Well, my fun ended today when my 3 year old Ariens Platinum 30 snowblower Model# 921018 started making noise when I put it my gear, when I started my second and final round of snow removal. I took the bottom plate off to find a chunk of rubber came off the friction disc. Obviously, the snow must of been too much for the snowblower. Any good tips of how to replace this friction disc and does anybody know what torq head it takes to remove the bolts? is there anything I could have done to prevent this?
Ariens snowblower friction disc rubber lose
- Thread starter NH73
- Start date
- Status
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
There's some good youtube videos on friction disk replacement.
Originally Posted By: JTK
There's some good youtube videos on friction disk replacement.
Yes, I have found them, but couldn't find any for my particular model. My hex shaft goes from one end of housing to other end supported by flange bearings at either end.
There's some good youtube videos on friction disk replacement.
Yes, I have found them, but couldn't find any for my particular model. My hex shaft goes from one end of housing to other end supported by flange bearings at either end.
Go on www.partstree.com for S/N and pictures...
Originally Posted By: NH73
Well, my fun ended today when my 3 year old Ariens Platinum 30 snowblower Model# 921018 started making noise when I put it my gear, when I started my second and final round of snow removal. I took the bottom plate off to find a chunk of rubber came off the friction disc. Obviously, the snow must of been too much for the snowblower. Any good tips of how to replace this friction disc and does anybody know what torq head it takes to remove the bolts? is there anything I could have done to prevent this?
Blower and drive work independent of each other friction disk only operates drive wheels. Motor should be under load while blowing with wheels not spinning same as if it was 3inches or 2 feet gear selection is key. Gear selector should never be shifted without engine running nor should it be shifted on the fly while moving.
Well, my fun ended today when my 3 year old Ariens Platinum 30 snowblower Model# 921018 started making noise when I put it my gear, when I started my second and final round of snow removal. I took the bottom plate off to find a chunk of rubber came off the friction disc. Obviously, the snow must of been too much for the snowblower. Any good tips of how to replace this friction disc and does anybody know what torq head it takes to remove the bolts? is there anything I could have done to prevent this?
Blower and drive work independent of each other friction disk only operates drive wheels. Motor should be under load while blowing with wheels not spinning same as if it was 3inches or 2 feet gear selection is key. Gear selector should never be shifted without engine running nor should it be shifted on the fly while moving.
No chains, but the snowblower does have agri tires which does have better traction than typical snowblower tires. I ran it in the lowest gear. The snow was pretty much up to its throat. I front of my garage, I had to get rid of snow that came off my roof. it got the biggest workout so far. And no, I don't switch gears while in motion. However, my driveway is on a hill.
Originally Posted By: NHGUY
The long lasting "Disc-O-Matic"!
Yeah, about that one. They don't say how often you need to replace parts. I wished for a hydrostatic drive after that happened, then I thought well, replacing a friction disc is a lot cheaper than replacing a hydrostatic transmission.
The long lasting "Disc-O-Matic"!
Yeah, about that one. They don't say how often you need to replace parts. I wished for a hydrostatic drive after that happened, then I thought well, replacing a friction disc is a lot cheaper than replacing a hydrostatic transmission.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
They're all friction disk drive and have been forever, unless you're talking a Honda or maybe Yamaha. I've mostly seen the friction drive last the life of the unit. Get it oily or let it slip by overloading the drive wheels and obviously it will tear the rubber up.
You have to drop the hex shaft and slide the friction wheel assy off.
You have to drop the hex shaft and slide the friction wheel assy off.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: dave123
Chains and people using to high of gear for conditions or just flat out failure.
Well, I got the friction disc replaced last evening. With the Agri tires, my snowblower might be like having chains on it, they were that way from the factory. My driveway is on a hill too. What the way to determine what gear you should be in?
Chains and people using to high of gear for conditions or just flat out failure.
Well, I got the friction disc replaced last evening. With the Agri tires, my snowblower might be like having chains on it, they were that way from the factory. My driveway is on a hill too. What the way to determine what gear you should be in?
Originally Posted By: NH73
Well, my fun ended today when my 3 year old Ariens Platinum 30 snowblower Model# 921018 started making noise when I put it my gear, when I started my second and final round of snow removal. I took the bottom plate off to find a chunk of rubber came off the friction disc. Obviously, the snow must of been too much for the snowblower. Any good tips of how to replace this friction disc and does anybody know what torq head it takes to remove the bolts? is there anything I could have done to prevent this?
I had the same thing happen to me about 23 years ago on my blower I had back then.
I ordered the part and changed it myself. It took time because I had to take apart
the wheel axle and other parts. I had no computer back then to find out to do it, just common sense.
There is nothing you did wrong. Just the rubber came apart. Actually on mine, I could of left it because only about a third came apart and the machine would clunk along.
My machine was ten years old though when that happened .
Well, my fun ended today when my 3 year old Ariens Platinum 30 snowblower Model# 921018 started making noise when I put it my gear, when I started my second and final round of snow removal. I took the bottom plate off to find a chunk of rubber came off the friction disc. Obviously, the snow must of been too much for the snowblower. Any good tips of how to replace this friction disc and does anybody know what torq head it takes to remove the bolts? is there anything I could have done to prevent this?
I had the same thing happen to me about 23 years ago on my blower I had back then.
I ordered the part and changed it myself. It took time because I had to take apart
the wheel axle and other parts. I had no computer back then to find out to do it, just common sense.
There is nothing you did wrong. Just the rubber came apart. Actually on mine, I could of left it because only about a third came apart and the machine would clunk along.
My machine was ten years old though when that happened .
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Originally Posted By: NH73
Originally Posted By: dave123
Chains and people using to high of gear for conditions or just flat out failure.
Well, I got the friction disc replaced last evening. With the Agri tires, my snowblower might be like having chains on it, they were that way from the factory. My driveway is on a hill too. What the way to determine what gear you should be in?
I adjust the shave plate so they never contact the ground and try not to "drive" the machine into things it can't easily drive through. Never let the wheels stall. The drive plate is just slipping against the rubber friction disk when this happens.
Like said, this could have just been a [censored] friction disk. I've seen some pretty flimsy looking aftermarket replacements, plus some of the new MTD cheapies have shoe-lace thin belts and pathetic friction disks on them.
Originally Posted By: dave123
Chains and people using to high of gear for conditions or just flat out failure.
Well, I got the friction disc replaced last evening. With the Agri tires, my snowblower might be like having chains on it, they were that way from the factory. My driveway is on a hill too. What the way to determine what gear you should be in?
I adjust the shave plate so they never contact the ground and try not to "drive" the machine into things it can't easily drive through. Never let the wheels stall. The drive plate is just slipping against the rubber friction disk when this happens.
Like said, this could have just been a [censored] friction disk. I've seen some pretty flimsy looking aftermarket replacements, plus some of the new MTD cheapies have shoe-lace thin belts and pathetic friction disks on them.
Originally Posted By: 2KBMW
Originally Posted By: NH73
Well, my fun ended today when my 3 year old Ariens Platinum 30 snowblower Model# 921018 started making noise when I put it my gear, when I started my second and final round of snow removal. I took the bottom plate off to find a chunk of rubber came off the friction disc. Obviously, the snow must of been too much for the snowblower. Any good tips of how to replace this friction disc and does anybody know what torq head it takes to remove the bolts? is there anything I could have done to prevent this?
I had the same thing happen to me about 23 years ago on my blower I had back then.
I ordered the part and changed it myself. It took time because I had to take apart
the wheel axle and other parts. I had no computer back then to find out to do it, just common sense.
There is nothing you did wrong. Just the rubber came apart. Actually on mine, I could of left it because only about a third came apart and the machine would clunk along.
My machine was ten years old though when that happened .
Actually, the computer was much of a help for me this time, other than looking up the part number. Between the instruction in the owners manual and co-worker in the machine shop were the biggest help. I have less than a third come off and it just did not go well. I stopped using it over fear that other parts could fail. But if you tried to keep using it, it would driven you to replace the part.
Originally Posted By: NH73
Well, my fun ended today when my 3 year old Ariens Platinum 30 snowblower Model# 921018 started making noise when I put it my gear, when I started my second and final round of snow removal. I took the bottom plate off to find a chunk of rubber came off the friction disc. Obviously, the snow must of been too much for the snowblower. Any good tips of how to replace this friction disc and does anybody know what torq head it takes to remove the bolts? is there anything I could have done to prevent this?
I had the same thing happen to me about 23 years ago on my blower I had back then.
I ordered the part and changed it myself. It took time because I had to take apart
the wheel axle and other parts. I had no computer back then to find out to do it, just common sense.
There is nothing you did wrong. Just the rubber came apart. Actually on mine, I could of left it because only about a third came apart and the machine would clunk along.
My machine was ten years old though when that happened .
Actually, the computer was much of a help for me this time, other than looking up the part number. Between the instruction in the owners manual and co-worker in the machine shop were the biggest help. I have less than a third come off and it just did not go well. I stopped using it over fear that other parts could fail. But if you tried to keep using it, it would driven you to replace the part.
Those friction wheels are wonderful. Many of the newer (Sears) blowers have a plastic (forward only, one speed) gearbox that is a piece of junk. No matter how many times you tell a customer to rock the machine back and forth (to disengage after releasing the bale) before dragging it backwards, they just don't listen. I harvest a decent amount of engines after people find out how much the gear box costs to replace. I have a neighbor who took it to heart and has never had any trouble with his, but jeepers!
- Status
