Ariens snow blower

[johnk]

I just bought an Ariens Deluxe 2 stage 28" snowblower w/ Polar Force engine at Home Depot. They were back-ordered already. I only had to wait a week and now I have it. My son bought one last year same model and he said it's a real beast and he used to work at SEARs many moons ago and sold snowblowers in Lawn and Garden. HD also gave me a 10% military discount so that ate up the NY sales tax plus little extra savings. I used to use my quad with plow and tractor with loader when the banks got high. This is for my house not my country property so I think it will work out fine. Going in the 30's this weekend so I know the white stuff isn't too far off... Anyone have this model snowblower and how did YOU like it...

 

[Brack]

John,
I use a similar model for the areas I can't reach with my tractor and have nothing but great things to say about Ariens. They're a quality-built machine no doubt about that. In this neck of the woods they outsell everything else for a few reasons. If you take care of it it will take care of you. "Enjoy" the use of this purchase this winter.

 

[johnk]

Thanks for the reply. It had good reviews on the internet. I actually waxed it today to help protect it from the elements..You might say... Tooo much time on your hands but thats the joy of retirement..:laughing:

 

[Oneaxepony]

Ariens Sno-Thro snowblowers are lengerdary. In my neck of the woods in NE Ohio its not uncommon to see 40+ year old Sno-Thros still working. They're built to last. I would expect if you take care of your new snowblower it will last a long, long time. Good Luck!

 

[rolsmojave3]

I work at a dealership...They are our most popular unit. I work in the shop as a mechanic, these have very few issues. One thing I'll recommend is to snowblow where ever you may have salt first. Then blow the rest of the driveway. This is an excellant way to clean the salt out of the blower. Also lubricate the differential lock periodically and do not over tighten it. 9 times out of 10 over tightening of the diff lock cause it to not work as it needs free play to lock properly.

 

[jeeprisk]

loved mine, but it has started shaking violently.
engines runs fine and it drives fine.
but when engaging the auger, is shakes the whole backend, handles, etc.
What has happened?
bh

 

[T_e_r_r_y]

First off remove the spark plug wire and remove the plug!!
Don't want an "ACCIDENT"
Check for snow or ice build up on the rakes or in the fan area. If there is ice chip out what is there and use heat to melt the rest. Also check for newspaper, wood pieces, childs toy, dead animal or any thing that could be stuck on the rakes.
Machine ran fine last time used?
Didn't run into or over any thing under the snow?
Snow blower stored in heated garage or out side and covered?
As a last resort check on the pulley, might have gotten bent or piece broke off.

My 2 pennies of silly wild asked guesses!

T.J.

 

[Jamming]

loved mine, but it has started shaking violently.
engines runs fine and it drives fine.
but when engaging the auger, is shakes the whole backend, handles, etc.
What has happened?
bh

The bolts have loosened up on the drive pulley to the auger. If none of the problems above where found.

I have a 24" platinum series, love the heated grips, the polar force engines are very good Briggs line.

 

[new jersey mike]

I purchased mine at the home depot and they forced me to pay for the assembly, fine no work for me. Right nothing was tight and I had to go over the entire unit and tighten what the morons did not assemble properly. I did get my assembly fee back. Check all of the pieces. Look at the primary impeller as suggested for a failure.

 

[hawkeye08]

Got my Ariens Platinum 30 used (only 1 year, lite snow)... It has the automatic traction control, works nice so far (only got to try it on 2" of wet snow, it did fine)..

 

[Jamming]

Got my Ariens Platinum 30 used (only 1 year, lite snow)... It has the automatic traction control, works nice so far (only got to try it on 2" of wet snow, it did fine)..

Have owned the same model with heated grips for 2 years in Washington state seasons with plenty of wet snow and have had great results in deep wet snow. The shoot is starting to show wear but only paint loss and still no performance issues. Starts easy and love the 120v Starter. But after its warmed up it takes about a half pull and fires right up... The traction control is easy to follow and helps the machine turn very well at the end of a row. Seen many wiener dog toys leave the yard and never plugs up. Cheers.

 

[ttriff]

I've used an Ariens 5/24 for 22+ years. Been a good machine but a little smallish when we get a deep dump of "Colo Concrete".

This year I decided to upgrade, so I gave the Ariens to a friend and bought a Toro 926 OXE.

Now that I've done the upgrade we probably won't enough snow to justify using it.... :laughing:

 

[mark1]

Back in the 60's I worked at a auto repair shop that also sold Arines equipment. I used to unbox and assemble the snowblowers as a side job.assembled about a hundred each winter.They were great machines way back then and are still great machines. many of the ones I assembled are still around and in use.and best of all, most parts are still avail for them. The onje I use now is about 15 years old and works great.

 

[PILOON]

Back in the 60's I worked at a auto repair shop that also sold Arines equipment. I used to unbox and assemble the snowblowers as a side job.assembled about a hundred each winter.They were great machines way back then and are still great machines. many of the ones I assembled are still around and in use.and best of all, most parts are still avail for them. The onje I use now is about 15 years old and works great.

Yes, good units.
But then the older ones had real bearings or at least bronze bushings and not nylon or plastic bearings.
Also the impeller gear boxes were steel and brass in a real cast iron case. And the sheet metal was 2-3 gauge size heavier than newer tin housings.
I once re powered an old 6/24 with a wisconson ACN; boy could that old unit chew and throw snow, half the neighborhood used it and that for about 10 years.
I had installed a slightly larger drive pulley and that old Ariens could blow snow clear out of a sunken driveway that led to basement garage.
Many a time we'd cut thru snow banks left by the city plow that were higher than the top of the snow chute.

 

[BIG DOOLEY]

I had one from HD a few years back and it worked well.
In 2004 I bought a ST926DLE professional series with the OHV Tecumsen motor and switching differential.
It too works real nice.
The 926 steers easier than the first that only had the pin locking axle without the differential.
Real work horses and built to last.