When
I first started this webpage, I said "I would like to keep this to
1960's and 1970's machines only", and that is still my main
focus..1970's machines include the 924000 and 932000 series, which
began in the 70's..but these two series also ran through all of the
1980's, all of the 1990's, and into the middle of the first decade of
the 21st century! Since I already have every model number documented up until 2004 and 2005, why not just
"finish the job" and record the models after 2005 as well? So why not..
This
page probably wont be quite as detailed as the previous model pages, it
will mainly be a list of model numbers and specs, and little more..but
time marches ever on, and snowblowers continue to evolve, so why not
keep track of the newer models as well? so here you have it.
The 924000 series was Ariens line of Full-size Sno-Thros from 1974 to 2004.
The 932000 series was Ariens line of Compact Sno-thros from 1977 to 2005.
(the 932000 series ended in 2005, for snowblowers, but two "snow brush" models, in the 932000 series,
made a reapparence for the 2008 and 2009 model years:
932514 - Sno-Brush - not a snowblower! its a brush..listed as a year 2008 model.
932200 - Sno-Brush - not a snowblower! its a brush..listed as a year 2008 and 2009 model.
Everything from 1960 to 2005 is documented on the previous pages.
2004
Before
2004, Both "consumer" full-size models, and Ariens Pro models were part
of the 924000 series. Pro models were designated with DLE suffix, to
differentiate them from the consumer models.
2005
Beginning
in 2005, the new 926000 series was introduced. This series replaced the
924000 series and again included both the Full-size "consumer" models,
and the Pro models as well. The Pro models were again designated with a
DLE suffix for the 2005, 2006 and 2007 model years.
2006
In
2006 the 939000 series was introduced, a new Compact series,
representing the smallest and simplest
"entry level" 2-stage models in the Ariens
catalog. Only
five "orange" models existed in this series,
and they only existed for four model years, 2006, '07, '08 and '09.
Models 939001, 939002, 939003, 939004, and 939300. The smallest black
Sno-Tek machines continue this series beginning in 2010. These are all single-speed machines, using the "wet sump gear drive"
Starting with the 2006 model year, Compact models were upgraded from 10" to 12" impellers.
2008
Then,
in 2008, another change. The Compact and the Full-Size models were
given a new series designation, (920000 and 921000 series) and the
926000 series became the Pro-only series.
(except for model 926027 from 2009, which is a "Deluxe" model, not a Pro model)
2009
The
2009 model year (winter of 2008-2009) marked the end of an era. This
was the last model year that Tecumseh engines were regularly used on
snowblowers! Tecumseh pulled out of the small-engine market in 2008.
Tecumseh had been the primary engine supplier for Ariens snowblowers
from the start of production in 1960 until 2009, almost 50 years. In
that time, probably 99.9% of Ariens snowblowers had Tecumseh engines on
them. (with a small amount of Briggs & Stratton engines being used
over the years) Ariens + Tecumseh equaled half a century of 100%
American made snowblowers.
But
Tecumseh leaving the market in 2008 opened the flood gates for the
Chinese engines, which before now had been making only a small headway.
Ariens first introduced the Chinese built LCT engine with the 2010
Sno-Tek line. (but many smaller Briggs engines had also been made in
China for some years before this, since 2002.) Ariens is not alone in
using the new Chinese engines..*all* manufacturers are beginning to use
them. It seems this is the wave of the future. The quality of the LCT
engines used by Ariens is believed to be very high, although other
Chinese built engines do not enjoy such a reputation.
2010
For
the 2010 model year, a new series of Compact Sno-thos was introduced,
the new Ariens Sno-Tek line. these are a new line of entry-level
machines, painted black, (the first non-orange Ariens snowblowers ever)
and are the first Ariens snowblowers with the new LCT Chinese engine.
The black Sno-Tek machines were first introduced in the Autumn of 2009,
as 2010 models.
Also beginning with the 2010 model year, No more Tecumseh engines! (see above)
Also beginning with the 2010 model year, a big change in how engines are identified!
For the past 50 years we have had engines identified by horsepower..3.5hp, 7hp, 10hp, etc..
This is now over..thanks to lawyers and a frivolous lawsuit, engine
manufacturers no longer
specify horsepower for engines! now we have
engines rated in "cc" numbers only, cubic centimeters.
2011
For
the 2011 model year, another new series of Sno-Thros was introduced,
the 916000 "AMP" Series, which is a new series of Ariens Electric mowers and 2-stage Sno-Thros! Battery powered. The
first models are the 916002 riding mower, first introduced in the
summer of '09 as a 2009 model, and the 916003 Sno-thro, first
introduced in the summer of 2010 as a 2011 model.
2011
was the first year that headlights appeared on "compact" models, and
they sported a particular style of light that was only seen on 2011
models, a "bolt on" style LED light:
Only 2011 compact machines (920000 series) and one deluxe model, had that style of light. (above)
2011 (and earlier) Full size and Pro machines had the oval in-dash light,
which was seen from (about) 2002 to 2011:
In 2012 those two light styles were replaced, and all machines got a new style light, discussed below.
2012
Some big changes for the 2012 model year! (machines introduced in the Autumn of 2011)
Details below from Ariens, posted on the "Best Snowblower & Lawnmower" site:
"All
Pro units w/120V electric start get the new commercial grade
Ariens/Briggs Polar Force Pro 21.0 ft-lb engine (420cc with secondary
balance shaft); not available on 12V key-start Pro models for 2012.
Cast iron auger gear cases will be standard on all Ariens models
(starting as low as $699 on the Compact 22) and a covered by a 5 year
limited consumer warranty. These are precision investment cast and
powder coated.
All auger gear cases for 2012 (including Sno-Tek) will be using Ariens’
new patent pending Top Loader auger gear box. This is a similar concept
as used on Rockwell military axles and Ford’s bulletproof Top Loader
transmissions; a much more rigid casting than side-load or split
housings and nearly leak proof. No gasketed casting surfaces
intersecting the oil sump, seal bores, or power transfer shafts. Oil
fill ports are also at the top and away from the sump. All parts except
the auger shaft (sealed with triple lip oil seals) are loaded from the
top of the casting and encapsulated by the easy-access inspection
cover. L3 synthetic gear oil is still standard.
Controls and control panels have been redesigned to a more contemporary
look with thicker, stronger steel, polymer bearings on all pivots,
heavier cable springs, etc (including Sno-Tek). All Ariens models have
also been upgraded to use a new high intensity halogen reflector
headlamp with a blue color-correction lens.
A 24” Deluxe has been added (921031) at a low price point; sale price
should be around $899. Remote cap, headlight, and Ariens/Briggs Polar
Force 249cc engine are standard. http://apache.ariens.com/manuals/04335900_ENG.pdf
Hand warmers were added to the Deluxe 30.
Remote cap deflector has been added to the 24” and 28” Sno-Teks (steel chutes as well) and 24” Ariens" Compacts.
Quote above (text in green) was posted by "Snowmann" (Ariens) May 13, 2011
So 2012 models have a new headlight style, new dash, and a new style gear case!
all first seen on 2012 models. (which went on sale in the Autumn of 2011)
Ariens *did* choose to use some of the same model numbers across the 2011 and 2012 model years though!
which results in machines with the same model numbers, but very
different features. (2011 vs. 2012 model years) I don't know why Ariens
chose to keep the old model numbers, when new model numbers would have
made more sense, considering the changes for 2012, but it is what it
is.
2011 model year have serial numbers below 035000
2012 model year have serial numbers above 035000
New 2012 headlight style:
New 2012 "Top Loader" gearcase style:
This brings us up to today and the current five series of Ariens 2-stage Sno-thros:
939000 series - Entry level Sno-Tek models.
916000 series - "AMP" series of electric (battery powered) Sno Thros.
920000 series - The current compact series, ("Orange" and Sno-Tek) which began in 2008.
921000 series - The current full size series, which also began in 2008.
926000 series - Full size consumer *and* pro series from 2005-2007, Then Pro models only, starting in 2008.
The data on this page is not yet complete:
I now have complete model information for 2004, '05, '06, '08, '09, '10, '11 and '12 model years.
Im only missing the 2007 model year!
(2007 model year brochure will say "copyright 2006" on the back cover, and possibly 2006 or '06 on the front)
If anyone has this brochure, please let me know! I would love to get the model numbers listed on it.
Thanks to Ray O. and Jamie T. for sending me brochures and info for the 2005 - 2010 model years!
Thanks guys! (if im missing one, I apologize, and please let me know!)
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