CenterTree
Firewood hacker
Got a new 22 ton from my dealer a few weeks ago. Used it very little until Easter Sunday after the dinner guests left.
About an hour into a pile of logs the Ariens just stopped. Engine kept running, but hydraulic piston froze.
So I thought I would put up a simple thread here for anyone else who may have this issue in the future.
Here is what I found as the problem and the (thankfully) easy fix.
Directly under the engine is what is called a "love-joy coupling". It basically connects the engine shaft to the hydraulic pump system below it.
PROBLEM: The allen-screw that holds the bottom section of the coupling came loose and the section fell down... effectively disconnecting the engine from the pump.
FIX:
First remove the orange sheet metal cover.
You will see the coupling inside.(below engine)
The white plastic "bushing" on mine was a little peeled and split from the spinning metal, but I will reuse it until a new one arrives from the dealer.
Simply lift the bottom section of the coupling up (I used a screw driver) and mesh it with the upper.
You will notice the top section and the bottom section both have an allen screw. Tighten the bottom one. I applied lock-tite just to be sure.
You may have to gently pull the engine starting cord to bring the coupling around in order to access the screw.
It's a 1/8" allen.
FYI: This is the 22ton unit, Others may be a little different.
That's it.
Back to splitting.
About an hour into a pile of logs the Ariens just stopped. Engine kept running, but hydraulic piston froze.
So I thought I would put up a simple thread here for anyone else who may have this issue in the future.
Here is what I found as the problem and the (thankfully) easy fix.
Directly under the engine is what is called a "love-joy coupling". It basically connects the engine shaft to the hydraulic pump system below it.
PROBLEM: The allen-screw that holds the bottom section of the coupling came loose and the section fell down... effectively disconnecting the engine from the pump.
FIX:
First remove the orange sheet metal cover.
You will see the coupling inside.(below engine)
The white plastic "bushing" on mine was a little peeled and split from the spinning metal, but I will reuse it until a new one arrives from the dealer.
Simply lift the bottom section of the coupling up (I used a screw driver) and mesh it with the upper.
You will notice the top section and the bottom section both have an allen screw. Tighten the bottom one. I applied lock-tite just to be sure.
You may have to gently pull the engine starting cord to bring the coupling around in order to access the screw.
It's a 1/8" allen.
FYI: This is the 22ton unit, Others may be a little different.
That's it.
Back to splitting.
