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

The auger belt on my Ariens ST1136 went bad so I set out to replace it. I went with a Ariens belt from an Ariens dealer (72130) and while I was there I picked up a traction belt (72131). I replaced the two belts following the owner's manual and the belts seem to fit fine. The issue is the drive is not engaging. The traction drive worked fine before the belt change with what looked like a non-OEM belt. Any ideas? I thought that replacing both belts while I had the machine apart would be the way to go, but now I am thinking of putting in the old belt.

A new belt shouldn't cause any problems unless it is not the same size as the original belt - length and width. Or possibly you mis-aligned or damaged a tensioner or something. Does the belt have reasonable tension? Did you inadvertently disconnect or change the adjustment on the linkage to the drive belt?

yeah..... That's a question you should have asked before changing it. Have you looked to see if the drive pulleys are spinning? If they are, there might be a contamination issue with the friction disk or possibly part of the drive engagement mechanism might be jammed or out of adjustment. Personally, I've never had the need to replace the drive belt in twenty plus years of snow thrower use. That was on two Craftsman 10 h.p. machines. For some reason, the drive belts seem to last for ever unless they are damaged some how. I'd refrain from changing them if they appear sound and aren't causing any drive issues.

Ironically, this just happened to me also Ramper! It does appear to me that what  Hobkirk says may be the issue, I inadvertently may have have disconnected something.

In my situation, the drive wheel isn't making any contact w/ the rubber wheel, I push the drive  handle down, follow the mechanisms associated w/ it and it doesn't seem to engaging the drivewheel up against the rubber wheel (which doesn't appear to be worn too much itself)..froze up..or something else. I will keep you posted If I can determine the cause. Luckily my old trusted Snapper I keep as a back up ran like a champ, as we have gotten some snow the last couple of days here in CNY.

Update

When I took the bottom cover off I found the problem.  The drive pulley sheared.  It was completely off the shaft.  I am picking up a new pulley today and hope that will be the only issue.  I am guessing that the new belt was tight (the correct size, just tight) it just was too much for the old pulley.