Folks, as the title says I have a love/hate relationship with snowblowers. I had the belts and clutch changed on my 13HP Ariens two years ago and the machine was only used twice during the winter of 2021/2022. I started the engine every couple of months and thought that was enough. NOPE! Today we got a decent snowfall in northern NJ and I went to use the machine, thinking that all was good. The engine fired right up but upon trying to throw snow, the auger wasn't turning. What the heck? Cover removed, auger drive belt has been thrown. I fish it out and it has a huge flat spot in it where it sat on the belt tensioner. Luckily a local small engine shop had a replacement belt in stock and the repair job took about 90 minutes from start to finish. Long way around the barn, non-use is one of the most damaging things for equipment whether its a fishing boat, tractor, snow blower etc. Rant over, going to order some pizza, thank you very much.
I know what you mean. I got an Ariens in 2017 (it was their HD offering so was actually a Snowtec). Worked great for 1 season. The next season, the 2nd storm in and it stretched the belt so badly that the tensioners wouldn't do anything. There was no reason for it and I found out that they are prone to that. Fortunately I had kept my old snowblower that came with the house (it was probably 15-20 YO and falling apart) and it got me thru the season. Replaced the belt on the Snowtec and thought I was ready for season 3. During 1st good snowfall a tire came off the rim (and it had been perfectly fine). Once that was taken care of it wouldn't start (even though it had started fine). I was done dicking with it and spending money on a blower that probably actually only worked for 5-6 storms. Start of 2019 I bought a Craftsman blower that doesn't throw snow as far and doesn't have the onboard chute angler, but it has been solid. At the beginning of this season I had someone do a maintenance run thru it for the first time, just to be safe. It chucks thru the ice/snow/berms on pavement and off-road like a champ. Oh, I did have to air up a tire a couple of weeks ago, but it just does its thing without any fuss.
So far I’m not a battery operated equipment fan but I think it’s the future for a lot of homeowner equipment. Much less to go wrong.
The arien 24 deluxe at work has been pretty reliable so far. We've had it for 3 years now at least. Haven't had any issues with it yet, knock on wood. Last thing I want/need is a belt issue at 3 am when I come in early to clear. I guess I better order a spare if they are known for belt issues. Never gave it much thought. I needed to order some extra shearbolts anyway
Last season went through my equipment about Oct. took care of issues (or so I though) first storm the world destructed, ticked me off went and got a brand new simplicty 9hp 28" ( a first for me never had a new blower before) that solves that. So it got used about 3 times last year and twice this year and the less than adequate composit skids are shot- really ? on $1200 machine - I have a 30+ year old snapper still running the same steel skids. Another ticked off for me- todays project make new STEEL skids and I will be plating the bottom of those with 1/2" AR plate. That should last awhile.
