Ariens Prosumer Two-Stage (30") 11-HP Snow Blower

There really is not much to tell, my wife insisted I buy a snow blower. I am from Maine and it is fair to say that I am not afraid of a shovel, and never have been.

Now I own a Ariens snow blower. I bought that brand because of their reputation for well made, long lasting equipment, and just as I feared, it has not snowed here in Plymouth Mass. since!

I have not had a chance to try it out yet, so I will reserve grading it until I can, I suspect it will do fine.

I went out and bought white and red reflector tape and put strips on the machine for enhanced night use safety, (if I ever get to use it at night) and I am looking forward to using the machine someday, maybe next year?

There really is not much to tell, my wife insisted I buy a snow blower. I am from Maine and it is fair to say that I am not afraid of a shovel, and never have been.

Now I own a Ariens snow blower. I bought that brand because of their reputation for well made, long lasting equipment, and just as I feared, it has not snowed here in Plymouth Mass. since!

I have not had a chance to try it out yet, so I will reserve grading it until I can, I suspect it will do fine.

I went out and bought white and red reflector tape and put strips on the machine for e... more

I have read several posts regarding chute troubles with the larger Ariens models about freezing and free wheeling chutes; and I have one more.

My machine is 14 months old and ran flawlessly last winter, and also the start of this year. Last week it again was called upon and after one pull (like always) began to help me clear the drive. Then, the chute would not rotate.

I put it back in the heated garage, and after a few minutes all systems looked good, so out we went again and this time the chute would not stay where it was pointed.

Back in we went and after reading the manual and some visual diagnosis along with checking cable adjustments I saw that the flimsy cog that is supposed to hold the chute would not reengage.

I am a mechanic, but seeing as it was still under warranty I phoned the dealer to see what he said. At first he blamed a frozen cable, but after I reaffirmed that this was not the case he said "OH- there is an update kit that should have been installed with a larger latch etc."

At this point the new kit has not been installed, and being the Holidays it will not be in 'til next week; then we'll see.

This note is just to give a heads up, and I guess Ariens knows of the problem.

I put New York state as my address, but I actually live in Eastern Ontario Canada (lots of snow) since this site only accepts U.S. posts.

I do find it is the most informative site on the web. Keep up the good work.

I have read several posts regarding chute troubles with the larger Ariens models about freezing and free wheeling chutes; and I have one more.

My machine is 14 months old and ran flawlessly last winter, and also the start of this year. Last week it again was called upon and after one pull (like always) began to help me clear the drive. Then, the chute would not rotate.

I put it back in the heated garage, and after a few minutes all systems looked good, so out we went again and this time the chute would not stay where it was pointed.

Back in we wen... more

I had an old snow thrower that was 8 years old and decided to get a good professional unit.

I got the Ariens 1130DLE. When I first used it on 3 or 4 inches it did very well, and was easy to use. However, the more I used it the more I realized that this was not a great buy or a great product.

First, the unit has a joy stick type of lever to move the chute left and right. This works well as long as it is kept dry. Unfortunately keeping it dry while blowing snow is not easy. Once it gets wet, it stops working and the chute will not stop at any direction but just free-wheels and is uncontrollable.

You have to take some plastic baggies and wrap it a few times to keep it dry to keep it working in conditions that blow snow into the gears. Second, unit creeps up as the snow gets heavy. It will NOT stay on the driveway, but climbs up higher and higher until the hand grips are literally touching the ground.

You have to go back and forth several times to get the snow to go into the blower box. That brings up the third problem and the fourth. Third, the reverse gear is very slow, even in the highest of the two reverse gears. Take a cup of coffee if you have to reverse it. You will have the time to drink it as you are in reverse waiting and waiting.

Fourth, I went back to the dealer who said for me to get a weight kit to hold the front end down. So I spent the $50 to get a 3 inch by 25 inch by 14 inch strap of orange painted steel. I bolted it on and it still crept up.

So I bought another weight bar and put two of them on. It still rides up, but not so bad. But this also caused the fifth problem. Now the unit is so heavy that I have to replace the shoes every year and have to lift weights to be able to turn the thing.

And, now it rubs on the drive so heavily that it pulls right or left very hard and you have to muscle it back on track. I finally realized that this unit is not fixable and I need to replace it. So, I am putting my 2 year old unit (1.5 Wisconsin winters) up for sale and will try to find one that is exceptionally well designed. Ariens is not that brand I think.

SBD RESPONDS: Before you throw in the towel you might want to talk to the tech support folks at Ariens. Call them toll-free at (800) 472-8359. They understand Wisconsin winters, since that's where they are located!

I had an old snow thrower that was 8 years old and decided to get a good professional unit.

I got the Ariens 1130DLE. When I first used it on 3 or 4 inches it did very well, and was easy to use. However, the more I used it the more I realized that this was not a great buy or a great product.

First, the unit has a joy stick type of lever to move the chute left and right. This works well as long as it is kept dry. Unfortunately keeping it dry while blowing snow is not easy. Once it gets wet, it stops working and the chute will not stop at any direction but just ... more