As I was reading, I was coming up with suggestions, but as I went further, you tried all of my suggestions. Sorry, I am as perplexed as you. Waiting to find out the solution.

Maybe the pulley bushing/bearing is not spinning as much as it should. Possibly lube it with a penetrant ?

 

The auger cable should have minimum slack.

You said you picked the machine up used. Perhaps the previous owner smoked a set of belts on the pulleys. That could lead to a rubber like residue remaining on the pulley causing the belts to grab when the clutch is released. Even when everything is at the proper settings. I've seen this happen in the past.

 

Thanks everyone for your input! I'm located in Wakefield MA and we have a little bit of a cold spell going on so I am going to wait until this coming weekend to tear down the blower-- I'll try to get pictures/videos of the issues for you all. Just to follow up on some of the responses:

The auger cable should have minimum slack.

You said you picked the machine up used. Perhaps the previous owner smoked a set of belts on the pulleys. That could lead to a rubber like residue remaining on the pulley causing the belts to grab when the clutch is released. Even when everything is at the proper settings. I've seen this happen in the past.

This is actually very interesting to me-- when I tore down the snowblower after first purchased it there was definitely evidence that a belt had been smoked-- there was black residue in the pulley, but I cleaned that out and replaced the belts (even though they appeared to have already been replaced). I'll check again and take some photos to ensure it is appropriately cleaned. I'll also post some videos of it in operation and partially disassembled so you all can weigh in on anything you might see.

 

When you get a freebie or inexpensive used blower you had better go through it completely. Open the bottom and inspect every moving bit for wear, breakage, lack of lubrication, looseness etc. the k same goes for the drive belt area. The bucket has the impeller and auger bearings plus the gearbox that need careful attention.

 

Any blower anybody gets should be gone thru top to bottom checked and adjusted.
Almost every newer ariens ive got or seen both auger and drive cables are way loose.
Tells me they are a liar or clueless when the say its all tuned up

 

Shouldn't have slack in auger cable. In my picture you need to check part #4 guard around engine pulley. It functions more than a guard, it allows the released auger belt slack to let belts slip on the engine pulley.... very important function. I've seen many people just bend this out of the way to change belts, and bend it back... Most times they get lucky and it works, but not always. From your information it sounds like auger cable + idler pulley + belt guard needs a good looking over and adjustment. I adjust this guard so that when auger lever is fully depressed and engine is running at full throttle the belt is a small distance away from the sides of the guards. Bend guard as needed to make this happen. Adjust with engine OFF... may take you several tries to get it.

 

Read this thread I made comments on and several videos I posted up on this subject. Please ask any questions that you might have and post up your findings.
P.S. Where you located ??

https://www.snowblowerforum.com/posts/1934531/

 

Post some pictures of the belt idler area.
Maybe you are missing the spring on the brake arm, which is located under pulley #9 in the above diagram.

 

Thinking about the Pro 28 in my garage, I'm 99% sure there's an adjustment on the auger cable where the spring is in the cable. Tighten that up so there's just the tiniest hint of slack when the lever is released, then see what happens. You may just not be getting enough pull on the cable to fully engage the tensioner if there's excessive slack.

 

Here is a video that I took:

Through fidgeting with the attachment arm I actually noticed that it is stuck in the engaged position and actually should be resting approximately 15-20º clockwise... seems like once it engages there is a lot of resistance it can't overcome to get into the resting position. I still strongly feel as though that there should be more engagement in the auger cable though-- even at the shortest length it's hardly using the spring. Let me know what you all think.... especially concerning why it might be "sticking".

 

You are in fact, correct. There is a spring towards the attachment lever at the bottom of the cable. I have that screw so cranked up that it is butting up against the cable-- in other words, it will not go any tighter. This is one of the things that I find to be hard to believe... even at the tightest setting there is an incredible amount of slack in the auger cable. I'll post a video in a few minutes.

 

No belt dressing!

 

When you replaced the belts did you install actual Ariens brand belts and the correct part# for that model of blower?

 

Definitely. I bought the parts from an Ariens dealer and I know I bought the right part because I originally bought the wrong belt and damn near bent a shaft trying to get the smaller size on-- realized the Ariens website listed multiple belts and went back to the store like an idiot to correct my mistake. Long story short, the correct belts are definitely on the snowblower now haha.

 

This has all the adjustments you need

https://apache.ariens.com/manuals/05136500C_ENG.pdf

 

Your videos show very little. Show us the belt area and the drive system.

 

That cable has way too much slack, follow the set up in the manual that was posted.

Ensure the lever the cable is attached to has full movement and that something isn't bound up, broken or missing in the tractor housing or under the belt cover.
A video showing the belt engagement when the handle is activated may help

 

I'm located near the Hudson NH border, if you can transport it your welcome to bring it and we can get it sorted out. Pm me and I'll send address to you. I'm home every day, have everything you need to get this repaired here at my shop. Unfortunately I have to work outside as its walking only in the shop at this time. No charge, all I ask is pay the favor forward to somebody else in need.

 

I will, I took a video for a specific comment, I will need more time to tear down the machine and get to the views that will really be helpful.

 

Ok, that’s the only way for us to evaluate at a distance.

 

perhaps a ‘bent’ handlebar?…creating the slack ??

 

I'm reviving this old thread to see if the OP solved his problem?
Hello OP?

 

I'm reviving this old thread to see if the OP solved his problem?
Hello OP?

Sometimes people figure out the problem and you never hear from them again, until they have another problem.