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

I've been using Ariens snowblowers all my life, so I'm pretty disappointed with my 2004 8526LE so far.  When I received it, one of the shoe bolts was stripped out and the shoe would not stay adjusted.  Ariens sent me a couple new ones, which I was happy with.  However during the big blizzard, I noticed my wheel drive was very sluggish, I had to push the thing to get it going forward, and as soon as it hit any resistance, it would stop.  I had fully tensioned and adjusted everything after the initial 15 mins but figured maybe there had been some stretching.  Brought it in to inspect, the pivot point where the drive cable connects (sticks just out of the body) was not pivoting, it was just hanging around in there loose.  Wasn't like that when I got it for sure.  Took it all apart, found the bolt with no cotter pin sitting in the bottom.  So it apparently had been slid through and no pin ever put on (the bolt was stuck in some ice on the bottom, with no pin in sight).  Of course this caused a lot of wear to the friction disc and there is rubber all over the friction plate now.  So I also needed to change the oil last night, and while it was draining I decided to inspect other parts again with a fine tooth comb.  I am missing a bolt that holds the dipstick tube support and the front of the carb cover in place, my starter has a horrible looking electrical connection that I had to re-do (it stopped working during the storm, I thought it was Ice, guess not) and in general all kinds of stuff was loose.

I bought it in the crate as it came from Ariens, unopened, so this was not a dealer assembly issue.  Pretty disapointed for $1000.....  I mean I looked it over when I got it and did the adjustments, but I had no idea I had to rip the entire thing apart and inspect the inside too.  Sheesh.

Now that its all fixed it works great, would drive itself through a brick wall, its not the quality of the product itself that bothers me, more the quality control of the assembly.  So at the beginning of next year looks like I'll need a new friction disc already and spend some time removing the rubber off the plate.  Oh well.

-Dave

Marshall wrote:

Not my intent.  I feel Ariens needs to quickly focus on their QC and stop the rush before what is still a great brand name becomes a no-name.  If I had a choice right now, I'd buy another Ariens.  I'd just be sure to take it apart fully this time and do a better inspection (I didn't think I would have to!)  The quality of the machine itself is excellent, and with the exception of Honda or Simplicity (out of my price range for the features I want) is the only one that is still 95% metal.  I just can't see myself having a plastic chute with some of the stuff I have to throw around here.  The quality of the build however, leaves something to be desired.  When all is said and done, Ariens mailed me new shoe bolts quickly with a very knowlegeable email response beforehand, a new friction disc will cost me $7ish, and I have cotter pins, so its not a big deal, I just would have rather taken it fully apart to check it out in warm weather, not in my 10 degree garage.

-Dave

Marshall wrote:

""When readers read things that basically leaves an impression that the product sucks, I'll try to step in if I think it should be narrowed down as to what the problem is (Drinkingbird, not saying you said that). ""

Guess you missed that part drinkingbird so I'll show you again.

Dkbrd, did you E-mail Ariens you problems and complaints to make them aware?  I think that would be helpful and I would be curious as to their response.  If they are not aware of the problem they cannot do anything about it. 

C 

Marshall wrote:

Sorry I'm not trying to sound like I keep disagreeing with you just don't want to be mis-interpereted by other readers, I fully understand your points and where you're coming from, not saying you're wrong or anything, don't worry.

Go Aggies   (ducks)

ChrisS wrote:

Oh heck yeah.  I spoke with the same guy who was very helpful with the stripped shoe bolt when I first got it.  He suggested that the friction disc, while getting some extra wear, was probably fine and explained how to clean off the friction plate well.  I mean, what more can he say really, he can't change history or anything.

LOL,

dirtybird, the point was not what I was saying being right or wrong, the point was that I was not steering any of it toward you.

Good, hopefully they keep records so that they can correct things like this in the future.

C

all right guys TIME OUT...

now you promised you would behave and im gonna hold you to it.

im gonna have to stick up for the ariens (we sell them now ...sort of) a dealer sold machine will not have near the troubles that a box store or in the crate machine will.

not to say that the average homeowner couldnt properly assemble one but they are somewhat fussy machine.

remember a quarter turn on the friction disc adjustment will make a big difference.and the impeller belt adjustment is the same.

im so used to doing the pre delivery inspection on OPE that i just take it for granted.

i have found that the better quality of machine will take a few minutes more to set up but it will last years longer.

no desrespect intended but im better trained and better backed than the average homeowner.

a simple for instance is the fact that we sold 2 of the 1336 DLE ariens .i did the 15 minute belt adjustment on the impeller and went from about a 45 foot throw to at least 60 feet. you should have seen people driving by ,they nearly ran off the road watching.

im a firm beleiver in a proper set up and most homeowners wont or cant do it.

every piece of equipment we sell is set up and we also offer a free breakin adjustment at anytime the owner feels his machine is broken in.

and i will say that the snappers ...now simplicity units are somewhat  less fussy but still need a few touches here and there.

later chris 

ChrisS wrote:

Hi Chris,

Remember about 2 years ago when I had that quality control problem and dealer issue on my Ariens 724 back on the other board? I remember, Dan Ariens (I believe that was his first name) actually read my grievance and responded to it publicly.  It was also the same time the friction disc (I don't remember what model it was) was causing customers some friction.  Is he still a member around here and does he pop in now and then to see how his fans are doing with their snowblowers?  I must admit, it was pretty cool thing to happen.  I would have liked it better if he had called that dealer and had given them a good reaming. 

Richie wrote:
Richie,

As you know or, may not, Dan's first lieutenant in engineering does frequent the site and I imagine he has Dan's ear. They have always been responsive  when a problem arises. Unfortunately, quality control isn't a simple friction disc or something you can put your hands on and design better. It usually takes changes in quite a few thing internally and of course, time.

I would really like to hear from everyone that had a problem that was not related to something a dealer should have handled during prep.