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

ARIENS 13 hp 1336,#924506.

This snowblower has electric shute, electric key start, (has a battery about as large as a lawn tractor.)

Also has heated handles.

This snowblower was bought new from Home Depot. Paid 2499. It was outside on display.

They couldn't find the owners manual that usually comes with it when we bought it. 

We've had problems with this from day one.

The electric motor that turns the shute, was not sealed properly, filled up with water, from the melting snow, and seized the

motor. The machine would not move under it's own power. The adjustment was made so it now moves, but it will

not throw snow more than 6 inches, which clogs the shute. If I tip it back and let it go, it shakes the snow loose and the

snow starts to move.  I watch the Auger  shaft on the side of the machine. It turns very slowly at first, then picks up speed.

I don't know what kind of grease to use on the fittings. Is there more than one kind for outdoor equipment?

Is there anyone out there that has this manual.  I have tried the Ariens site, it says the manual is not available. This

is the third winter I have had this machine.  It's not that old.  I can find more on other sites, like a schematic for parts, but

not the actual manual.

I am new to mechanics. I did take the cover off. The auger belt didn't appear to be bad.  appeared like soot, from a belt rubbing.

No glazing on the belt.     I tried to adjust the adjuster both ways with no luck.  There is almost no pressure on the belt when I squeeze the handle. The other way there is no contact with the belt at all.

This explains why the snow doesn't move??

ej in NH

What can anyone tell me.

Does anyone know of a place where I can get a manual for this machine??

<rant>
Finding the manual  should be an easy, brain dead simple sort of thing, its not.

I just had a look at the Ariens web site and it looks like the web designers were forced to listen to the sales types in the design and layout of the site, its now really hard to find stuff you want. but does look nice for the first 30 seconds.

On the old site when you looked at the current offerings there were links to the manuals, it may not have been the exact manual but it was close enough for most questions. Now you have to navigate around in the service area and type in a model and serial number. If you don't have either you are out of luck for even trying to find it - Serious user interface stupidity, especially the serial number requirement. If I'm trying to help someone I may not have the exact model number much less the serial number. To add insult to injury its not required, its just "nice" to have. Obvious, alternate methods of access to the manuals would make things a bunch easier.

Ariens web site people, if you want help my rates are reasonable. I will work for snow throwers
</rant>

When snow is not coming out of the chute the things to check, after you turn off the engine and disconnect the spark plug,are:

1. Use a stick to push the augers and see if they rotate, if they do then one or more shear pins need to be replaced;
2. Take the pulley cover off and check the belt tension.
1. The traction system should have no slippage, the clutch is further on down the gear train to the wheels.
2. The auger/impeller system normally has an idler wheel that controls the tension of the belt such that it slips when the control is not engaged and doesn't slip when the control is engaged. The position can be adjusted to achieve this unless the belt is worn out. If you can't get it to engage with the wheel pushing the belt in as far as possible then it is time to get a new belt. When you put the new belt on adjust the tension, run the auger with no load for 5-10 minutes and then adjust the tension again.
3. If the belts are OK try turning the impeller with the auger control engaged, if it will still turn then you will probably need to take it in to a servicing dealer. This is very unlikely

I tend to lean away from the motorized chute idea since it looks like something that might break and be hard to fix. What it does is rather simple. At the same time if it works reliably in icey conditions I can see how being able to easily switch the chute at the end of a run would very nice. The big thing is reliable, long lasting, easy to maintain if its not all three then I'm not interested.

Check http://apache.ariens.com/manuals/024941E_ENG.pdf ; I have the exact same model as you with the exact same problem. I have a 5-year older 1336 that doesn't exhibit these problems. Ariens has changed something. I would suggest following the auger belt adjustment as described in the manual, particularly the part about removing slack in the auger cable.If that cable is taught, it has the effect of putting greater tension on the auger belt, assuming the auger idler pulley is properly adjusted. That belt gets it's "traction" from the sides and what you're seeing is the rubber wearing off the sides. Maybe it's the belt quality that has slipped, or maybe the belt/pulley assembly is undersized for the amount of snow being pulled into a 36" unit, in any case I suggest doing what I am going to do, go the the customer service section of their website and ask a technical question, they claim to be committed to helping.