Fixing a Drive Issue on an Ariens Self Propelled Lawnmower 

Thanks! Excellent video and explanation. I have a 911044 Ariens mower, which is very similar to the one in the video. I bought it in the mid-1990s and it still works perfectly, because of such adjustments and TLC. I needed to replace the friction wheel rubber ring and carb this spring and needed your info to properly re-adjust the drive mechanism.

Thank you very much for this video. There is an old Ariens21 mower in my rental place. I don't think the self-propelled thing works at all, I never used it always pushed the thing. But suddenly the back wheels were locked in place when trying to go forward. I am not super mechanically inclined, but thanks to your explanation of the friction wheel drive I had a guess that it probably has to do with it, was able to access it and lo and behold the rubber wheel was always down on the plate, locking the wheels for the powered off mower. Was able to move the whole mechanic a bit, so that it now behaves as expected and I am able to push the mower again 🤗👍

I fixed one of those this summer. Cool machines "I think"" Video on Tuesday coming up I tease you a bit.

Thank you so much. This fixed my drive train problem. Look forward to learning more from you.

Dude!! Awesome content, very informative, and presented very well! I just picked up two of these today and your video just taught me everything I didn't know about these mowers. Thanks for sharing and Keep up the great work. Definite 👍

very comprehensive man, thanks so much for the detail. the steps you took were basically identical to the ariens snowblower models, and very similar construction, even down to the hexagonal shaft on the drive wheel. I appreciate your ingenuity to prevent needing to take the whole assembly apart, if the service doesn't call for it.

Helped me fix mine today - thanks!

Enjoyed the video. Will help me with my snapper rider. Thanks.

Great video

Awesome, thanks

Thanks for a good, informative video. Well done! I revamped the drive system last year on an Ariens mower like this. The rubber on the friction disc was both worn and cracked, so I replaced the rubber ring, along with a new cogged belt. That breathed new life into the drive, but it only lasts for a short time when I start a new mow. After a while, it starts to lose traction and I've traced the issue to belt slippage on the drive pulley connected to the engine shaft. (despite the belt having been replaced last year) Belt dressing works well, but only for a while before it loses its grip. The idler pully and its spring are still in place, and there doesn't seem to be an adjustment for it. A stiffer or shorter spring might help. Any other suggestions?

thank you great vid I learned alot

Good video with some great tips. For years I thought the disc drive was a snapper thing we don't have snow blowers down here and we owned some mowers a self propelled push mower and a rider they both had the disc drive on them.

Great video. Thank you. I just picked up a free one like this. A bit older the lm21s. But with the same drive system. Im wondering if the grass bag is the same.

Great Job.

Good job and nice video EP

Howdy,and thx… You posted this video a couple years ago, but there’s a problem with my Ariens drive system… The inside diameter of the actuator arm plate that has the ball and the ring shim washer on the transmission side of the hex shaft is much larger than the shaft and fall down. But they do fit perfectly onto the o.d. Of the bearing. However, the bearing just slides on the shaft . It looks like it’s supposed to fit into the transmission and the actuator plate and washer fit over it. But the bearing doesn’t appear to seat far enough into the transmission for the actuator plate and shim washer to be on it because the spring pin hole is covered up by them. Is the bearing supposed to fit further Into transmission? If not, where does the bearing go so that the plate and washer fit on it and they spring pin hole shows to put the spring pin can be put back in? Thanks so much!!

My new Honda was touching right side first of the front auger housing than the left. I adjusted the skids making sure all was adjusted to same height. Than checked tires for same psi. I figured out I had to loosen the bolts where it splits than retightened and now it touches evenly. Odd. Ever have this?

A little bit of grease do the trick, almost the same system on my old snowblower, friiction disc and disc drive is a simple and solid system

I have a mtd snowblower and the shifter gets stiff and I've tried several lubes. Latest is JD corn head grease which is like 00 used in blower gear box. Maybe I need to sand the hex shaft down a bit .

I have a similar Ariens mower and the friction wheel needs replacing. Unfortunately it is discontinued. Is there any way to put a different one on? Is there some way to add new rubber to the wheel?

I have this same mower - and needed to adjust that cable - thanks for the video - one question for you ... where in the heck do they hide the oil filter on this model?

Good day Boy , my neighbour gave me one like that for scrap, said drive system didn't work, some day I will have to look at that, but I am thinking drive wheel might be worn. How expensive would drive pulley be? He said motor runs. Thanks

How hard is it to replace the rubber friction driven disc on this mower other question is your new concrete driveway doing well I hope

Man your shop is worse then mine and that's saying something lol good video jake me old mucker.. hope the old man is good

sent email to you regaurding key switch to toro just wondering if you recieved it thanks ..

The Snapper has a simpler more reliable drive system in my opinion. The Ariens is over engineered and complicated with more parts to fail.