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

Hi Everyone:

Just thought that I would share how I wound up redesigning the chain tensioner on my Ariens 1028.  If some of you might recall at WTB, I was complaining how the chain tensioner would be "bent" away from the chain during heavy loading and thus would leave the chain slack during easy going.  This slack would cause the chain to bunch up and jamb at the lower gear to case location.  I wound up using an original Ariens hex shaft and modified it by having a larger diameter sleeve bushing welded onto the threaded end of the shaft.  After cutting to the proper length, I mounted it into a rigid flange bearing.  Careful locating and drilling of hole and SUCCESS!!

Here is the link to the photos of this modification, I hope it works.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/bbwb/Chaintensionercloseup.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/bbwb/Chaincatchpoint.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/bbwb/Oldtensioner.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/bbwb/HexShaftcopy.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/bbwb/Cutdownhexshaft.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/bbwb/Newhexshaft.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/bbwb/Newconfiguration.jpg

I believe that the original configuration that is on my machine is the same as the current ones....Maybe if PK takes this back to the company I might get a large royalty check so that I may retire???

Let me know what you guys think.

bbwb

Me Again...I see that the link(s) do not work well or give a nice slide show....maybe someone could tell me how to post the pics in a better way?

bbwb

Rob,

That really looks great I love just the fact how much more robust it looks compared to what it was.  Will you be getting any snow soon?  I can't wait to hear how the machine performs. 

Hi Richie:

You are right the original configuration was rinky dink at best.  I did take it out to the back yard to try it out and all was well.

Except for this problem, I really do like the blower...man can this thing throw the snow (40 ft).  My only reservation to doing this is that I have one more year on the warranty.  It would just be my luck that something would go kapoot and not be covered due to the modifications.

The old weatherman does not make it sound good for getting snow anytime soon.  We were up to 48 official inches on the ground, but the warm temps (50 degrees) over the last few days has melted it down to about 24".

Do you know how to make the pics display better?

bbwb

Ok Robmints:

How did you do that???

I am new to the web posting of pics....give me the recipe please.

bbwb

It looks like RobMints got your photos posted really well.

Do you have a tool bar above the message box?
If so, the insert image dialog box is the third choice from the right.

If not go to My Account. and disable advanced features or something close. Then you can post with the old yabb strings. {img} yada yada {/img}

Yes My Account.
Then Settings.
Uncheck the Advanced Posting thing.
Only if you do not have the toolbar. Otherwise the toolbar is pretty easy. You should have a toolbar if you are not using Opera or some other less popular browser, or I think if you do not have java enabled.
Anyway, try it. An extra picture won't hurt. If you do it right the picture will show up before you post.

If you could post the part numbers and source for all the parts i would love to make one of these for my machine.  The first thing i noticed when i removed my cover to make my adjustments was how cheap the original one was. Again if you could either post or pm me the part numbers and source that would be great. Thank's in advance.

I have posted in the past about the idler pulley on mine coming off, probably because of an assembly error. I have about 8 hours of use on it and don't see any signs of the housing being bent so far. I frankly haven't been able to figure out why there would be alot of tension on that pulley and shaft. Isn't the chain configuration similar to a bicycle chain where the tension on the chain is the section between the tops of the sprockets, with the "return" section hanging loosely below?

Jonathan,

Forward one side is in tension, reverse the other. On a bike you are always going forward.

Well, here it goes with another pic...

Oh Boy, look at me go now!!!

The hex shaft if the same one that is on the machine now.  Go to the parts radar and find the shaft, make the mods, and your in business!

This whole thing cost me the following:

     Hex shaft from dealer $27

     Machine shop time to make sleeve bushing $20

     Bearing from Grainger $11 plus shipping

     My time to cut shaft, mount, and adjust...priceless (really more like 2.5 hrs)

bbwb

     

Robmints,

Thanks. Do you happen to know if the chain tension on the idler pulley and shaft occurs when the machine is going in forward or reverse?

Jonathan

Ingeneous and exquisitely executed!! 

Marc

Jonathan wrote:
No, I don't have an Ariens and I can't tell if I'm looking at the right or left side of the machine.

That's a very slick and professional job.

I have noticed that one or more of  the cogs on my 926DLE don't run true (radially) - the tenson changes dramatically as the axle turns. Was this case with your machine? If you neglect to set the tension at the tightest spot, the chain will bind, dig into the roller and perhaps bend the adjuster shaft.

In other words, does your chain tension vary after doing your mod?

Have you sent an email to Ariens support?

Thanks.

John

Hi Johnathan:

What I found is that the taught side of the chain is as follows:

     Moving forward - opposite of the tensioner

     Reverse - same side as the tensioner

The bending force on the original tensioner would only occur while trying to back the machine out of hole etc...It was so great that the side case of blower would distort at the slotted hole.  My first repair was to add the larger fender washers to each side of the hex shaft.  That worked for awhile but would still be moved out of position thus not keeping any tension on the chain.  While rolling the blower around in the garage (not under its own power) I would hear a metallic clicky click.  What I found was that the chain, not being under any tension, would bunch up at the bottom sprocket and was contacting the bottom case cross member.  Twice the chain got caught and would not allow me to move it at all!!

To answer Johns question:

There certainly is some wobble in the drive sprocket and my new tensioner...from the factory welding of the sprocket onto the hex shaft.  My wobble is not radially but laterally.

bbwb

Thanks, bbwb. That is sort of what I thought, but wasn't sure. Your new set up looks great.

Jonathan

Hi JohnEDavies:

After reading your post about the radially off center gear reminded me of a message that I received from PK.  In the message he said that the hex shaft might have a weld filet binding on the chain or possibly some weld splatter.  Another thing to look for would be that the hex shaft if very straight.  Hope this helps.

bbwb

bbwb,

Great idea!  Nice design you've got there.