Ive been running efi engines on my larger mowers for 20 plus years, never once had a fuel system problem. All kohler efi engines until my current mower which has a vanguard efi. 1500 to 3500 hours on all of them before trading or selling.

 

Not an issue.
“Gummed up gas” is from exposure to air, moisture and evaporation. None of those things can occur in a closed system like EFI uses. A carburetor bowl is open to the atmosphere. A pressurized fuel injection system is not.

99% of fuel problems with carbs are from poor equipment and fuel storage habits.

 

Thanks for the replies - much appreciated!

 

I love carb engines, and at this point can darn near rebuild a carb with my eyes closed. That being said, my new Kubota has a EFI Kawasaki engine...🤣.

 

just by engine performance, EFI is more fuel efficient and allows the engine to stay at a more consistent RPM, but repair is a nightmare. you cannot do it without the computer programs that i believe is only available to dealers. high/low idle adjustments, fuel pump, fixing rich/lean problems, pretty much every fuel related issue. which sucks because 90% of engine issues are fuel related.

carbs are long run cheaper, more reliable, easy to work on/replace, and troubleshoot.

 

and allows the engine to stay at a more consistent RPM

No it doesn’t.

you cannot do it without the computer programs that i believe is only available to dealers

Nope. Anyone can get it.
Kohler has theirs available on their website.
John Deere is the only company that won’t give you access to their diagnostic information.

high/low idle adjustments,

Don’t need made/adjusted like on a carb.

fuel pump, fixing rich/lean problems, pretty much every fuel related issue. which sucks because 90% of engine issues are fuel related.

Fuel pump is just on/off and can be pressure tested without software.
Fuel trim issues are not adjustable.

Diagnostic software is only good if you know how to read the data and use it. You say 90% of engine issues are fuel related….. I say 90% of the issues people have with small engines is related to bad fuel and poor storage habits, to which EFI systems have less problems with. The system is sealed, unlike a carburetor. Fuel within the injection system isn’t exposed to air that can evaporate fuel, or the fuel absorb moisture from the air. The only real “problem” area will be the fuel tank.

 

I have two EFI Ariens snowblowers. They both recoil start and both have failed to start because or the stupid battery needed due to EFI.

 

Once the defective batts were replaced they’ve been good. Less bogging on drifts. But I carry batts like shear bolts now.

 

Are those Ariens SHO models? Or is there a nother tier for commercial?

I was torn between getting another Ariens because I know they're great (I would have gotten a SHO model I think) and the Honda. I got the Honda for $500 and feel like I got a good deal. It'll be better than my big box Ariens anyway. Neighbor has the tracked 1332 which is more than I'd ever need. I've used it though and it throws nicely.

I don't need the best for personal use. But it's gotta be better than my last Toro 2-stage.

 

Go with the SHO. Throws everything including slush that the Hondas will clog on. Never had one clog. I got the 2 of the platinum 24 EFI and a Platinum Great Lakes 24 on the way. For tight areas plows can’t access.

Wanted the new electric chute on a 24 or would have gone carb this time.

advantages of EFI not enough to warrant $$$$ vs carb on these units and I still got to worry about a dead batt even with recoil because of the EFI.

 

I didn't want to spend the bank on a sho. We'll see how the Honda works down here. If I'm not happy I'll sell it and pony up next year. I can't seem to get it right.

Since 2005 I've gone from

an old ariens to a used KAWASAKI Prairie 360 w/plow, back to an Ariens (new) for 12 years. Had heart and the knee replacement surgery so wanted to get off my feet and went to a Polaris with plow, then to the 2 stage toro and now the Honda.

Might have to hire it out.

 

SHO is worth the $$$ if you need small frame blower. These were best at maneuverability though

 

Someday you’ll move up to equipment you don’t have to get covered in snow to run.

 

Only time I get out of the truck now is if there's a line at the drive-through, to piss or or to stop for a 30 min massage.. Snowblowing is for the younger crowd. Dont even carry a single in the bed.

 

What!? You don’t carry a piss bottle in the truck?

 

Some stuff he posted on here in the past. Maybe he's not now.

 

you kids are so scared of your wives that you can't even go to the drive-thru, get a massage, or get out of the truck to pee on your plow routes?

I have one guy, subcontracted, who drives a gently lifted Rubi with a light plow. Poor guy gets an allowance from his wife and he has to submit his plow route to her so she can verify the mileage and gps locations.

 

It isn't about being scared. It's about respect. Something you apparently don't have for yours, if in fact you are marries now.

 

Yawn.

Fuel injection is likely the most substantial utility enacted on an ice but not sure it holds many benefits on a small-frame snowblower. Granted the power dips are less and fuel consumption may well be better but overall the price points v carbed overwhelm any gains. Seems more a marketing gimmick for Ariens and possibly a real selling point to homeowners who don't seem to know how to add Stabil to their tanks.

I'm getting another EFI cause Great Lakes Edition just sounds cool, the joystick chute looks fun and my wife has no say.