Ariens Deluxe 28 snowblower belts not lining up. auger + crank pulley problem. Fixed!
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- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
- This video describes how to repair the notorious ariens issue where the auger pulley does not return to its resting position. It also describes how to fix the issue of the auger belts wearing prematurely, or constantly popping off the pulley.
Thank you greatly for making this video. I wish I could have found it sooner.
I have an Ariens Deluxe 30 (921032) that is experiencing the exact same issue. My machine worked normally the last time I used it. Then, when I tried to use it after the next snowstorm, it stopped throwing snow as I got into snow thicker than 3 inches. I removed the belt cover and found that the belt closest to the engine came off. When I put the belt back on, it was only then that I noticed that both auger belts were off center from their respective halves of the idler pulley. But when I think about it, if the belt drive shaft was too short to begin with, the belts could have been off center prior to the machine's first use.
Initially, I thought the idler arm shaft was bent. I consulted a shop that sells and repairs Ariens, and even the repair technician said he has occasionally come across snow throwers with bent idler arm shafts. I examined my idler arm further, and I noticed that the flat part through which the idler pulley bolt goes was perfectly parallel to the attachment pulley. I consulted Ariens Support directly, and they said that the attachment idler arm shaft can get bent from heavy loading of the machine, like going through snow banks caused from plow trucks. While this might be possible, I found it hard to believe, as any reputable company should have tested their snow throwers on such snow banks. Plus, clearing through snow banks was part of the main reason I bought a snow thrower in the first place. Why destroy your back.
Frustrated with Ariens Support's reply, I was getting ready to buy new parts, but I decided to intensively search CZcams first. Luckily, I found your video. You just saved me well over $100 in parts and time!!!
Although contrary to other commenter opinions, your taking apart the machine for this video was the right move. Very rarely do people creating these videos show the details of the internals of the machine. My only suggestion for improvement would be to show the machine running with the belts off center of their idler pulley halves, and then show the machine running after you have fixed the issue via the spacer washers on the belt drive shaft. Action shots speak louder than still shots.
Could you please tell us from where you got the information on the Tecumseh engine's belt driveshaft being too short? I want to take this information directly to Ariens Support so they can improve their machines so others don't have to suffer this issue like I and others have.
Great job sir!!!
this information was confirmed by ariens themselves. consumer helpline will only give you so much information. i was a tech at an ariens dealer before i started my own shop. so it was 5+ years ago. but on the commercial/dealer tech support they told me on the phone that this was the case. i have another one in here right now with close to the same issue. but more severe. which im going to post a more in depth video on shortly. the ariens models just seem to keep getting worse and worse
@@SmallEngineWizard
Thanks for the reply. This is very useful information. Ariens should really publish a work-around like you have. I'm wondering if a different Tecumseh's engine has the appropriate belt drive shaft length.
Unfortunately, I have to store my Deluxe 30 outside. I'm using an Ariens snow thrower cover to keep rain and snow off of it. However, it's now starting to develop rust on certain areas of the casing. I guess I'll spend the summer using a rotor wire wheel to remove it. Would you happen to know what the manufacturer and color code for the orange paint that Ariens uses?
Also, the halogen light on my Deluxe 30 stopped working. A voltmeter says that the electrical system isn't putting out any voltage. On another website, an Ariens owner had the same issue and found that the cuprit was the plastic connector closest to the alternator. Unfortunately, the Deluxe 30 has a sheathed wire harness that goes behind an engine covering, so it will take a little effort to remove the covering and trace the circuit back to the source. Do you have any videos on troubleshooting the electrical circuit? I'll try to post some pictures here.
I look forward to your next video about the short belt drive shaft issue.
Thanks again for this video.
I successfully implemented your fix. To do so, I went to my local Lowes and purchased the following:
- 2 packages of Item Item #321312 (Model #883571), which each package containing two 14 gauge washers with a 1 inch inner diameter with a 1 1/2 outer diameter.
-1 package of Item #321327 (Model #882397), which contains two 18 gauge washers with a 1 inch inner diameter with a 1 1/2 outer diameter.
Using an impact wrench, I removed the auger belt drive pulley, and on the engine output shaft, I put on 4 of the 14 gauge washers followed by 1 of the 18 gauge washers. After carefully tightening the auger belt drive pulley bolt (14 mm) to snug with a socket wrench, the auger belts are now perfectly on center with their respective halves of the attachment idler pulley. The belts also remained on center when the engine was running at full speed.
One thing to note is that the original auger belt drive pulley bolt is a 3/8 - 24 bolt with fine thread (not coarse thread) and is 2 1/4 inches long. Because the five washers have moved the auger belt drive pulley outwards by approximately a 1/2 inch, I must now find a new 3/8 - 24 fine thread bolt that is 3 inches long (no could not find one that is 2 3/4 inches long).
Lastly, as I think you mentioned, you must not over-tighten the auger belt drive pulley bolt, as you risk destroying the threads on the bolt or the engine output shaft, a very catastrophic and costly event.
I'll keep you posted.
-Z
How do you take the crank pulley bolt out? It just spins the engine when I move it with my socket. Thanks for the info on the exact size bushings. Is a new 3 inch bolt critical?
Nice job!
Good job lad
Greetings.
Like you probably did, I measured the diameter of the engine output shaft and got a value of 7/8. From which store did you acquire your washers with a 7/8 inch inner diameter? I went to my local Hone Depot and Lowes and couldn’t find them.
Why did you take it all apart? Did you have other problems with the machine? If so, tell us, other wise someone might think this is how it has to be done. Example, my neighbor needed a new drive belt. I was sick at the time so he got a friend who took it apart like you did then never put it back together right. He caused more problems than he had. The drive didn't go backwards, the left skid plate was about 1/2" off the ground. I was surprised that the chute worked ok. LOL Just do a better job with the camera and your videos will be fine. Thank you for sharing it. By the way I did have the same problem years ago with a craftsman. I scratched my head on how this could be. I fixed it but still I asked myself why? I'm 76 and have been working on them a long time. Thinking back I believe a NEW belt would be ok for a while (I had the blower a couple of years before the belt came off) and when the belt was worn or stiff it would spin off. Your Thoughts if any. Thanks again good info
Thankyou! i am always looking for constructive criticism. This was actually the first video i ever recorded and did it a year prior to ever uploading it. i wasnt sure if i was going to start a channel at that point. when i get another one with this issue i will go more into depth and better camera work but i wanted to get the content out there. the thumbnail describes the issue. and anyone typically looking for this content would be coming across the issue. this isnt just a typical belt replacement video.
What year is your snowblower?
i cant say for sure as this was a customers machine. but i believe the years these were affected was between 2016 and 2019