Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I purchased an Ariens 11528LE at Home Depot as you may remember, and basically had to resetup the machine, because it was not assembled correctly.  After spending hours getting the chute controls to work perfectly, and waxing her, I got the chance to run her in her first snow storm and she died.  She ran fine for about 20 minutes, started sounding very rough, before I could shut her down I heard a loud bang, after which oil came flowing from the block like a river.  After talking to my local service guy, who happens to live in the neighborhood, she was diagnosed with a blown piston, a cracked block, and pronounced dead.  I returned her to Home Depot, and they were not happy about taking her back, even though it had been less than 30 days.

I saw that blowers are now on sale there for 20% off at HD.  I think I overbought with the 11.5hp.

Anyone have experience with the 7 or 9 hp model Ariens?  My drive way is single car width 75feet long opening to double wide in front of my garage, and I have 100ft of sidewalk.  Could I get by with a 7hp living just north of Boston near the water?  I used to own a Ariens 824 and loved that machine.

Anyone have any experience with the 7hp Ariens with heavy wet snow?

Any help would be appreciated.

MikeSnow wrote: I live in Boston and used to live in Marblehead. The new 7.5 hp machines are Compacts, much smaller than the 824 you had. The older 7hp machines work but 8+ works better.

I'd guess based on talking to dealers and seeing what's in stock at most HD's that the 926LE accounts for 1/2 to 2/3rds of the machines sold around here.

The wet concrete AKA snow we get near the ocean - often saturated by rain after falling - only gets blown 5-10 feet but the machines handle it well - especially compared to shovelling! You won't get the plumes of snow that folks inland get, but they move it fine. I put a coat of automotive wax inside to prevent sticking, others use anything from ski wax to Pam or WD40.

newjerseybt wrote:
Here's a fix for that safety issue. Caution - this topic has generated considerable comment on this forum - use at your own risk!

http://home.comcast.net/~johnedavies/page5.htm

John Davies
Spokane WA

Good idea!  I  am afraid to do the mod until I am out of the 3 year warrant though.

JohnEDavies wrote:

looks like a good fabrication, i would hold off until the warranty is over,  might impede the exhuast from coming out full flow possible,you might consider add a top so it blows down and away.  Not sure if the older models have the option but my new 926LE can lock or unlock either wheel with the pin.  Simply freeing the other wheel might be the easiest solution, although mine seems to manuever ok w/ both locked when its on the snow.  Just some simple ideas/tweaks :)

Hello Mike,
I read your post and I can empethize with your problem somewhat as my Brand new Toro alss suffered a recent failure - although not nearly as catastrofic as yours (see my new post on this forum). Anyway I live in MA too. Boxborough, just west of Acton and Concord. My concern from your post is that my Toro has the same 11HP Tecumseh Snow King engine that your Ariens does. I agree with he fellow that said that you should NOT get a machine such as this at HD. For that much dough you should buy from a reputable outdoor power equipment company - where the people know what they are doing and mechandise is not 'recycled' - that DEFINATELY happens at places like HD.

I would get Ariens and Tecumseh involved in your issue as well. They both have toll free numbers. Explain what happened and see what they say.

Paul

I went snow blower shopping today and was amazed at the price difference between 926LE at Home Depot for $799 and the 926DLE at my local dealer for $1,599.  I guess I will be buying an 926LE at home Depot, because an $800 difference I can not justify between the two machines.  I understand the differences in the machines from this forum and the brochure, but at that price, I could buy two, and have one standing by for when the first one breaks, for less than the cost of the pro model..

I checked out the 7524E, but am afraid it would not have the weight or power to cut through the heavy stuff at the end of my driveway left by the plow.  Nothing worse than buying a blower and then discovering she is just not capable of doing what you want her to do.  I learned that lesson on my 11hp craftsman, which is why I sold her.

I think I need the threat of a major snow storm to kick my butt into gear and buy one. 

Thanks for all of your valuable advice guys!

Mikesnow,

If you wait for a big snow, all the blowers will be sold!!

Buy now, with no snow !!

                                                                                    Fred

mike have you considered buying an 1128LE at a dealer?  Most dealers also sell the 926LE too not just the pro.  I'm sure the dealer would set up an 1128LE find and doubt u would have an oil problem.

I mean engine problem :P

I visited 3 local dealers, and none of them had a 11528LE or were willing to order them.  They kept telling me it was the end of the season and I should have started looking at snowblowers back in August/September, thanks for the advice guys, maybe I should start shopping for air conditioners now.  All 3 had the 926DLE Pro at $1,599, and the other machines in the pro line.  I think I am going to roll the dice and buy a 926LE at a different Home Depot this weekend, re-setup the machine myself, double check the oil, and see how she runs.  I will never touch a reconditioned machine after that last machine.