Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

The drive disk looks worn, but is there a minimum specification for overall diameter or thickness of friction material ? Or, how thick is a new one?

One of the augers came right off the shaft, but the other one won;t come free. They've been lubricated regularly so presumably there's some rust at the ends holding it in place. Would it be more effective to heat the shaft and try it, or should I just go buy a puller, or am I likely to need both? Is the auger shaft a solid piece or is it split on each side of the gear housing?

Since you have an older Ariens, replace the drive disk while you're in there (and while the weather's nice).  It's not fun replacing the disk on the old ones, especially on the night before a snowstorm. 

As far as the stuck auger, search for posts by Majorxlr8n and itzbinnice.  They (and I) went through hoops getting stuck augers off. 

I used a combination of PB Blaster, patience, gear puller, and heat.  After a week or two of all of these, I re-installed the "free" auger and jammed a 2x4 into each auger and twisted them against each other.  In my case this worked, because the gears in my gear housing were spinning free (sheared pins).  Majorxlr8n broke his gear housing doing this, so use with caution. 

The auger shaft is one piece. 

Ralph

The next bit of excitement is that the housing is slightly cracked - 1/4" to 1/2" - at each lower corner. Should I have them welded? Presumably they will spread over time, OTOH there isn't a lot of metal to weld there, anyway.

 GMAN,

I would suggest that you drill a small stop hole at the end of each crack, then have it welded.

We used to do that on our heavy trucks!!

                                                                         Fred           

I've pretty much settled on the B&S Intek Snow 7.5hp as the replacement engine. I can buy a brand new one for $320 with electric start. Or for $300 I can buy a "floor model" that is new but has some handling wear and includes an alternator.

I live in the city and have never needed a headlight. Is there any other reason why I might want the alternator?

Also, what do you use to check the rpm of these small motors? From other posts here it seems that setting the governor to run at the high end of the normal range is desirable.

  GMAN,

 Check out  the "Small Engine Warehouse".

7.5 Briggs Intek goes for $295.00, including shipping!!

                                                                         Fred  

Sir, they have free shipping on some engines but the Intek Snow  is not one of them. Shipping runs $25-40 for ground.

 GMAN

Just went there and had a 7.5 for  $270.00 plus shippimg to dover, De for $23.00, total 293.00.

Also get a light on your blower, not for you to see, but for you to be seen!!!

                                                  Fred

Just bought a gear puller to work on the auger, and lined up a weld shop.

GMAN,

Anwsered your question, sent you an Email.

                                        Fred

OK, I think the best approach to take with the stuck auger is to take the assembly apart and then have it pressed off the shaft. Any special instructions for dissasembling the auger housing? I ordered the service manual but won't have it for a week or more.

Could I go to an 8" wheel from the 6"? I'd like the increase in contact patch this would yield if I'm going to Snow Hog tires (from chains). This would effectively decrease the numerical drive ratio, but I am adding 50% more power.....Hoever I'm concerned that it would be tilted too far forward. Maybe I'll prop it up and see how it looks.

I was going to have a local shop change the friction disk, but they won't work on snowblowers until August. So I'll probably do it myself, so I can wrap up the project.

 GMAN,

You should have plenty of power with your new engine.

But remember with the 8 in wheels ,your blower will be 33% faster than with the 6's in each gear!!!

 Should make one great blower!!

                                                                          Fred