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

Many  questions here about a new Ariens 8526 snowblower bundled into one posting:

1)  Any adverse effect of using a spray belt dressing on the auger belt?   Squeals a bit while engaging.

2)  Changing oil from dino to synthetic.  Have done the two hour break in with the oil it came with.  Do I need to change the synthetic oil again shortly after putting it in to insure it's all synthetic, or does that not matter?  Also, what grade to use in a machine stored in an unheated Boston shed?

3)  Tires, I'm told, are supposed to really aggressive in snow.  I found them to slip and attract a layer of snow.  Would tire chains help?

4)  Lastly, what spray is good to prevent chutes from collecting slush and snow?  Heard Pam works - never tried.

I did the transition to synthetic also. Some people might do a double change as you describe but I just made sure the engine was warmed up and given a good interval to drain, and added the synthetic. My Tecumseh manual shows 0W-30 the weight of synthetic to use for all temps. That's what I put in. I check the level before each use regardless of how long it ran previously.

We haven't had any heavy snow falls so far, but I haven't found traction to be an issue at all with the 3-5 inchers we have had. I haven't tried the machine with one wheel unlocked but with both locked it goes right up the steep section of our drive with no problem.

I have used PAM. Works well.

 All,

                   Silicone spray works well also!

Spray your augers, impeller, and chute.

                                 Fred 

I used 5W30 without any problems.  I didnt do the double switch.

 I just warmed it up, drained the oil, poured a little synthetic down the fill till it ran out the drain, which pushed out the old dino oil, then filled it up. Much easier on the cold days to start.

Silicone works on the Wet snow, but I havnt done it yet with the Ariens, and havnt had a clog yet.

Fred, Won't silicone pose a problem with paint adherence if touching up is needed? My chute is already dinged up from gravel. Jonathan

  Jonathon,

         Just sand and wipe  down the area to paint with alcohol.

                                                                                    Fred 

Thanks, Fred. I always thought that silicone spray was next to impossible to get off and would result in "fisheyes" when spray painted. Jonathan

Jonathan wrote: Jonathan, yes auto paint guys hate it because it causes more prep work for them. But, just for a chute area on a snowblower, it should take no time at all to clean, especially for small touch up work. Jubols light sanding and cleaning with alchohol suggestion is right on the $. Might not even need to sand for touch up work, depending.

Thanks for the advice.

I like to lubercate chains with Nappa 98 weight lithuim oil.

Since you said that the tires seem to attract the snow, do you store your SnoThro in a heated garage?  Maybe the warm(er) tires are causing the snow to melt then attract more snow?  I have read that the SNoHog tires don't "need" chains, but I don't have those tires. 

I have the "Hogs" on my Toro, never had a slip. Even goes up my deck stairs in reverse with no problem.

Hi Newt,

Synthetics such as Mobil One are fully compatible with dino oil, so you have nothing to worry about.  I just did the 2 hour service on my new machine the other day as well.  I warmed it up and then drained the oil out.  You're only talking about a quart or less of oil.  If it really concerns you in any way, you can always do another oil change after using it for a few hours.