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

Hello all,

This is my second season with my Ariens ST1332LE 32" and this thing is a handfull. I am wondering if anyone is running chains on their 32" blowers. This is a trigger model that has both wheels locked. The thing never wants to go perfectly straight, I am always trying to hold it in a straight line. I guess my thought was that chains might solve that problem. It is a 2008 model.

I have an Ariens 1132 (it's been repowered). It's been my experience that if the tire pressure is different by even 2-3 pounds. The blower will track to one side or the other.
And your right the 32s can be a handful.  I don't have the trigger locks on mine it's an older model.  With the manual locking hub on the left side.
 I almost never lock in the left wheel.  Which makes turning it a breeze and I really don't have any problem with traction. Even when digging into an EOD pile.

Nobody runs chains.   Chains used to be popular many years ago when snowblower tires had 1/'4 inch and 1/2 inch treds.  Now tires have 2 inch treads with big spaces.   I have a very very very steep driveway and have never had a problem.   

When I got my Ariens 1332 I was freeked out how much it was pulling to the side.   That was three years ago....once I adjusted it, it was fine.   Now it spins on a dime, it feels SMALL, in any snow condition.      But there is one important adustment you must make (if it is off).   Study the book, but I will try here from memory.    The unit comes it two big pcs...two halves....they are the Engine/Wheels and the other half is the Front Auger.   If the conecxtion of these two halves is twisted or not alinged, it will pull.  THis was the problem with mine.    Do the following:

Find a flat smooth surface.

Loosen the all the hardware that touches the ground (scraper bar and the two side guides)

Wiggle the machine and look at it from the front.   You are trying to see if the two major halfs of the snowblower ( Engine + Auger )are aligned.  If the auger is $#%* eyed, you are going to have to fix this adjustment (not too difficult). 

If it is cockeyed, just to make shure, move the machine to another flat surface in case your first flat surface wasn't really flat.

If it is still cockeyed, you need to read your manual on how to change the belts.  One of the belt replacements REQUIRES you to seperate the two big pcs of the machine (Engine and Auger).   So read that, don't actually pull the two parts apart, but just loosen the bolts, re-align, and now adjust the scaper bar and whatever those guides are called on the sides.    (previous authors in this thread talked about that).

You then will be good to go.

Good luck!

goatman68 wrote:
I have a trigger lock model as well.  When both wheels are locked it runs straight.  With only one wheel locked it pulls to the side.  Are you sure that the trigger mechanism is working properly and locking both wheels?  If not there's your problem.

Paul7 wrote:

Yes, trigger lock is working fine, when unlocked it goes nowhere......

Surfs_up_Today wrote:
Thanks for the idea, never thought two halves could be misaligned.............

goatman68 wrote:
The only time you need to use chains is if your tires are spinning. They sure won't hurt and you will have better grip with them.

You can find some good deals on chains and lots of other aftermarket parts on this site

www.c-equipment.com

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I am going to work on it tomorrow since we are getting snow tonight.............. I will let all know what the outcome was....

Rick

goatman68 wrote:
Did you mean that literally...as in "no wheels turn".  With the trigger unlocked the right side wheel should turn.  "Right side" from standing behind the unit.  With the trigger locked BOTH wheels should turn.

I had a craftsman that would not track straight  I found that one of the tires had no air it did not look flat due to the hard rubber but it made a big difference under load.  Once I pumped air in the tire it worked perfect.

Paul7 wrote:

No, not literally, right side still turns, but not much for traction.....