A snow blower with tracks gives the best traction in icy conditions, on uneven ground or up steep inclines. However, this extra traction also adds a little extra to the suggested retail price. My buying guide for track drive snow blowers gives you a few examples to ponder before making a purchase.
Track Drive vs. Wheel Drive Snow Blowers
Compared to similar two-wheeled snow blowers, track drive snow blowers cost more to purchase. Of course, the tracks provide better grip control and safer operation on uneven terrain that the wheeled versions cannot always manage.
Putting it differently, here is my list that summarizes the topic of snow blowers with tracks vs. wheels:
- A snow blower with tracks is usually more expensive when compared to models with wheels.
- In the majority of winter weather situations, the track drive offers improved control and traction.
- The tank tracks sustain the weight of the snow blower and offer good grip and balance.
- For generally flat driveways, a wheel-driven snow blower is the best option.
- For places that only receive a minor amount of snowfall, snow blowers with tracks might be unnecessary.
- Typically, a track drive snow blower moves more slowly.
- Snow blowers with wheels are both faster and easier to move around.
- Track drive systems are more stable on uneven ground or slippery slopes.
- Tracks provide better traction for steep inclines.
- Wheels might get stuck in snow where tracks can still roll.
Overall, snow blowers on tracks perform better in snowy winter conditions than wheeled models. Be that as it may, you probably should not worry about getting a track drive snow blower if your driveway is flat and smooth.
Ariens Track Drive Snow Blower
The Ariens ST24LET snow blower on tracks weighs 222 pounds. It is 53 inches long, 26 inches wide and 43 inches high. The clearing width of its front housing is 24 inches.
It is self-propelled by an Ariens AX, 223cc, 4-stroke gasoline engine with both 120V electric start and recoil start. You do not have to mix the oil with the gas, it is not a 2-stroke engine. It has solid locked steering and Disc-O-Matic drive with six forward and two reverse speeds.
This small Ariens snow blower has a track drive system which provides good traction on slippery surfaces. The 5.5-inch wide tracks has directional snow tread tracks.
The Ariens ST24LET compact track drive snow blower has a clearing width of 24 inches. The front housing has reversible steel skid shoes and an adjustable steel scraper bar. A drift cutter kit and non-abrasive polyethylene skid shoes are available as optional accessories.
The 11-inch, steel, serrated auger cuts through the snow. Its 12-inch impeller has three steel blades which throw the snow out of the chute up to 40 feet away. The snow chute has a 205-degree turning radius, which is remotely controlled from behind the handlebars. The deflector can be deflected with a quick turn control.
The handlebars can be folded down when in storage. The Ariens ST24LET does not have hand warmers, but it can be installed as an optional accessory. It features interlocking handles for single-handed operation.
A halogen headlight provides some illumination, but you might need to add extra LED headlights to really throw some light on the working area.
The Ariens ST24LET seems to be a solid snow blower for its size. The tracks will push the machine through snow and climb up an inclined driveway like a tank. However, the tracks do make it difficult to maneuver. You have to start the machine, put it in gear and turn it while in motion. You need to turn the snow blower while it is moving, but with a little practice and some forward-thinking it becomes easier.
The Ariens ST24LET is not a fast snow blower, but this makes it safer to use. You do not want to move too fast when clearing snow. The front can be raised off the ground so that you can drive it across grass or an uneven surface.
The Ariens ST24LET needs some assembly before use. You have to attach a few cables and tighten a few screws. Attach the chute and handlebars. Add oil and gas etc.
The Ariens ST24LET compact track snow blower seems to be a strong choice for steep driveways. However, it might be difficult to turn this snow blower due to its tank tracks. Overall, it is an affordable but tough little snow blower that provides good traction for climbing inclines.
Honda Snow Blower With Tracks
The Honda HSS928ATD is a track-drive snow blower with a powerful 270cc, Honda GX 4-stroke OHV gasoline engine. Its fuel tank has a 1.3-gallon capacity. A throttle control lever provides manual control over the engine speed.
The HSS928AT model only has recoil start, while the HSS928ATD model has both DC electric key start (with an internal battery) and recoil start.
There are no gears to shift because this self-propelled snow blower has hydrostatic drive. You simply push the variable speed lever from the neutral position, either forward or backward. This increases the speed for forward or reverse movement. Adjust the lever to the position that you find the most suitable for current conditions. Steering is achieved with left and right control levers. You can even move the snow blower while the engine is off by pulling and holding both levers to put it into neutral.
The dual track drive system has cleaved rubber tracks to ensure the best grip on slippery surfaces and hills. It also provides stable traction for pushing against hard-packed snow.
The Honda HSS928ATD has a 28-inch wide auger housing with reversible skid shoes, which can be reversed when one side is wearing thin. The height of the auger housing can be moved up or down with a height control lever. A pneumatic gas strut raises and lowers the housing. Raise it when going over uneven ground, and lower it when you want to clean the snow down to the pavement.
The auger drive shaft and impeller are protected from damage by replaceable shear bolts, which break if the auger hits a solid object hidden in the snow.
The articulated chute gives you control over snow throwing direction and distance. Use your right hand for the electric joystick chute control, while engaging the interlocking drive/auger control with your left hand. Turn the chute remotely through 198 degrees. A chute clearing tool is included and stored on the auger housing if you ever need to clear wet snow or ice out of the chute.
The Honda HSS928ATD is the only snow blower I have come across which has its own DC battery for electric key starting. It also has a pneumatic gas strut which raises or lowers the auger housing at the touch of a thumb control. Hydrostatic drive makes it easy to adjust the forward or reverse speed to exactly where you want it. However, these design features and build quality does not come cheap: as a result, very few consumers will be able to afford it.
Husqvarna Track Drive Snow Blower
The Husqvarna ST327T is a 27-inch snow blower with tracks which provide better than average traction on steep slopes or hard-packed snow. It can clear snow that is up to 24 inches deep.
The ST327T has hydrostatic transmission, power steering, heated hand grips and an LED headlight. The power steering has a trigger control which makes this track drive snow blower easier to turn in snowy conditions.
The Husqvarna ST327T is a two-stage snow blower, which means it has both an auger and an impeller. The ribbon auger mixes air into the snow while cutting a path through it. This make it easier for the cast iron impeller to throw the snow away through the chute. The control panel has a lever for rotating the chute remotely through 270 degrees. Change the vertical throwing angle with the remote chute deflector lever. A clearing stick is included, so you can clear the chute with the stick and not with your hands, which can be dangerous.
The Husqvarna ST327T is shipped with both metal and non-marking plastic skid shoes. They are adjustable so that you can raise or lower the height of the auger housing and therefore the ground clearance.
This Husqvarna track type snow blower is self-propelled by a 369cc, 11 horsepower, gasoline guzzling, LCT engine with a 0.95 gallon (US) fuel tank and a quiet muffler. It has an electric starter for your convenience. Its hydrostatic drive system is infinitely variable for better control over driving forwards or backwards. There are no gears to choose, only variable speed. An interlock handle system means you can drive this machine with one hand if necessary.
In essence, the tracks provide good traction when going downhill or uphill. Just remember that you will not be able to move the Husqvarna ST327T when it is not running. It is heavy and self-propelled, so move it when in motion. The heated hand grips keep your hands warm, and the interlocking handles lets you control the machine with one hand while changing the chute direction lever with the other hand.
Conclusion
The best track drive snow blower seems to be the Honda HSS928ATD. Not only does it have both recoil start and electric key start, but also variable speed hydrostatic drive, adjustable auger height, joystick chute control and a chute cleaning tool. In addition, it has a built-in LED headlight, which is brighter and lasts longer than a halogen light. However, the Honda HSS928ATD costs a lot more than the other track drive snow blowers, and might be too expensive for most people (check price on Amazon).
The Husqvarna ST327T has power steering, hydrostatic drive, heated hand grips, an LED headlight, and is shipped with a chute cleaning tool. It is not as good as the Honda, but it gets close. Its price tag might also be a few hundred dollars less than the Honda track snow blower.
The Ariens ST24LET is the smallest, but most affordable, track drive snow blower. Yet, it does not have power steering, an LED headlight or heated handle grips (optional installation required). Nonetheless, the ST24LET is probably the best small snow blower with tracks (shop now on Amazon).
Thank you for reading my buying guide for snow blowers with tracks!
Photo by Kevin Woblick on Unsplash