Abby's Guide to Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more)
Username Password
Discussions Reviews More Guides
Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > A bit disappointed with Ariens Quality Control

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

Search For:
drinkingbird


Joined: Jan 26, 2005
Points: 44

A bit disappointed with Ariens Quality Control
Original Message   Jan 26, 2005 9:54 am
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

Replies: 46 - 55 of 60Next page of topicsPreviousNextNext page of topicsAllView as Outline
ChrisS


Appreciate what you have already been blessed with.


Joined: Sep 16, 2002
Points: 2793

Re: A bit disappointed with Ariens Quality Control
Reply #46   Jan 28, 2005 10:33 pm
No one can say you were not warned.....

C

Honda 928TA, Ariens 924 STE, Toro single stage S-620, 95 Jeep Wrangler with a 6 foot Fisher Plow, many shovels, one 14 year old boy.  Craftsman 01 1000 LTX pimp Gold LT 20hp Briggs OHV V-twin.  Tough as it is ugly.
MountainMan


Overpowered is Usually Adequate


Location: Connecticut
Joined: Feb 19, 2003
Points: 1564

Re: A bit disappointed with Ariens Quality Control
Reply #47   Jan 28, 2005 10:34 pm
Waste of bandwidth..

Ariens 1128PRO- Honda Generator_ Husky 480-257 Jonsered 2050Turbo- Shindiawa T2500 SCAG Mower -little wonder blower-Sears track blower-Coleman Generator- Bombadier ATV-Stihl HS-45 Etc-Etc-Etc
Termy


Location: Washington
Joined: Oct 24, 2004
Points: 960

Re: A bit disappointed with Ariens Quality Control
Reply #48   Jan 28, 2005 10:44 pm
MountainMan wrote:
Waste of bandwidth..

The light reveals everything


boblloyd


"Forty-two," said Deep Thought, with infinite majesty and calm.

Location: MA
Joined: Dec 2, 2002
Points: 424

Re: A bit disappointed with Ariens Quality Control
Reply #49   Jan 28, 2005 11:04 pm
Chris,  I agree this thread has gotten unproductive and far off the original poster's topic but I don't see why snowremover is being singled out.  Based on the last few posts it seems me others have been verging on personal attacks rather than debating his arguments.   Anyway if unproductive is a criteria then that would eliminate 90% of the posts here.  I think debates like this actually add a lot of interest.   

I hope we're not at  the point where anyone who dares criticize Ariens will be made unwelcome and chased off the board.    -Bob

ChrisS


Appreciate what you have already been blessed with.


Joined: Sep 16, 2002
Points: 2793

Re: A bit disappointed with Ariens Quality Control
Reply #50   Jan 28, 2005 11:06 pm
Sorry Bob,

This is how it is gonna be right now.....

C

Honda 928TA, Ariens 924 STE, Toro single stage S-620, 95 Jeep Wrangler with a 6 foot Fisher Plow, many shovels, one 14 year old boy.  Craftsman 01 1000 LTX pimp Gold LT 20hp Briggs OHV V-twin.  Tough as it is ugly.
Marshall


As Long As There Are Tests, There Will Be Prayer In Public Schools. ;- )

Joined: Sep 16, 2002
Points: 7730

Re: A bit disappointed with Ariens Quality Control
Reply #51   Jan 28, 2005 11:42 pm
I hope we're not at  the point where anyone who dares criticize Ariens will be made unwelcome and chased off the board.    -Bob

Bob.........that's not the intent and not what is happening, I know you know that.
boblloyd


"Forty-two," said Deep Thought, with infinite majesty and calm.

Location: MA
Joined: Dec 2, 2002
Points: 424

Re: A bit disappointed with Ariens Quality Control
Reply #52   Jan 29, 2005 12:24 am
Marshall,   I don't know what's happening.    -Bob
Marshall


As Long As There Are Tests, There Will Be Prayer In Public Schools. ;- )

Joined: Sep 16, 2002
Points: 7730

Re: A bit disappointed with Ariens Quality Control
Reply #53   Jan 29, 2005 12:39 am
Bob, PM sent.
SnowRemover


Toro 828LXE

Location: Near Albany, NY
Joined: Jan 12, 2005
Points: 139

Re: A bit disappointed with Ariens Quality Control
Reply #54   Jan 31, 2005 9:31 am
This topic too!

Damn, ChrisS - is there any place you didn't delete all my posts?

I would also like to know if this is over, even if you don't ever answer "Why you did this", please tell me if you are still going through topics deleting my posts.

Sincerely,
SnowRemover

It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them!
--Friedrich Nietzsche
Marshall


As Long As There Are Tests, There Will Be Prayer In Public Schools. ;- )

Joined: Sep 16, 2002
Points: 7730

Re: A bit disappointed with Ariens Quality Control
Reply #55   Jan 31, 2005 10:04 am
Snowremover, lay off Chris and quite asking on every post why your posts are removed. If you don't know why telling you again will make no difference.

This is all I will say publicly on this issue. I will either PM with you or Ban you or both, depending on what you do. You will be the one making the choice.
Replies: 46 - 55 of 60Next page of topicsPreviousNextNext page of topicsAllView as Outline
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Guide   •   Discussions  Reviews  
AbbysGuide.com   About Us   Terms of Use   Privacy Policy   Contact Us
Copyright 1998-2024 AbbysGuide.com. All rights reserved.
Site by Take 42