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

My job location has an older Ariens ST1032 that doesn't blow the snow as far as if should, even with lighter snow.  It goes maybe half the distance it should.  Sorry I can't give you a specific distance.  All I can think of is either a loose or stretched belt, or something is not right with the impeller.  The machine is run with the throttle all the way to high.  Our maintenance department never seems to know what the deal is, not that I expect them to care (ha ha).

I'm just looking for the probable causes that perhaps I'm overlooking.  Thanks for any help.

Just a guess but probably slipping belt if all other components are in good condition.  Have you tried to rotate the impeller with no load on it (engine off of course) to see if the bearings are good?  How much space is there between the impeller blades and housing.  Too much space will seriously inhibit throwing distance.  1/8th to 3/16ths is not too bad.  Wider than that and there will be some loss of performance. 

Borat, thanks for the information.  The blower is currently unavailable to me as the maintenance department took it back to their location after winter was over.  However, if they bring it back, I will take a good look at it the best I can based on what you've said.  My school has a John Deere tractor with a blade for snow removal (due to the length of sidewalks and a long blacktop trail leading to some houses), and the Ariens blower was apparently given to us as a backup machine since we had a lot of snow last winter compared to normal.  I'm hoping they let us have it again, because I don't think any of the other schools in my district are exactly lined up to claim it, ha ha.  Thanks again for the good advice.