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

While on parts radar looking for things I came across "526025: 8.5-11.5 Belt Improvement Kit" for my snowblower. Does anyone know what this kit does and what it looks like? I'm wondering if it's worth trying to order.

OHUQTU wrote:

"I can tell you that slush will cause auger belt destruction in a short time."... Do really think so? I've been using snow throwers for almost as long as you and I have found that a properly adjusted belt will pretty much stall the engine before it even slips. Keep the belt properly adjusted and it will handle anything you throw at it. I can see a dual belt system being more tolerant of mis-adjustment but I doubt that it's a necessary requirement. I know I haven't had any situations yet that made me wish I had a dual belt system.

I agree that proper belt adjustment is very important....but with a higher hp engine ( above 10 hp) and the standard 1/2" belt with a full load of slush puts a strain on the belt, and if its done for hrs,
 duel belts are the only way to go. Belts are the weak point in the system .

How much is the kit?

whitetail wrote:

Dual belts might prolong belt life to some degree but I doubt that it does anything to enhance performance. I'm not saying that it's not a nice feature. If I had it on my machine, I wouldn't be taking it off. On the other hand, I certainly will not pay to put a dual pulley/belt system on. Don't see a need for it. My machine goes for hours and a multiple tanks of fuel, pumping heavy wet snow without a hiccup. Last March 31st, we received 30" of heavy wet snow. My Simplicity burned close to three tanks of fuel, one right after the other clearing three big driveways as well as the EOD snow deposits. I was pretty much beat by the time I had finished the work but the Simplicity with it's single belt/pulley system was still moving snow as if it were brand new. So the question is, with that kind of performance, do we really need two pulleys and two belts?

I have an Ariens 11.5hp sno-thro that's a few years old.  The model number is 926002.  Is there any way to know if a dual auger belt kit will work on my machine?  I went to Ariens web site but couldn't find the answer there.

Ariens just e-mailed me 72600700 dual belt kit for my 2006 1128 LE.  IMHO, the unit lacks a creeper speed which makes removing heavy wet snow a problem with impeller and chute clogging and stretching out the single belt.  They now have this dual belt system that's supposed to be an improvement.  I have on order and will have to see.  I'm also considering a Clarence Impeller Kit that review rate highly for increasing throwing ability in wet snow.  I have an old simplicity that handles the wet snow better (10 hp 32") than this newer Ariens (11.5 hp, 28").  One reason is the creeper speed so the unit has time to process the wet snow, also has added 400 rpm kick in under heavier loads.  Ariens needs to pick it up a notch and take a lesson from simplicity. 

Rex1 wrote:

   What is "creeper speed"?  You seem to be refereing to some seperate gear or option other than 1st, the slowest selection of the standard friction disk and drive plate type. 

ALSO:

   You said the 1032 also had a 400 rpm kick.  How did that happen in the 1032?  What factory model number was that?

Circa 1995 simplicity 10hp 32".  An absolute beast in heavy snow.  I had to put my Ariens 1128le back today.  It needs this new dual belt kit.  Simplicity unit kicks in additional rpm when you hit heavy wet snow.  Did 5 driveways with the Simplicity without a hiccup (18" of snow last night).  Creeper speed is a super slow ground speed that gives the auger time to process the heavy snow.  You  especially need this at the end of the driveway where the plow piles up the icy heavy stuff.  Dual belt kit and upgrade chute kit on order for the Ariens 1128 LE.  Hopefully arrive and installed before the next snow and will give the Ariens another go.  Ariens 1128 LE has great features but up to now it has been nothing but a failure in the heavy snow removal.  Ariens has larger diameter auger than Simplicity and for some reason isn't performing properly despite several trips to a dealer for adjustments.  Looks to me like the auger belt is stretched out.  I've barely used this Ariens unit since buying it at HD 4 years ago.  It's very difficult to adjust ground speeds properly.  I gave up 1 reverse speed to get a creeper speed (sometimes kicks back into reverse because it's on the borderline).  IMHO, Simplicity is better with heavy snow.

Rex1,

   From what you wrote you make it sound like Simplicity has some special stuff.

 

   Simplicity does not have a special mechanism to kick in an additional “400 RPM” on loading.  It has the same governor mechanism other engines have and nothing related to specific values of RPM.  No extra boost.  It has a governor.

 

   By “creeper speed:” you’re referencing first or slowest speed which all machines have so nothing special.  Your moving your friction disk to be so close to the center is not so good for the life of the friction disk.  It would be better to back off from the center for a reasonable slow and take a lesser cut.  If you cut 28 wide at a very slow speed or take a lesser cut at a faster speed your overall clearing time will be approximately the same.  You’ll tax your friction disk and engine less by loading it reasonably and move along at a comfortable speed.  The lesser cut less loading allows the engine to run more comfortably at a higher rpm keeping up the tossing distance.  Seems like you’ve stretched out your belt by overdriving and overloading.

I've been blowing snow for years.  The Simplicity 1032 does have a governor that kicks in under heavier loads and works very well without stretching out the auger belt.  I don't have to take a 1/2 cut either because it does have a super slow creeper speed.  Suggesting 1/2 cut at higher speeds to me doesn't mean equal performance.  I've adjusted the Ariens 1128 LE down to a slower forward speed (not as slow as the Simplicity), but maybe it will be enough with the on order dual belt auger upgrade kit.  IMHO right now the Ariens 2006 1128 LE isn't performing up to the level of my older 1032 Simplicity, and not even satisfactorily in our recent snows in CT.  It's in storage until this dual belt upgrade kit arrives and is installed.  I've adjusted it to go slower by giving up 1 of the reverse speeds (which I don't really need anyway).  I like the release to make turns easier, the heated handles are nice, but performance less than what should be expected from a unit with more HP  and a larger impeller.  I see no point in just replacing the current stretched out auger belt if a replacement will suffer the same fate in a short time.  I'll wait and see if this dual belt kit gives the performance that should be expected from this 1128 LE