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

My neighbor, an old timer, got an Ariens ST8 24 from a fella he knows up in Maine. The motor runs fine but today during the big storm he was doing his driveway and it stopped throwing snow. We took it in the garage and observed the following. The auger turn and it pulls in the snow, but the impeller has no power. When it's off, the impeller just spins freely. Is there a shear pin or something or do we need to take the gearcase apart or???

Thanks

It sounds like a worn drive belt for the auger assembly, or an adjustment in the linkage from the handle. you can remove the plastic cover for the belts with two screws. Removing two large bolts on either side allows the blower assembly to "book" forward so you can change the belts. It's easy.

The right handle engages the idler for the auger drive via a linkage to an idler. If you hold down first the right handle, then then the left, the left handle will keep the auger engaged without having to hold it down with the right hand.

There are steel roll pins that secure the impeller to the shaft. Find the size & grab some - Lowes & Home Depot carry them. Since the augers turn, I think the belt is ok...

Marty

Thanks so much! I'll check out all your pieces of advice

Steve