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

My father recently purchased the Ariens 11528 Snowthrow.  I noticed that the drive pulley (on engine driveshaft, closest to engine) is extremely misaligned with the large driven pully and idler pulley.  I have read on this forum that to adjust, you loosen the set screw(s) on the drive pulley(s) on the engine shaft.  I have looked for these set screws (even in the pulley groove) and have not found them.  The only bolt it has is on the end of the engine shaft.  How do you align the pulley(s)? Thanks for your replies.

As this machine is new, take it back to the dealer for warranty. If there is a defect he can take care of it. You might get it adjusted but you'll be masking the problem. If you accidentally damage something dealer might not cover that as part of warranty.

Best bet, take it back to be fixed.

If its the drive pully pull on the clutch lever and see if it lines up. The drive wheel is regularly slightly missalined, whenyou pull it the wheel comees in contact with another and they are in the lined up position. If it is the Augur belt that should be lined up.

I'd do what BBGarage suggests and see what that shows. You might be able to adjust the engine pulley by using shims between the engine and pulley If it needs to come aout a bit), but I'd check with the dealer first.

One of my gripes about Ariens is that I don't think they always make sure their manuals keep up with the changes made from year to year on their various models. The pulleys on my 11528 that I bought in the Fall of 2004 are lined up OK, but I think the owner's manual and even the repair manual contradict the parts diagram and either have a misprint or were not updated from the previous model which I think did have set screws on the lower drive pulley (not the engine pulley). The instructions for mine to align the pulleys are to loosen the set screw on the lower pulley, but they don't exist. My machine does have two set screws on the engine pulley, but the instructions, at least as printed, don't say to loosen those to make the alignment.

It would be interesting to have Snowmann comment on this. question.

Yes, when the drive lever is operated, the pulleys are in better alignment, however, it's still about a beltwidth out of alignment.  The drive system lower pulley does not seem to be adjustable, on a very short shaft.

By the way, bought from Home Depot, I'm sure they will be a great help.  Maybe I'll just tell Dad to take it back for a refund.

When the clutch is engaged, the belt alignment should be fairly close. A belt width is not close. There are several sets of mounting holes in the top of the engine deck for various engines. The set of holes for the 318cc Tecumseh engines is exactly the same as that for the Tecumseh 358cc OHV except it is forward by about  .220". My guess is that the engine and mounting straps were placed into the wrong set of holes (11.5hp engine in the 13hp holes). These holes overlap some and connect kinda like a figure 8. This is rare but I've seen it a few times. I have pictures where you can identify whether the engine is in the right postion or not without removing the engine, but won't be able to get them to you until tomorrow. You could remove the belts and unbolt the engine, lift it up a bit and check whether the engine straps are in the front or the rear of the figure 8 slot. You could also measure some reference points (frame feature versus engine base) and compare them to another unit to see if they are different. If they are in the wrong position you can remove the engine and move the bolt straps forward. You can use a hammer and screwdriver to push the rivet forward in the slot, then re-mount the engine. Let me know if this is not the problem.

PK

Snowmann wrote:
Thanks for the info.  It will be a few days until I can check Dad's machine.  I look foward to the pictures.

Noodlerooney,

I've got the photos. PM me your email address and I'll send them. Unless someone with more knwoledge than I can post them for me?

PK

Thanks Snowmann.  I took the liberty of posting the pictures you sent me.