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

Ariens Snow Throwers are junk.!!  I purchased a model 926015 -ST11528DLE a couple of years ago from a dealer.. and have been fighting with them to replace the thing ever since. The first storm it wouldn't throw snow,  as the auger belt needed to be adjusted,,, then,,,, The drive mechansim (friction plate) stops working as snow leaks down from the engine to the plate and causes slippage. After several trips to the dealer (or former dealer as they gave up the line due to so many service issues) Ariens finially recognized there was an issue and had me go to another dealer for service where they installed a baffle cover ??that was to prevent the plate from getting wet...  Well.... let me tell you that didn't work at all.  My machine is still not working and is a piece of junk and Ariens will not replace it.. just want me to keep bringing it back to have it looked at again.    I will never ,,,,never purchase another Ariens product ever again....

mml4 wrote:
I'm interested in hearing who manufactured your snowblower since I thought only Ariens had a differential.

[edit: I just noticed that you listed your snowblower in your signature line, a TroyBuilt 42010, and I see in
the parts manual that it has a differential as you say. Interesting.]

The Ariens differential is a single self-contained unit and is not adjustable as far as I know.
At least Ariens lists it as a single item (but then so does TroyBuilt) and makes no mention
of adjustment in the service manual.

Paul

pvrp wrote:

Paul- I am the fortunate owner of a pre MTD Troy-Bilt model 42010.  It is an 824 with cast iron gearbox,a real differential,handwarmers,electric start, and a light with a switch. The unit was built for Troy-Bilt by Bolens. All of the linkages are solid rods(no cables). There are 4 zerk fittings on the auger alone.To tell you how overbuilt this thing is it weighs 290lbs and thats for a 24" machine..The warranty was 7years. The parts manual / operators manual both of which came with the machine total 50 pages with lots of references for torque settings (like 11ft/lbs on the shear bolts) and diagrams for everything. The fasteners have welded nuts,nylocks of lock washers. No self tappers to be found. Very nimble because of the differential.You would never realize it weighed almost 300lb.unless you tried to move it with the engine off.

I could go on and on but let me say that it is the exact opposite of the type of equiptment MTD is putting out using the Troy-Bilt name today. The attention to detail defies description. It is the last step in the evolution of the Bolens line of Snow Blowers.

Marc 

PS- Paul the service manual lists the procedure for adjusting the differential on p23 under the section marked "Slip Differential Adjustment"  with an illustration on the top of that page marked figure 5-12.

Bob,

I am very familiar with your unit. Why don't you give some more detail on what it is doing (or what it is not doing) so we can get your problems diagnosed. Also please include your serial number. That unit may have been built over a 2 year period and there could have been some changes over that timeframe. I'm thinking your problems are related mostly to assembly or setup, at the dealer or factory (also possibly some dealers that are less than expert).

PK

Snowmann wrote:

Snowman

Thanks for you reply..

The Machine works initially then quits after usage...usually after a couple of passes up and down the driveway... I don't horse on the machine.. Usually keep it in 1st gear, go slow and do not force into snow piles..etc... I have had the dealer adjust the cable and so have I as I am pretty mechanically inclined and can read the manual. When I am snowblowing and it quits, I can actually lift the wheels off the ground and they still move.. but don't have enough power behind them when I  place them back on the ground to drive the machine.   I talked to a person named Joy last year who had me go to the dealer and they installed a baffle cover to prevent water from leaking onto the drive assembly.......and recently received and email back from a Jim S. telling me to take the thing back to the dealer again.. Personally,,I'm tired of having it in the shop all winter...  the serial number is 000556.  I hope you have the answer !!!

Oh boy, I guess I should have searched the posts before I posted mine, but in my anger and frustation, I posted. I am having the same problem that you are.with the same model. The dealer told me that he never heard of such a thing. Paid big bucks for what is supposed to be a great machine, but I guess if I cannot get Ariens to make this good, I will be out alot of money. If you get some satisfaction, please let us know, I am about ready to drive the thing into the front window of the dealer, Oh, wait a minute, I can't because it wont drive.

VentVentVent

Brian

Brought this back into the dealer t weeks ago where they could not replicate the problem.  Of course..... Ariens then sent them a new drive plate.  Ariens also said that there were a few machines that went out of the factory with a zinc coated drive plate, that when it got wet, would slip.  They replaced this and during the last storm I didn't have a problem!!!!!!   I've been holding on on making a judgement as to whether the unit is totally fixed.... or not.... until after another good snow storm.  Those of you that are still have problems should contact Ariens and have them replace the drive plate as well as install the baffle. 

bob1031 wrote:
Excellent news Bob.

mml4 wrote:
Interesting.  A guy down the street from me is selling his immaculately maintained pre-MTD 8hp 24" Bolens snowthrower for $125.   Based on Marc's comments I feel like I should buy it just to have an example of the "way they used to build em".

As for your problems with your ariens, I don't know the answer. I replaced a miserable Toro 1128 OXE with an Ariens 11528DLE PRO and that was the best decision I made. Not one service issue with the machine!

As for the pre-MTD Troy-bilt's nothing compare's to them now! (like any other machine built ten years ago) I live in the city where Bolens originated from. Then it was Troy-bilt. Troy-bilt moved to New York and then MTD started making their products. A far cry from what they used to be. Any pre-MTD Troy-bilt or Bolens is  no comparison to what is made today.

A few months ago Simplicity shut down and moved south. We used to have two of the largest outdoor power equipment manufacturer's here in the city and now we have none! How times have changed.

Paul7 wrote:

For $125 you should seriously consider that purchase. Is it badged Bolens or Troy-Bilt? If it's red and Badged Troy-Bilt it has the differential.

Marc