I finally got to use my new Ariens snow blower. Every time I engage the drive wheels, the torque rocks the whole machine back lifting the auger. The only way to avoid it is to put in a gear way to slow to be useful. Will the weight kit help tame this or does that just stop the bucket from riding on top of the snow. It’s a real pain having to lift up on the handles every time I stop and start again.

Perhaps slow the engine speed a bit?

quote:

new Ariens snow blower

Take it to an authorized repair center under warranty?

I have a 24 inch Ariens, that I’ve had for about 8 years. I don’t know what speed setting you’re using, but mine has 5 forward speeds and I don’t think I have ever gone past 2 unless I’m headed down the drive to put it away. I don’t usually get it out unless there’s more than 3 or 4 inches of snow. If you go too fast, about all you can accomplish is plugging up the chute.

30" Ariens owner and never blow past speed 3 and typically at 2, sometimes even at speed 1. Anything faster is really just for cruising back to the garage. A snowblower is a lot less work than shoveling but I learned a long time ago that it's not just walking behind the machine. You will do a little work, lift up on the handles, wrestle with it on turns unless you have "power steering". BTW - reverse speed is kinda slow, unless I'm getting pretty tired I just lift the front end by pushing down on the handles and horse it backwards.

I am on my 2nd Ariens snow blower and currently have a Platinum 24 SHO. I have experienced the lift you are describing even at the slower speeds especially if there is good traction under the wheels.

I didn't have a weight on the first one but on my new one I did add a weight and it did help what you are describing. Doesn't completely take it away but does help.

I did not buy the Ariens kit. My brother is a machinist and he was able to get me a scrap piece of half inch steel that was as wide as the chute, drilled the holes in the right spots to use the existing holes on the blower and then I painted and attached it to the blower. I used washers underneath it to raise it above the emblem on the chute.

Mine is 24" x 3" x 1/2"

If you have a local machine shop it might be worth stopping by and seeing if you can get a piece from them cheaper than buying the kit and then drilling and painting it yourself.