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

I just came in from blowing about 12' of the white stuff. My machine has about 4 hours on it as it's new this year. I'm starting to notice that I have to push it to get it to dig in. Once this evening, on a clear patch of driveway, with the traction clutch engaged, and the unit in reverse, it wouldn't budge till I yanked on it. What could this be? The manual suggests three things: belt, friction disk and speed selector. Anyone have any hunches as to which one of these it might be, if any?

Chuck

Your wheels are not engaging under load, is that correct???  I would also assume it is either 1st gear forward, or sloew gear revers(or R1).  You need to adjust the linkage that connects to your go lever for the drive wheels.  It sounds like it is close, but I would do an initial 2 full clockwise turns and try it.  Then slowly go in 1/2 turns till you find the sweet spot.   GL, BIll.

Chuck1 wrote:

This is what happened to me when my linkage fell apart inside, though hopefully this isn't your case.  Most likely just needs adjustment.

The part of the owners manual I found helpful was to put it in 1st gear when not running, lift the front and roll slowly forward when depressing the drive clutch gradually.  When it locks up, hold the lever where it was and measure from the top of the tip of the handle bar to the tip of the clutch handle, should be 6.125 +/- .25 inches.  There is a diagram in the manual.  First thing would be remove slack from the cable, second would be to check the belts.  In my case repairing the linkage then pulling a tad more slack out of the cable got it to 6" exactly and there was still a tiny bit of slack in the cable (which there should be)

-Dave

Fred, settle down biggun, no ones squelching you. I was telling you there's no need to tell me, I read as you do. But, I was mainly pointing out that Pauls trying to help this guy out right here in this thread. I just think we could use a little restraint under the circumstances, the man doesn't have to come here and be helpful to our members. 

It seemed like my other Ariens 1128 LE, when put into a big pile of snow (several inches above the auger housing) seemed to stop, even with the auger clutch engaged.  The wheels didn't try to spin.  Can this do any damage to the unit?  I'm usually in gears 1-3.  My unit squeaked when it was moving throwing snow.

Fred, I don't find a problem with you voicing your opinion, that's what forums are for.   

Marshall,

              I do not see any comments by "Snowman" on this thread!

                                                      Where is he ??

                                                                                      Fred

Refer to figure 18 GB25 in your owners manual.   Or here if you dont have handy.  http://manuals.ariens.com/Owner_Manuals/Ariens_OM/924124_128,335_338,516,517/00294700_eng.pdf

AJace wrote:

It will wear the friction disc out very quick and put rubber all over the friction plate, or glaze your belt over smooth rendering it useless (depending which part is slipping).  $7 part either way, but it takes 287.5 hours to replace and clean out the goo :-)

-Dave

Fred, you'll find the All button between the original post, and the replies.  Click it and you'll find what you've been missing. 

Chuck1,

If you have plenty of drive in forward, but not reverse, it's likely the shift rod needs an adjustment. It's real easy.

Remove the hair pin from the trunion under the dash. The trunion is the piece that is threaded to the top of the shift rod where the shifter handle connects. Remove the trunion from the hole in the shifter handle. Place the shifter into Reverse 2. Pull the shift rod upward towards the dash panel as far as it will go. Next, thread the trunion up or down the shaft until the pin on the trunion is exactly level with the hole in the shifter. Replace the trunion and pin.

Likewise, the same could be true if your unit did not pull well in first or second forward gears, but fine in R1, R2 and the faster forward gears.

However, if the unit does not pull well in both forward and rearward gears, it's more likely the traction drive cable needs to be adjusted to increase the force of the rubber drive disk on the drive plate.

Paul Koltz

Engineering Leader

Snow Products

Ariens Company

I actually had same troublw when mine was new. It was not a matter of wheel to ground (or snow) traction. It was simply a matter of wheel not moving in 1 st speed fwd or revers. If you lift the blower off ground, the wheels would turn. It was NO BIG DEAL. I simply went to owners manual, and followed adjustment procedures spelled out, and then it was fine. I would not call this a defect, just simple adjustment. It may have worked fine when 1st used. After breaking in I readjusted and it was fine again. I am happy. I am sure I would be happy with a toro , simplicity, or other well made machine, but I have NO GRIPES or regrets that I bought the Ariens. I would certainly reccomend them to family or friends. When these things are put together at dealers any more, the proper time is not spent getting all just perfect. That is the price we pay as a society always looking for a better deal. Service is lost. Even local dealers can not  spend the time they used to be able to.  It is either cut costs to stay competitive, or lose some business.

 Not everyone is willing to spend top dollar for the best. I bought from my local dealer, but I am sure he could have spent more time prepping it. I don't care what brand.  Society as a whole wants it for less. You have to pay one way or another.  Some of you will say "I am willing to pay a premium" for the best service. I hear people I work with say the same. We make good money, yet when it comes down to it those same people are ALWAYS looking for the cheapest. They don't practice what they preach, as a whole.