Thank you Dony! I'm currently looking at Ariens. I currently have a Cub Cadet 3x 30" which has been great for the past 6 years that I use at my cabin. It handles 18" snow without any problems. Now, I need snowblower for my home which half has an all cement driveway. 100' is double that turns into an additional 75' triple wide all cement driveway (175' in all). Usually, there's no more snow than 12" to 14" at the most each season. With that being said, I feel I don't need what I have at the cabin. I am however, looking for a well built 2 stage SB with decent engine that would handle the snow without bogging down and blow at a great distance. I have a couple questions if I may; Do you have any recommendations in which Ariens model would be a great choice? Also, what's your thoughts in build between CC and Ariens? Meaning, what would be your first choice? I love all your video's and have seen how experienced you are..... You're the best person I know that I could trust in getting an honest answer. I would sincerely appreciate it. Thanks again! 👍😊
@@donyboy73 Thank you Dony!! I will definitely look at the Ariens SHO models with the 300cc or bigger. I sincerely appreciate your input in pointing me in the right direction. Love all your repair videos!! Thanks again! 👍😊
Bought my 24 in-9.5 Hp Ariens in 2006 and it is still going strong here in Northern Michigan. Have done this every other year since I bought it - NO problems! ALSO, make sure to grease the chain drive and other sliding parts.
Another good video. I have this exact Ariens ( one year old )and have greased and anti seized it up per your videos. I am glad you showed how you used both grease and anti seize on the inner shaft.I really like my Ariens but they could do a better job with corrosion protection on the shafts before leaving the factory.
Ive greased my Ariens 1027 LE axles and grease sprockets..chains and clean friction disc. every year and after 8yrs it has never let me down. thanks Donny great advice. Cheers Eric 💈
I've been using Lucas red and tachy grease for years and have never had any rust or seized parts. I don't care for antiseize way to messy, and it doesn't stop rust from forming. Grease is easier to clean off and reapply, I do maintenance on my equipment religiously. I've never had rust build up or anything has ever seized up on my snowblower. Great video, Don, but I feel grease is better for water and snow applications.
@percyfaith11 he always pushes that antiseize and never comments on a post that doesn't agree with him and or praise him. I watch his videos because he has useful information that he shares.
I stumbled onto this video today and it was very fortunate. I had just finished getting my 8 year old Ariens ready for winter and after watching your video went back to take a look at these shafts. I had not known about this before. Sure enough, there was enough rust between these two shafts that I could hardly get them apart. It was necessary to take some emery cloth to the outside of one shaft and the inside of the other to remove the buildup of rust. If this had gone any longer without attention there's no doubt in my mind that they would have been permanently locked together. They are well lubricated now and this will become a regular part of my maintenance every year. Thanks again!
I live in Florida, so I never have and never will own a snowblower. But these concepts can be applied to many different applications. Thank you for sharing this video. May God bless you.
Great video, thank you. My Ariens is one year old. I followed your instructions and sure enough the driveshaft was all rust. I was able to remove it, clean it up and apply anti-seize and lube as you instructed. THANK YOU for getting this important video out.
Great video! I have a 6 year old Airens and never did this. Had a hard just pushing it and it would (ratchet) gears wear in drive mode. I took it apart and it was seized up, all cleaned up and lubed. Works great now and can push it now without the resistance.
I use basic motor oil with the antiseize. As I reassemble, I spin everything around to distribute it. Been doing it for about fifteen years now and I’ve had units come back year after year, allowing me to inspect the long term effect. It’s amazing how well it preserves the differential and stops that awful rust-dust in its tracks. No more flattened out splined shafts.
Thanks for this tip. I just checked my deluxe 28 (in service since Nov. 2018) Have always done my own maintenance but was unaware of this shaft over shaft feature. Just checked mine and happy to say I caught it just in time as the main shaft had a decent coating of rust. All cleaned and lubed properly now. Took maybe 1/2 an hour. Enjoy all your videos👍👍
@@williamb3323 It's advisable to siphon the fuel out of the tank first. A workaround is to place a a plastic bag over top of the the fuel tank opening and then screw on the gas cap if your tank is full but it doesn't always work. Your oil should be fine as long as the cap is screwed on securely.
Well, this explains why my wheels would freeze up & not turn after I used the machine and it sat overnight in my freezing shed!! I even asked Ariens about it and the guy I talked to had no idea! THANK YOU!!
There's a reason why Ariens are top notch snowblowers. I have a 2009 Platinum 30, has differential as well, Still runs and looks like a new machine. Lots of maintenance points and adjustments though. I keep the manual handy every year when I do maintenance on it. Looks after a 300ft driveway in a snow zone without issue for 14 years now.
@@capohd28 Totally agree about how Ariens are great machines. I bought my 724 Sno-Thro new in 1972 for $350. I live in western NY where we average 100" snow/year. My machine has never let me down and many times I've helped neighbors with Hondas, Toros, Craftsman and others to clear the packed snow at the foot of driveway where the plows pack it in. Their machines just are not up to the job. My Ariens greatest moment was cutting through a 7 foot deep snowdrift after a major blizzard. I had a friend standing on top of the drift using a shovel to slice the snow down onto the ground so I could blast it away with the Ariens. I've done a fair bit of maintenance over the years including replacing drive axle bushings and auger bushings. I'm still on the original friction disc and can't understand why so many people seem to need to replace them. I suspect they have the pressure against the disc adjusted too high? I've also disassembled the carb and cleaned and installed new needle and seat. I've done a bit of welding to repair the sheet metal teeth for rotating the chute. The metal behind the teeth had cracked. I don't think any of these repairs are unusual for a 51 year old machine that's seen lots of duty. I have never sheared a bolt on the auger shaft, knock on wood.
@Craig Erickson I enjoyed reading your post. I have replaced the friction disc and one cable. That's it. Everything else is original. The cable was fine but the boot cracked and it let water in and would freeze up. I am surprised you are still on the original disc! That is the main wear part.
I wouldn't call it a differential as a differential allows difference in speed for left and right wheels. I'd call it the driven gear. You can see the smaller drive gear that it connects to.
Things to check if your machine is pulling to one side: Make sure the shoes are adjusted evenly; If you have a machine with removable pins in the wheel hubs for easy turning - put the pin in to go straight; check the air pressure in the tires - the tires have heavy sidewalls and look like they have air when they don't; both tires need the same circumference to go in a straight line - two different make and style tires are suspect; more wear on one tire; you just replaced one tire that was bad. Measure the circumference with a cloth tape or a piece of rope
Wow. Thank you. I just bought one of these with the locker last year. But it's the one with the bulldozer tracks. Spent $2200 on it. I'll be doing this grease job asap. Again, thanks.
Wow! Seems like that should have been done at the factory during assembly with a note in the Manual of how to maintain it. Now I have to wonder if this kind of thing is even covered in the Manual. Most likely a Maintenance/Service/Repair Manual, if you can find one, but it should also be in the Owner's/User's Manual. Great stuff, Don!
@@philherrick7319 Yes, but if you search the Internet, you can sometimes find the Shop Repair Manual that the dealer and authorized repair shop techs use, and sometimes you have to call Customer Service to buy it. Sometimes, the title goes by a different name, so instead of "Shop," look for Ariens, OEM, etc., and instead of "Repair," look for Service, Maintenance, etc. I'm not saying that Ariens has either way, online or Customer Service, but it wouldn't hurt to do the search or call if it's not online. I found Shop Repair Manual for a Briggs and Stratton engine on my Craftsman tractor mower online with numbered parts to reference a Part Number in a Table and it also had Torque specs, gaps for spark plug, valve stems, etc., everything I needed The manual for the mower is out of print so I couldn't buy it and I could not find it online, but also sometimes, Archive Services online will have them to download for free. Again, it wouldn't hurt to search of call. That's what I meant by "Maintenance/Service/Repair Manual." Good luck!
2 different things Owners, /users manual is NOT a service/repair manual That's why I commented that the information you refer to would never be found in an owners manual
Thank you so much Donny! I just attacked my seven year old Arians. I got it just in time because the outer shaft was almost glued to the inner, they were very difficult to separate. You're the best!!!
Today is Nov 16th 2023. We are supposed to get Lake Effect snow here in Erie Pa..I doubt I will have time to do this now, but for next summer it will be at the top of the list. Thanks for this tutorial.
Smart, practical, Experienced, Is knowledgeable, Generous, And highly informative giving all the necessary details to do the job right! Donnie boy is simply one of the very best. Great job and thanks again, Keep up the great work!!!👍👍👍
Wish I had known this in 2011. The first year after one winter of use I went to take the wheels off and no way was one of them coming off. So far no issues but that axel is going to get cut if ever there is a problem. I'm a maintenance guy but somehow I missed this one.
I have an Ariens and it’s pretty old. It would get warm and stop running before I got done with sidewalk and driveway. A couple of years ago I took off the covers and gave it a good cleaning and changed the oil. We had 3 feet of snow one day that season, after clearing the walks and driveway, my son and I cut a car width path down the middle of the street for 5 houses along with my new toro the ariens ran like a champ and never overheated.
Donny, great video! I have been instructing my customers to do that very same thing for many years now. It’s a shame Ariens cut’s corners like that, where as Toro has the very same Auto-Turn diff now as well and they come lubricated from the factory! My only criticism of the video is, I find ant-seize ends up getting to thick and sticky for snowblowers, that’s why I only use lubriplate low temp grease and fluid film exclusively. Keep up the good work Donny!!
This is a great video. I can tell ftom your comment you know what you're talking about. Can you suggest a quality low temperature grease? Appreciate it.
Great video and I have exactly that problem now with my ten-year-old 520. Flat tire, went to pull a wheel ... absolutely welded onto the shaft. "Slime" got me going again (before resorting to filling it with foam) but a lesson learned.
Thanks for this video Don. I have a 2017 Ariens, and I just did this on mine. It was pretty bad, but was able to fix it. Now that I know, I will be checking this every year.
Your demonstration on why it is important to wear disposal gloves is spot on. I would have never thought about that. Is this the first time you lubricated the wheels?
Wow my sts 24 has grease fittings on the shaft... lug nuts hold the tire on. It has a hub like a car with a nut and cotter pin under the dust cover. Seams like newer models have cut corners to save cost.
Anti-seize is for fasteners, it's not needed and just messy af. There are some good marine and anti corrosion waterproof greases that will work just fine on their own. Thank's for the tip, I just picked up one of these beasts today, practically brand new for half price
Hi Don. You would have laughed if you saw me today with my smartphone perched on the snow blower while I tried to remember if you said grease and anti-seize, or just grease or? all while tapping the screen with a clean knuckle. Thanks for all these videos you do. 👍👍
Last spring I serviced my 2 year old Ariens 28 SHO and I thought I did a good job. Then I happened to watch this video and I was angry. Nowhere in the owners manual did it say to remove the outer splined shaft to lubricate the shaft it rotated on! This weekend I finally serviced the unit and I was so angry to see that the shaft had rusted and it took some time to sand the rust off and smooth the shaft! Thanks to your video I caught it almost in time! I do have a question about a missing E-clip some posters mentioned. I thought one had fallen off and I replaced it. I just don’t remember what side and should I remove it. Great video as always and saving us homeowners money on service that we can do ourselves after following the steps on your videos! Merci from SS Marie!
Great info. Ironically, I bought a Ariens Deluxe 28 less than a year ago and your info on how to perform this was spot on. Previously I had thought one of the "E" clips was missing until I downloaded the list of parts that made up this blower.
Great info Don! I also check the pressure on the drive disc and set it correctly. The kids assembling snow throwers at Home Depot and Lowes down here put Wayyyy too much pressure on the rubber drive disc and it wears out the first season! Also don’t shift these “on the fly” as the discs will wear out prematurely!
Hey Donnie great video, your videos are a must watch! I have an Ariens 1028 snowblower that I bought in 2000. Thanks for all the info, I hope to keep this machine running for another 20yrs!
Fantastic! didn't even know there was a diff. Hope I can service my old freebee gift from my neighbor. Machine runs like a new one but have to check that shaft.
Great video. My 18 month 24 inch Deluxe which was just used for one mild winter (so maybe 10 times) and the rust was so bad I almost could not take the wheel off already! Cleaned everything and used Fluid Film brush on and will make this part of my routine.
I was working on my snowblower last week and removed the wheels and I couldn't figure out why only one side of the shaft had an e-clip on it. Now I know! Thanks for sharing Donny. I hope I didn't watch this video too late.
I got my ariens over 25 years ago new never had any issues with the axles or the differential. I replaced the scraper blade once and the shoes that ride on the ground.
My Ariens is 15 years old. I live in an environment where we get 10-12 feet of snow per year, temps as low as -25C. My machine has started and run every winter day. Never touched anything save for oil changes and occasional sheer bolt.
Just for fun, you should take a picture of your camera. I bet it's anti seize silver:) Seems like all I have to do is put one dab of anti seize on something and everything I touch after that somehow turns silver:) Always appreciate and enjoy your videos and thanks for sharing your expertise.
Thanks Donny, I have a brand new (never used, still waiting for snow in Massachusetts) Ariens Platinum. I just watched this video and did everything you recommended. I’m glad I did, I was surprised at the minimum grease that was on this new machine. I was thinking about greasing the auger too.
If your machine gets a lot of salt exposure - that may need lubricants that are not just low temperature. It would be interesting to get some lube rep input on that. Would a marine grease suitable for salt water be better ???? Long ago when I was a marine mechanic I experienced some grease turning hard on our deck machinery.
I'm late to this video. Nonetheless thank you for pointing out the differential shaft maintenance. I never knew it was there. I've religiously attended to greasing the axles at the end of each season but will now add the differential shaft to my maintenance schedule. Thank you again!
I just bought an Ariens Model 920025 in November. So I took your advice, bought some anti seize and grease. Just a note: this model does not have an inner sleeve, clip or “key” on the shaft. I applied it nonetheless. I’m sure it can’t hurt.
For those who don’t know, Toro snowblowers come from the factory equipped with grease and anti seize on their axles. So if you have a newly purchased Toro, then don’t worry about it.
Thanks for this video. I own a 2013 Platinum and had never done this service. I was able to do all you showed, but since after 10 years, there was no seizing, I just used Lucas Red & Tacky grease which does claim to have some anti-seize properties. The inner shaft with the splines was also crappy but buffed out nice. Used that grease everywhere including the zirk fitting behind the wheel and the auger zirk. I am pretty sure if I do this every year, shouldnt have a seizing issue. I could see wear on the splines also, maybe time to replace it. The auto-turn works MUCH smoother now.
Anti sieze vs grease ? Wont grease alone keep the shafts from seizing? If you mix grease and and sieze you dont have good grease lubrication any more ????? Just curious ! Thanks
Excellent info and a great video! Thanks for the preventive maintenance! I would never had thought of this pre - Venntive-maintenance. So much to learn on u-tube! Thanks!
Very kool. I have a Simplistic SnowAway 10 80 CM. I wonder if it is the same as this?? I don't think so. I'm 80 yrs old and no way strong enough to lift this heavy machine up into that posture. Dandahermit
Great video! Very informative and detailed instructions. I have a deluxe 28 bought about 8 years ago, the reverse gear has stopped working for years. Are you able to do a video for how to fix it?
Watch my video "ARIENS Snowblower & Engine Controls Explained!" here;
ua-cam.com/video/TLxxaWNFhws/v-deo.html
Thank you Dony! I'm currently looking at Ariens. I currently have a Cub Cadet 3x 30" which has been great for the past 6 years that I use at my cabin. It handles 18" snow without any problems. Now, I need snowblower for my home which half has an all cement driveway. 100' is double that turns into an additional 75' triple wide all cement driveway (175' in all). Usually, there's no more snow than 12" to 14" at the most each season. With that being said, I feel I don't need what I have at the cabin. I am however, looking for a well built 2 stage SB with decent engine that would handle the snow without bogging down and blow at a great distance. I have a couple questions if I may; Do you have any recommendations in which Ariens model would be a great choice? Also, what's your thoughts in build between CC and Ariens? Meaning, what would be your first choice? I love all your video's and have seen how experienced you are..... You're the best person I know that I could trust in getting an honest answer. I would sincerely appreciate it. Thanks again! 👍😊
@@rapaent I would buy the Ariens SHO model, it has a bigger engine and better features. Get at least the 300cc or bigger engine
@@donyboy73 Thank you Dony!! I will definitely look at the Ariens SHO models with the 300cc or bigger. I sincerely appreciate your input in pointing me in the right direction. Love all your repair videos!! Thanks again! 👍😊
Bought my 24 in-9.5 Hp Ariens in 2006 and it is still going strong here in Northern Michigan. Have done this every other year since I bought it - NO problems! ALSO, make sure to grease the chain drive and other sliding parts.
Another good video. I have this exact Ariens ( one year old )and have greased and anti seized it up per your videos. I am glad you showed how you used both grease and anti seize on the inner shaft.I really like my Ariens but they could do a better job with corrosion protection on the shafts before leaving the factory.
Good info! There is a 100% chance anti-seize is going to get on your hands and clothes! Thanks for posting.
In my experience it's more like 110% 😆
Some may even end up on the Moon
Ive greased my Ariens 1027 LE axles and grease sprockets..chains and clean friction disc. every year and after 8yrs it has never let me down. thanks Donny great advice.
Cheers Eric 💈
I've been using Lucas red and tachy grease for years and have never had any rust or seized parts. I don't care for antiseize way to messy, and it doesn't stop rust from forming. Grease is easier to clean off and reapply, I do maintenance on my equipment religiously. I've never had rust build up or anything has ever seized up on my snowblower. Great video, Don, but I feel grease is better for water and snow applications.
I've had the same experience with anti-seize. After a season the axle shaft was dry and rusty.
@percyfaith11 he always pushes that antiseize and never comments on a post that doesn't agree with him and or praise him. I watch his videos because he has useful information that he shares.
So just grease and no anti seize? What grease do you recommend? Thanskt
I use Lucas red and tachy grease it holds up to water.
@@kensmith6708 same here
I stumbled onto this video today and it was very fortunate. I had just finished getting my 8 year old Ariens ready for winter and after watching your video went back to take a look at these shafts. I had not known about this before. Sure enough, there was enough rust between these two shafts that I could hardly get them apart. It was necessary to take some emery cloth to the outside of one shaft and the inside of the other to remove the buildup of rust. If this had gone any longer without attention there's no doubt in my mind that they would have been permanently locked together. They are well lubricated now and this will become a regular part of my maintenance every year. Thanks again!
I live in Florida, so I never have and never will own a snowblower. But these concepts can be applied to many different applications. Thank you for sharing this video. May God bless you.
Great video, thank you. My Ariens is one year old. I followed your instructions and sure enough the driveshaft was all rust. I was able to remove it, clean it up and apply anti-seize and lube as you instructed. THANK YOU for getting this important video out.
I will definitely do this in the summer because now is too cold. I have the Ariens 28 inch and is awesome $1200 from Home Depot 3 years ago 😊
Great video! I have a 6 year old Airens and never did this. Had a hard just pushing it and it would (ratchet) gears wear in drive mode. I took it apart and it was seized up, all cleaned up and lubed. Works great now and can push it now without the resistance.
I use basic motor oil with the antiseize. As I reassemble, I spin everything around to distribute it. Been doing it for about fifteen years now and I’ve had units come back year after year, allowing me to inspect the long term effect. It’s amazing how well it preserves the differential and stops that awful rust-dust in its tracks. No more flattened out splined shafts.
Thanks for this tip. I just checked my deluxe 28 (in service since Nov. 2018)
Have always done my own maintenance but was unaware of this shaft over shaft feature.
Just checked mine and happy to say I caught it just in time as the main shaft had a decent coating of rust. All cleaned and lubed properly now. Took maybe 1/2 an hour. Enjoy all your videos👍👍
good job! you just saved yourself hundreds of dollars!
is it safe to tip the snowblower on to the chute to get to the wheels with oil in the engine? or should you drain the oil first?
@@williamb3323 It's advisable to siphon the fuel out of the tank first. A workaround is to place a a plastic bag over top of the the fuel tank opening and then screw on the gas cap if your tank is full but it doesn't always work. Your oil should be fine as long as the cap is screwed on securely.
Well, this explains why my wheels would freeze up & not turn after I used the machine and it sat overnight in my freezing shed!! I even asked Ariens about it and the guy I talked to had no idea! THANK YOU!!
You have touched on something many overlook! You're an amazing asset to many out there!
Excellent advice! It amazes me that anti-seize reaches to get to everything. Just like taxes!
Put some anti seize on my Ariens years ago when you had a video about it. Glad I did it. Thanks!!!
Good stuff!
A snowblower with a differential?!? Well, I learned something today. And your preventive maintenance tips are a huge bonus. Thanks again Dony!
Right on!
There's a reason why Ariens are top notch snowblowers. I have a 2009 Platinum 30, has differential as well, Still runs and looks like a new machine. Lots of maintenance points and adjustments though. I keep the manual handy every year when I do maintenance on it. Looks after a 300ft driveway in a snow zone without issue for 14 years now.
@@capohd28 Totally agree about how Ariens are great machines. I bought my 724 Sno-Thro new in 1972 for $350. I live in western NY where we average 100" snow/year. My machine has never let me down and many times I've helped neighbors with Hondas, Toros, Craftsman and others to clear the packed snow at the foot of driveway where the plows pack it in. Their machines just are not up to the job. My Ariens greatest moment was cutting through a 7 foot deep snowdrift after a major blizzard. I had a friend standing on top of the drift using a shovel to slice the snow down onto the ground so I could blast it away with the Ariens. I've done a fair bit of maintenance over the years including replacing drive axle bushings and auger bushings. I'm still on the original friction disc and can't understand why so many people seem to need to replace them. I suspect they have the pressure against the disc adjusted too high? I've also disassembled the carb and cleaned and installed new needle and seat. I've done a bit of welding to repair the sheet metal teeth for rotating the chute. The metal behind the teeth had cracked. I don't think any of these repairs are unusual for a 51 year old machine that's seen lots of duty. I have never sheared a bolt on the auger shaft, knock on wood.
@Craig Erickson I enjoyed reading your post. I have replaced the friction disc and one cable. That's it. Everything else is original. The cable was fine but the boot cracked and it let water in and would freeze up. I am surprised you are still on the original disc! That is the main wear part.
I wouldn't call it a differential as a differential allows difference in speed for left and right wheels. I'd call it the driven gear. You can see the smaller drive gear that it connects to.
Things to check if your machine is pulling to one side: Make sure the shoes are adjusted evenly; If you have a machine with removable pins in the wheel hubs for easy turning - put the pin in to go straight; check the air pressure in the tires - the tires have heavy sidewalls and look like they have air when they don't; both tires need the same circumference to go in a straight line - two different make and style tires are suspect; more wear on one tire; you just replaced one tire that was bad. Measure the circumference with a cloth tape or a piece of rope
Wow. Thank you. I just bought one of these with the locker last year. But it's the one with the bulldozer tracks. Spent $2200 on it. I'll be doing this grease job asap. Again, thanks.
Wow! Seems like that should have been done at the factory during assembly with a note in the Manual of how to maintain it. Now I have to wonder if this kind of thing is even covered in the Manual. Most likely a Maintenance/Service/Repair Manual, if you can find one, but it should also be in the Owner's/User's Manual. Great stuff, Don!
This would never be in the owners manual. The manufacturer, in this case Ariens, suggests maintenance/ repairs be performed by an ariens dealer
@@philherrick7319 Yes, but if you search the Internet, you can sometimes find the Shop Repair Manual that the dealer and authorized repair shop techs use, and sometimes you have to call Customer Service to buy it. Sometimes, the title goes by a different name, so instead of "Shop," look for Ariens, OEM, etc., and instead of "Repair," look for Service, Maintenance, etc. I'm not saying that Ariens has either way, online or Customer Service, but it wouldn't hurt to do the search or call if it's not online.
I found Shop Repair Manual for a Briggs and Stratton engine on my Craftsman tractor mower online with numbered parts to reference a Part Number in a Table and it also had Torque specs, gaps for spark plug, valve stems, etc., everything I needed The manual for the mower is out of print so I couldn't buy it and I could not find it online, but also sometimes, Archive Services online will have them to download for free. Again, it wouldn't hurt to search of call. That's what I meant by "Maintenance/Service/Repair Manual." Good luck!
2 different things
Owners, /users manual is NOT a service/repair manual
That's why I commented that the information you refer to would never be found in an owners manual
Thank you so much Donny! I just attacked my seven year old Arians. I got it just in time because the outer shaft was almost glued to the inner, they were very difficult to separate. You're the best!!!
Today is Nov 16th 2023. We are supposed to get Lake Effect snow here in Erie Pa..I doubt I will have time to do this now, but for next summer it will be at the top of the list. Thanks for this tutorial.
I don’t have a snowblower but watched anyway as you always provide great information.
Your videos are well-filmed, interesting, and have saved me many, many dollars. Thanks.
Smart, practical, Experienced, Is knowledgeable, Generous, And highly informative giving all the necessary details to do the job right! Donnie boy is simply one of the very best. Great job and thanks again, Keep up the great work!!!👍👍👍
Wish I had known this in 2011. The first year after one winter of use I went to take the wheels off and no way was one of them coming off. So far no issues but that axel is going to get cut if ever there is a problem. I'm a maintenance guy but somehow I missed this one.
I have an Ariens and it’s pretty old. It would get warm and stop running before I got done with sidewalk and driveway. A couple of years ago I took off the covers and gave it a good cleaning and changed the oil. We had 3 feet of snow one day that season, after clearing the walks and driveway, my son and I cut a car width path down the middle of the street for 5 houses along with my new toro the ariens ran like a champ and never overheated.
cleaning. as in "cleaned the carburetor" ??
Thanks!
Thank you for your support!
Donny, great video! I have been instructing my customers to do that very same thing for many years now. It’s a shame Ariens cut’s corners like that, where as Toro has the very same Auto-Turn diff now as well and they come lubricated from the factory! My only criticism of the video is, I find ant-seize ends up getting to thick and sticky for snowblowers, that’s why I only use lubriplate low temp grease and fluid film exclusively. Keep up the good work Donny!!
This is a great video. I can tell ftom your comment you know what you're talking about. Can you suggest a quality low temperature grease? Appreciate it.
@@Jaw-t3tit's in his comment, lubriplate low temp grease. Lubriplate IS the brand.
@@dreamerrt216 shoot. I missed that. Thanks.
@@Jaw-t3t No problem. 👍
Looking to buy a new deluxe 28 inch next week so good timing
Great video and I have exactly that problem now with my ten-year-old 520. Flat tire, went to pull a wheel ... absolutely welded onto the shaft. "Slime" got me going again (before resorting to filling it with foam) but a lesson learned.
Another great, no BS tutorial. 'Merci docteur!' ...another one to my to do list.
Vous etes bienvenue!
Thanks for this video Don. I have a 2017 Ariens, and I just did this on mine. It was pretty bad, but was able to fix it. Now that I know, I will be checking this every year.
Your demonstration on why it is important to wear disposal gloves is spot on. I would have never thought about that. Is this the first time you lubricated the wheels?
My 10HP 36" Ariens is 20 years old. Maybe I'll do this next year.😀
Wow my sts 24 has grease fittings on the shaft... lug nuts hold the tire on. It has a hub like a car with a nut and cotter pin under the dust cover. Seams like newer models have cut corners to save cost.
Anti-seize is for fasteners, it's not needed and just messy af. There are some good marine and anti corrosion waterproof greases that will work just fine on their own. Thank's for the tip, I just picked up one of these beasts today, practically brand new for half price
Hi Don. You would have laughed if you saw me today with my smartphone perched on the snow blower while I tried to remember if you said grease and anti-seize, or just grease or? all while tapping the screen with a clean knuckle. Thanks for all these videos you do. 👍👍
This may be the reason my 2 y/o Ariens blower was constantly pulling hard left the last time I used it. Thanks.
Last spring I serviced my 2 year old Ariens 28 SHO and I thought I did a good job. Then I happened to watch this video and I was angry. Nowhere in the owners manual did it say to remove the outer splined shaft to lubricate the shaft it rotated on! This weekend I finally serviced the unit and I was so angry to see that the shaft had rusted and it took some time to sand the rust off and smooth the shaft! Thanks to your video I caught it almost in time! I do have a question about a missing E-clip some posters mentioned. I thought one had fallen off and I replaced it. I just don’t remember what side and should I remove it. Great video as always and saving us homeowners money on service that we can do ourselves after following the steps on your videos! Merci from SS Marie!
I am just in the process of buying a Deluxe 28 SHO Ariens, and found this video really helpful. Thanks -.
When those wheels sieze on the axle, near impossible to remove without damaging the axle. Good video.
exactly!
Great to see a mechanic that's not afraid to get his hands dirty, no woosie gloves!!
Fools always think it's cool to be stupid.
A well greased shaft and bush…ing always makes life better!
Very interesting. Great tips. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Great info. Ironically, I bought a Ariens Deluxe 28 less than a year ago and your info on how to perform this was spot on. Previously I had thought one of the "E" clips was missing until I downloaded the list of parts that made up this blower.
Great info Don! I also check the pressure on the drive disc and set it correctly. The kids assembling snow throwers at Home Depot and Lowes down here put Wayyyy too much pressure on the rubber drive disc and it wears out the first season! Also don’t shift these “on the fly” as the discs will wear out prematurely!
exactly!
Do you have to do that to the other side also? Great videos!!! Thanks
Wish don would answer your questions about doing the other side
No you don't. Newer units (like in the video) the half shaft is only on the right side.
That is what makes your unit turn better
Hey Donnie great video, your videos are a must watch! I have an Ariens 1028 snowblower that I bought in 2000. Thanks for all the info, I hope to keep this machine running for another 20yrs!
Fantastic! didn't even know there was a diff. Hope I can service my old freebee gift from my neighbor. Machine runs like a new one but have to check that shaft.
Worthy details, behind the scene. Good detailed info, 👌
Most manufacturers don't want you to know this so that we can spend more money to fix it down the road.
Excellent video Don!!! A little bit of TLC now will pay off HUGE down the road. Thanks for sharing!
You bet!
First class instructions. Thank you!
Nice job. Very well explained. Thank you.
Great video. My 18 month 24 inch Deluxe which was just used for one mild winter (so maybe 10 times) and the rust was so bad I almost could not take the wheel off already! Cleaned everything and used Fluid Film brush on and will make this part of my routine.
Don,
Another informative video! Thank you for taking time to film, edit and post this video
I was working on my snowblower last week and removed the wheels and I couldn't figure out why only one side of the shaft had an e-clip on it. Now I know! Thanks for sharing Donny. I hope I didn't watch this video too late.
Helpful video…. My Ariens is 14 years old and I have never done this.
Another good preventative maintenance tip Don. Thanks for sharing.
Is it a similar procedure for a RapidTrak model? Thanks for the video!
I’m new to maintenance. What I’m learning is everything needs to be covered in grease all the time!😅
I also remove the shear bolts, and squirt transmission oil between the shafts, then reinstall the shear bolts after thoroughly lubricated.
THANK YOU...MINE IS A YEAR OLD AND I WILL DO THIS TO MY MACHINE.
Thanks DONY ,! Another weekend project , we only had one season to use the beast, its 4 years old now..... so I'l lube everything up . thanks again.
I got my ariens over 25 years ago new never had any issues with the axles or the differential. I replaced the scraper blade once and the shoes that ride on the ground.
Thanks again Don! I'll try this on my Yard Machines before the next storm rolls in. God bless!
My Ariens is 15 years old. I live in an environment where we get 10-12 feet of snow per year, temps as low as -25C. My machine has started and run every winter day. Never touched anything save for oil changes and occasional sheer bolt.
Great advice and tutorial from one of the best in the game! Thank you Don!
Just for fun, you should take a picture of your camera. I bet it's anti seize silver:) Seems like all I have to do is put one dab of anti seize on something and everything I touch after that somehow turns silver:) Always appreciate and enjoy your videos and thanks for sharing your expertise.
Another excellent PM for snow thrower 👍👍
Awesome vid yet again, Donny.
And the reason Donny is my hero............
No gloves!! Real men don't use them. That's what GOJO is for!! 😛
Thanks Donny, I have a brand new (never used, still waiting for snow in Massachusetts) Ariens Platinum. I just watched this video and did everything you recommended. I’m glad I did, I was surprised at the minimum grease that was on this new machine. I was thinking about greasing the auger too.
Great tip, stuck wheel on shaftis the Last you want
Thank you Dony! I never would have known that.
Hi there, Great advice and video. Thanks for the tip. I will definately do this in the Spring.
Thanks Dony!! My Ariens ST24LE/ 8hp 24" cut is in its 2nd winter here in Fargo. I have this "split" Transmission too. I've gotta do this!!!
If your machine gets a lot of salt exposure - that may need lubricants that are not just low temperature. It would be interesting to get some lube rep input on that. Would a marine grease suitable for salt water be better ???? Long ago when I was a marine mechanic I experienced some grease turning hard on our deck machinery.
we need "project Farm to do an test on that !!!!
Thank you for the great advice I have one of the new design snow blowers and I am going to grease it just like you said thank you very much.
I'm late to this video. Nonetheless thank you for pointing out the differential shaft maintenance. I never knew it was there. I've religiously attended to greasing the axles at the end of each season but will now add the differential shaft to my maintenance schedule. Thank you again!
Great one Donny Boy Thanks a lot I'll get on that
Thank you for the great video and the information which i will use because i just bought a brand new ariens snow blower.
Thanks for this! Two seasons ago I picked up a brand new Ariens platinum SHO, always looking for ways to keep it in tip top shape.
I did this video last year and I found out how good the shafts where after one year
and make SURE the tire pressure is correct !
I just bought an Ariens Model 920025 in November. So I took your advice, bought some anti seize and grease. Just a note: this model does not have an inner sleeve, clip or “key” on the shaft. I applied it nonetheless. I’m sure it can’t hurt.
For those who don’t know, Toro snowblowers come from the factory equipped with grease and anti seize on their axles. So if you have a newly purchased Toro, then don’t worry about it.
Thanks, good to know not to worry about my toro
That's just because Toro knows they'll see the machine back under warranty. 😛
@@l337pwnage
If there were humans involved in the assembly, you should add,
93% to 98% of the time.
Thanks for this video. I own a 2013 Platinum and had never done this service. I was able to do all you showed, but since after 10 years, there was no seizing, I just used Lucas Red & Tacky grease which does claim to have some anti-seize properties. The inner shaft with the splines was also crappy but buffed out nice. Used that grease everywhere including the zirk fitting behind the wheel and the auger zirk. I am pretty sure if I do this every year, shouldnt have a seizing issue. I could see wear on the splines also, maybe time to replace it. The auto-turn works MUCH smoother now.
I can't se all this is nessesary if you can drive the blower for 10 years without any issues?
@@eddale5557 I could feel a difference in its forward rolling, seemed smoother and the auto-turn took much less muscle.
Would a good synthetic grease on everything be just as good as anti seize on some of the parts?
Thanks Donny!!! This is super helpful
Anti sieze vs grease ? Wont grease alone keep the shafts from seizing? If you mix grease and and sieze you dont have good grease lubrication any more ????? Just curious ! Thanks
Great advice thanks for sharing take care have a great night
Excellent info and a great video! Thanks for the preventive maintenance! I would never had thought of this pre - Venntive-maintenance. So much to learn on u-tube! Thanks!
Very kool. I have a Simplistic SnowAway 10 80 CM. I wonder if it is the same as this?? I don't think so. I'm 80 yrs old and no way strong enough to lift this heavy machine up into that posture. Dandahermit
Great video Donny 👍
Great tip. Thanks Greetings from an Old Jarhead in WNC
Great video! Very informative and detailed instructions. I have a deluxe 28 bought about 8 years ago, the reverse gear has stopped working for years. Are you able to do a video for how to fix it?
Merci encore Dony ! J ai vu ce probleme sur une Ariens Deluxe 30 il y a 2 semaines ! Thanks