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

So I go to home depot and decide to go all out and buy the Ariens 11528...which I don't really need by the way...isn't that always the way it is?  So anyways, I bring home the first one, pull it out of the box, assemble it and start it.  I start to run the checks and see that the auger/impeller still turn at full speed even when the right clutch/brake is released.  In the manual it tells you to check the length of the spring depressed and released...the machine is within tolerance.  I open up the belt cover and start tinkering with the idler.  I move it to the other hole closer to the sheath, tighten everything and try her again.  Same thing.  I load up the dud and bring it back to HD and request a new one as it has only been 12 hours of ownership.  They give me another one, I bring it home and do the setup again out of the box...this time in a quarter of the time.  Can you believe the exact same problem???  Am I missing something here?  Basically in both cases, when the clutch is depressed nothing really happens.  Obviously the brake is not making contact.  Anyways, in my opinion this is pathetic.  It is my first blower, I was told to buy an Ariens, but this doesn't sit well with me.

Maybe I should buy the used 10 year old Ariens 1032 I looked at last week...they certainly don't make things like they used to!!!

I have an older 11528 and it hasn't presented a problem with adjusting the clutch/brake. When you release the clutch/brake handle, is there slack in the cable? There should be. If there is slack, and the auger/impeller still turns, then it sounds like further adjustment is needed to place slack in the belt.  Is there anyone at your Home Depot who does set up on these and can provide advice? If not, I'd try contacting Ariens at their technical assistance page which is at http://www.ariens.com/customer_service/contact_us/technical_service/

So after many days of grief, I discovered that the connector at the end of the cable that attaches to the assembly drive was installed upside down from the factory on both units.  I undid the cable from the clutch handle, turned the attachment around and viola!  I wonder how many serial no's will be affected by this mess???  Certainly not the safest error on the factories part!

That's Ariens QC for you!!!

Had blowby a few years ago, because the Chute was poorly designed!!!

I don't think they ever tested  that design befor putting the snow blower on the market.

They had to have complaints first!!!

Then sent out the Modified chute!!!

                                                            Fred

I'm glad you discovered the problem. I too had a factory set up problem which was with the chain drive system. The blower has performed well the two winters I used it. Haven't had it out at all this winter so far.

scooterguy wrote:
Scooterguy,

I'm not sure I'm understanding you. The (right side) auger cable has a die cast eye at the control paddle and a spring with a sheperds hook at the other (bottom) end. It cannot be installed upside down. Please clarify.

PK

Is that what you call that thing...a shepard's hook.  I have had a hell of a time trying to describe this thing.  Anyways, the "shepard's hook" was installed upside down.  This resulted in the cable being about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch too tight.  cheers

    keep in mind of where most people buy these units, home depot  , lowes, menards  etc.  you are going to get "what you deserve" when purchasing from a chain like these. sure they may be $200.00 or so cheaper than an actual dealer but the units are not put together correctly, test ran  etc.  how about warranty registration.  here in minnesota we are a servicing and sales dealer for toro.  each unit is put together by myself or the other mechanic, test ran all cables adjusted , belt tightened  etc.   if the customer has any questions he/she can talk directly to the mechanics who are up to date on any problems with any unit.  i register the unit for them while they wait.  i get so many units in the shop from these chain stores and what do you know  none of them get resistered.  the customer then tries some sort of action form home depot and basically they get told  thanks for your money  see ya.    buyer beware

mech12 wrote:

AMEN BROTHER!

See the newbie/oil thread. You get what you pay for...

Marty

Mech12, I can't say that I agree with you.  I bought this unit and assembled it out of the box myself.  The issue with both of these machines came from the factory, it had nothing to do with HD.  I'll take a $300 savings and a better return policy anyday from HD.  If you bought this at your average shop, you'd pay through the nose.  IF you had a defective unit they'd only fix yours.  HD would have continued to give me a new unit until they ran out...and then they'd send you to another store.  In my opinion, this mishap had nothing to do with HD. 

Scooterguy,

Last year, I bought 2 Toro 2450 GTS snowblowers last year from HD, on sale, 50% off, $250.00 each ! ! ! !

Assembled them myself, ran like a precision clocks !!!

 Gave them to 2 of my sons !!

I think Ariens QC is going down hill trying to compete with MTD !!!!!       

   IMHO !!!

                                          Fred