Doing lack of maintenance repair on Ariens 1128 snowblower.

[matt167]

I recently picked up an older Ariens 1128 really cheap. It’s dated 2008. My wife put it on my list that we needed a snowblower. So it was the right price, very local , and way bigger than we need. So in a way, perfect. It just needs some work

Problem was lady said it didn’t drive well and wouldn’t work in reverse. I thought friction disc. But it’s actually the carrier bearings on the axles being absolutely hammered. So much slop the gears won’t mesh in reverse. I’ve messed with the old Gilson blowers in the past as I had 3 of them in service growing up. But I’ve never done anything with an Ariens. Has anyone ever done axle bearings in one? It seems it’s simple. I’m also going to replace the friction disc while I’m in there which is way different than how the gilson friction disc goes in where the shaft doesn’t have to come out on those, that I remember anyway.

The 11hp Tec engine starts in a few pulls and runs great. It was for sure abused but I bet it will last years for me

 

[Scott Danforth]

Very simple and easy. Contact ariens for the service manual

Separate the drive from the blower housing, flip the drive unit forward. Easier on a bench. Replace the belts while you are in there

28" barely needs 5hp, much less 11. As Dan Ariens said..... Thro snow back to god

 

[matt167]

My mom has an Ariens Sno Tek 24E which is a compact 24 without a light and an LCT engine. With 208cc, it will throw 40’… if this one does that I’ll actually have a problem as that’s into the neighbors yard

 

[tpenfield]

The Ariens should be pretty straight forward on replacing the axle bearings. I re-built an 824 Ariens a few years back. It was pretty easy to split open. Sold it for some good money.

I also have a Toro 1128 OXE PowerMax in the garage awaiting my attention. It has a new 404cc engine waiting to be mounted.

I'm thinking it will throw snow over the house and into the back yard

 

[Scott Danforth]

My mom has an Ariens Sno Tek 24E which is a compact 24 without a light and an LCT engine. With 208cc, it will throw 40’… if this one does that I’ll actually have a problem as that’s into the neighbors yard

I was at Ariens when the 24E came out. Had a test unit for a season.

Was working on MOAST when I left. (Mother Of All Snow Throws). Was a 28hp tracked unit with joystick control

 

[matt167]

I never thought to look at Ariens for the manual. But they give the PDF out for free.

 

[Scott Danforth]

And their customer service line actually answers

 

[matt167]

I was at Ariens when the 24E came out. Had a test unit for a season.

Was working on MOAST when I left. (Mother Of All Snow Throws). Was a 28hp tracked unit with joystick control

I like that little 24E. Pretty amazing

And their customer service line actually answers

Thats a rare thing these days

 

[matt167]

Got it all fixed as far as the axle bearing problem. I bought Stens bearings and the outer bearing retainer for the worn out side because I thought it needed replacement due to being hammered. Replacement only involved pulling the outer retainers and pulling the bearings out.

I ordered a couple Carlslile X trac snowblower tires for it thru work as I really don’t care for snow hogs and the 50% worn snow hogs I’m sure might not have the traction I want. Beyond that I have to grease it, and change the oil. Also have a small rust/ stress crack to address. Also don’t know where the spring for the impeller brake goes. I’m not sure it was even hooked up when I disassembled. But a family friend was killed servicing a large snowblower that was powered by a snow cat so I want all safeties to work. Yes my garage is still a mess from moving

 

[matt167]

@Scott Danforth do you know where the auger brake spring goes? I put it in a hole I assumed it went. The only one I see and it does not allow the brake to engage. The machine is working great otherwise. I also changed the oil and lubed jt

 

[Scott Danforth]

@Scott Danforth do you know where the auger brake spring goes? I put it in a hole I assumed it went. The only one I see and it does not allow the brake to engage. The machine is working great otherwise. I also changed the oil and lubed jt

Off the top of my head, no. Too many variations over the years. Would have to see the unit. However reach out to Ariens support line and they will get you the exploded view and section of manual

 

[airshot]

I have had Ariens sno throwers and zero turn mowers for years. Great products !! And yes my 24" deluxe blower can blow snow out to 40'...easy to control though. My son bought one and his wife was watching out of the second story window of their home....needless to say he couldn't resist, turned the crank and blasted her in the open window !! No she didn't laugh !!

 

[matt167]

My boss bought a 24” deluxe last year and hates it… because it works so well he gets snow blown back on him. Just not changing chute direction quick enough I say. I used to have one of those cabs for the one my mom has as she wanted it. But it was so bulky and didn’t fit right ( Arnold universal fit ) that we threw it away after fighting with it… little snow in the face never hurt anyone

 

[airshot]

My boss bought a 24” deluxe last year and hates it… because it works so well he gets snow blown back on him. Just not changing chute direction quick enough I say. I used to have one of those cabs for the one my mom has as she wanted it. But it was so bulky and didn’t fit right ( Arnold universal fit ) that we threw it away after fighting with it… little snow in the face never hurt anyone

Yep...gotta pay close attention to wind direction !! Tried the cab also but being tall and a big sail, the wind often blew the snoblower over on its side. What I did find that works very well, bought a snomobile helmet at a garage sale. Works great, just remember to wrap something around your neck.....

 

[matt167]

Yep...gotta pay close attention to wind direction !! Tried the cab also but being tall and a big sail, the wind often blew the snoblower over on its side. What I did find that works very well, bought a snomobile helmet at a garage sale. Works great, just remember to wrap something around your neck.....

My driveway is single car wide, 2 cars long so the 1128 is a little ( lot ) overkill. Should only take me a few minutes to clear it. Problem is, it has the ability to make my snow the neighbors snow, which they may not like. I’ll have to keep the deflector adjusted accordingly