paul78zephyr

Thanks for the replies. I understand that the spring failure was probably an isolated incedent but its still frustrating as hell when you have a brand new machine that cr*ps out after only 2 hours use (and thats engine run time, actually snow blowing time was probably closer to 1 hr).

And just for the record I got my machine back from the dealer this morning. The repair sheet showed the cost of the spring that failed as $2.69. Of course I was not charged for the part, labor, or pickup/delivery as the machine is under warranty.

AZ in OH:
Ive only used the machine 3 or 4 times now as we are having a pretty wimp winter here in New England. I have mixed felling about that as on the on hand I spent alot on the snowblower and would like to use it. But on the other hand my last tank of heating oil was $2.43/gal so higher than normal temps are good news. Anyway I do like machine and am getting the hang of the controls. The last storm (when it broke at the end) the snow was wet and heavy, about 5-6 inches and the machine went right thru it. The 'quick stick' chute control level takes some getting used to but I think itts a nice feature. I should mention that I probably do not NEED the 11HP as my driveway is not that big. But I figured Id have the thing for a long time so I got the best/most powerful one. I live on a dead end street with a cul-de-sac at one end. I live at near the end opposite the cul-de-sac. The snow plow comes up the street on the other side does the cul-de-sac then comes down my side. By the time the plows get to my driveway they can put 2-3 FEET of snow at the end of my driveway from only a 6-10 inch snow fall, which is not that uncommon. So having the power to go thru the bank at the end of the driveway is important to me. and so far this machine has handled it easily.

Thanks again
Paul

Hello Mike,
I read your post and I can empethize with your problem somewhat as my Brand new Toro alss suffered a recent failure - although not nearly as catastrofic as yours (see my new post on this forum). Anyway I live in MA too. Boxborough, just west of Acton and Concord. My concern from your post is that my Toro has the same 11HP Tecumseh Snow King engine that your Ariens does. I agree with he fellow that said that you should NOT get a machine such as this at HD. For that much dough you should buy from a reputable outdoor power equipment company - where the people know what they are doing and mechandise is not 'recycled' - that DEFINATELY happens at places like HD.

I would get Ariens and Tecumseh involved in your issue as well. They both have toll free numbers. Explain what happened and see what they say.

Paul

Hi all,
Back in October I purchased the first snowblower I've ever owned. I live in eastern Massachusetts. I used to plow my driveway with a small doser blade on the front of my Sears garden tractor (the one I posted about the B&S engine that threw its conn rod), did that for 7 years, before that I just shoveled but Im too old and have developed a bad back. Anyway I got the top-of-the-line Toro 1128 OXE model 38650 with the Techumseh 'Snow King' 11HP engine. I had comparison shopped the equivalent Ariens unit but based on everything I read -including on this forum- the Toro was the better unit (they both had the same engine).

Well right after I got it I put a 'Tiny Tach' hour meter on it. I was using last Monday, we got around 5-6 inches of wet heavy snow. The snowblower had less than 2 hours of running time on it (the TinyTach reads only in full hours). I was just about done (it takes about 20 minutes do do my driveway) when all of a sudden I recognized that the unit had lost it drive mechanism. The auger was still working but no forward or reverse. Being a brand new unit still under warrenty (when I purchased it Toro was having a special offer that included a 3yr warrenty - normally they give 2 yrs) I really did not want to start taking it apart and I called my local dealer where I bought it and they said they would come and get it. I asked if it could be something as relatively simple as a broken belt - they thought not but could not be sure. After I spoke with them I decided to look at the belt so I removed the plastic cover (3 small screws) that they are under. When I removed the cover I instantly saw the problem. The belts were fine but each belt - one for drive and one for auger) has a small idler pulley pressed against by a spring it to keep the belt tight. The drive belt's pulley is mounted on a pivoting bracket and is held against the belt with a 'torsion' spring. I could see the idler pulley - it wasnt even sitting agaist the belt. Then I could seen the spring. At first I thought the spring had somehow slipped off the bracket but then I could see that the end 'tang' of the spring had snapped off.

So the dealer has repaired the unit (they called and found just what I did) and I should have it back tommorow, the repair done under warrenty. But it calls into question -in my mind- the reliability of the unit. That a $1.00 spring could take down a $1600 machine is very disconserting. I also called Toro to vent on them my disappointment with this. Maybe it was just a 1 in a million defect in that spring. I could see a unit several seasons old perhaps, but a unit with 3 uses and less than 2 total hours?

What do you think?

Thanks,
Paul
ps My good neighbor across the street has an Ariens snowblower. He loves his, alway touting its ability, and told me to get one. The fact that my Toro quit and was picked up by the dealer (and will be delivered) during the day while he is not home has saved me some embarrisment.