Snow blower maintenance
 

I ran mine hard the past week... probably put a full year's plus of use on it. So changed the oil yesterday. Replacing cotter pins in chute directional linkage today. Had to replace one while clearing. Going to grease all fittings today too. This storm looks to more water content and weight than the blizzard so need to silicone the chute and auger housing.

If nothing else, take a look at your oil. If it is black, change it, today.

i wish i had a heated garage
my hands are burned from cold
just warmin up the car

Buy an extra belt ahead of time, that way you'll have it when needed like I am waiting for now because it's not in stock and could not find numbers on original. :smash:

Bruce did you try Stewarts in Holbrook they seem to have everything?


I changed all of my belts and fixed a cut fuel line last year, and installed a fuel shutoff which it never had. Put a new carb on the year before that. Not I have a sometimes sticky steering. I think I will take it apart and repaint the bucket and new edge this year. It is an 11 year old craftsman

Broke a shear pin today. Thank god it was on the last few passes. Snow was heavy today.
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I'm waiting for that to happen, lots of ice chunks coming in from the road. I'm waiting for the plows to come by and clear the road, I'll have to go out after that, I fully expect breakage

Be careful with shear pins, Ariens has 2 models one with a black one (close to center) and newer models with a gold shear pin farther out. My understanding is they are not the same and should not be used interchangably if you want them to really do their job.
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My belts are shot from the last storm, found both belts with shipping for $16.25 down fall is I'm still waiting....
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I have two snow blowers for a reason. Biggest deal I find is keeping fuel treatment in it. The other stuff just happens (shear pins etc).
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Mouse nests are my worst problem. Every friggin year I have to take the fly wheel off and get them out. I may just take the fly wheel off this spring and reinstall in the winter.
My shear pins are a bolt and nut not a pin. It is a late 80's model Ariens. Not pretty but a beast.
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Never knew you had mice down your way.
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Yeah I think you brought them with you. Never saw a one till you were in my attic.:hs:
I got 11 so far this year but none in the last few weeks. The peanut butter with one M&M does the trick every time. Squish
They had the pins at True Value right on the counter so I guess people have been busting a lot of them.

My plot to infest your property with Norwegian mutant mice has been foiled!
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Looking like another big one coming sunday- monday

Just came back from Stewarts today. New friction disc and a spare.
Oil change tomorrow and grease. :btu:

Good for you,gald to hear you are set,I'm still waiting for my new belts!!!!!!wtf Amazon!
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I learned the hard way, always get spares - you know they will get used.

I thought I was going to need a set too as my drive transmission quit working during the last storm. Opened it up and found that the drive belt just slipped off the pulley. 15 minute fix. :buds:

Now I'm ready for the next dumping, problem is no place to put it.
Last house on a dead end - the snowbank is over 8 feet high at the street.
:mad:

Hmmm My day ended earlier than planned. Shut the auger off before shear pins broke. Now it is jammed good. Have it in front of a heater in garage to thaw. Was clearing aa house that is having a home inspection tomorrow.

Well, got that cleared out... Pulled wire off spark plug. 2x4 to spin auger. I did shear pin on one side. Used the white serrated bait/netting knife to cut the mat up, which was the key tool. Replaced both shear pins. All told, half an hour, after thawing it for 3 hours. No way I would have gotten that removed outside. Back at it tomorrow as I have to make room for another 12-18 we are forecasted for here starting Sunday.

Ross... I did the same with a Sunday Globe under the snow about 7 years ago.... that Ariens was never the same after that jam job.. Got a used Huskyvarna after that and very happy with it

Its been a tough year. Mine's was running rough and only with the choke on. I cleaned the carburetor out and that took care of that. Then yesterday I went out to widen the driveway to make room for more and first pass hit a chunk of tar that must have been thrown up by a plow from a pothole. Sheer pins didnt sheer. Snapped the auger belt and bent the auger a little. banged that back into shape and got a new belt. Almost afraid to see what happens next...

Just out trying to blow to the next wood pile and i picked up a chunk of wood and the auger stopped. Neither shear pins did their job. Judging by Diggins post i should check the auger belt, what would be the next thing to look at if the belt is ok? I'm done for the night its a morning project.

Unless you blew the gear box. Did that a few years ago but replaced it and still going strong. I also need to dig out my other wood pile. Didn't expect this much snow to keep me from it.
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The worm gear on my 24" 10hp 20 yr old ariens auger went last year They wanted $350 for near gear box. F that. Held off. A few weeks ago My brother was able to find me a similar machine at the kingston recycling center that with a few minor adjustments i was able to make the front end from the freebie go on my machine.
Was workin like a fine swiss watch the other day until with one pass to go. Augers wouldnt engage even tho brand new belt. Pulled it apart to discover that the end of the bolt that goes through the adjustable tension pulley that engages the belt stripped so tension pulley was pushin off belt. $2 at ace tor new bolt nut and washers and back in business. Wife said why dont i just to out and by new machine. I said well i dont see u runnin out there with a shovel or handin me $1200 buckaroos to buy a new one.....thats if i could even find one right now..::::
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Snow blower would not engage the wheels. Had to replace my bearings on my machine. Winter is a pain in the arse.

Stick with the Ariens Mike. You can fix it and cheaper than a new one. Stuff does wear out and sounds like yours was at that point. Now that it is fixed should last a good while. Mine is really old 7 hp and after some work is still going strong. Probably just jinxed myself by saying that. Good luck.
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Mine was just the auger belt, thankfully sears had all the parts i needed to get it running again. Was planning on an oil change yesterday but got sidetracked with he neighbor bringing over a bottle of scotch. Today i used the neighbors mahindra to move the snow, will touch it up with the blower later today. When mine dies i think Ariens is next in line.

Yup I don't think you will be sorry. It ate up another 20" today and I have a 130 foot long driveway. The only problem now is it can't throw it any higher, maxed out. I am going to have to buy a bucket loader if we get any more.