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

I was excited to install a new cab my father-in-law gave me for Christmas, but in the first steps of assembly I determined it was going to be too wide to fit in the space I have in my garage and will have to be returned.  It is a Precise Fit brand (about $80 from Lowes, I think) and measured at least 36" wide assembled.  There is no easy way to detach the assembled cab for storage either.

I am trying to find a cab that is signifigantly narrower in width, and will work my Ariens 932035 - 724 (compact 2-stage).  Pics of my machine can be seen in the OP here: http://www.abbysguide.com/ope/discussions/41100-0-1.html

So far, I'm looking at the Ariens Deluxe Snow Thrower Enclosure: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=202021284&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=202021284&cm_mmc=shopping-_-googlebase-_-D28X-_-202021284

The specs listed on Home Depot's site say it is only 29.5" wide assembled and also states it can be quickly detached for easy storage.  This should fit in my garage space and will make it convenient to remove and hang from the ceiling during the off season.

Does anyone have any experience with this cab?  Likes and/or dislikes?  Will it work with my machine?  Any recommendations for other narrow and/or quickly detachable cabs?

borat wrote:

Thanks for the link.  The one my father-in-law got was distributed by Classic Acessories and I think it was the standard model.  It looks like this Deluxe model in your link allows for quick detaching for storage.  I will definitely consider it.  Thanks again!

Borat, I ended up running out today and picked up that Deluxe model from your link.  Worked like a charm on the light fluffy stuff we had that tended to blow in all directions.  I only wore a heavy flannel jacket and stayed perfectly dry and warm in the 20° temps we have.

Assembly was very straigh forward.  It took me longer to rig up a hook & line system to hang it from the ceiling over my car. 

One thing I noticed is after blowing my drive and half the neighbor's, the clamping bolts that control forward/backward pitch of the cab needed to be re-tightened as the cab was slipping backwards and hitting my head.  I'm not sure if this was a one-time occurance (i.e. breaking in due to vibrations) or if I'll need to put some kind of friction-heavy material around the tubes where it clamps.  I tightened those bolts just about as much as physically possible with a box wrench.  Have you have similar experiences with slippage?

I'll try to post a pic next time I use it.  It was too dark this evening.

I've had no problem at all with mine. Is it possible that you may have used one size to big in the mounting brackets? If not, you might want to cut some plastic shims to snug the brackets onto the frame. The ceiling in my garage is close to 12' high so I have my cab suspended with a couple of pulleys and a 5/16" rope. I just run the machine under it, lower the cab, mount it and put the pins in. Nice and easy.

borat wrote:

The mounts where it meets my machine are fine.  I meant the cab upper mounts -- the ones that are small sections of tube with the "male" end that insert into the lower mounts that stay fixed on the machine -- that clamp the cab crossmember inside of them.  If it happens again, I may do like you say and try some plastic or thin rubber shims.

I wish my garage was as tall.  As it is, I have to suspend it horizonally with a couple hooks & lines.  It wouldn't clear my vehicles if it were hung in the upright position.  I was in a bit of a hurry as it was getting late, though.  I may fine-tune my method later when it's warmer.

INGuy wrote:

I had the same problem with my Ariens cab. I ended up drilling one hole in each bracket and tube and put a sheetmetal screw on each side, that did the trick for me. There is alot of weight hanging off the back and no matter how tight I got the bolts, I could still move it......... 

There are a couple of tie down straps at the front bottom of the cover for the cab. They're supposed to be wrapped around one of the cross members of the frame that's clamped to the machine. Have you tightened them down? I've never had a problem with mine not staying put.

goatman68 wrote:

That's a novel idea.  I guess once I've used it for awhile and find a comfortable adjustment that I know I'll stick with, I may do just that.  I want to be sure to get it in the right place for sure though, with drilling holes and all.  Great tip!

borat wrote:

Tie downs on the zippered flaps?  I'll have to look again as I didn't see any below the main crossmember tube.

In this pdf http://www.classicaccessories.com/product_files/CA-DlxSnoThrwrCab%20Instr_EN-SP-FR.pdf , I'm talking about (on page 3) parts B1 & B2 slipping/rotating inside of part J1 & J2, even when J1/J2 are tightened as much as physically possible.  Just making sure we're talking about the same thing here.

That's a completely different set up than mine. Looks a lot simpler than my cab mounting system. Much simpler. Can't help you with that.

Ah-hah!  Well, at least we're on the same page now.