I use to work for a commercial snow removal company. They owned a lot of ventrac equipments. I had the opportunity to use them. They are good equipments for the most part. But they do have some flaws. When it gets really cold out, hooking and unhooking the hydralic hoses can be a pain. Also, hooking up the drive belt system to different attachments is really not that easy. You made it look easy from the shop, where its warm and that equipment is newer, but when your out in the field its not that simple. I'll mention one more thing. One night, at the beginning of my shift, I was assigned to one of the ventrac and when I turned on the PTO to start the broom it shut the whole machine down. I'll never know what happened to it, but when I called my boss to come out to look at it they said something had seized up when the PTO is turned on. Over all they are a good equipment.
I would love to see the boss version of this system in a video and maybe bring out one of the boss reps where y’all can do a less bias head to head since y’all are both owned by Toro .Great job I want to get one of these machines but unfortunately there is no snow in Florida😂
Every company Toro has purchased has gone down hill in quality once the purchase is completed. Especially in the quality of the metal, the boss snowplows definitely showed.
Very valid points. The mammoth certainly isn’t perfect. I agree the switches aren’t in the best places. The heated hand grips should at least be added to the front bar. I think the Ariens wins for appearance. The ventrac is good as well. I’ve personally seen the belts burn up on the ssv. PTO on the ariens may be better, only time will tell. Having the engine set back on the ssv is nice for visibility but when other attachments on the front that same view is lost. With Ariens having a mainly open engine design it would be a little easier to work on. The ssv, and I’ve see it go down in the middle of a storm. Several panels had to be taken off to get at the engine. Not a terrible thing but one more step. One could also argue that the black plastic on the ariens is in the way. Overall I think both machines are good. I’ve driven both. Ventrac beat ariens to the game with the ssv years ago. Therefore they are making improvements to the machines based on user feedback. I’m sure Ariens will do the same.
Good to see a comparison. It has some very valid points but is very biased. I have worked on the Ventrac and it has a very nice operator platform. The belt drive system has been very problematic especially on the snow blower. The weight off balance issue on the Ariens is actually nice because it makes turning the machine around on hard surfaces fairly easy. They are both nice machines and this is Ariens first real season. Ariens should address some of the operator platform control issues but attachment wise Ariens has a very good snow blower, broom, and v-plow.
a 14.5hp dr field and brush multi machine makes great sidewalk machine too wich im planing on purchesing wich cost me $8,057.00thats with brush hog,lawn mower,blower and blade package with lights and hour meter
When you went to push down on each of the brooms, the SSV did have the windscreen on the back but I still think even with the windscreen off, the SSV still would have won. The amount of pressure that you put in the Ariens to have it hit the floor, was just nuts. I wouldn’t even be able to keep a coffee cup on it!
I run this machine and the hand one is way better because it will never fail the only time snow gets built up on it is with the snow blower even in a snow storm the screen does an excellent job of staying clean
Great video comparison. We run a 4500z for 7 years now and love the Gravely/Ariens Pro-Stance mowers. We’ve been torn on witch to buy. I’m glad the new SSV has a better more powerful engine. Might have to demo a newer SSV…….
@@smallblock412 yes absolutely blizzard like conditions in -25degrees or lower ice builds up or if you are forced to kill the machine outside for an hour the ventrac is the better machine I know from experience
@@tylerwiebe1999 hmmm, i've never in the history of walk behind snow blowers and their exposed engines, heard of snow build up causing any issues. but yeah sure, now it's a huge issue bahahahahaha just stop.
I own the ssv and I can run that machine for 20 hours plus in one sitting operator comfortably is insane compared to anything on the market I test a mammoth after owning the ssv for 1 year and end up buying a second ssv instead
The beginning about the engine is hilarious and really isn't necessary. Easier to work on and operators should have some knowledge of basic mechanics too. Actually, after listening to all of this.....i still prefer my multiforce and controls(geated grips are not necessary either) over both of these and really did want an ssv. Only real benefit would be 4wd in the end but not necessary.
Thanks. Good review. I have the Ariens track blower I use at my ski lodge. Does a great job. Either one these machines would be too cumbersome to maneuver there.
@@diaperjoeisaped1723 yeah i accully priced one here were im at at a dealer a diesel ventrac with heated and ac cab with 30 attachments they wanted $36,000 but cheaper then a holder c75 wich holder wanted $200,000 just with spreader,and blade them 3 things wich was rediculas