@PMHSLight - I was pulling the wheel lock lever too far, I was pulling it up all the way to the handle grip. Turns out it only needs to be pulled up half-way to get the lock to disengage. It's subtle but you can feel it. Then when I release the wheel lock lever the wheels lock back up. I got to use the blower again about a week after my last post without any problems. The tires work fine, no worries about the tread, just be sure not to operate the unit too fast. I want more snow!
I purchased this model this year but haven't blown any snow yet. I live in Wisconsin and we are forcast to get 6+ inches in the next couple days. I will post again with my results. Thanks for the video!
Used it 3 times in the last 24 hrs. Huge snow storm just went through WI - 11 inches of heavy wet snow was removed with ease. Street plow went through twice and mounded up a ton at the end of the driveway. The more snow the harder and better this unit performed, very happy with my purchase (last year). My driveway is approx. 40 feet long by 30 feet wide, took me 25 minutes to clear everything including clearing out the mailbox area for the postman. I also clear out an on property fire hydrant
Second, the wheel disengage feature worked well, however it would not re-engage easily (Substantial trouble). This may just need an adjustment, so I'll look into that. Finally, the machine is HEAVY. I replaced a 1990 toro which was much smaller. This machine is about 250lbs and you can definitely feel it. Thats not necessarily a negative, but just want to mention it has substantial weight. Other then that, I ejoyed using it and think with modifications / adjustments it will perform well.
Just a quick comment to someone who posted the Briggs & Stratton was U.S. made. Sad news they aren't..From the searching I've done on line they are made in China. I just bought the Ariens Deluxe 28" last Friday with the assumption the entire machine was U.S. made. That's why I ride a Harley, all U.S. made, even living in Montreal, Canada it matters to me... I have been using the same 1971-5 hp. Ariens since I was a 15 year old kid so I'm sold on the Ariens name Big Time..Bring on the Snow
I bought this unit last fall, and here in western NY we had the mildest winter I can recall in my 63 years. Don't know if I am happy about that or not. I did get three chances to use mine, and it worked great.(most winters I would use it four or five times a week) I too was worried about the skimpy tread, but it gripped fine. Threw the snow twice as far as my old blower. I heartilly recommend this unit. Ariens has an excellent reputation, and well deserved. Nice review, thanks.
The Ariens are light years better quality and function over the Crapsman. Trust me, I was given a Crapsman didn't like it and sold it then bought an Ariens of same size after watching vids of em. My Ariens will throw the snow high enough to hit the power lines. Don't hesitate to buy an Ariens.
@Sbergs - Glad to hear it worked well overall, but I agree with you - when testing the wheel lock I noticed the same thing. If you find a solution, please share as im interested in seeing what can be done to remedy the problem. We havent had any snow here in lower NY yet however we may get some tomorrow morning so hopefully I'll be able to try it out.
I just purchased a 2013 Ariens 28" Snowblower, only my is the 28 + model. This model has upgrades in the tires. The + Model has the larger and much more heavy duty snow tires in the back and also includes handwarmers. The price difference between the two models was only 100 bucks. The Ariens snowblower is awesome. Built like a tank and will last forever if you take care of it and do all of the regular maintenance. Ariens does build the best snowblowers on the market.
I was able to use the snowblower and it cleared the driveway. The wheel lock that makes for easy turning was nice but the wheels didn't lock back up after I let go of the wheel lock lever. I turned the unit side to side and that locked them a couple of times but not every time. With the wheels not locking the whole unit pulled to the left very hard, made clearing the driveway a real pain in the ass. I'm looking into adjusting the cable for the wheel lock. Please post any helpful ideas.
Hi I will make another video once it snows and there is enough snow to use it. While I wish the tread pattern was more substantial like my old toro, the Ariens is substantially heavier then the toro and I think the extra weight will allow it to have decent traction. I'm not "too" concerned about the tread, but wanted to point it out. Please subscribe to my channel and I'll definitely post another updated video once we have snow. Thx
You never start the snowblower in low throttle because it may damage to the engine also start with full throttle... i have a Brand new John Deere 1330se with a briggs and stratton but has a 342cc engine. Briggs and Stratton are very reliable and always starts first pull in full throttle.
I purchased this years 2014 model. One thing I noticed right away is the Light Power 2 prong molex white connector on the right of the machine. Moisture will get in here. I wrapped mine with electrical tape after assembly
Thanks for the heads-up. Getting my assembled 2014 model delivered today and will look to do the same thing as you. First ever snow blower, went with Ariens cause of its reputation and quality reviews/ratings. Also, nice review PMHSLight.
@PMHSLight Thanks for the info good to know. I am also from the lower hudson valley area we should get enough snow by early tomorrow afternoon that you will be able to give your machine a good test tomorrow. I'm sure it won't dissapoint. For now I'll be using my 15 year old 26" MTD with an 8hp Tecumseh Snow King engine, it still is working pretty good but starting to rust quite a bit, when it needs replacing I would like to get an Ariens Deluxe. Good luck with it.
Hi I'll try to make another video with a demonstration of the turning. When you pull the lever to unlock one of the wheels (I cant remember which one it is) the other wheel stays engaged and still powers the unit. It is very easy to turn in both ways (not just the direction of the wheel that unlocks). When you release the lever both wheels re-engage and power the unit. Overall though I really find it easy to turn with 1 wheel disengaged. Much easier then the toro was.
So I finally got to use the snowblower on saturday, almost a year after I bought it, and here are my impressions. It definitely had alot of power (I never felt that it couldnt move the snow) and there was about 16" of snow. I really do not like the tires. In my video review I mentioned the tires as a possible dislike, and after using the machine, I defintely dont like them. My driveway is 100 feet up an incline, and the tires had difficulity grabbing. I will change them out.
I just bought my 28 deluxe today. Mine has the auger lock feature AND a limited slip gear box where it senses my nudging handles to the left to turn right, & it will shift more power to the left wheel to make it turn right, or opposite side to go left.
Sweet machine congrats, I would love to get this one probably about a $1000 or so I'm assuming, it also has a 14 inch impeller which most brands don't have. Thanks for posting this very informative vid, nice overview of the machine! I also like the idea that it has an American made Briggs and Stratton engine.Most machines today have the China built LCT or Powermore engines (especially on anything less than a $1000.00), which are unproven and U.S. job killers in addition to likely lower quality.
Ya i hate the tires on mine too when i bought it. Thats why I changed my tires to the kendra v trac tires that are used on the Ariens higher end models.
Metal chutes will freeze the snow and clog. And it has a briggs because Tecumseh went out of business. I don't like the steering feature because if you pull the wrong one youll either go in a ditch or hit a van (trust me I know) and another bad thing is the one wheel that is going will spin sometimes. But its your choice. On mine I just keep going, turn stop turn the chute... but that wont work in foot deep snow lol
@sbergs13 - Thanks for the follow up! We havent really had much snow in lower NY at all so I havent been able to use the machine yet. I really hope before the winter is out I can try it. Thanks for the advice with the handle grip - I'll try that out this weekend and hopefully it'll work a little better. Thanks again
You do have to be careful when you're comparing the Ariens vs the Toro! It's only fair to compare apples to apples. It sounds to me like your new Ariens is a larger model than the Toro that you had for 20 years. You make it sound like the Ariens is a larger machine. It's not! A comparable Toro will be the same or better than the Ariens. Also, the metal chute is no advantage on the Ariens. In fact, I would argue that the lifetime guaranteed composite plastic chute on the Toro will clog less and run cleaner, not rust obviously and last longer in the long run.Both good brands of snowblowers, but a comparison can only be fair if you are more specific and compare apples to apples.
I'm assuming that this is an older version of the Ariens 28" Deluxe because you don't have Auto-Turn and also the newer have an Arien AX engine that reportedly has more torque than the B&S engine.
@cardo1111 - I love the Snowthrower so far although I havent had a chance to use it since we havent had any snow yet! I agree that American Made machine is superior. I pair $999 at my local retailer, and that seems to be the going price. Home depot has them as well as snowblowersdirect (web site). While I havent purchased anythign from snowblowersdirect, I found the site to have some good info and reviews when comparing models.
Nice vid. This is a 208cc engine, how did it perform at the end of your driveway where the street plows pile up anywhere from 2 -3 feet of wet heavy snow? Did it struggle? I live on a busy street so I get a lot of wet heavy snow and my craftsmen 2 stage 179cc can't handle it. I would appreciate your input. I'm thinking I need at least 350cc to 420 cc engine. My craftsmen has similar tires as your ariens and they leak air. Please post a video of your ariens clearing the end of the driveway :)
I think the older Ariens with the tecumseh enigne is way better than the new ones I don't really like the new ones beacuse when you turn the Shute in front its heavy for me so I think the older ones is a lot better
Mine is a year old and first time this winter I go to use it and the drive belt tension spring broke. It is only a year old and the spring has already broken. Cant use it and I am snowed in. Dont waste your money on Ariens. They are not well built.
