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....

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

mml4 wrote:
It's red but has the Bolens name so perhaps it doesn't have the differential.

Paul- I clicked on the boxes at the bottom of your post but no photos came up.

Marc

mml4 wrote:
check out the following thread on how to post pictures.

http://www.abbysguide.com/ope/discussions/25867-0-1.html

How about people just admit that there isn't a decent snowblower built in this country anymore.  Its retarded.  Ariens sucks unless you like to work on them.   There, I said it.  Rig and fuss all you want.  Tweaking is for crackheads.   There's no excuse.  $100 bucks of steel, a motor, and a pump isn't that hard.  All you Ariens boyz who spew love for this piece of crap product are either in denial,  or dealers trying to protect a name, or have never used another snowblower.  MTD?  sure its junk but at least you're paying semi-junk price instead of $3000 for garbage!!!!!!!!

I was in the Ariens dealership last Friday (need a part?  of course I need a part before I sell this beast.)  and noticed the 1336dle doesn't have a motorized chute anymore, but a cable/joystick assembly.    I thought it was a good idea untill I tried the joystick.   Just when you think they can't make them any cheaper they surprise you.  And another thing:  Why do Ariens rust so fast?