Welcome aboard, glad to have you at SBF.

Anyone have some ideas here?

 

Really, without seeing the machine in person, it's hard to tell.

Could be worn bushings/bearings .... Could be belt slipping .... could be bad friction disc ... could be as simple as an adjustment ... could really be anything, and/or a combination of multiple things wrong, when all combined, reflect poor operation.

 

I just came across this Article and it was what I was checking for as I am having the same problem. It seemed to occur sporadically last year when I first got the unit. Same one, 1130 SE. Yesterday it would not move at all with lever engaged. it performed very well the day before and got the brunt of the 30 inches that we received well taken care of. I noticed it was extremely cold and wonder if that had anything to do with it because it sat out over night as well, it was covered but. . I am going to try to look into the friction plate as I seem to hear a lot of discussion about this and just hope that it is not too huge of an undertaking or else it will have to wait until summer. . . I will provide feedback if I get it and do it and it works . . or if I discover it to be something else. . .

 

The way your drive system works is that a pulley on the crankshaft (under the belt cover) near engine drives a belt that is continually tensioned by a strong spring acting to pull the swinging arm with idler pulley touching the belt. The belt in turn goes around a large pulley attached to the drive plate. The wheel drive clutch lever causes the drive plate to move and contact the rubber tired friction wheel. The friction wheel turns an axle that moves gears and chains to drive the auto turn like differential on the wheel drive axle that turns the wheels and allows for turning just like the Ariens version.

The most likely areas for problems are:
1. Clutch adjustment so that the drive plate that you cleaned is not making forceful contact with the rubber tired friction wheel;
2. Rubber tired friction wheel is worn out and the drive plate cannot reach the rubber tired friction wheel so replace the rubber tired friction wheel.
3. The belt attaching the engine drive pulley to the large pulley that has the drive plate is worn out, belt sits down in the engine pulley instead of riding at the top of the pulley.
4. The belt is tensioned by a strong spring from the tensioner arm with idler pulley to the chassis and may not provide enough tension (misplaced on chassis). Bearing in idler pulley is worn out or seized or the belt has worn out the pulley (plastic).

There are many other possibilities of course. Pictures help.

 

That is very helpful (wasn't to me, but I believe I am experiencing the same issue) Thank you. I think the next thing is to take advantage of this nice weekend and open up the machine and have a look. Already have new belts for the auger, so while doing that can take a look around. Thank you again . . . . .