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bcb1


Joined: Feb 4, 2009
Points: 1

Ariens 8524 Snowblower problem, won't go forward. Drive pulley wobbling. Advice?
Original Message   Feb 4, 2009 6:27 pm
I've got a 3 year old Ariens 8524 that's been used a whopping 4 or 5 times, maybe 2 hours total machine time.  Needless to say, we haven't had much snow in the past couple years!

It starts and runs great.  Auger works great.  But it wouldn't go forward.  I removed the plastic belt cover, and sure enough the belt had slipped off.  I managed to get it back on, and it will run in reverse but not in forward.  After tipping the machine forward and removing the bottom cover, I found the problem.  The pulley that the drive belt attaches to is loose and wobbles.  Looks like it's going to be a big pain in the arse to remove everything to get it out of there. 

I'm guessing a bad bushing.  Anyone have any advice or ideas?  Anyone had similar problems with their Ariens snowblower?

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MN_Runner


Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Joined: Dec 5, 2010
Points: 622

Re: Ariens 8524 Snowblower problem, won't go forward. Drive pulley wobbling. Advice?
Reply #6   Jan 30, 2011 9:43 pm
Three possible causes: 1) wrong belt installation (take some pictures of the belt loop and show us how it is installed); 2) belt tensioner is not engaged or not working properly due to incorrect installation; 3) wrong belt length - trust you got the exact same length.
hirschallan


If it aint broke don't fix it !!


Location: Northern Hills of NY
Joined: Aug 25, 2005
Points: 327

Re: Ariens 8524 Snowblower problem, won't go forward. Drive pulley wobbling. Advice?
Reply #7   Jan 30, 2011 9:50 pm
jbwool wrote:
Regarding the model #, it is 932104.  I had forward and reverse prior to the belt replacement, that is why this seems weird.  I ran the machine with the belt cover off and it seems fine, even when engaging the clutch.  There was a little grease on the disc and I wiped it off.  

When it is in reverse gears, the friction wheel is near the center of the disc all seems aligned.  However, the forward gears move the friction wheel out toward the edge of the disc. Now when engaged, the pressure from the wheel pushes the disc at least 1/8 th inch due to the play in the shaft.  Perhaps enough not to provide enough traction? 

Again, I don't know if this is the issue, but it is the only thing I see that looks out of place.  There is no screw on the drive pulley shaft that allows you to tighten it.  I tried loosening and tighening the clutch cable but that didn't work either. 

My other thought is perhaps I need a new friction wheel with more rubber on it.  But my reverse works fine and so did the forward gears prior to the belt change.  Any other ideas are appreciated.  Big storm coming to CT again this week and I'm sure the dealer wouldn't get it back to me for a while.



I'm thinking maybe when you put the belt on you didn't get the idler on the right side of the belt thereby limiting the movement of your friction disc. Just a thought.

jbwool


Joined: Jan 30, 2011
Points: 4

Re: Ariens 8524 Snowblower problem, won't go forward. Drive pulley wobbling. Advice?
Reply #8   Jan 31, 2011 9:10 am
You could be right.  I don't have  a shop manual and put the belt on without knowing for sure what side.  

Guess it's time to find one on line and buy it.  Thanks.

Shryp


Location: Cleveland, OH
Joined: Jul 26, 2010
Points: 532

Re: Ariens 8524 Snowblower problem, won't go forward. Drive pulley wobbling. Advice?
Reply #9   Jan 31, 2011 9:25 am
Ariens has all their manuals available for download:

http://www.ariens.com/corporate/Pages/OwnerManuals.aspx
jbwool


Joined: Jan 30, 2011
Points: 4

Re: Ariens 8524 Snowblower problem, won't go forward. Drive pulley wobbling. Advice?
Reply #10   Feb 2, 2011 10:17 am
Thanks Shyrp.   Just downloaded it.
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