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

Ariens 11528DLE

I purchased this sno blower two years ago and I am about ready to install my third auger belt. Anyone else having this problem?

Thought I was buying top of the line, my fathers vintage 1970's Ariens refuses to die and is still throwing snow like new. Very frustrated. Cold weather and no garage is no time to be replacing belts.

Brian

Shryp wrote:

I guess I should be more specific, they are not really getting eaten, just stretched to the point where I have to adjust the pully to the far end to make the blower blow snow, then it stretches some more and wont blow. There are no signes of belt fragments anywhere. The second belt was a belt from a parts store. The pulleys look like they are aligned. The unit is only two years old, you not think that things would be that far out of whack, even after the first winter.

If it was a cheap belt that was not power rated some stretching is to be expected.  Also new belts have a break in period after which you should re-adjust the tension.  Also, if you are using generic belts maybe they measured it wrong?  I hope you at least looked up the Ariens OEM number to get the belt size.  You could try using a belt slightly shorter.

After 3 belts I would suspect an alignment problem but you also need to make sure you get the correct belt.

The belts for utility equipment are usually green. Another issue is if something hits and buggers up one of the pullies or

the belt is slipping when it is engaged. It is either chunks of rubber or a burned belt may offer a clue.

You have to really check the entire drive mechanism.

Starwarrior

Post a few pictures of your pulleys and belt.  That could help a little.

brjl-Copy the seral # off the plate or sticker on your machine and call Ariens. I can't be specific and I may be entirely wrong but there was I think some discussion a few years ago on a 28" Ariens unit with belt issues. If my memory is wrong I apologize to both you and Ariens.

Marc

I can't get the link to come up. It is from October of 2009. There is a dual belt kit for the 11528 auger drive. I will try to get the link to show..

Marc

I can't get the link to come up but the story is this- Ariens has an accessory kit #72600700 that fits 8.5-11.5 Tec. powered machines as well as  Briggs powered 926xxx machines. It was designed for 2005-2006 units and became standard on the 2007. If you would like to read the whole thread Google "Ariens twin belt kit". The second listing is the thread here on Abby's that you need to read. Snowmann's response in the thread is #2 so don't forget to click on "all" or you will see only reponses #5-14.Snowmann's reponse has the info you need..

Marc

Thanks for your  help, I am going to purchase an authentic Ariens belt in the next few days and checking the alignment of the pullys.

Thanks again

Brian

>>>The second belt was a belt from a parts store.

Auto belts at a parts place are made different than OPE belts you would get at a hardware store.  The OPE belts have a strengthened backing for OPE use.  Hardware stores often carry a couple of types of different quality in common sizes.   I have never had a problem with the lower cost belts and occasionally use the more expensive belts both of which are less expensive than a manf's belt.    One Murray belt was $42 which was $9 at the hardware store. 

Get the part number of your belt at the Ariens site and google it.  You'll get hits for various belt places and many list the size.  All belts I get for Ariens machines are hardware store belts and work fine.

I buy all my belts at Advanced Auto.  They sell a line of OPE belts. They are pretty heavy duty and I've never had a problem with them.  They usually run about. $9.50 each.