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

Hi all,

So far this winter I’ve had the opportunity to use my new Ariens 1152LE about a half a dozen times. As this is the first snow machine I’ve ever owned, it’s taken me at least that many times out to figure out the best way to clear my driveway.

My approach is to come straight out of the garage to the EOD, turn it around and head straight back to the garage. Once there, I disengage the auger and the drive and simply roll/pull the machine back down a gradual slope to the EOD. Once there, I engage the auger and drive and blow forward (I have a two car drive that’s about 40 feet long). I repeat this process until the job is done (8-9 passes).

My question is, will this continuous rolling the machine back over and over have any negative impact on it? Note that I don’t put it in reverse to do this; I simply let the unit roll back. 

Chuck

Chuck1 wrote:
Chuck,
    I don't think anyone "frowns" on unlocking a wheel per se, we just have acclimatized our selves to leaving the wheels locked for more traction.  It sounds to me as if your pattern is really the cause of your issue.  IF you find you do need/want to keep both wheels locked, try this on a turn.  As you approach the turn around area, come down into first or second gear to slow you down.  Then just put weight into the opposite side of the machine from the direction you want to turn(I weigh bout 210, so to turn my 824 doesn't take alot of effort) with the drive engaged.  I can turn my 824 around in about(maybe even a little less than) 1/2 the width of a SINGLE lange driveway(I do it all the time, as my drive is a single width for about 1/2 it's length)  If you get too close to the house, car, etc, put it into reverse 1 and continue, sort of like a "K" or 3-point turn in a car, or if you had a refrigerator on an appliance dolly and wer going around a corner.  It's not like turning it with one wheel unlocked at all- it 's a much more brute force kind of effort.  Anyway, if you clear turn arounds of the right size, and once you perfect the technique, you'll be able to spin that bad boy around on a dime.  I've gotton to the point where i can do it one handed as I crank the chute.