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

Hello my friends,

This summer I gave my 3 year old Ariens 927LE it's annual cleaning and tune-up and did what I always do: Changed oil, greased and lubed where needed..etc.
When we got hit with our first big dump of snow last week my baby started on the 2nd pull and seemed ready to go to work. Unfortunately I only had power to one wheel, and this only when I clicked the trigger to disengage the other one so as to allow me to turn. When I tried to engage both of them, neither one would turn, so I was forced to disengage and use brute strength to push the beast around on one good wheel....
Would you have any ideas what may have caused this; did a cable or pin snap or could it have to do with me having taken off the tires to grease the axles and somehow re-installed them improperly? (although I checked and they seem to be on right)
Your suggestions are much appreciated...
Speedbird

Speedbird - I'm not that familiar with all of the workings of the trigger disengage systems.  But If it were me I would probably start looking for the problem by tracing the cables to there starting point. Where they are connected to some type of mechanism.  It sounds to me like something is hanging up, somewhat locked or frozen. Cables usually pull something, then when released are pulled the other direction by a type of spring tension of some sort.  It doesn't take much for things to get a little hung up and not move as freely as they should.  You may have to pull off the belly pan to get access to things. This isn't very specific help for you, but it's a place to start until someone else chimes in. IF you had the wheels off are they held on the axles by pins?  If so are there two sets of holes on the end of the axle? If so are you sure that you are using the right set of holes? When you engage the drive system look down between the tire and frame and see if the axles are turning but not the wheels? Just a thought.

When you put the wheels back on did you re-install the rectangular keys in the keyways? Did you pull the left sleeve axle of when the wheel came off? I think you need to drop the belly pan and make sure the mechanism isn't jagged up.

Hey Snowman,

I've had a few things come up since I first posted this but I finally got around to taking a look at the beast, and sure enough, I'm missing the rectangular key for my right wheel...It must have come off when I was oiling the axles.
Question is, what do I do now? Do I have to contact Ariens directly to obtain a new one or is there some other option out there for me? I'm tired of having to push around 300lbs of steel up and down my driveway and I'm sure it can't be good for the engine that all the power is going to one wheel that's forced to do all the work...
Thanks again for your help and suggestions guys.

Speedbird

IF it's just a rectangular key, a good hardware store should have keystock. Cut/grind to size.