sailor77077

Jubol,

That was my first thought, but I don't have a truck & the closest dealer wants almost $75 to pick it up.  Ariens,,,,*sigh*.  Beginning to wish I had just bought the neighbor's beer this summer & used his

Hola,

Just some background.  I bought an Ariens 926 LE new this year.  I used the entire season and after getting the belts adjusted correctly  it did the job.  I did have some trouble with pull starting (even when warmed, it  wasn't happening) and with it riding  up on EOD piles.

Now, here's my concern.  I  have an oil leak.  It is coming from the differential on the auger.  It is a clear oil with a high viscosity.  I noticed this because I moved the machine a few weeks ago and there was an oil spot on the concrete floor.  I tried to tighten up the bolts and only got about 1/4 of one turn out of one of them.  The others were tight enough that I didn't want to put any more torque on them.  I wiped the differential clean and put a rag under it--5 days later, more oil on the casing and 10 days later, a drip.

During the season, there were no leaks and no debris  was ever picked up by the machine (I was the only user).  Now, 3 months later, the  leak.  Anyone have any ideas?  My guess is that a gasket has gone bad, but it just doesn't sound right happening in the sumertime.  I would have expected the seals to expand with the heat.

Anyway,  I'm planning that I will have to replace the seal and the lube--any advice?  This Ariens continues to frustrate me

I had a craftsman 6hp non self propelled with the tecumseh engine.  It ran for 6 years and DIED.  It was blowing oil, the wheels gave out and it bagged so-so and mulched very poorly.  I replaced with a Honda HRR 216 self-propelled mulching/bagging mower with a 5.5 ohv.  I am totally amazed with the Honda.  The twin blade cut is far superior to the craftsman, the engine is so much smoother and quieter.  I did not get the smart drive system, but rather the basic 3 speed model. 

This is my second season with the mower and at this point I have been very ver happy.  When I looked for a new mower, I looked at just about everything brand out there.  I kept coming back to the Honda because it felt the most solid and they do have a good rep. 

I would not personally go back to a craftsman, but then again, my next-door neighbor had the exact same Honda model and was very unhappy with the cut quality...I have no idea why the difference.  Both were less than a year old.

I've come to the conclusion that no matter what brand you buy, you can either geat great equipment or you can get lemons.  I would pick the brand that feels best to you and go from there.

Good luck.

I had a craftsman 6hp non self propelled with the tecumseh engine.  It ran for 6 years and DIED.  It was blowing oil, the wheels gave out and it bagged so-so and mulched very poorly.  I replaced with a Honda HRR 216 self-propelled mulching/bagging mower with a 5.5 ohv.  I am totally amazed with the Honda.  The twin blade cut is far superior to the craftsman, the engine is so much smoother and quieter.  I did not get the smart drive system, but rather the basic 3 speed model. 

This is my second season with the mower and at this point I have been very ver happy.  When I looked for a new mower, I looked at just about everything brand out there.  I kept coming back to the Honda because it felt the most solid and they do have a good rep. 

I would not personally go back to a craftsman, but then again, my next-door neighbor had the exact same Honda model and was very unhappy with the cut quality...I have no idea why the difference.  Both were less than a year old.

I've come to the conclusion that no matter what brand you buy, you can either geat great equipment or you can get lemons.  I would pick the brand that feels best to you and go from there.

Good luck.

Well,

I ran the blower for about another 3 hours.  Not a single drop of oil or sign of it blowing.  Apparently, when the machin tilts back towards the controls with the engine under load, at a certain point, it will simulate an overfill condition.  Keep in mind, it was only 3-5 drops, not a large amount.  I did not "climb" any more piles & never saw the drip again.  As for the machine being overfilled, I really don't think so since I let the machine drain for about 15 mins and filled it to 26oz, checking along the way.  The oil is basically right where I filled it to. 

I'll still keep an eye on it, but, for now, I feel pretty confident that it is a simulated overfill and blowback.