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

I've been using Ariens snowblowers all my life, so I'm pretty disappointed with my 2004 8526LE so far.  When I received it, one of the shoe bolts was stripped out and the shoe would not stay adjusted.  Ariens sent me a couple new ones, which I was happy with.  However during the big blizzard, I noticed my wheel drive was very sluggish, I had to push the thing to get it going forward, and as soon as it hit any resistance, it would stop.  I had fully tensioned and adjusted everything after the initial 15 mins but figured maybe there had been some stretching.  Brought it in to inspect, the pivot point where the drive cable connects (sticks just out of the body) was not pivoting, it was just hanging around in there loose.  Wasn't like that when I got it for sure.  Took it all apart, found the bolt with no cotter pin sitting in the bottom.  So it apparently had been slid through and no pin ever put on (the bolt was stuck in some ice on the bottom, with no pin in sight).  Of course this caused a lot of wear to the friction disc and there is rubber all over the friction plate now.  So I also needed to change the oil last night, and while it was draining I decided to inspect other parts again with a fine tooth comb.  I am missing a bolt that holds the dipstick tube support and the front of the carb cover in place, my starter has a horrible looking electrical connection that I had to re-do (it stopped working during the storm, I thought it was Ice, guess not) and in general all kinds of stuff was loose.

I bought it in the crate as it came from Ariens, unopened, so this was not a dealer assembly issue.  Pretty disapointed for $1000.....  I mean I looked it over when I got it and did the adjustments, but I had no idea I had to rip the entire thing apart and inspect the inside too.  Sheesh.

Now that its all fixed it works great, would drive itself through a brick wall, its not the quality of the product itself that bothers me, more the quality control of the assembly.  So at the beginning of next year looks like I'll need a new friction disc already and spend some time removing the rubber off the plate.  Oh well.

-Dave

Richie wrote:
Richie,

As you know or, may not, Dan's first lieutenant in engineering does frequent the site and I imagine he has Dan's ear. They have always been responsive  when a problem arises. Unfortunately, quality control isn't a simple friction disc or something you can put your hands on and design better. It usually takes changes in quite a few thing internally and of course, time.

I would really like to hear from everyone that had a problem that was not related to something a dealer should have handled during prep.

Hi everyone:

I am going to add some fuel to the fire....I have had some issues with the design and manufacturing quality with my Ariens product. 

I purchased my 1028 deluxe for $974 on 2/1/03.  Since this time I have had to correct manufacturing tolerance errors on two occasions and two design flaws. 

As some of you may recall, I posted problems with the chain tensioner and the distortion that it created on the side case.  I am currently having parts machined to correct this and will post my solution here when complete, as I am sure current owners might want to make this modification after the warranty runs out.

Other problem have been with the clutch bracket rubbing up on the housing, (Wrong spacer size) and having to monkey with the drive belt idler to get it centered on the belt.  Each of these problems are non adjustable.

I had a very eloquent description to this but appearantly type too slow and timed out....

bbwb

Hi BB,

You're actually having components fabricated rather than have Ariens send you a replacement part, I would have loved to see photos of all this before and after you complete the repair.  That's great you have access to a machine shop that is willing to do that kind of work.  Maybe you can post photos when you're done.  Good luck with that! 

Hi Richie:

When I contacted Ariens about this, they were very responsive and sympathetic to my problem, but, because I was the only one to complain about this problem, I am left all alone in the life boat as it were.  I so far have been using "off the shelf" parts not only from Ariens, but also from Grainger.  The machine shop is increasing the round portion of Ariens hex shaft up from the 7/16" diameter up to 5/8".  From there, I will cut off the excess shaft ends and mount this into a rigid flange bearing.  This will spread the forces out over a larger area than the original 3/8" diameter bolt can provide.  Yes, if this works, I will post my solution for others.

Maybe PK will take this back with him and I can get a large royalty check so I could retire????

bbwb

I'm with snowremover.  There is no doubt in my mind that initial quality problems have been reported here (and WTB) far more often on Ariens blowers than any other brand.  Maybe this is due to some kind of biased sampling but can't figure why this should be the case. When I was shopping I was put off Ariens by quality issues obvious on the showroom floor.  Too bad because otherwise they're generally a stoutly made blower.

 I also feel "improper dealer set-up" is a lame excuse for any manufacturer - and it's not just a problem at box stores. These days people expect things to work perfectly right out of the box - except something simple like unfolding handlebars.   It costs far more for a dealer (independent or box) to set up, adjust, and inspect a machine than it would at the factory, not to mention the cost of unhappy customers at the first big snow.   Hopefully Ariens is listening.   -Bob

--SnowRemover "Who Never Owned, And Never Will Own, A Japanese Car" Snowremover, Does this also mean that you won't buy a car from an American company that imports and sells cars from Japan but under their American name?

SnowRemover wrote:
It's a new millenium and a global economy.

You like the big 3 even though they ship jobs to cheaper labor markets?? And wonder why their build qualities can't stack up to their Japanese counterparts?? The Japanese at least came into our country, put our people to work and build a quality, competitive product and continue to reinvest in their North American positions.

I know you want a hatchback and the Accord isn't it.  But as an example, what exactly is wrong with it?  97% domestic content not high enough for you?  I'm sure a japanese built Accord probably isn't 97% Japanese components! It is built in my backyard, by my neighbors, using parts built by a ton of my other neighbors by a company that continues to reinvest in itself in this country. They do it without union labor by being fair with its employees. The argument that all the money goes home to Japan doesn't really cut it.  You want a slice of the action?, No problem buy Honda stock on the NYSE, they are happy to share in the wealth.

I'm using Honda only as an example, Toyota and Nissan et.al. also have similar positions.

Do I own Hondas?  Yes, an Accord and a Pilot. Do I work there or own stock ?  NO   but I do believe in buying a quality product that supports my community and my neighbors.  Will I shop Wal Mart?  Hell NO!  That is a company that is slowly taking America hostage and I won't support that kind of corporate behavior.

An example on the other side could be the Saturn Vue  (Which I shopped before buying my Pilot)

So much for the image of a true American car.   A 2004 V-6 Vues has a higher domestic content than a 2003. Why?  They stopped using the GM made V-6(imported from one of their European compadres) and started using a Honda (Made in Ana Ohio) V-6.  GM uses many different engines and trannys from their European  subsidiaries Saab, Vauxhall, Opel and others. But the perception is all Mom, hot dogs and apple pie.

GM, Ford and Daimler are global companies too.....they bring parts in here to build their cars as much as the next guy (or more so in some cases).

Maybe it's time to ease up on the nameplates and start looking at who is building a quality vehicle, priced competitively and being a good neighbor.

Snowremover,

I think you’ve allowed yourself to see the numbers the way you want to……..

If you look at my post, I was talking automotive families……ie Honda(Honda and Acura), GM (Chevy, Cady et al) etc. I also wasn’t necessarily considering Suzuki, Scion, Izuzu and the rest. I'm talking about the companies that took a firm stance to not rape our market, but to become part of it.   Basically I was looking at the Big threes, GM Ford and Daimler and Honda Toyota and Nissan.( And my apologies to those here who work for or have ties to the American big three, but Detroit dropped the ball long ago and now everyone must stay competitive to stay in the game.  It is a global market now out of necessity to survive.)

 

These are the bottom line kind of figures that tell  the tale, courtesy of JD Power

 

 

 You said:

"Your numbers are wrong.  The Accord is closer to 65% domestic content.
Highest in U.S. content are Honda's Accord at a claimed 85 percent and Toyota's Camry at 70-75 percent, but McAlinden points out that the first 25 percent of these figures is sales and marketing expense. That makes the Accord closer to 65 percent U.S. parts and labor and the Camry 50-55 percent."

 The first 25% being sales and Mkting expense would apply to ALL manufacturers doing business in the US market  so even the US big three would have this same advantage. Yet even with a 25% boost right out of the shoot their domestic contents are embarrassing for an American Mfr. Eliminating that 25% would put that Pontiac Vibe  you were looking at down to a measley 35%!

I guess that is why Honda has the $#%* to put this on their website

"Currently about 85 percent of all Accords sold in the U.S. are produced in North America and those models have a domestic content level of 97 percent."

 You said:

"All car companies are global, I concur.  But I'm not going to buy a Honda/Toyota and send the profits to Japan.  Because the R&D money, which isn't a % of the cars domestic content, goes to non-American engineers,/scientists/designers."

 
I guess I tell that to my neighbor tonight when he gets home from work.  He and the 1200 other Americans working at Honda R&D Marysville Ohio must be living a lie.  Yet they also seem to come up with the house payment every month.

Hmmmmm....

What about Ariens and other brand snowblowers ?


Dave...

I thought this was a snowblower thread ? but seeing that it is now about auto's i might as well state my opinion. As far as i am concerned Ariens is the Harley Davidson of snowblowers. Maybe you have to adjust a little out of the box but when you use it you feel the power. I wish the world was perfect and you could get everything american but this is not the case. We live in a money age where everything is about the dollar. So if the big guy wants more $$$$ then he will cut your throat american or not and use who ever and whatever to make his $$$$$. so  just live life and enjoy while you can. If everyone tried to buy just american the world would fall apart.