It’s that time of year again, we’re staring Thanksgiving right in the face, with Christmas around the corner. Along with the traffic jams and long lines at the stores comes that friendly kiss of old man Winter. Ok, maybe not so friendly. Let’s call it a smack in the face from that jerk, old man Winter. Regardless of the name we call it, for some of our friends in the North, the snow is starting to fall. Focus shifts from lanscaping to clearing sidewalks, driveways and parking lots. To help with your Winter routine, you may want to check out an Ariens Rapidtrak snowblower.
The Ariens Rapidtrak is available in two models:
Professional 28 Hydro Rapidtrak – 28″ clearing width and 79 tons/hour
Professional 32 Hydro Rapidtrak – 32″ clearing width and 90 tons/hour
Ariens Rapidtrak Snowblower Features
Obvious to the Ariens Rapidtrak snowblower line are the apparent tracks instead of wheels. In actuality, the Rapidtrak system is designed to allow the user to make adjustments as a wheeled or tracked machine. Tracks are unrivaled when it comes to traction, but you can’t beat wheels for maneuvering around objects. The Rapidtrak system is exlclusive to Ariens, and operators can switch between wheeled or tracks in just seconds.
Preset adjustments on the Rapidtrack system allow the user to change between three different positions. Track Mode (position 1) is for typical snow removal, tracks are flat on the ground. Wheel Mode (position 2) for traversing around objects, the rear of the tracks lift off the ground, leaving on the tracks on the big wheels contacting the ground, acting just like a wheel. Finally, Dig-In Mode (position 3) delivers extra traction for those extreme snow conditions, opposite of Wheel Mode, in this setting, the rear of the tracks push down further. This not only gives the tracks maximum traction, but the angle of the tracks pitch the auger at a steeper angle into the snow bank.
Related Article: Kubota K008-3 Excavator
Power and Drive
Both Ariens Rapidtrak snowblower models are powered by the Briggs & Stratton 420CC engines. The Briggs & Stratton powerplants, dubbed Ariens Polar Force, deliver 21 ft-lbs of torque to power through the toughest of conditions. The hydrostatic drive system efficiently provides all the engine power to the wheels and tracks. Furthermore, to aid in steering, the auto turn feature allows the tracks/wheels to act as a zero-turn machine. With the hydrostatic controls, one wheel can turn forward while the other wheel is in reverse.
Our Thoughts
Snow is great for Christmas cards, sledding, and snowsports. When it comes to snow removal, the love of the fluffy white water crystals quickly subside. The features of the Ariens Rapidtrak snowblower machines should make quick work of any snowblowing projects in your future. If we weren’t in Central Florida (don’t hate us), we would definitely have one in the shop for review. We’ll be sure to line up a review with our Pro in the Michigan UP, soon.
Check out the Ariens Rapidtrak Snowblowers .
Ariens Rapidtrak Snowblower Specifications
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Rapidtrak Controls MODEL NUMBER: 926060 (28″) and 926069 (32″)
- STAGE TYPE: Two Stage
- CLEARING WIDTH: 28 in and 32 in (81.3 cm)
- ENGINE BRAND: Ariens Polar Force Pro by Briggs & Stratton
- ENGINE POWER: 420 cc (21 ft/lbs)
- STARTING SYSTEM: 120V/Recoil
- HOUSING HEIGHT: 23.5 in (59.7 cm)
- THROWING DISTANCE: 3 ft-60 ft (.9-18.2 m)
- CHUTE TURNING RADIUS: 200°
- DEFLECTOR CONTROL: Remote
- TIRE SIZE: 5.5 in (14 cm)
- TIRE TYPE: Directional Snow Tread Track
- STEERING: Auto-Turn
- DRIVE TYPE: Hydrostatic
- SPEEDS: Variable
- LENGTH: 60.3 in (153.2 cm)
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Rapidtrak Auto-turn WIDTH: 30.2 and 34.2 in (86.9 cm)
- HEIGHT: 46.6 in (118.4 cm)
- WEIGHT: 336.1 lbs and 338.6 lbs (153.6 kg)
- GEAR CASE: Cast Iron
- GEAR CASE WARRANTY: 5 Year Consumer, 5 Year Commercial
- IMPELLER PROFILE: Steel 3 Blade
- IMPELLER DIAMETER: 14 in (35.6 cm)
- AUGER DIAMETER: 16 in (40.6 cm)
- AUGER TYPE: Steel Serrated
- SKID SHOES: Commercial Skids
- SCRAPER BAR: Steel Adjustable
- PRODUCT WARRANTY: 3 Year Consumer, 1 Year Commercial
- CHUTE ROTATION: Quick-Turn
