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

While on parts radar looking for things I came across "526025: 8.5-11.5 Belt Improvement Kit" for my snowblower. Does anyone know what this kit does and what it looks like? I'm wondering if it's worth trying to order.

Rex1 wrote:



+1

+1 I own the same machine and live in CT as well

Are you getting this from Ariens? How much? Why do you think it will help,, mechanically speaking?

How did you do this? This makes sense to me. Start stops create belt slippage and clutch wear regardless of number/size of belts. Appreciate any help before the next storm kills me ;) Mike

Mikey>> Start stops create belt slippage and clutch wear regardless of number/size of belts.

 

Will have zero direct effect on his auger belt and minimal effect on the drive belt.

 

A couple of Ariens 1028’s were used hear over the first few storms with no problem.  One had a ground speed of .8mph.  For full bucket clearing of tough conditions the drive had to be worked to let it gather and toss at an acceptable distance.  Otherwise the engine would just sag heavily, toss poorly and if continued would just stretch out the belt. That would be over driving the machine.

 

>>>Suggesting 1/2 cut at higher speeds to me doesn't mean equal performance.

   But it will let you use your machine and not have to replace belts.

 

>>>despite several trips to a dealer for adjustments.  Looks to me like the auger belt is stretched out.  

Sounds like after several trips to the dealer you not sure about the belt.  How can that be?  After several trips to the dealer they and you are not sure about the condition of the belt?

 

A properly fitted belt should be fine and last for a number of years with proper use.  It would be pretty easy to nuke a belt with a 10 or 11hp though.  A dual system would prolong the belt life but >>>it should have zero effect on performance in the short term<<<.  My machines if overloaded will just sag through their power range until they buck and stall without slipping.  Going to two or several belts won’t make any difference in performance on you next trip out over a properly fitted single belt.

 

You can run you 11hp into the ground by overtaxing it, stretch belts and degrade the engine life and be wicked unhappy with your machine or back off, let it take in what it can toss at 25-45 feet and be much happier.    

Wow, I love Google as I asked the question as to why my 5 yr old electric start Ariens 11.5 hp was going through impeller belts? I've probably had to change the belt 4 times already. And of course, now again at the first snowstorm of the year. It was a heavy wet 8-10 inch snowstorm up here in Albany NY. I concur with the feedback here so far. My Son has a smaller Craftsman unit and he has yet to change a belt and we bought them around the same time. I agree in the fact that because its a 28 inch swath it feeds the snow into the impeller too fast and it stretches out the rather thin in my opinion impeller belt. A slower feeder speed as mentioned below speed 1 would have been a nice option. I had another 8 hp Ariens for 20 years and don't think I went through more than a few belts over 20 years. Seemed to be the exact same belt design too but the 8 hp took less of an sugar full as the 11.5hp model. belts dry out over time anyway and break. So from these threads I see Ariens is aware of the issue and offer the "Belt Drive upgrade kit" for 8.5-11.5 hp units I called a local Ariens parts dealer from their website. It was a hardware store and the service guy did not have a clue to what I was looking for! Here is where I found it: WWW.propartsdirect.net. One of the above posts had the item number correct. it's #52602500 Only $30.58 with free shipping. Site lists NH as their address. Probably does not include two new belts for that price, I'm guessing the kit is just the two pulleys to hold two belts. I already had two spare belts on order anyway. Nice part is the upgrade gives us a backup belt as Im sure if one snaps it will still throw snow like the OEM design. I'll report back as to how difficult it was to install the upgrade kit. I hope the pulley bolts are not frozen in place. Seems when I hit the heavy slush from the town plow at the end of my driveway that's when the belt stretches and it stops throwing snow. Sure I had a spare belt when it snapped last week again, but it's never fun to change it at 10 degrees and windy when they snap! Clutching on and off will slow it down, but a $30 belt upgrade is cheaper than a clutch or transmission.