Contractor Owner/Operator Manual Models 996126 – Contractor 2WD 996148 – Contractor 4WD Gasoline containing up to 10% ethanol (E10) or up to 10% MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) is acceptable for use in this machine. The use of any gasoline exceeding 10% ethanol (E10) or 10% MTBE will void the product warranty.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Controls and Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM This equipment and/or its engine may include exhaust and evaporative emissions control system components required to meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and/or California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations. Tampering with emission controls and components by unauthorized personnel may result in severe fines or penalties. Emission controls and components can only be adjusted by an Ariens Company dealer or an authorized engine manufacturer's service center.
2 1 3 5 4 6 7 8 10 9 11 12 Figure 2 13 1. DANGER! GUARD MISSING 2. WARNING! ROLLOVER - FALLING OFF HAZARD • Always wear seat belts Do not operate vehicle without guards in place. • Drive very slowly when turning. • Always use brakes when going down a slope. • Reduce speed on rough or hilly ground. • Never attempt wheelies, jumps or other stunts.
3. DANGER! BATTERY • 8. WARNING! To prevent serious injury or death: Avoid battery acid spills. Do not get battery acid on eyes, face or other body parts. • Read and understand Operator’s Manual before using and review annually. • Do not add water or other liquids to battery. • Do not operate without proper training or instructions. • Battery fumes are explosive • Operate only with guards installed and in good condition. • Keep away from moving parts.
Practice Safe Maintenance 10. WARNING! 2WD DO NOT OVERLOAD! • Understand procedure before doing work. Use proper tools and equipment. Refer to this manual for additional information. Overloading can cause loss of control. Work in a clean, dry area. 11. WARNING! 4WD DO NOT OVERLOAD! • Place the vehicle in neutral, set parking brake, turn off engine and remove key before performing maintenance. Chock wheels if you must perform maintenance on a slope. Overloading can cause loss of control.
Personal Safety Be familiar with all functions of this vehicle. Do not allow anyone to operate this vehicle who has not fully read and comprehended this manual and who has not been properly trained in the safe operation of this vehicle. Do not operate vehicle while drinking or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Do not allow anyone under 16 years of age to operate this vehicle even under adult supervision. All passengers must be at least 80 pounds and exceed a height of 4’ 9" (57 inches).
Avoid prolonged breathing of vapors. Use extreme caution when driving through dry grass, brush and other fire hazard materials. Never stop or park over combustible materials. Keep grass and brush from collecting on and around engine and muffler parts. Keep face away from nozzle and gas tank opening. Keep gas away from eyes and skin. Support this vehicle securely before working beneath. Chock wheels to prevent vehicle from rolling. Be aware of cargo shifting when stopping or moving.
When descending hills or slopes apply steady pressure to the foot brake to avoid potential of freewheeling or runaway. Never allow vehicle to coast or free wheel in neutral or loss of control may result. If vehicle loses power and stops on a hill, immediately engage foot brake and back slowly down the hill maintaining a straight downhill line of travel. Do not attempt to turn vehicle sideways on the hill or a rollover could result. Never operate vehicle without good visibility and lighting.
CONTROLS AND FEATURES Features Benefits Subaru OHV V-Twin Engine For Proven Power & Dependability. 25 MPH Top Speed Able to go from job site to job site at a reasonable speed. 4-Wheeled Independent Suspension For Soft Ride & Excellent Stability. Rack & Pinion Automotive-Type Steering For Easy Handling & Quick Response. 4-Post Accessory Bar Offers Accessory Mounting Capabilities & Added Protection from Limbs & Branches. 9 1/2" Minimum Ground Clearance For Traversing Rough Terrain. 1,400 lb.
OPERATION WARNING: AVOID INJURY. Read and understand the entire Safety section before proceeding. • Check steering by executing a full lock to lock turn in each direction. • Check to make sure neutral start feature is working by trying to start unit with the shift selector located in forward and reverse positions or service brake released. (Unit should not start.) • Check engine oil level at the dipstick.
A manual choke control under the seat assists in quick cold weather starting. The infinitely variable torque converter drive system means there is no clutching. Shift into either forward or reverse when the vehicle is stopped and step on the throttle pedal to go at speeds up to 25 mph in forward. Never shift while vehicle is moving. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Braking is accomplished by pressing the brake pedal located on the floorboard.
7. Auxiliary Power Outlet: There are two auxiliary 12-volt power outlets available for powering accessories such as lights, cell phones or GPS units. One is located below the switches in the center of the control panel and the other is located inside the storage enclosure. 2. Parking Brake Lever: Pull the lever up fully to engage the parking brake. Push the button on top of the lever and move the lever fully toward the floorboard to release the parking brake.
1 1 Reverse 1. Brake Pedal 2. Accelerator Pedal Neutral 2 Figure 6 Drive Shift Selector Lever 1. Shift Selector: Changes the transmission from neutral to forward or reverse. Always start engine neutral. The selector position will be shown in the indicator panel in front of the operator. Move the transmission shift selector from neutral to reverse or drive by rotating the lever up or down to the desired transmission gear. 1.
1 1 2 4 2 1. Seat Belt 2. Seat Belt Buckle 3 1 Figure 8 Seat Belt Operation 1 Pull the seat belt across your hips and insert its tongue into the buckle until you hear it snap. Release the seat belt by pressing the release button in the center of the buckle. Guide the seat belt to its original position as it retracts to keep it aligned and to prevent its tongue from striking and damaging surfaces on the vehicle. Cargo Bed CAUTION: Always load front of cargo bed first and back last.
Engine Performance Remove Cargo Bed Side Panel 1. Remove five 5/16” hex bolts (item 1) retaining left-side panel (item 2). 2. Remove left-side panel. 3. Repeat step 1 for right-side panel. 1 2 All small gas engines need fuel, air, and spark in exactly the right proportions in order to run properly at peak performance.
Cold Weather Operation Plan Traveling Gear 1. Check the short and long range weather forecast and take protective gear and clothing to cover all conditions. Take or wear appropriate eye and head protection, gloves, boots, long-sleeve shirt, long pants, jacket, rain gear, dry socks and full change of dry clothing. Small gasoline engines must get up to operating temperature before they will operate properly. Most air cooled engines draw a large volume of air through their intake fan.
5. Avoid paved surfaces. Ariens vehicles are designed exclusively for off-road use. Occasionally it may be necessary to cross public roads or right of ways to gain access to work or recreation sites. In these situations keep clear of faster traffic and cross quickly and safely. When driving on paved surfaces use caution. Cargo loads and drive modes (2WD and 4WD) can affect handling. 6.
MAINTENANCE Maintenance Schedule Maintenance Operation Daily Every Every Every Every 100 Hrs. 300 Hrs. 500 Hrs. 6 Mos.
General Maintenance Securing Vehicle for Maintenance WARNING: Read and observe all safety warnings in this manual and in the engine service manual. Before servicing the vehicle the following procedure must be met to secure the vehicle: 1. Park vehicle on a level surface. Do not work under or around a vehicle parked on an incline. 2. Set shift selector in Neutral. WARNING: Except when checking or changing components, always keep protective shields on for safety and component protection. 3.
Lifting the Vehicle DANGER: A lifted vehicle must be supported properly with jack stands of suitable capacity before working under and around it. Also the wheels on the ground must be chocked on both sides to prevent vehicle from rolling forward or backward. IMPORTANT: Use a hydraulic jack, floor jack, or scissor type jack to lift vehicle. Do not lift using the bumper, body, rear transaxle, or axles. 1. Secure vehicle for maintenance. See Securing Vehicle for Maintenance on page 20. 1.
2 Common circuit problems are shorts, corroded or dirty terminals, loose connections, defective wire insulation or broken wires. Switches, solenoids and ignition components can also not function, causing a short or open circuit. 3 Before attempting any fault diagnosis of the electrical system, use a test light or voltmeter to check battery voltage. If battery voltage is satisfactory, check cleanliness and tightness of terminals and ground connections.
Charging the Battery Batteries that are severely discharged may not take or indicate a charge immediately. Some automatic chargers need a minimum voltage before they will start charging and some will not indicate a charging condition at the meter until the battery reaches a minimum charge. Refer to the charger manual for specific instructions. When recharging batteries, please follow these important safety precautions: 1. Secure vehicle for maintenance. See Securing Vehicle for Maintenance on page 20. 2.
Engine Maintenance Fuel Filter Maintenance The fuel filter is installed in the fuel line between the fuel tank and engine. Check it every 100 hours for excessive water accumulation or sediment and replace if necessary. Otherwise replace after every 300 hours of operation or annually, whichever occurs first. Also check fuel tank and fuel line for cracks and leaks every 100 hours. General Information Prevent engine fires. Clean engine compartment daily.
2 2 1 1 2 3 1 1. Drive Pulley 2. Driven Pulley Figure 16 3. Hand squeeze the belt together between drive pulley and driven pulley to force belt into the driven pulley. This should open driven pulley side walls allowing room to remove the belt. 1. Aluminum Housing 2. Cam Shoe (3 Required) 3. Housing-to-Housing Clearance. Replace if clearance is less than 1/16" (1.6 mm) 4. Remove belt by rolling it off over the driven pulley and then lifting it up off the drive pulley. 5.
2. Before installing new filter element, inspect it by placing a bright light inside and rotate element slowly, looking for any holes and tears in the paper. Also check gaskets for cuts or tears. Do not attempt to use a damaged element. A damaged element will allow abrasive particles to enter the engine. Prevent costly and non-warrantable premature engine problems by avoiding the following common mishandling: 3. Install new filter element (item 3) with open end first. 4.
Incorrect Air Filter Element Parking Brake Adjustment The air filter must remain intact to block passage of dirt and foreign particles. It must be of sufficient size and construction to withstand stresses, caused by rapid cycling of air volume demanded by the engine, without cracking or tearing under fatigue and pressure.
7 3 1 • Transfer Case (Four-Wheel Drive Only): 2” (5.1 cm) from the top of the fill hole to the oil level. • Front Differential (Four-Wheel Drive Only): 1/4” (.64 cm) from bottom of fill opening. 5 4. Add correct lubricant if needed (do not overfill.) 5. Replace fill cap and tighten securely. CHANGING OIL Warm oil drains faster and more completely than cold oil. Drain used oil while it is still warm as follows: 1.
Transfer Case (See Figure 22) Front Differential Case (See Figure 23) (Four-Wheel Drive Units Only) (4-Wheel Units Only) 1 3 1 1. Check and Fill Plug 2 2. Drain Plug 3. Breather Hose. Oil may be added here by removing hose. Make sure check plug is open when adding oil. Always reinstall breather hose when finished. Figure 23 Brake Fluid (See Figure 24) 1. Transfer Case Oil Check and Fill Plug 2 2.
STORAGE 2. Place shift selector in Neutral, engage parking brake and remove ignition key before dismounting from vehicle. WARNING: AVOID INJURY. Read and understand the entire Safety section before proceeding. 3. Always allow vehicle to cool before working on or around it. Engine Preparation for Storage 4. Check thoroughly for any worn or damaged parts that need replacing including decals and order them from your Ariens Dealer. CAUTION: Fuel vapors are flammable and explosive.
TROUBLESHOOTING Symptoms Battery is dead Battery will not charge Brakes are sticking (won’t release) Brakes don’t function Electrical System does not work Engine backfires Engine knocks Engine overheats Engine loses power Probable Causes Key switch was not left in the off position. Suggested Remedies Switch key to off position. Disconnect and recharge battery. Battery is worn out or defective. Replace battery. Starter solenoid defective. Replace starter solenoid.
Symptoms Engine runs unevenly Probable Causes Electrical connections are loose. Engine cooling fins are plugged. Throttle cable is sticking. Choke cable is sticking. Fuel is stale or dirty. Fuel line or filter are plugged. Fuel type is incorrect. Fuel leaks into the crankcase. Engine starts in gear Spark plug wires defective. Spark plug is defective. Spark plug is fouled. Carburetor is not adjusted correctly. Air cleaner is plugged. Neutral switch is adjusted incorrectly.
Symptoms Starter does not work Probable Causes Neutral switch is not engaged. Suggested Remedies Adjust neutral switch to be engaged with shift selector in neutral. Neutral switch is defective. Replace neutral switch. Battery power is low. Recharge battery. Battery connections are loose or corroded. Clean and tighten battery connections. Battery is worn out or defective. Replace battery. Harness connections are loose. Reconnect harness connections. Harness pin connections are bent.
ACCESSORIES Part No.
SPECIFICATIONS Engine Engine Model Subaru EH 65 Lubrication Pressurized Engine Type 4 stroke - air cooled Engine Oil Type Refer to engine manual. Displacement 653 cc Engine Oil Capacity 52.5 oz (1.5L) Max. Torque 33.6 ft-lb@2500 (45.6 N•m @ 2500) Cooling Air Cylinders 2, Overhead Valve ACG Output 12V/30A Fuel And Oil Fuel Capacity 8 gallons (30.3L) Rear Transaxle Case Capacity: 20 oz. (0.6L) Type: US Mobil 424 Fuel Type Unleaded. Refer to engine manual. Transfer Case Capacity: 6 oz. (0.
Sno-Thro®, Sno-Tek® and Chore Performing ® ® Limited Sno-ThroEquipment , Sno-Tek and Chore Performing Equipment Limited Warranty Warranty Ariens Company (Ariens) warrants to the original purchaser that Ariens, Gravely, Parker, and Countax brand chore ® ® performing equipment (including Sno-Thro and Sno-Tek equipment) sold on or after 1/1/2011 will be free from defects in material and workmanship for the time period noted in the chart below.
Customer Responsibilities Register the product immediately at the time of sale. If the dealer does not register the product, the customer must complete the product registration card in the literature package and return it to the Ariens Company, or register the unit online at www.ariens.com, www.gravely.com, www.countax.com, www.parkersweeper.com. To obtain warranty service, the original purchaser must: • Perform the maintenance and adjustments explained in the owner's manual.
Disclaimer Ariens Company may from time to time change the design of its products. Nothing contained in this warranty shall be construed as obligating the Ariens Company to incorporate such design changes into previously manufactured products, nor shall such changes be construed as an admission that previous designs were defective.
California Evaporative Emission Control Warranty Statement YOUR WARRANTY RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS The California Air Resources Board and Ariens Company are pleased to explain the evaporative emission control system's warranty on your 2011 model year small off-road equipment. In California, new equipment that use small off-road engines must be designed, built, and equipped to meet the State's stringent anti-smog standards.
(3) Any warranted part that is scheduled for replacement as required maintenance in the written instructions must be warranted for the period of time prior to the first scheduled replacement point for that part. If the part fails prior to the first scheduled replacement, the part must be repaired or replaced by the Ariens Company.
Ariens 655 West Ryan Street Brillion, WI 54110 920-756-4688 Fax 920-756-2407 www.ariens.
