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

Can anyone give me a suggestion for my 3 year old Ariens 724?

It starts fine, always has. But last season I noticed that when it is idling or running under load it idles up and down, the choke does not effect it and the only way that it has a nice steady idle is when it is under a heavy load. There are three other 724s in my neighborhood and none of them sound like this. I have ran out the gas and changed the spark plug to no avail. Also is the friction plate service-able or do I need to have it brought in to the shop? It seems like it only goes forward in the higher settings, reverse is almost no existant.

Thanks!

My Arens has an 8 HP Tecumseh and had the same problem.I cleaned the carborator but only saw 1 jet hole on that center brass nut / hallow bolt with the high speed adlust screw in it that holds the carborator bowl on.The next time I looked with a magnifing glass there was a 2nd tiny hole half way up between the threaded parts that was pluged and was causing all my problems.Be carefull not to enlarge that small hole when cleaning it I used the fine wire in side of a twist tie for a trash bag They tell you not to do that but it worked for me.The engine no longer surges prob. solved Another thing to check is that the gas cap on the tank is venting properly.Try runing with the cap loose or off.