How To Start A Ariens Deluxe 28 Snowblower

Alright, let’s talk about the beast in your garage: the Ariens Deluxe 28. This machine is a snow-eating monster, but if you’ve never fired one up, it can feel like trying to start a rocket ship. Don’t panic. I’m here to walk you through it, with zero judgment and a few laughs along the way.

Step One: The Pre-Game Ritual

First things first, park that bad boy on a flat surface. You don’t want it tipping over and starting a snowball fight with your neighbor’s mailbox. Trust me, that’s a conversation you don’t want to have.

Check the fuel level. If it’s empty, fill it with fresh gas—not that old stuff from last winter, unless you want your blower to sound like a coughing goat. Add a stabilizer if you’re fancy, because ethanol in gas loves to gum things up like a toddler with glue.

Next, make sure the oil is full. There’s a dipstick under the hood—pull it out, wipe it, dip it again. If it looks low, top it off with 5W-30. Running a snowblower without oil is like running a marathon in flip-flops: it’s going to hurt.

Step Two: The Controls—They Look Scarier Than They Are

Hop into the driver’s seat and find the key. Yes, it has a key, like a car for snow. Stick it in the slot and turn it to the “on” position. If you lose the key, you’re basically stuck with a 300-pound paperweight—don’t lose the key.

Notice the choke lever on the dash. This little guy controls the air-to-fuel mixture. For a cold engine, pull the choke out all the way. For a warm engine (like if you just used it), push it halfway or all the way in. Think of it as a dimmer switch for your engine’s breath—deep breaths for cold, shallow for warm.

Also, locate the throttle lever, usually on the right handle. Set it to the “fast” or “rabbit” position. Not the “turtle.” You’re not trying to start a lazy snail—you’re trying to wake a dragon.

Step Three: The Prime—Don’t Be Timid

Look for the primer bulb—a little rubber button on the engine. Push it three to five times to suck fuel into the carburetor. If it’s freezing cold outside, give it five. If it’s mild, three is plenty.

Don’t be shy here. You’re not petting a kitten—you’re giving a snowblower a shot of espresso. Push firmly, but don’t turn it into a workout. You’ll know you’ve done it right when the bulb feels squishy.

One pro tip: if the engine is already warm from a recent run, skip the primer entirely. Over-priming a hot engine is like pouring syrup on your pancakes—too much is just sticky and messy.

Step Four: The Big Pull—Channel Your Inner Viking

Grab the recoil starter handle (the rope) with your dominant hand. Make sure the safety key is in and turned to “on,” and that the auger control (the left-hand lever) is disengaged—you don’t want the blades spinning while you’re pulling.

Stand with your feet planted, one foot on the drive track (the little platform near the wheels) for stability. Give the rope a smooth, steady pull. Don’t yank like you’re starting a lawnmower from the 1970s. Let the engine’s compression do the work.

If it doesn’t start on the first pull, don’t cry. Repeat the prime and try again. Sometimes these engines are stubborn, like a cat refusing to leave a sunny spot. Be patient—your driveway isn’t going anywhere.

Step Five: The Electric Start—Cheater Mode (I Love It)

Ah, the electric start—Ariens knows we’re lazy humans. If your model has a plug-in cord and a button, you’re in luck. Just plug it into a standard extension cord, press the button, and it fires up like a dream.

This is basically “easy mode” for snowblowers. You don’t even have to break a sweat. I call it the “coffee in hand” start. Once it runs for a few seconds, unplug the cord and let it warm up.

2021-09-22 Ariens 28” Deluxe Snow Blower: How to start it up - YouTube

Never pull the recoil rope while the electric start is plugged in. You’ll cross the wires, and your snowblower might invent a new dance move called the “shuffle of shame.”

Step Six: Warm It Up—Let It Find Its Groove

Once it’s running, let the engine idle for two to three minutes. This is not a race. It’s a snowblower, not a Ferrari. Give it time to heat up the oil and clear its throat.

During this idle, gradually push the choke lever in halfway, then all the way. If it sputters or dies, you pushed it too fast—like rushing a friend out of bed before their coffee. Slow and steady wins the snow removal race.

Listen for a smooth, steady rumble. If it’s coughing or backfiring, tweak the choke or throttle until it purrs. You’re training a snow-eating dragon—be the dragon whisperer.

Step Seven: Engage the Beast—Snow, Be Gone!

When you’re ready to move, squeeze the drive control lever (right-hand side) to engage the wheels. This isn’t a racecar clutch—press gently. And for the love of all things fluffy, point the chute away from your house, windows, and any pedestrians.

Now squeeze the auger control (left-hand lever) to start the blades. You’ll hear them roar to life, chewing snow into a fine mist. It’s oddly satisfying, like watching a blender attack a glacier.

Let go of the drive lever if you need to stop moving, but keep the auger running. Never try to clear a jam with the engine running—unless you want to lose a finger and win a ticket to the emergency room. Spoiler: you don’t.

Remember the Golden Rule

If your snowblower won’t start after a few tries, step back and check the basics. Is the key on? Is there gas? Is the choke set? 90% of starting problems are user error—the other 10% is the machine being moody, like a teenager after a snow day.

Also, keep the spark plug clean. A dirty spark plug is the number one reason your Ariens goes into protest mode. Replace it annually, or when it looks like it’s been through a war.

And for Pete’s sake, read the manual once. You don’t have to memorize it, but skimming it is like learning the cheat codes to your own personal snow-busting video game.

The Uplifting Conclusion

Look at you now—you’re an Ariens Deluxe 28 starter, a snow-whisperer, a driveway-conquering hero. You turned a hunk of metal and gasoline into your loyal winter ally. That’s no small feat.

So the next time you step out into a frozen, white world, you won’t shiver in fear. You’ll chuckle, twist that key, give the choke a confident tug, and let the engine roar. Because snow is just Mother Nature’s way of testing your spirit—and your Ariens is the ultimate answer.

Now go out there, clear that driveway, and make an epic snow angel in your victory lap. You’ve got this. ❄️🚜