Ariens launched its AX EZ-Launch EFI (electronic fuel injection) snow engine at an online press conference streaming from Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., July 19. Available with the Deluxe 30 and the Platinum 24 SHO Sno-Thro products, the new engine is the first EFI model available for snow equipment, according to Ariens.
“We launched our first Sno-Thro in 1961, and what that means is we have decades of experience in snow throwing and what products work really well and what our consumers and end users are looking for,” said Matt Medden, vice president of marketing. “What we know from those decades of experience is that our end users are looking for reliability, products that start easy and products that have a lot of power.”
The engine is designed for easy starts. The electronic system helps the machine start in colder weather. A typical carbureted engine takes five or six steps to start. The EFI takes only two steps—turning a key and pulling a chord. The EFI technology also provides fuel efficiency because it’s designed to deliver just the right amount of fuel, Ariens officials said. It also leans on an e-governor, combined with the EFI, to lower fuel use.
It’s also designed to provide consistent power and throwing performance but with a quiet idle. The company also used a closed, sealed system, which eliminates conditions where fuel gets into the carburetor and gums up, in an attempt to lower maintenance issues.
The company is targeting “people who might be a little intimidated with these machines,” according to Medden. Still, the EFI technology can make it useful for snow professionals striving for fuel efficiency.
The suggested retail price for the Deluxe 30 with EFI technology is $1,699, while the Platinum 24 SHO is $1,799. Both models come with Ariens’ standard three-year warranty.
