardless of the machinery you're operating because it can put yourself and others in harms way. Remember the alertness bit? There's no way you can remain alert to everything happening in your work area when operating under the influence.

using a snow blower safey with cleanout tool 

Snow Clogs

We saved the most important highlight for last. If you cleared snow in the past, you'll know that in certain conditions, mainly wet and heavy snow, your discharge chute may become clogged. If this happens, stop the engine immediately. You may think it to be harmless to simply clear it with your hand, but this could be the worst mistake of your life.

If your chute becomes clogged, follow these steps, and nothing but these steps in the following order before attempting to clear a clogged discharge chute:

      Stop the engine.
      Remove the key from the ignition.
      Wait for all moving parts to stop.

After those three items are complete, and ONLY after those items are complete, you may then remove the clean-out tool from the top of the auger housing and use it to clear the clog. If a clean-out tool isn't included with your unit, use a different suitable device such as a broomstick. Never use your hand to clear the clog, even after the engine has been stopped. When finished, return your clean-out tool to its appropriate location, restart the engine and resume your work.

Ariens owner manual

For a detailed list of safety practices, we strongly suggest reviewing the safety section of your Sno-Thro operator’s manual. A paper copy is included with every unit and digital copies are available for free download at ariens.com.

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Ariens® partners with U.S. Biathlon team

1/28/2019 6:00:00 AM


By: Aaron Abler, Email Marketing & Content Specialist,

An American brand lends support to an American team on a growing American stage

A logical partner

For the 2018—2019 season, the Ariens brand will follow the U.S. Olympic Biathlon team along the International Biathlon Union (IBU) World Cup tour in the Alps, Scandinavia, the U.S. and Canada. As the A​riens name travels throughout the competition circuit, it will provide increased brand exposure to some of the snowiest regions of the world and offer a solution for those who experience apocalyptic snowfalls year over year.

 

"The Ariens brand is proud to partner with the U.S. Biathlon, a longstanding successful team,"" said AriensCo Chairman and CEO Dan Ariens. "This partnership offers us the opportunity to get the Ariens name in front of consumers in key winter markets, both in the U.S. and especially in Europe."

The Ariens brand, which was born during the heat of the Great Depression, has been an American symbol of endurance and strength for over 85 years, making it the ideal partner for a team of strong athletes with the endurance to not only be competitive, but to grow the popularity of biathlon in the United States.

 

 

"The partnership with Ariens provides our athletes with an opportunity to build our brands together through the global World Cup tour," said U.S. Biathlon President and CEO Max Cobb.

Much like the characteristics of our landmark product, the Ariens Sno-Thro®, our partnership is designed to clear a path for the team's journey to the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. The support from Ariens this season will help the team stay competitive and build up to a strong showing in Beijing.

What is biathlon?

If you're unfamiliar with biathlon, you’ll know it better as the sport where competitors race through a trail on Nordic, cross-country-style skis with a bolt-action .22 rifle strapped to their back. Competition is composed of a demanding cross-country ski race incorporated with either two or four stops to shoot at five 115-millimeter targets placed 50 meters down range from competitors' shooting positions. Once the targets are cleared, the skier races to the next stop and eventually, the finish line.

 

 

 

Endurance required

Participation in this sport doesn't come easy. The display of extreme physical exertion displayed by these athletes during competition does no justice to the actual amount of effort required to be competitive in the IBU. According to the website of the U.S. Olympic Biathlon team, the physically demanding sport of cross-country skiing combined with the need to keep steady hand and controlled breathing in the shooting lane is among the most disciplined in the world. Even with hearts beating up to three times per second, these athletes are expected to hold steady enough to be precise in their marksmanship.

 

Follow the U.S. Biathlon team

The U.S. Biathlon Team has been posting strong athletic results in recent years and has been helping grow the nationwide interest in the sport so much that this year marks its strongest domestic broadcast and streaming schedule. Additionally, the IBU World Cup will return to Utah's Soldier Hollow Olympic venue for the first time since 2001, making it even more special for involvement with the strong, American Ariens brand.

 

The U.S. Biathlon team, which trains competitors for five different competition classes, is running the full competition circuit throughout the globe. Competitions are ongoing through late March and are broadcast through various NBC Sports channels on television and online.

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What Snow Blower Should I Buy?

1/16/2019 6:00:00 AM


By: Aaron Abler, Email Marketing & Content Specialist,

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How do you choose which snow blower is right for you? Maybe you only need something for a small clearing with lighter snowfalls, or maybe you need a snow blower to clear large areas in a region that receives apocalyptic snowfalls. Whatever your case, you can find small snow blowers for clearing decks, roofs and narrow spaces, or bigger snow blowers for clearing large spaces or multiple driveways at Ariens retailers and dealerships nationwide.

Small snow blower for compact areas

Not all snow blowers are large, heavy machines. Single stage type snow blowers are compact and lighter, making them ideal for clearing decks, narrow areas and even flat rooftops. But don’t think that means they’re limited. Single-stage snow blowers clear large areas with lighter snowfall amounts up to six inches very effectively.

In the Ariens® single stage lineup, there's a choice of the Path-Pro® for homeowners, or the Professional 21, a single stage for contractors.

Ariens Path-Pro

  • 136cc or 208 cc engine options
  • Spring-loaded scraper blade for more effective clearing
  • Large, semi-pneumatic wheels
  • Folding handlebars for storage

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    Ariens Professional 21

    • High-wear paddles
    • Remote chute option
    • All-steel construction
    • Easily accessible engine
    • Smart lift handlebars for easy, single-person loading onto a truck bed

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      To learn more about single stage snow blowers, click here.

      Popular snow blowers of 2019

      Need a snow blower for moderate snowfalls? If you live anywhere within North America’s snow belt, a medium sized snow blower may be your answer. As Mother Nature has taught us, heavy snowfalls of greater than six inches or more can fall as far south as Kentucky, Oklahoma, Virginia and New Mexico and push into the nether regions of Canada. Just last week, 12 inches fell on St. Louis, so don’t think that you’re protected because of your location – it can happen in more places than you think.

      Though there is no definition for a midsize snow blower, industry standard would classify these common, popular snow blowers as a two stage snow blower with a clearing width from 20 to 30 inches. With housing heights up to 23 inches, these machines are built to confront winter’s hardest punches.

      To learn more about two-stage snow blowers, click here.

      Like single-stage snow blowers, two-stage snow blowers are designed for varying needs. Whether you’re clearing an alleyway in Chicago, a long driveway in suburban New Haven, Connecticut, or a steep path in Banff, Alberta, Canada, the Ariens Sno-Thro® lineup has a machine that’s sized right and spec’d with features that fit your driveway.

      Let's use the Chicago scenario. I lived in the Windy City once and I can say from experience that there's nothing more frustrating than trying to dig your car out of its parking spot after the snowplow passes. All the snow that was spread across the street has not barricaded your transportation. Swell. And don’t forget, you'll need to move your car within about 24 hours before the city fines you at least $75.00. Super. Oh, and don't forget the sidewalk, too.

      In densely populated areas like Chicago, there's hardly any space left for snow, which is why Ariens Compact series snow blower is best for that situation. With housing widths as narrow as 20 inches, but the height and power to redirect snow across the street, the Ariens Compact is the right choice for maneuvering in the big city. Standard with a top-filled, cast-iron gearcase, remote chute controls and a halogen headlamp, it's dependability gives you confidence long after the sun sets.

      Ariens Compact Series

      • All-steel construction
      • Limited 3-year warranty
      • Top-filled, cast-iron gearcase
      • In-dash chute controls
      • Halogen headlamp
      • 15-inch directional tires

       

      To learn more about the Ariens Compact series Sno-Thro, click here.

      For those living in more rural or suburban areas, with larger driveways or sidewalks to maneuver through, you might want to consider a step up into a unit that has at least 24 inches of clearing width. The name of the game here is time, and if you don’t have the engine power or clearing width to tackle big snowfalls in short order, you’re spending your weekends away from things you’d rather do.

      The Deluxe series of units come with the same features as the Compact, but with enhancements like Auto-Turn™ for easier turning, a larger auger and impeller diameter for faster snow processing ability, larger engines and an EFI option for easier starting, storage and better fuel efficiency.

      Ariens Deluxe Series

      • 254cc and 306cc engine options
      • 24, 28 and 30-inch clearing width options
      • 16-inch directional tires
      • Auto-Turn steering
      • EFI engine option
      • 14-inch auger and impeller diameter

       

      To learn more about the Ariens Deluxe series Sno-Thro, click here.

      Let's say you have a clearing area similar to the last example, but you need something with more power to throw the juicy stuff. Though "packing" snow is great for building a snowman, it's bothersome to clear from your driveway and potentially dangerous to move with a shovel. For those wet and heavy snowfalls, you'll want a powerful snow blower that can toss it as effectively as the lighter variety.

      All models in the Ariens Platinum lineup come standard with an SHO engine, meaning super high output. There's no replacement for displacement, and with 369 or 414 cubic centimeters, you can be certain the throwing distance will clear some of the widest driveways.

      Besides bigger engines, Platinum series models include Quick-Turn™ chute control for easy redirection of snow discharge, and heated hand grips to work in comfort. And for those clearing steep or sloped surfaces that demand superior traction, the Platinum lineup includes a patented RapidTrak™ track-drive option.

      Ariens Platinum Series

      • 369cc and 414cc engine options
      • 24, 28 and 30-inch clearing width options
      • Heated hand grips
      • Quick-Turn chute rotation
      • RapidTrak option

       

      To learn more about the Ariens Platinum series Sno-Thro, click here.

      Biggest snow blowers of 2019

      A few years ago, an old college friend of mine asked which snow blower would work best for him to clear his driveway, a wide path to his shed and an area around the shed. The answer was a snow blower with a clearing width of at least 28 inches, a large engine and drift cutters that could clear open areas prone to blowing and drifting snow. Same goes for professionals clearing multiple properties.

      When you're talking very large clearing areas, a slightly larger housing and engine combination can make a big difference. Consider this. If a larger snow blower can process snow just 10 minutes faster per job than another snow blower and you have 12 jobs to complete, you banked two hours. That’s either more time for yourself, or more capacity to do more jobs.

      In the Ariens lineup, our largest is aptly named the Professional series. Models in this family are available with 28, 32 or 36 inches of width, come standard with drift cutters to tear down snow piles higher than the housing and chew them up with an auger and impeller combination powered by a 420cc engine. This is also the snow blower with the most options. Among its bells and whistles include a RapidTrak option, an EFI engine option, and a hydrostatic drive option. Hydrostatic drive is an infinitely variable transmission, meaning it allows operators to change ground speeds without stopping to shift like with traditional friction-drive models.

      Ariens Professional Series

      • 420cc engine
      • Drift cutters
      • 28, 32, and 36-inch clearing width options
      • RapidTrak options
      • EFI engine options
      • Hydrostatic drive options

       

      To learn more about the Ariens Professional series Sno-Thro, click here.

      The snow blower lineup this winter is extensive, and it might seem tough or intimidating to figure out what's best for your driveway. There's no specific science or calculation that can determine exactly what you need, especially with weather as volatile as it is, but we got close with our snow blower selector tool.

      Crunch the numbers to see which snow blower is best for you this winter:

      Snow Blower Selector

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