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

Hi,

I have a continuing problem that maybe someone can help me with. The remote wheel lock works erratically. I squeeze and release the lever and nothing happens. I try it repeatedly and it sometimes works. This happens either with the left wheel is locked or not. Checking the manual it states not to put any load on the axle, and to turn the unit right or left to release the axle lock. I have tried this and still, at times, it refuses to either lock or unlock the left wheel.  I then went and tried adjusting the cable adjuster, as suggested by the manual, still no difference.
The last step was, according to the manual, to take it to a dealer. Which I did. When the dealer called me back he stated it was fixed. When I asked him what was wrong. He stated nothing. He just adjusted the cable again. When I picked it up I tried the unit and sure enough it still erratically would not free up the left wheel and then it would.  He stated he wasn't familiar with this arrangement for a wheel lock (was familiar with the remote differential though).  In fact he stated, ' Whenever Ariens has a product that works well, they change it'.  Not exactly what I wanted to hear and most likely not going back to him again.  Sooooo...anyone have any suggestions?

ragmop,

Sounds like the cable is still too loose. The manual states to take all the slack out of the cable, then to loosen the jam nut 1-3 turns. This was to be revised in a newer revision manual to a new specification (looks like it hasn't been published/revised yet). The setting currently listed in the manual will make the cable too loose. When you take the bottom cover off, grab the ratchett gear (the one with the external teeth, it's against the frame) and rotate it fully so it snugs against the spring loaded finger mounted on the pinion gear shaft. Now remove the slack from the cable, then tighten the jam nuts. It's important to note that while it is best to remove all of the slack to make this mechanism work right, if you pretension the cable by going a bit too far, that will also cause it to operate improperly. In reality, the operable range for this setting is like 0-1 thread turnback. It's a precision setting, but it will work great when properly set. The stroke on the trigger is just enough to index the "clicker" mechanism. If the cable is too loose (causing wasted stroke from the trigger), the ratchett gear will not index (causing the problem you describe). This mechanism is only in its second year. It doesn't surprise me that some dealers are unfamiliar. I hope this helps.

PK

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

Mike Anderson

Ditto what Snowman said.

Like yours, mine also came from the dealer working improperly. I took off the cover plate this afternoon and adjusted it to remove the slack and now it works just fine. It's easy to see how it all works with the cover off.

It looks to be pretty straightforward, and I'll think you'll get it working properly on your own. Good luck.

David

Thank you both.  I went out and adjusted the cable as suggested by Snowman. I think I have got it.  I drove it around the yard and it now seems to work each time I pull the trigger.  I wonder if I was doing something wrong before. As I was plowing the driveway and had to make a turn, I just kept going and also squeezed the lever and made my turn. I am thinking that maybe that was putting a bind on the axle. So today I just came to a stop then squeezed the lever, that worked each time.  The true test will come when we get some snow (maybe this weekend). 

I noticed that when I went to pull the cover off that one of the screws was stripped and another missing.  It wasn't that way when I took it in.  That definately cinches it for me, I will NOT be going back to that dealer.

Thanks again gentlemen,
Mike Anderson

Sorry to hear about the dealer stripping the screws. When I bought my first Ariens machine back in NJ back in 2003, I was cringing watching the inexperienced, South of the Border help, tilt the dealer's Arien's machines into the service position without putting a piece of cardboard down first. These inexperienced people also lifted my 315 pound snowblower up and banged the tailgate of my brand new truck while loading the machine onto my tailgate. Heaven knows why they did not use my new 1500 lb capacity landscaper's bi-fold ramp which was sitting in back of the truck. Cheap help is not always cheap.

I learned decades ago that the best service can be found in my own garage.