My Experience: It's 2022, December 21. Three days ago I purchased the Ariens Deluxe 30" (carbureted version.) *The auto turn works fantastic* almost no pulling from side to side at all, (maybe once or twice in the "one and a half hours" of snow blowing our two large driveways, probably because the edge caught on the concrete lip.) We have roughly 2ft of snow today, it ate it and spit it out like nothing. One of the driveways has an incline as well. I would say it shot the snow 30 to 50 feet no problems, and again it tracked straight as a board unless I wanted to steer it, then it responded just the way it should. I would highly recommend this machine, it really is a pleasure to use. My Adjustments: Factory metal orange painted skid shoes, and their adjusted to 1/8" clearance. I used some 1/8 inch thick flat stock as the spacer while adjusting the skid shoes.
I find it odd so many of you dislike the auto turn. I snow blow about 5 hours a storm as I make a whole playground for my dogs , and i have a long gravel non flat drive. This machine leaves me refreshed considering having battled my awesome 828 J Deere for ten years. Auto turn is great. See my reply below.
this is the very best video on the set up. everyone else just fool with the skid shoes. your body adjustment is far superior to ringling & barum bailey mechanics on you tube. frame of unit and the alignment is the real key. thank for your explanation
A key issue not mentioned in the video is that both tires should be properly and equally inflated. Otherwise the rear "frame" of the blower may not be setting level - even with the bolts loose. I have an older [1990s] Ariens (with the true differential) and noticed that the scraper was not flat/even on a flat surface. It turned out that one tire had a slow leak and would drop to about 10 PSI every week or so. The machine would then tend to lean toward the side with the lower tire pressure.
I bought a used Ariens 921044 Deluxe 28 and the auto turn was a nightmare....until I did the steps in this video. I loosened the 4 side bolts and shook the machine by the handles to loosen things up then tightened the bolts. Now the front contacted the ground evenly. I bought generic plastic skids from HomeDepot and affixed them using large washers as spacers (the ribs on the sides of the auger housing don't allow a flush fit with these 9" skids). I used 2 paint stir sticks on each side to create a gap under the scraper. Now the blower works very well with no un-commanded turns. I now actually like the auto-turn. I thought the double stir stick gap under the scraper might leave a lot of snow behind but with the slight crown on my dirt/gravel driveway and ice from recent freezing rain it worked out well. As for plastic skids, if you can find a source for 1/2 inch HDPE (old food cutting boards used to be this thick) you can make your own skids. In my opinion, nothing beats those old Toro blowers for ease of use. They had thick, angled, ribbed hand grips, and so easy to shift forward and back without having to look down at the detents.
Nice clear instructions and video. But for those who just go and grab their yard stick for this adjustment, at least mine anyway, is 1/4 inch thick. Definitely not the tool I wanted to use. And of course I can only hope my "level surface" was level enough. Guess I'll find out this winter. :) Edit: Upon further consideration, due to high and low spots in my driveway, and the uneven wear on my scraper blade, which I ended up replacing, I later changed the height from 1/8" to the 1/4".
On the lighter side...living in New Hampshire w/100' sloping driveway...this serious flaw in Ariens Auto-turn design has almost allowed me to skip going to the Gym. Great upper body workout. Kidding aside, you knew exactly how bad the problem was. Glad to see you went with the cheapest fix for 2016-2017 to avoid a RECALL..."Re-Balanced Machine: The axle has been re-located on the frame to improve balance and performance of the Auto-Turn steering feature." Congrats Ariens...looks like you skillfully avoided the dreaded "R" word..RECALL. It's sad because this has caused problems within the community of long time Ariens customers, people that would have never looked at another brand....now are.They got burnt first by your flawed design and then by your response to a known problem..based solely on economics...
Thanks guys, after spending two days researching and trying to get a price from a dealer for an Ariens pro 28, I've decided to look for a different make.....
We're sorry that you weren't able to get a clear answer from your nearby Ariens dealer, Pat. If you like, share the 6-digit model number of the unit you were looking for and we'll share its list price.
A 1/8 inch adjustment on the skid shoes is fine for a hard, paved surface. But if you have a gravel driveway you'll destroy your driveway, and I'm sure that throwing gravel isn't the best thing for a snowblower. You'll need at least 3/4 inch spacing on the skid shoes if you are clearing a gravel surface.
@@clark772 You'll have nothing but problems going by those spec's especially on any gravel surface with stone mix or not. I know from experience. I used to shear pins like crazy along with stones flying. I have mine set at 1- 1/4" to 1-1/2" on my compacted stone mix driveway and never shear pins anymore. At an 1/8" your looking to create a possible ice problem.
I just got the same snow blower and it is not adjusted right. I was wondering how to do it but the only video's I seen were of a different model. So I must thank you very much for the help. I guess I am 9 years to late.
I have the same issue, won't turn when it should and squirrely when trying to go straight. I did the alignment procedure and had the same results. Further testing revealed that it worked perfectly with the bucket off the ground, but would not turn at all with the bucket on the ground. Straight line tests delivered the same results, when going over uneven pavement or hitting a bump, the snowblower turns slightly as the bucket lifts off the ground, thinking that you are attempting a turn. Bottom line is the Ariens Auto Turn mechanism does not work (turn when desired) in practical use, i.e. with the bucket on the ground and actually blowing snow. The auto turn mechanism will only work with the bucket lifted (try doing that with the Deluxe 28+...) off the ground. This is being returned.
David - We are sorry that you couldn't get your auto-turn adjusted correctly. Richard is right that the tires also need to be equally inflated as that helps the bucket to be level as well. The auto-turn is a great feature when it is properly adjusted, so if you still have your unit and need help, please reach out to our Tech Service group so they can walk you through the process. Here is a link to our Tech Service group: ariens.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/263/session/L3RpbWUvMTM5Mjc1MzczMS9zaWQvVDVRaFpmTmw%3D Thanks!
Ariens Social I stand by my review, I followed the adjustment / alignment process exactly and experienced the same results. I then returned the snowblower to the dealer for service, they too performed the alignment procedure and once again I had the same results. I sent it back a second time and the ST728 Deluxe+ still would not turn with the bucket on the ground. I gave up at this point and returned the Ariens snowblower and exchanged it for another brand. Which by the way works perfectly, is perfectly balanced and turns on a dime.
+David Marsh I have spoken to the factor directly about this problem...they are aware of it. The problem is even if your machine is adjusted correctly (tire pressure, housing is level as in video) under certain conditions you can still fool Auto Turn into thinking you want to turn..when you don't. Hit the perfect storm of uneven pavement, bump, significant driveway slope...and Auto Turn will go from laser straight to random right and left turns and your coming along for the ride. At that point it's a wrestling match to keep it going straight....Ariens knows this I spoke directly to the factory about this...other then that, great machine.
I don't own an Ariens, but I was looking to purchase one of their pro models, but before I did, I did my research and because of so many dislikes of the auto turn system used exclusively on all but their smallest two stage machines, I opted to buy a different brand with triggers to lock or unlock each axle separately. I am surprised Ariens does not offer that option. Don't get me wrong, if auto steer worked in every situation flawlessly, then I would want a machine with that technology. Pulling triggers is not perfect in every situation either, but at least the machine turns when I want it too. After delivery from my local dealer, I opened up the inspection plate and made sure everything was lubricated from the factory, and it was, and at the same time I observed how heavy duty the cog system was that locks and unlocks the axles for turning. There was even anti- cease on the axles from the factory. HD snow blowers are not cheap, the last thing I wanted to do is spend that kind of money and not be pleased with its performance. Some say the auto turn is the best thing sense sliced bread, while others to put it politely, dislike it. Another thing about the auto steer differential that some complain about, is moisture entering in and causing issues with the differential to work properly. Maybe doing an inspection every two to three years depending on how many hours you use the machine would be part of your maintenance ritual. Sense the gear teeth are always under some pressure from the spring holding them together, when making a turn the teeth pass over one another, there would have to be some wear over time. That clicking you here when moving your machine around is the gears passing over one another. I wonder if a stronger compression spring between the gears would help the differential from unlocking so easily. Just a thought. Have a safe and enjoyable winter everyone.
Yeah, the ariens autoturn is a nightmare even after this. If you hit a sense spot on 1 side it tries to turn. It's a constant fight on anything but fluffy powder and a flat surface.
The tire pressure on the sidewall is the *max* pressure, the best pressure for your machine may vary. The bottom line is the pressure needs to be equal on both tires.
Here are the short comings of the 30" deluxe Ariens snow blower that I own for the second winter now: 1.) the cable controlling the deflector on top of the chute froze up numerous times. ( this is very annoying) 2.)The turning mechanism operated with left hand lever only works occasionally.( actually it rarely works) 3.) In 6" sow or more a fair size hump of snow forms on the already cleaned area. This is probably due to narrowness of the steel the auger is made of as an MTD unit with a much more substantial auger does not do this. Other than these short comings it is a well built unit, but the dealer is not very helpful.The auto turn feature had better be left off as I don't even dare to touch it.
after much research I'm not buying the deluxe 24. I'm not taking my chances with auto turn after SO many people have complained. I'll stick with the compact 24. I just wish I could get a engine upgrade without the autoturn headache.
I was hoping to find out how to turn that Auto Turn system OFF. I don't have a smooth driveway. It is mainly dirt. I've been wrestling with the snowblower as it tries to turn left and right by itself. I'll try raising the scraper bar up so it doesn't dig into the dirt so often and see if that eliminates the constant turning from left to right. I may have to raise it up a quarter inch or more in order to get a smooth operation.
What a pain in the ass that is. Owned an Ariens mower and regretted it. Thanks for pointing out the flaws that the company does not fix in their warranty due to product design flaws.
We are sorry your auto-turn was not working correctly. If you are still having issues, please follow this link to get to our Tech Service Department so they can assist you. ariens.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/263/session/L3RpbWUvMTM5Mjc1MzczMS9zaWQvVDVRaFpmTmw%3D The auto-turn feature works well when it is adjusted correctly, so we want to work with you to make sure you are satisfied.
Tech support told me to take my nearly new 280 SHO to a local dealer and have them adjust the alignment, which would not be covered under warranty. I've already adjusted the alignment, it isn't a complicated procedure but it doesn't resolve the problem. 30 minutes of snowblowing and my palms and forearms are killing me from wrestling with this machine.
I like the distance that the snow blower can move the snow but the auto turn leaves me exhausted after trying to stop the machine from going side to side between cars. FYI I have a flat level drive way so the fishtailing I experience seems odd to me. Is t here a way to just lock the axle of the machine so it disable the Auto-turn feature? Thank you.
Auto-turn does n not work very well if your driveway is slightly less that a perfect flat plane. Any slight drag on the skid or scraper will cause the blower to turn that direction. It is quite a workout - your forearms will be pumped at the end of the winter. Auto-turn work great on the grass then the blower is 6" above the lawn - the wheels unlock flawlessly when you make a turn in any direction. On snow, not so much.
I’ve had the exact same problem with mine since day one (2011-12) Always fighting it to go straight but Im crappy little craftsman goes straight as an arrow. How do we get around this?
Yes, you can disable it by opening up the differential and inserting hard wooden blocks to jam the mechanism. The blocks can be removed to avoid voiding the warranty.
RSole9999 ya I finally just got sick of it and sold it for 600$ (took a huge loss)and bought a husqavarna St330p with the triggers for turning. Haven’t used it yet. I will never buy an ariens again
It's apparent to me after reading all the comments that autoturn is a love it or hate it feature, which is fine. Some features just are. What I can't believe is that Ariens doesn't have a simple mechanical lockout option for those who hate it. Would also allow an older unit with broken diff to keep working. Hell, could be as simple as a thru hole on the autoturn plates for a thru bolt. Could be that some exec at company made their climb based on the selling of this feature as perfect, and is too hard headed to accept that some folks don't like it.
Auto steer is only used when making a 180 turn. not to be used when travelling in a straight line. This 1/8 inch is fine for paved area, on gravel it should be raised to 1/2 inch. This helps keeping small stones from flying out the shute. Mine has a lever to engage the turning, or disengage it for power to both wheels. Ariens are truly an amazing machine
My 1965 Ariens 10M4 ST424 doesn't have auto turn but it's easy enough to turn. I just squeeze the clutch handle which puts it in neutral and roll it around, release the clutch handle and off I go again. Easy peasy.
I know you have to used 1/8" for adjusting the skid shoes, however is it ok to used a 1/4" gap for my ariens deluxe 24. Is this going to affect the auto turn?
You did not mention auto turn performance. I have had my Ariens fit 2 years and still do not know how auto turn works. I have to turn my blower around manually, the old fashioned way! ..?
Hi Fabricator, We recommend taking your Ariens to your local dealer. They should be able to adjust the auto turn so you no longer have to manually turn it. If it's still within the warranty window, the repair would be covered.
I think you should go back to locking diff at the wheel. My John Deere 828d is like that and it’s perfect leave it open for light snow and takes a second to lock it if there’s allot and I need to bulldoze
I replaced my stock skid shoes with longer steel ones (8") that track straighter. The blower goes straighter but still turns around easily at the end of the driveway. WAY better for me anyway.
Thanks for the heads up. I just got my ariens and it was a struggle to use until I came across this video. This helped alot. I ordered a set of composite skid shoes and if that doesn't help I will order longer ones like you did. So you mind giving me the link of the ones you got?
ugh....just bought the 28 deluxe. it pulls to the right to the point that I'm fighting with it. I adjusted the skid shoes at least 15 times, then I came across this video. I followed all the instructions and still have the same issue. No matter what I do, when I put downward pressure on the handle bars, the front left corner of the blower housing always lifts first; any help would be appreciated. Both tires have the same pressure, my garage floor is level, I've tried it all. This machine is great but I think it's a manufacturer defect.
Cub cadet doesn’t have an auto turn? Im so frigging sick of mine with this crap auto turn! I bought it so it would be LESS effort to snowblow as it is right now Im sweat just as much as if I was shoveling
The dealer replaced the Auto Turn plates, and that solved the problem. It is more than a few owners. Three outstanding issues I would inform Ariens about. 1. Gas cap needs to taller so more leverage can be used. 2. The skid shoes are from the 1970s, they wear out very fast, and they are undersized and cheap. I actually made up a set out of 1" thick Composite decking skids that work excellent. 3. Not having a variable speed throttle is a negative. The Cub Cadet has the same LCT engine with a true throttle. Please don't tell me a throttle is not needed. Thanks! 4. The directional chute control on the Deluxe model is not positioned on the machine correctly. Ariens should have placed it where it is located on their more expensive models. Can't figure that one out??
I like the idea of the Composite decking skids. I need to take my snowblower over grass and It keep digging into the lawn. Do you know of any aftermarket skids available?
GD100 no I don't know of any after market skids. Just bite the bullet and buy the Ariens composite skid shoes at HD. I truly believe the composite skids should be standard and not the steel ones.
larry ciummo the dealer replace the entire Auto Turn mechanism. He said it was defective after using it the first time out last winter. Much I have read on the Internet blame the steel skid shoes. When the plastic shoes are put on the mechanism operates better.
@@lciummo1 From the pictures I've seen, they basically work like a Detroit Locker, except the inside tire disengages instead of the outside tire. They had an earlier version that worked just like a Detroit, but I forgot the name, and it didn't turn as well for obvious reasons.
If I get this machine, I will get special shoes for bumpy terrain. And I mean bumpy. I do not need to pick up every last inch of snow. Any suggestions? Otherwise, I may want to rethink getting an auto-turn machine if it is over-reactive. Thanks.
I have a 2014 deluxe 28. I love the auto turn. But Auto turn started to just click this year and not move blower forward. I removed the auto turn differential that Ariens says is non serviceable , took it apart and found moisture had contaminated the grease making it all caked up. I took pictures of each step of disassembly of differential and cleaned with carb cleaner. Spooged with new grease at each step of reassembly. Wham ! I reinstalled and poof ! It works again. I coated the outside with grease. So folks we need to grease the differential a couple times a year as like a sealed bearing these go bad but coating it will help. -
Getting ready for another season of working my forearms out. And this year we have a house and a huge slopped driveway. When my dealer delivered my Platinum Series 24 they somehow installed the rakes on backwards. Its been a cluster ever since. I hate turning with this damn thing and then going back with a hand shovel to do a final skim
Brian, we are sorry to hear that you have had this issue and apologize for the inconvenience. We thank you for your patience and are glad you are working with your local dealer to resolve the situation.
Same issue. Machine pulls hard to the right. Have tried on different surfaces with same result. Always pulls right. Ran through this video a few times and cannot get square. Will contact support.
I am sorry that your machine was pulling to the right. Hopefully you have corrected this, but if you haven't, please reach out to our Tech Service group so they can walk you through the adjustment. Here is a link to reach them. ariens.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/263/session/L3RpbWUvMTM5Mjc1MzczMS9zaWQvVDVRaFpmTmw%3D
you probably found out by now, but my new ariens has only the right tire pinned through the wheel. the left tire is pinned outside of the tire, which means it won't engage.
How exactly does shoe and housing adjustment affect the auto turn?......and what did you do to adjust that? I love my auto turn but this video makes no sense
The MOST important thing to do is to REPLACE the steel skid shoes & replace with the COMPOSITE ones. My dealer gave to me free of charge. Wow what a difference. Machine should have come with them to begin with.
I bought a new Deluxe 28 about a month ago to replace my 17 year old MTD 10 HP machine. After the first time using I figured I just needed to get used to it. We finally got some lake effect snow Thursday night so I ran it again yesterday and I am sorry to say that I hate it. I have named it lurch because it does not want to go straight, but lurches from side to side. The shoes and frame appear to be adjusted correctly, but I'll reset them myself to verify it is setup correctly. I really didn't want to have to mess with it after spending almost $1,200 on it. I wish there was a simple way to lock the darn diff.
That was a complete waste of time at 7.5° F. The housing and shoes were apparently adjusted correctly as it still lurches from side to side. Almost ripped off the siding on a corner of my house. Every time I run this machine I dislike it more. I really don't want anything to do with auto-turn anymore. I am seriously thinking of rebuilding the old MTD beast that I love. BTW, I have an Ariens zero-turn mower that I really like, which was a big factor in choosing the Deluxe 28..
+James Henry I've had a Snow-King for 20 years. Last winter the drive wheel broke it's weld and didn't have anyone to fix it quickly and we were getting pounded with snow (Live in NH). Went out and bought the Ariens Deluxe 28 with the heavier duty Canadian engine mounted on it. First time over my driveway (which was in bad shape with frost heaves and what-not), I was absolutely exhausted trying to control the machine up and down my driveway. Had to literally get my body between the handles to stop it from turning left and right and even that was a fight. The Snow-King never had an issue - Never. OK, this past summer, I replaced my driveway with a brand-new (completely torn up and bed replaced). Nice and smooth (though has a slight grade). Looking forward this year to a nicer experience. Then first snow fall (and every one thereafter including today), here we go again, fighting the machine up and down the driveway. I'm sorry, but the auto-steering technology is seriously flawed and for Ariens' to suggest the fix here that does not work, then perhaps the next step is to make a recall and allow dealers to somehow turn this "feature" off. I'd rather "struggle" making a turn than struggle continually through the entire driveway. I'm exhausted fighting this very heavy machine to do something as simple as go straight. Would not recommend the Ariens to anyone at this point nor plan on buying another one again, and that's a shame because otherwise it's a pretty good machine, but this one "flaw" is big enough to not recommend.
It's not Ariens fault - your driveway must not be a perfectly flat plane. I'm trying some of the poly skid shoes to see if that doesn't "set off" the autosteer transmission so much.
I put the poly skids on, but I am still waiting for some snow to try it . I wasn't aware that this snow blower was made for only perfectly flat plane driveways, silly me! I'll just peel $20k out of my wallet and have a new perfectly flat plane driveway installed right away! :)
I just took my new poly skids out of the box. Expecting snow Monday in Mass - hopefully those will salvage this $1300 disaster of a blower. Ariens should send a pair to everyone if they work.
Mine wasn't right from the factory and still seems to have issues! I am thinking the chute isn't square on the frame at this point. I have done the above procedure time and time again. Just can't get it square!
It's not that - any slight irregularity will set of f the autosteer causing the machine to wiggle down the drivway. We're all hoping poly skids will help it out a bit. Otherwise, Ariens is going to have to come up with a solutiion.
Hi Don. Are you referring to the skid shoe hardware? If you tell us the 6-digit model number of the unit you purchased, we'll let you know if you have the correct amount of hardware and how to adjust your skid shoes and scraper blade.
We're sorry you're not having a good experience, Ryan. Can you be more specific as to why you're disappointed with the product? We'll try our best to help you resolve the issue.
My older one which I still own is the 11.5 H.P. 24 inch cut. That goes through the plowed snow at the end of my driveway with no problems. The new one is the deluxe 28 sho. It rides up the snowball at the end of the driveway even though I put weight on the front. The belts slip and it broke two bolts on the flanges were the axles go through the housing. I wish I kept my ariens that I bought new in 1974 and put a new engine on it.
@@thomasryan8218 Thank you for sharing and we're sorry to hear about your experience. We suggest reaching out to your local Ariens dealer to help make adjustments that could help improve your product performance. Our dealers are an extension of our team and will help resolve the issue. If there's a product defect and your machine is still within the warranty period, we'll stand product warranty 100% on service completed by an authorized Ariens dealer. Your nearest service dealer can be found using our dealer locator tool at the link below: www.ariens.com/en-us/dealer-locator
I'm not knocking the dealer where I bought it, but I had it back there and still had the same problems. I will use it for lighter snowfalls and use my old pro model for heavier snowfalls.
I wish they kept the old locking differential system. I have a brand new 2018 deluxe 24 with the AutoTurn clutch and it sucks! I’ve adjusted as recommended by the owners manual and their RUclips video and I am still fight to keep it going straight down the driveway!! Machine is really really nice except for the AutoTurn function. I’ll try to raise the scraper bar/ lower the skid shoes a little lower, but now I think I’ll be defeating the purpose of having the scraper and will be leaving more snow on the ground. Any ideas on this issue ?
pcosta816 - Thanks for your response. I went back to my dealer (last winter) and free of charge he gave me a set of composite skid shoes. What a difference!!! Machine works beautiful. Straight as an arrow up & down the driveway. Machine should have come with them to begin with!
Paul Murphy glad it’s working for you now. If it made that big of a difference then you’re right, should have come with them from the factory. If it did I might still have it. Oh well, happy with my simplicity.
It may be working like it us supposed to, but I do not know how to test it tell. How do I activate Auto turn Show us a video here of how it is to work! Please!
Did that done that. Auto-Turn is a huge disappointment on deluxe 28 SHO. It’s a constant battle to keep it tracking straight. It’s a known problem. Not for real world scenarios especially clearing after vehicle traffic. Hate it.
Thanks for asking. You can use our snow blower selector tool linked below to help you find the right type of unit for your driveway. The tool will generate results for a new unit, but you can use the results to compare specs. www.ariens.com/en-us/snow-blower-selector
I used my new Ariens Deluxe 28 for the first time today. This was purchased from a dealer and appeared to Be set up fine. The Auto Turn feature needs to be re-engineered or deleted. I fought with this 275 lbs machine for an hour. Could not keep it straight. I kick myself for selling my 30 year old John Deere Snowblower, it was simple and reliable.
+Al Gore All the checking of tire pressure and centering the housing unfortunately will not solve this problem for the poor few that run their machines on sloped/uneven/icy driveways...Auto Turn will then has a mind of it's own. I have spoken to the factory (engineering/support) directly...there are conditions that can fool Auto Turn, even if your machine is setup correctly...Ariens is aware of this....not an easy problem to address for the relative few that encounter it.
Auto-steer works perfectly when I lift the blower off the ground when I take the machine out of the shed for the season. On a snowy driveway, it is truly a workout for the forearms. Sloped or ice driveways are a problem - I usually have both.
So basically to correct the autoturn problems, you have to turn the scraper bar into a 1/8' hanging bar that leaves an 1/8" of snow everywhere you snowblow? So I would have to snowblow my driveway then shovel my driveway because of the 1/8" of snow not removed by the blower? Isn't the point of spending $1000 on a snow removal machine so that it removes all of the snow on the driveway? For this very reason I would never buy an Ariens snowblower that has the autoturn feature. Which means the only Ariens snowblower I would ever consider buying is the Compact 24 that still uses a friction disk drive that will allow you to actually have the scraper bar, you know, scrape the ground clean like it should.
+Brandon Cloutier lol every snowblower needs 1/8" of space below the bucket otherwise you would VERY quickly wear down the scraper bar and the side of the frame. This is nothing new to any brand
I have a 1981 Toro 421 that has had the scraper bar making contact with my driveway (therefor, scraping the driveway clean) for well over 30 years. I have never replaced the bar or the shoes. So my own personal snowblower would beg to differ that a 1/8" gap was needed between the scrapper bar and the driveway surface. And I live in Michigan, so yes, the blower gets a lot of use every winter.
trader025 Again, i'm not saying it isn't possible i'm simply saying the manufacture ADVISE that you leave 1/8" to avoid wear to the bucket and scraper. Can you lower it sure? Does the manufacturer recommend it? They do not.
Some models with a rubberized type of scraper bar can have a lower clearance, but it wears and need to be replaced. I run my ariens clearance a little tighter than suggested. I use a thick plastic wire ties to set mine and in use it clears the snow well but I don't have auto turn either.
Ariens: ST624E, won't start, have fresh gas flow, spark(from plug while cranking), and carb was cleaned. It is at the shop where I purchased it and there was some kind of timing pin that was sheered off. It was replaced and alledgedly set correctly. Mechanic said still won't start. Ideas? Is it possible there's a grounding issue? or what else could be looked at.
Thanks for contacting us, Don. We're sorry you're experiencing issues, but you made the right move by taking the machine to your Ariens service dealer. Can you tell us the model number and serial number of your unit? If we have that information, we'll do our best to provide you with more information to help you resolve the issue.
Engine Model: OH195SA, spec: 72569G, D.O.M 08018CD0269 If I can private message you I'd be happy to give you the contact # to the repair shop. I've been waiting on this since before Thanksgiving and we've only had one dump of heart attack, ack, ack snow.
@@dongotfryd7983 Thanks for the reply, Don. Unfortunately there isn't a private message function on RUclips. We suggest contacting our customer support network by logging into or creating an account on our customer support portal located here: www.ariens.com/en-us/support
I can’t believe and really don’t understand all the whining about the auto turn feature. I’ve used a single stage Honda for the past 25 years. It worked and held up incredibly well. I takes a bit of muscle and pushing when we got over 6” of heave or wet snow, or so. I bought a Ariens 28 Deluxe second hand. A couple years old and lightly used. I put on the plastic OEM skid shoes and set the tire pressures even. It blows a foot of snow like it’s 2”. It works great and I love winter. Hope it snows!!!!
Hi Butch, you may have broken a shear bolt. You can learn how to change a shear bolt here: ruclips.net/video/pl7lfFD-lLs/видео.html If this doesn't correct the problem, you can visit your nearest Ariens dealer using the link below: www.ariens.com/en-us/dealer-locator
You have broken pins on the auger shaft. Remove chute and use a long punch to punch out pins and replace. Or take out rakes and remove auger that way. Then you can replace the auger Bearing at the same time.
Remember the old drive....with the pins in the wheels....Yes well ARIENS if its not BROKEN don't screw with it. FFS its a snow blower it is supposed to be heavy and tough. Men use them not Ballerinas.
I dont mind the auto turn i think its great thing to have on a heavy blower. its great at the end of the driveway. I wouldn't want it totally locked up but i would like to manualy lock or unlock one wheel insted of the auto turn. still woundn't trade my ariens for anything else. if you cant handle a real piece of equipment get a single stage
Auto turn horrible! This is the worst piece of equipment I have ever bought. It's like wrestling a grizzly bear. I hate everything about this blower! Was 2000$. It has 1 hour on it and I'll sell for 1000$ to any chump stupid enough to buy it.
DON'T BUY IT! I've followed this procedure x3 but I still have to fight the auto turn every damned second I'm blowing snow in my very typical gravel driveway. The total garbage design will leave you tired, frustrated and feeling like you wasted your money.
We're sorry you're not having a good experience with your unit. If the issue continues after trying these adjustments, please take your unit to your nearest Ariens dealer so they can diagnose and resolve the issue. Find your nearest Ariens servicing dealer here: www.ariens.com/en-us/dealer-locator
@@OhYeaMista Usually when this sort of stuff happens the machine has not been set up right or parts are missing. I have had this sort of experience with my equipment. You think there is something wrong with the machine, you take it to the dealer and get it back with the same problem. I found the real problem to be the people who sell and service this stuff. After looking in to it myself I found with one of my machines a part was missing. This can happen in the assembly, but should be fixed when you go back to the dealer. The other problem I have had is that the machine is not set up right. Same thing, back to the dealer, nothing happens, have to fix it myself. This is very annoying, especially when you are buying a new machine so you will not have these issues. The main decesion in buying a machine comes down to parts and service. Even if it is not the best machine, if you cannot get a part then and there, your machine is an exepensive lawn ornament.
galactica one I don’t disagree with that you said...but I don’t think autoturn has anything to do with that. It’s a self contained unit in the axle, no dealer setup. I aligned mine myself, everything straight. It was working correctly, I just hated the way it worked.
@@OhYeaMista Do all the auto turn machines behave the way yours does? If they all did what yours is doing I would think that ariens would not be selling that system anymore, people would not buy it after word gets around. There could be a problem in the assembly at the factory or some part in the autoturn system might have a manufacturers defect. If your machine is still under warranty you should push them to fix it. This can be a hassle is you get someone who wants to not deal with the problem and get rid of you, but never accept that kind of bullshit.
Good video and typical of adjusting the level of the scraper bar. Video shows NOTHING having to do with adjusting auto-turn!!! It seems is actually NON adjustable.
@@AriensChannelactually, yes, if you don't mind fighting it from trying to turn itself all the time. It's absolutely unsafe for an older person to use this thing
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My Experience: It's 2022, December 21. Three days ago I purchased the Ariens Deluxe 30" (carbureted version.) *The auto turn works fantastic* almost no pulling from side to side at all, (maybe once or twice in the "one and a half hours" of snow blowing our two large driveways, probably because the edge caught on the concrete lip.) We have roughly 2ft of snow today, it ate it and spit it out like nothing. One of the driveways has an incline as well. I would say it shot the snow 30 to 50 feet no problems, and again it tracked straight as a board unless I wanted to steer it, then it responded just the way it should. I would highly recommend this machine, it really is a pleasure to use. My Adjustments: Factory metal orange painted skid shoes, and their adjusted to 1/8" clearance. I used some 1/8 inch thick flat stock as the spacer while adjusting the skid shoes.
I find it odd so many of you dislike the auto turn. I snow blow about 5 hours a storm as I make a whole playground for my dogs , and i have a long gravel non flat drive. This machine leaves me refreshed considering having battled my awesome 828 J Deere for ten years. Auto turn is great. See my reply below.
How do you have yours set up for the gravel driveway?
this is the very best video on the set up. everyone else just fool with the skid shoes. your body adjustment is far superior to ringling & barum bailey mechanics on you tube. frame of unit and the alignment is the real key. thank for your explanation
A key issue not mentioned in the video is that both tires should be properly and equally inflated. Otherwise the rear "frame" of the blower may not be setting level - even with the bolts loose. I have an older [1990s] Ariens (with the true differential) and noticed that the scraper was not flat/even on a flat surface. It turned out that one tire had a slow leak and would drop to about 10 PSI every week or so. The machine would then tend to lean toward the side with the lower tire pressure.
I was thinking the same thing about the tire pressure
It is mentioned at 5 minutes and 3 seconds (5:03).
I bought a used Ariens 921044 Deluxe 28 and the auto turn was a nightmare....until I did the steps in this video. I loosened the 4 side bolts and shook the machine by the handles to loosen things up then tightened the bolts. Now the front contacted the ground evenly. I bought generic plastic skids from HomeDepot and affixed them using large washers as spacers (the ribs on the sides of the auger housing don't allow a flush fit with these 9" skids). I used 2 paint stir sticks on each side to create a gap under the scraper. Now the blower works very well with no un-commanded turns. I now actually like the auto-turn. I thought the double stir stick gap under the scraper might leave a lot of snow behind but with the slight crown on my dirt/gravel driveway and ice from recent freezing rain it worked out well.
As for plastic skids, if you can find a source for 1/2 inch HDPE (old food cutting boards used to be this thick) you can make your own skids.
In my opinion, nothing beats those old Toro blowers for ease of use. They had thick, angled, ribbed hand grips, and so easy to shift forward and back without having to look down at the detents.
We're glad this video helped improve the performance of your Sno-Thro! Thanks for sharing your experience.
Nice clear instructions and video. But for those who just go and grab their yard stick for this adjustment, at least mine anyway, is 1/4 inch thick. Definitely not the tool I wanted to use. And of course I can only hope my "level surface" was level enough. Guess I'll find out this winter. :) Edit: Upon further consideration, due to high and low spots in my driveway, and the uneven wear on my scraper blade, which I ended up replacing, I later changed the height from 1/8" to the 1/4".
Should also mention that tire pressures should be equal before performing this procedure.
5:00 it does say that
Just got my 2021 Great lakes edition 24 SHO today . It came with composite skid shoes .
On the lighter side...living in New Hampshire w/100' sloping driveway...this serious flaw in Ariens Auto-turn design has almost allowed me to skip going to the Gym. Great upper body workout. Kidding aside, you knew exactly how bad the problem was.
Glad to see you went with the cheapest fix for 2016-2017 to avoid a RECALL..."Re-Balanced Machine: The axle has been re-located on the frame to improve balance and performance of the Auto-Turn steering feature."
Congrats Ariens...looks like you skillfully avoided the dreaded "R" word..RECALL. It's sad because this has caused problems within the community of long time Ariens customers, people that would have never looked at another brand....now are.They got burnt first by your flawed design and then by your response to a known problem..based solely on economics...
Thanks guys, after spending two days researching and trying to get a price from a dealer for an Ariens pro 28, I've decided to look for a different make.....
We're sorry that you weren't able to get a clear answer from your nearby Ariens dealer, Pat. If you like, share the 6-digit model number of the unit you were looking for and we'll share its list price.
A 1/8 inch adjustment on the skid shoes is fine for a hard, paved surface. But if you have a gravel driveway you'll destroy your driveway, and I'm sure that throwing gravel isn't the best thing for a snowblower. You'll need at least 3/4 inch spacing on the skid shoes if you are clearing a gravel surface.
The manual specifies 1/8 clearing for paved surfaces and 7/8 for gravel surfaces.
@@clark772 You'll have nothing but problems going by those spec's especially on any gravel surface with stone mix or not. I know from experience. I used to shear pins like crazy along with stones flying. I have mine set at 1- 1/4" to 1-1/2" on my compacted stone mix driveway and never shear pins anymore. At an 1/8" your looking to create a possible ice problem.
I just got the same snow blower and it is not adjusted right. I was wondering how to do it but the only video's I seen were of a different model. So I must thank you very much for the help. I guess I am 9 years to late.
I have the same issue, won't turn when it should and squirrely when trying to go straight. I did the alignment procedure and had the same results. Further testing revealed that it worked perfectly with the bucket off the ground, but would not turn at all with the bucket on the ground. Straight line tests delivered the same results, when going over uneven pavement or hitting a bump, the snowblower turns slightly as the bucket lifts off the ground, thinking that you are attempting a turn. Bottom line is the Ariens Auto Turn mechanism does not work (turn when desired) in practical use, i.e. with the bucket on the ground and actually blowing snow. The auto turn mechanism will only work with the bucket lifted (try doing that with the Deluxe 28+...) off the ground. This is being returned.
David -
We are sorry that you couldn't get your auto-turn adjusted correctly. Richard is right that the tires also need to be equally inflated as that helps the bucket to be level as well.
The auto-turn is a great feature when it is properly adjusted, so if you still have your unit and need help, please reach out to our Tech Service group so they can walk you through the process.
Here is a link to our Tech Service group:
ariens.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/263/session/L3RpbWUvMTM5Mjc1MzczMS9zaWQvVDVRaFpmTmw%3D
Thanks!
Ariens Social I stand by my review, I followed the adjustment / alignment process exactly and experienced the same results. I then returned the snowblower to the dealer for service, they too performed the alignment procedure and once again I had the same results. I sent it back a second time and the ST728 Deluxe+ still would not turn with the bucket on the ground. I gave up at this point and returned the Ariens snowblower and exchanged it for another brand. Which by the way works perfectly, is perfectly balanced and turns on a dime.
+David Marsh
I have spoken to the factor directly about this problem...they are aware of it. The problem is even if your machine is adjusted correctly (tire pressure, housing is level as in video) under certain conditions you can still fool Auto Turn into thinking you want to turn..when you don't. Hit the perfect storm of uneven pavement, bump, significant driveway slope...and Auto Turn will go from laser straight to random right and left turns and your coming along for the ride. At that point it's a wrestling match to keep it going straight....Ariens knows this I spoke directly to the factory about this...other then that, great machine.
All this time I though I was just crazy and it had to be in my head. Now I pissed Im stuck with this pos!
How the hell is it a great machine if it can't even go straight down a driveway?
Worse Snow Blower I have ever owned!
I don't own an Ariens, but I was looking to purchase one of their pro models, but before I did, I did my research and because of so many dislikes of the auto turn system used exclusively on all but their smallest two stage machines, I opted to buy a different brand with triggers to lock or unlock each axle separately. I am surprised Ariens does not offer that option. Don't get me wrong, if auto steer worked in every situation flawlessly, then I would want a machine with that technology. Pulling triggers is not perfect in every situation either, but at least the machine turns when I want it too. After delivery from my local dealer, I opened up the inspection plate and made sure everything was lubricated from the factory, and it was, and at the same time I observed how heavy duty the cog system was that locks and unlocks the axles for turning. There was even anti- cease on the axles from the factory. HD snow blowers are not cheap, the last thing I wanted to do is spend that kind of money and not be pleased with its performance. Some say the auto turn is the best thing sense sliced bread, while others to put it politely, dislike it. Another thing about the auto steer differential that some complain about, is moisture entering in and causing issues with the differential to work properly. Maybe doing an inspection every two to three years depending on how many hours you use the machine would be part of your maintenance ritual. Sense the gear teeth are always under some pressure from the spring holding them together, when making a turn the teeth pass over one another, there would have to be some wear over time. That clicking you here when moving your machine around is the gears passing over one another. I wonder if a stronger compression spring between the gears would help the differential from unlocking so easily. Just a thought. Have a safe and enjoyable winter everyone.
Yeah, the ariens autoturn is a nightmare even after this. If you hit a sense spot on 1 side it tries to turn. It's a constant fight on anything but fluffy powder and a flat surface.
The tire pressure on the sidewall is the *max* pressure, the best pressure for your machine may vary. The bottom line is the pressure needs to be equal on both tires.
Here are the short comings of the 30" deluxe Ariens snow blower that I own for the second winter now:
1.) the cable controlling the deflector on top of the chute froze up numerous times. ( this is very annoying)
2.)The turning mechanism operated with left hand lever only works occasionally.( actually it rarely works)
3.) In 6" sow or more a fair size hump of snow forms on the already cleaned area. This is probably due to narrowness of the steel
the auger is made of as an MTD unit with a much more substantial auger does not do this.
Other than these short comings it is a well built unit, but the dealer is not very helpful.The auto turn feature had better be left off
as I don't even dare to touch it.
after much research I'm not buying the deluxe 24. I'm not taking my chances with auto turn after SO many people have complained. I'll stick with the compact 24. I just wish I could get a engine upgrade without the autoturn headache.
You have made a wide decision. I'm hoping Ariens makes it up to all the auto-turn owners - maybe a full season of a snow plowing service!
larry ciummo i sold mine on Craigslist and bought a simplicity.
Hate my auto turn. Thought I was upgrading from my old 80’s Ariens. NOT EVEN CLOSE.
I was hoping to find out how to turn that Auto Turn system OFF. I don't have a smooth driveway. It is mainly dirt. I've been wrestling with the snowblower as it tries to turn left and right by itself. I'll try raising the scraper bar up so it doesn't dig into the dirt so often and see if that eliminates the constant turning from left to right. I may have to raise it up a quarter inch or more in order to get a smooth operation.
Always check the tire pressure and set the same pressure in both tires before you do any of the adjustment
What a pain in the ass that is. Owned an Ariens mower and regretted it. Thanks for pointing out the flaws that the company does not fix in their warranty due to product design flaws.
I don't see where this procedure is a pita. It took the guy all of about 2 minutes to do.
Need to do that on any 2 stage snowblower bud. Sounds like user error on your part.
We are sorry your auto-turn was not working correctly. If you are still having issues, please follow this link to get to our Tech Service Department so they can assist you.
ariens.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/263/session/L3RpbWUvMTM5Mjc1MzczMS9zaWQvVDVRaFpmTmw%3D
The auto-turn feature works well when it is adjusted correctly, so we want to work with you to make sure you are satisfied.
FYI, It looks like this article is no longer available.
Tech support told me to take my nearly new 280 SHO to a local dealer and have them adjust the alignment, which would not be covered under warranty. I've already adjusted the alignment, it isn't a complicated procedure but it doesn't resolve the problem. 30 minutes of snowblowing and my palms and forearms are killing me from wrestling with this machine.
I like the distance that the snow blower can move the snow but the auto turn leaves me exhausted after trying to stop the machine from going side to side between cars. FYI I have a flat level drive way so the fishtailing I experience seems odd to me. Is t here a way to just lock the axle of the machine so it disable the Auto-turn feature?
Thank you.
Auto-turn does n not work very well if your driveway is slightly less that a perfect flat plane. Any slight drag on the skid or scraper will cause the blower to turn that direction. It is quite a workout - your forearms will be pumped at the end of the winter. Auto-turn work great on the grass then the blower is 6" above the lawn - the wheels unlock flawlessly when you make a turn in any direction. On snow, not so much.
I’ve had the exact same problem with mine since day one (2011-12) Always fighting it to go straight but Im crappy little craftsman goes straight as an arrow. How do we get around this?
Yes, you can disable it by opening up the differential and inserting hard wooden blocks to jam the mechanism. The blocks can be removed to avoid voiding the warranty.
RSole9999 ya I finally just got sick of it and sold it for 600$ (took a huge loss)and bought a husqavarna St330p with the triggers for turning. Haven’t used it yet. I will never buy an ariens again
Thank you for this video . Very helpful .
It's apparent to me after reading all the comments that autoturn is a love it or hate it feature, which is fine. Some features just are. What I can't believe is that Ariens doesn't have a simple mechanical lockout option for those who hate it. Would also allow an older unit with broken diff to keep working. Hell, could be as simple as a thru hole on the autoturn plates for a thru bolt. Could be that some exec at company made their climb based on the selling of this feature as perfect, and is too hard headed to accept that some folks don't like it.
Auto steer is only used when making a 180 turn. not to be used when travelling in a straight line. This 1/8 inch is fine for paved area, on gravel it should be raised to 1/2 inch. This helps keeping small stones from flying out the shute. Mine has a lever to engage the turning, or disengage it for power to both wheels. Ariens are truly an amazing machine
My 1965 Ariens 10M4 ST424 doesn't have auto turn but it's easy enough to turn. I just squeeze the clutch handle which puts it in neutral and roll it around, release the clutch handle and off I go again. Easy peasy.
I know you have to used 1/8" for adjusting the skid shoes, however is it ok to used a 1/4" gap for my ariens deluxe 24. Is this going to affect the auto turn?
You did not mention auto turn performance. I have had my Ariens fit 2 years and still do not know how auto turn works. I have to turn my blower around manually, the old fashioned way! ..?
Hi Fabricator, We recommend taking your Ariens to your local dealer. They should be able to adjust the auto turn so you no longer have to manually turn it. If it's still within the warranty window, the repair would be covered.
I think you should go back to locking diff at the wheel. My John Deere 828d is like that and it’s perfect leave it open for light snow and takes a second to lock it if there’s allot and I need to bulldoze
I replaced my stock skid shoes with longer steel ones (8") that track straighter. The blower goes straighter but still turns around easily at the end of the driveway. WAY better for me anyway.
Thanks for the heads up. I just got my ariens and it was a struggle to use until I came across this video. This helped alot. I ordered a set of composite skid shoes and if that doesn't help I will order longer ones like you did. So you mind giving me the link of the ones you got?
I don,t really like that Auto Turn System !
ugh....just bought the 28 deluxe. it pulls to the right to the point that I'm fighting with it. I adjusted the skid shoes at least 15 times, then I came across this video. I followed all the instructions and still have the same issue. No matter what I do, when I put downward pressure on the handle bars, the front left corner of the blower housing always lifts first; any help would be appreciated. Both tires have the same pressure, my garage floor is level, I've tried it all. This machine is great but I think it's a manufacturer defect.
Tony Tees Same exact problem here with my Deluxe 30. Comments Ariens reps???
Jeremy K. I'm returning mine on Saturday...I don't want anything with auto-turn. Cub Cadet is starting to look good right now.
Cub cadet doesn’t have an auto turn? Im so frigging sick of mine with this crap auto turn! I bought it so it would be LESS effort to snowblow as it is right now Im sweat just as much as if I was shoveling
Is this feature a nightmare on gravel driveways? My snowblower has never run on 28" of level surface in it's life.
The dealer replaced the Auto Turn plates, and that solved the problem. It is more than a few owners.
Three outstanding issues I would inform Ariens about.
1. Gas cap needs to taller so more leverage can be used.
2. The skid shoes are from the 1970s, they wear out very fast, and they are undersized and cheap.
I actually made up a set out of 1" thick Composite decking skids that work excellent.
3. Not having a variable speed throttle is a negative. The Cub Cadet has the same LCT engine
with a true throttle. Please don't tell me a throttle is not needed. Thanks!
4. The directional chute control on the Deluxe model is not positioned on the machine correctly.
Ariens should have placed it where it is located on their more expensive models. Can't figure that one out??
I like the idea of the Composite decking skids. I need to take my snowblower over grass and It keep digging into the lawn. Do you know of any aftermarket skids available?
GD100 no I don't know of any after market skids. Just bite the bullet and buy the Ariens composite
skid shoes at HD. I truly believe the composite skids should be standard and not the steel ones.
What are the auto-turj plates - the gears that act as a clutch to one side or the other?
larry ciummo the dealer replace the entire Auto Turn mechanism. He said it was defective after
using it the first time out last winter. Much I have read on the Internet blame the steel skid shoes.
When the plastic shoes are put on the mechanism operates better.
@@lciummo1 From the pictures I've seen, they basically work like a Detroit Locker, except the inside tire disengages instead of the outside tire. They had an earlier version that worked just like a Detroit, but I forgot the name, and it didn't turn as well for obvious reasons.
I have one that’s 3 months old! Can’t keep it from turning left or right!
If I get this machine, I will get special shoes for bumpy terrain. And I mean bumpy. I do not need to pick up every last inch of snow. Any suggestions? Otherwise, I may want to rethink getting an auto-turn machine if it is over-reactive. Thanks.
I have a 2014 deluxe 28. I love the auto turn. But Auto turn started to just click this year and not move blower forward. I removed the auto turn differential that Ariens says is non serviceable , took it apart and found moisture had contaminated the grease making it all caked up.
I took pictures of each step of disassembly of differential and cleaned with carb cleaner. Spooged with new grease at each step of reassembly. Wham ! I reinstalled and poof ! It works again. I coated the outside with grease.
So folks we need to grease the differential a couple times a year as like a sealed bearing these go bad but coating it will help.
-
In hopes that you have the same type as me, do you have these pictures posted somewhere?
Getting ready for another season of working my forearms out. And this year we have a house and a huge slopped driveway. When my dealer delivered my Platinum Series 24 they somehow installed the rakes on backwards. Its been a cluster ever since. I hate turning with this damn thing and then going back with a hand shovel to do a final skim
Brian, we are sorry to hear that you have had this issue and apologize for the inconvenience. We thank you for your patience and are glad you are working with your local dealer to resolve the situation.
Ariens he isn't working with the dealer to resolve this issue! Reread what he wrote!!!!
The Dealer screwed up assembling his snow blower!
Same issue. Machine pulls hard to the right. Have tried on different surfaces with same result. Always pulls right. Ran through this video a few times and cannot get square. Will contact support.
I am sorry that your machine was pulling to the right. Hopefully you have corrected this, but if you haven't, please reach out to our Tech Service group so they can walk you through the adjustment.
Here is a link to reach them.
ariens.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/263/session/L3RpbWUvMTM5Mjc1MzczMS9zaWQvVDVRaFpmTmw%3D
you probably found out by now, but my new ariens has only the right tire pinned through the wheel. the left tire is pinned outside of the tire, which means it won't engage.
How exactly does shoe and housing adjustment affect the auto turn?......and what did you do to adjust that? I love my auto turn but this video makes no sense
The MOST important thing to do is to REPLACE the steel skid shoes & replace with the COMPOSITE ones. My dealer gave to me free of charge. Wow what a difference. Machine should have come with them to begin with.
No final demo?
I discovered that you can lay an ordinary Allen wrench on the floor to get precise adjustment on the scraper blade.
Any size Allen wrench?
I bought a new Deluxe 28 about a month ago to replace my 17 year old MTD 10 HP machine. After the first time using I figured I just needed to get used to it. We finally got some lake effect snow Thursday night so I ran it again yesterday and I am sorry to say that I hate it. I have named it lurch because it does not want to go straight, but lurches from side to side. The shoes and frame appear to be adjusted correctly, but I'll reset them myself to verify it is setup correctly. I really didn't want to have to mess with it after spending almost $1,200 on it. I wish there was a simple way to lock the darn diff.
That was a complete waste of time at 7.5° F. The housing and shoes were apparently adjusted correctly as it still lurches from side to side. Almost ripped off the siding on a corner of my house. Every time I run this machine I dislike it more. I really don't want anything to do with auto-turn anymore. I am seriously thinking of rebuilding the old MTD beast that I love. BTW, I have an Ariens zero-turn mower that I really like, which was a big factor in choosing the Deluxe 28..
+James Henry
I've had a Snow-King for 20 years. Last winter the drive wheel broke it's weld and didn't have anyone to fix it quickly and we were getting pounded with snow (Live in NH). Went out and bought the Ariens Deluxe 28 with the heavier duty Canadian engine mounted on it. First time over my driveway (which was in bad shape with frost heaves and what-not), I was absolutely exhausted trying to control the machine up and down my driveway. Had to literally get my body between the handles to stop it from turning left and right and even that was a fight. The Snow-King never had an issue - Never. OK, this past summer, I replaced my driveway with a brand-new (completely torn up and bed replaced). Nice and smooth (though has a slight grade). Looking forward this year to a nicer experience. Then first snow fall (and every one thereafter including today), here we go again, fighting the machine up and down the driveway. I'm sorry, but the auto-steering technology is seriously flawed and for Ariens' to suggest the fix here that does not work, then perhaps the next step is to make a recall and allow dealers to somehow turn this "feature" off. I'd rather "struggle" making a turn than struggle continually through the entire driveway. I'm exhausted fighting this very heavy machine to do something as simple as go straight. Would not recommend the Ariens to anyone at this point nor plan on buying another one again, and that's a shame because otherwise it's a pretty good machine, but this one "flaw" is big enough to not recommend.
It's not Ariens fault - your driveway must not be a perfectly flat plane. I'm trying some of the poly skid shoes to see if that doesn't "set off" the autosteer transmission so much.
I put the poly skids on, but I am still waiting for some snow to try it . I wasn't aware that this snow blower was made for only perfectly flat plane driveways, silly me! I'll just peel $20k out of my wallet and have a new perfectly flat plane driveway installed right away! :)
I just took my new poly skids out of the box. Expecting snow Monday in Mass - hopefully those will salvage this $1300 disaster of a blower. Ariens should send a pair to everyone if they work.
Mine wasn't right from the factory and still seems to have issues! I am thinking the chute isn't square on the frame at this point. I have done the above procedure time and time again. Just can't get it square!
Marcia, please feel free to contact our tech. serv. for assistance. ariens.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/263/session/L3RpbWUvMTM5Mjc1MzczMS9zaWQvVDVRaFpmTmw%3D
It's not that - any slight irregularity will set of f the autosteer causing the machine to wiggle down the drivway. We're all hoping poly skids will help it out a bit. Otherwise, Ariens is going to have to come up with a solutiion.
Is there a way to turn off the auto turn?
Yes, insert 4 small blocks of hard wood between the lobed plates inside the differential to keep them from slipping.
I just bought a new one. I have 1 bolt each side, not 2. Does it still loosen with just the one bolt?
Hi Don. Are you referring to the skid shoe hardware? If you tell us the 6-digit model number of the unit you purchased, we'll let you know if you have the correct amount of hardware and how to adjust your skid shoes and scraper blade.
@@AriensChannel no. The frame or drum rotation different from what you show
921045
@@donthomas5537 Got it, Don. And yes, that's just one bolt on each side that loosens and tightens the housing assembly to the frame 👍
Can the AUTO-TURN be disengaged?
Hello, can you show how make to open snow hood without disconnect primer?
As a long time ariens owner I am very disappointed with my new machine. Just not the same ariens quality that it used to be.
We're sorry you're not having a good experience, Ryan. Can you be more specific as to why you're disappointed with the product? We'll try our best to help you resolve the issue.
My older one which I still own is the 11.5 H.P. 24 inch cut. That goes through the plowed snow at the end of my driveway with no problems. The new one is the deluxe 28 sho. It rides up the snowball at the end of the driveway even though I put weight on the front. The belts slip and it broke two bolts on the flanges were the axles go through the housing. I wish I kept my ariens that I bought new in 1974 and put a new engine on it.
@@thomasryan8218 Thank you for sharing and we're sorry to hear about your experience. We suggest reaching out to your local Ariens dealer to help make adjustments that could help improve your product performance. Our dealers are an extension of our team and will help resolve the issue. If there's a product defect and your machine is still within the warranty period, we'll stand product warranty 100% on service completed by an authorized Ariens dealer. Your nearest service dealer can be found using our dealer locator tool at the link below:
www.ariens.com/en-us/dealer-locator
I'm not knocking the dealer where I bought it, but I had it back there and still had the same problems. I will use it for lighter snowfalls and use my old pro model for heavier snowfalls.
I wish they kept the old locking differential system. I have a brand new 2018 deluxe 24 with the AutoTurn clutch and it sucks! I’ve adjusted as recommended by the owners manual and their RUclips video and I am still fight to keep it going straight down the driveway!! Machine is really really nice except for the AutoTurn function. I’ll try to raise the scraper bar/ lower the skid shoes a little lower, but now I think I’ll be defeating the purpose of having the scraper and will be leaving more snow on the ground. Any ideas on this issue ?
Auto turn is love it or hate it. I hated it. Sold mine on Craigslist and bought a Simplicity.
pcosta816 - Thanks for your response. I went back to my dealer (last winter) and free of charge he gave me a set of composite skid shoes. What a difference!!! Machine works beautiful. Straight as an arrow up & down the driveway. Machine should have come with them to begin with!
Paul Murphy glad it’s working for you now. If it made that big of a difference then you’re right, should have come with them from the factory. If it did I might still have it. Oh well, happy with my simplicity.
pcosta816 - Yes it did that’s why I didn’t sell it. Btw Simplicity is a very good machine. Good luck with it.
Paul Murphy any idea why the composit shoes worked better?
It may be working like it us supposed to, but I do not know how to test it tell. How do I activate Auto turn Show us a video here of how it is to work! Please!
Fabricator, perhaps this video may help: ruclips.net/video/MVuRuHGZFeA/видео.html
Yea see that in the summary.Did not mention that in procedure.
I got poly skid shoes it works a lot better
A lot of customers enjoy these: parts.ariens.com/Non-Abrasive-Snow-Blower-Skid-Shoes-Black-p/72603100.htm
Did that done that. Auto-Turn is a huge disappointment on deluxe 28 SHO. It’s a constant battle to keep it tracking straight. It’s a known problem. Not for real world scenarios especially clearing after vehicle traffic. Hate it.
You probably should verify the same tire pressure in both tires before doing these settings huh!
Nope. This blower only works on a paved driveway.
If you have a gravel driveway run away from Ariens as the auto turn (even adjusted) is a pos unless you have level-flat-smooth driveway!
im looking to buy a used Ariens blower! whats the best engine and hp for medium size driveway?
Thanks for asking. You can use our snow blower selector tool linked below to help you find the right type of unit for your driveway. The tool will generate results for a new unit, but you can use the results to compare specs.
www.ariens.com/en-us/snow-blower-selector
I used my new Ariens Deluxe 28 for the first time today. This was purchased from a dealer and appeared to
Be set up fine. The Auto Turn feature needs to be re-engineered or deleted. I fought with this 275 lbs machine for an hour.
Could not keep it straight. I kick myself for selling my 30 year old John Deere Snowblower, it was simple and reliable.
+Al Gore
All the checking of tire pressure and centering the housing unfortunately will not solve this problem for the poor few that run their machines on sloped/uneven/icy driveways...Auto Turn will then has a mind of it's own. I have spoken to the factory (engineering/support) directly...there are conditions that can fool Auto Turn, even if your machine is setup correctly...Ariens is aware of this....not an easy problem to address for the relative few that encounter it.
Auto-steer works perfectly when I lift the blower off the ground when I take the machine out of the shed for the season. On a snowy driveway, it is truly a workout for the forearms. Sloped or ice driveways are a problem - I usually have both.
So basically to correct the autoturn problems, you have to turn the scraper bar into a 1/8' hanging bar that leaves an 1/8" of snow everywhere you snowblow? So I would have to snowblow my driveway then shovel my driveway because of the 1/8" of snow not removed by the blower? Isn't the point of spending $1000 on a snow removal machine so that it removes all of the snow on the driveway? For this very reason I would never buy an Ariens snowblower that has the autoturn feature. Which means the only Ariens snowblower I would ever consider buying is the Compact 24 that still uses a friction disk drive that will allow you to actually have the scraper bar, you know, scrape the ground clean like it should.
+Brandon Cloutier lol every snowblower needs 1/8" of space below the bucket otherwise you would VERY quickly wear down the scraper bar and the side of the frame. This is nothing new to any brand
I have a 1981 Toro 421 that has had the scraper bar making contact with my driveway (therefor, scraping the driveway clean) for well over 30 years. I have never replaced the bar or the shoes. So my own personal snowblower would beg to differ that a 1/8" gap was needed between the scrapper bar and the driveway surface. And I live in Michigan, so yes, the blower gets a lot of use every winter.
+Eddie Thomas My Honda doesnt run that way ... scrapes the driveway clean. 22 years.
trader025 Again, i'm not saying it isn't possible i'm simply saying the manufacture ADVISE that you leave 1/8" to avoid wear to the bucket and scraper. Can you lower it sure? Does the manufacturer recommend it? They do not.
Some models with a rubberized type of scraper bar can have a lower clearance, but it wears and need to be replaced. I run my ariens clearance a little tighter than suggested. I use a thick plastic wire ties to set mine and in use it clears the snow well but I don't have auto turn either.
Ariens: ST624E, won't start, have fresh gas flow, spark(from plug while cranking), and carb was cleaned. It is at the shop where I purchased it and there was some kind of timing pin that was sheered off. It was replaced and alledgedly set correctly. Mechanic said still won't start. Ideas? Is it possible there's a grounding issue? or what else could be looked at.
Thanks for contacting us, Don. We're sorry you're experiencing issues, but you made the right move by taking the machine to your Ariens service dealer. Can you tell us the model number and serial number of your unit? If we have that information, we'll do our best to provide you with more information to help you resolve the issue.
Engine Model: OH195SA, spec: 72569G, D.O.M 08018CD0269
If I can private message you I'd be happy to give you the contact # to the repair shop. I've been waiting on this since before Thanksgiving and we've only had one dump of heart attack, ack, ack snow.
@@dongotfryd7983 Thanks for the reply, Don. Unfortunately there isn't a private message function on RUclips. We suggest contacting our customer support network by logging into or creating an account on our customer support portal located here: www.ariens.com/en-us/support
Number one should be to properly inflate both tire to the exact same pressure.
If one has less or more than the other, that process will not work.
Since I have a brand new machine used only once, should I assume this was done correctly at the factory and I do not need to verify?
That is correct Sam.
Mine was not set up correctly from the factory. I'd double check.
You should assume that it was NOT done correctly at the factory. Quality control nowadays is terrible, unless it's a Japanese unit, like a Honda.
mine won't move even if I have the screws very loose. I don't have lvl ground anywhere so I'm not sure how to adjust it.
lay down a sheet of 4x8 plywood or similar, and do the process as stated, with the machine on that.
My new Ariens deluxe 30 EFI throws better than my 3 year old Cub Cadet. Cub Cadet had much better steering and much less vibration.
I can’t believe and really don’t understand all the whining about the auto turn feature. I’ve used a single stage Honda for the past 25 years. It worked and held up incredibly well. I takes a bit of muscle and pushing when we got over 6” of heave or wet snow, or so. I bought a Ariens 28 Deluxe second hand. A couple years old and lightly used. I put on the plastic OEM skid shoes and set the tire pressures even. It blows a foot of snow like it’s 2”. It works great and I love winter. Hope it snows!!!!
Look closely and you'll see that at 4:48 the left side is touching the floor before the right side after going through all that work.... hmmm....
Ariens, this is off putting to a new customer all these complaints on auto turn .
Many don't have a flat driveway
auger wont trun when it hits snow how to fix it
Hi Butch, you may have broken a shear bolt. You can learn how to change a shear bolt here: ruclips.net/video/pl7lfFD-lLs/видео.html
If this doesn't correct the problem, you can visit your nearest Ariens dealer using the link below: www.ariens.com/en-us/dealer-locator
You have broken pins on the auger shaft. Remove chute and use a long punch to punch out pins and replace. Or take out rakes and remove auger that way. Then you can replace the auger Bearing at the same time.
Remember the old drive....with the pins in the wheels....Yes well ARIENS if its not BROKEN don't screw with it. FFS its a snow blower it is supposed to be heavy and tough. Men use them not Ballerinas.
I dont mind the auto turn i think its great thing to have on a heavy blower. its great at the end of the driveway. I wouldn't want it totally locked up but i would like to manualy lock or unlock one wheel insted of the auto turn. still woundn't trade my ariens for anything else. if you cant handle a real piece of equipment get a single stage
Auto turn horrible! This is the worst piece of equipment I have ever bought. It's like wrestling a grizzly bear. I hate everything about this blower! Was 2000$. It has 1 hour on it and I'll sell for 1000$ to any chump stupid enough to buy it.
Riiiiight. I always do my snowblower maintenance in khakis and a nice sweater. SMH.
DON'T BUY IT! I've followed this procedure x3 but I still have to fight the auto turn every damned second I'm blowing snow in my very typical gravel driveway. The total garbage design will leave you tired, frustrated and feeling like you wasted your money.
We're sorry you're not having a good experience with your unit. If the issue continues after trying these adjustments, please take your unit to your nearest Ariens dealer so they can diagnose and resolve the issue. Find your nearest Ariens servicing dealer here: www.ariens.com/en-us/dealer-locator
Ariens “Diagnose and resolve issue”. Autoturn is terrible, that’s the issue. I sold mine on Craigslist and bought a Simplicity.
@@OhYeaMista
Usually when this sort of stuff happens the machine has not been set up right or parts are missing. I have had this sort of experience with my equipment. You think there is something wrong with the machine, you take it to the dealer and get it back with the same problem.
I found the real problem to be the people who sell and service this stuff. After looking in to it myself I found with one of my machines a part was missing. This can happen in the assembly, but should be fixed when you go back to the dealer. The other problem I have had is that the machine is not set up right. Same thing, back to the dealer, nothing happens, have to fix it myself.
This is very annoying, especially when you are buying a new machine so you will not have these issues. The main decesion in buying a machine comes down to parts and service. Even if it is not the best machine, if you cannot get a part then and there, your machine is an exepensive lawn ornament.
galactica one I don’t disagree with that you said...but I don’t think autoturn has anything to do with that. It’s a self contained unit in the axle, no dealer setup. I aligned mine myself, everything straight. It was working correctly, I just hated the way it worked.
@@OhYeaMista
Do all the auto turn machines behave the way yours does? If they all did what yours is doing I would think that ariens would not be selling that system anymore, people would not buy it after word gets around. There could be a problem in the assembly at the factory or some part in the autoturn system might have a manufacturers defect.
If your machine is still under warranty you should push them to fix it. This can be a hassle is you get someone who wants to not deal with the problem and get rid of you, but never accept that kind of bullshit.
Good video and typical of adjusting the level of the scraper bar. Video shows NOTHING having to do with adjusting auto-turn!!!
It seems is actually NON adjustable.
Thanks for commenting. Auto-Turn is non-adjustable, however, it responds to the alignment of the Sno-Thro auger housing with the unit's frame.
@Semper Fi Thanks for your question. Actually, Auto-Turn works on uneven surfaces.
@@AriensChannelactually, yes, if you don't mind fighting it from trying to turn itself all the time. It's absolutely unsafe for an older person to use this thing
Anything ariens made after 1987 is a junk time bomb