Ariens RapidTrak Hydro Pro 28 Snow Thrower.

[Garandman]

Ariens RapidTrak Hydro Pro 28 purchased new in 2016 or 2017. Serviced in 2018.

Purchased as a backup to a tractor for a NH ski house but very seldom used: maybe 20 hours total. Even the powder coating in the chute is still intact. Seen almost no salt. No-Ethanol fuel used. Machine has been transported to Boston. May be able to deliver (inside 495) for nominal amount.

This machine has a Briggs & Stratton 420cc engine with 21 lb ft of torque. Starts readily by hand even in coldest weather but has electric backup. RapidTrak system has the traction of a track machine but is much easier to maneuver and can be moved with engine off. Safety wired the key to the machine s it can’t be lost.

Asking $2,800 or best offer. Cash only. Consider trades for a Ski Doo two stroke trail machine in good condition, plus or minus cash. Consider trades for a Honda or Yamaha middleweight (600-900cc) standard motorcycle with ABS, plus or minus cash.

[LuvDog]

Hmmmm... Honest question.

I have a Pro 28. What would be the advantages to going with the rapid trak? Would it be worth it for me?

[Garandman]

Hmmmm... Honest question.

I have a Pro 28. What would be the advantages to going with the rapid trak? Would it be worth it for me?

• Hydrostatic drive allows infinite speed selection.
• RapidTrack is easier to drive through EOD and probably better on surfaces other than pavement.
• This machine has a B&S while they now use an LCT engine of identical displacement and power.

Without knowing details like typical snowfall, length and width of drive, size of typical EOD piles etc. there’s no telling how much time and effort you would save.

After owning five wheeled disk machines, the last two purchased are hydrostatic tracked machines, and the results have warranted the extra cost for me.

The Pro 28 MSRP is currently $2,598, Hydro RapidTrak $3,599.

[tsorfas]

Hmmmm... Honest question.

I have a Pro 28. What would be the advantages to going with the rapid trak? Would it be worth it for me?

If you’re just doing your flat paved normal size driveway you don’t need this.
That’s the simplest answer I can think of.

[Garandman]

If you’re just doing your flat paved normal size driveway you don’t need this. That’s the simplest answer I can think of.

Thanks for the thread bump.

He already has a $2,800 machine with 21 lb ft of torque. That does not sound like a “flat paved normal size driveway” application.

Have you used these machines?

[tsorfas]

Yes. I pretty much have (almost) every Ariens from deluxe SHO and up

What you have is an extremely capable machine and it’s priced very well. I wasn’t knocking it by any means.

[Gixxer]

Yes. I pretty much have (almost) every Ariens from deluxe SHO and up

What you have is an extremely capable machine and it’s priced very well. I wasn’t knocking it by any means.

This thing is sick.

I have a 30” non-sho. I think I should have gone 28”SHO. Do u agree?

[tsorfas]

Last comment because this ain’t the purpose of a FS thread but yes. I only buy SHO models and Pro.

[Momoney7878]

What sort of maintenance does this machine require?

[ZX-12R]

What sort of maintenance does this machine require?

Nothing really different than any other snow blower. Keep the oil changed and lubricate the grease fittings occasionally. The hydrostatic transmission doesn't require service although I ended up replacing mine due to a fluid leak. The part was less than I expected so I replaced it and bought the replacement part to fix my original one so I have a ready spare now.

The only other issue I had was a bearing on the drive axle let go so I replaced all of them while I had it open. My Hydro Pro is a fair bit older than this one and has certainly seen more use. It's a beast and I don't regret buying it.

[Garandman]

What sort of maintenance does this machine require?

Pretty standard.

• Rinse off salt (we don’t use any in NH)
• Change oil every 25 hours or seasonally.
• Pull shear pins, grease zerks, rotate augers on shaft.
• Adjust scraper bar and skid shoes.
• Drain carb float bowl at end of season (running it “dry” - isn’t)
• Check hydro fluid level. No belts or friction disc to replace.

Replaced the plug as a precaution because it is so cold at 1,400 feet. Started it manually at -5 recently so all good. The local station has no Ethanol fuel so used that, which avoids Ethanol problems.

Started using the DuPont Snow and Ice Repellent and that has worked best of many experiments.

It’s going back up to NH tomorrow but is still available. I was hoping someone had a good two stroke snowmobile to trade as our 2007 Yamaha has not been great when seldom used.

Owner’s manual