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

Now that I have my new Simplicity on the way, I need to fix my Ariens 8524 so I can figure out what to do with it from there.  Either sell it, or give it to my dad to replace his Craftsman.

I ran it trouble free for 4 seasons.  Broke a shear bolt once or twice, but that was it.  Then at the start of this year, checked fluids and gear oil and lubed, second time out the gears in the auger box stripped out.  Just normal use, didn't hit anything.  Kinda bummed that shear pins didn't go first, but figured that I could replace the parts and be good for a number of more years.

After fixing everything, replacing gears, all else looked good, first time out got 80% done and the gears are stripped again!  So now the simplicity is on the way.  Question is why would these gears strip so  easy?  Why didn't the shear pins go first?  Will it just happen again?

I read some other threads here that seem to indicate this is a problem with this model.  Anyone else find a solution, or will Ariens help in the matter?  The machine is 4 or 5 years old, but even my dads 10 year old craftsman is going strong.  It came from a dealer that is to far away to most likely be much help, but it wasn't Home Depot or Lowes, but still seems like the cheapened model that others say had issues with this.

pgil- I have no idea if what you suggest is possible or if there is a "better" gear box. If there is you can bet the conversion is not cost effective.

I don't want to seem harsh but I think you are chasing a problem that isn't there. The replacement gears that striped did so as a result of the white lithium. What grease did you use when you serviced the original gear box that ran ok for the first 4 years? Was it the OEM L2 or a substitute sold by the same mis informing dealer? I really believe that if you inspect the box and replace the gears with the exact part# for your exact machine and use the Ariens L2 lube you won't have continuing problems. 

I am not to comfortable with your statement concerning whether or not the replacement gears were steel or bronze. If the dealer sold you one when it called for the other that could also be a contributing factor. Did you replace both gears or just one? Look at the impeller shaft gear when you disassemble the box and make sure it  is healthy before mating it up to another new gear.

As far as the 8524 being problematic. Remember ,Ariens made a lot of those machines and the ones you read about on the net are the few with problems. The net can give the wrong impression sometimes especially on an issue like this. It's not as obvious as the thickness of a metal chasis etc.I have been servicing the 8524 belonging to my friend which I referenced in an earlier post and that machine has been problem free. I am sure there are many more good ones than problems but you are not going to read about the good ones on the net.

Once again good luck with the new Simplicity and the repair of the 8524,

Marc