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

Hey all. Just new to the forum and hope someone can assist me. I have a 1995 vintage Ariens 7hp, ST724, model# is 932027. It has always run great and served me flawlessly over the past 14 winters here in central PA.

At the end of the last winter after using it to dig us out of the 60 + inches of snow we had in February, I noticed the attachment clutch was squealing when I engaged the blower attachment so I purchased new v-belts for the traction drive and blower attachment and just installed them last weekend. After I reassembled the blower I tried it out and the attachment belt made a loud noise and was thrown off the sheave. I checked the large attachment sheave and it wasn't lined up with the idler pulley. I loosened the front blower attachment and re-assembled the unit again this time trying to move the bottom bolts that are in a slot further away from the engine section and it seemed to align the belt better. I used ascrewdriver to pull back on the pulley where it passes through the blower rear section and it moved about an inch.

When I restarted the blower and engaged the blower clutch, the new belt now stays on and is aligned with the idler pulley but there is a noticable metal grinding noise that I did not have before.

We haven't had any snow so I haven't been able to try the blower under load but it seems that the impeller shaft bearing may be shot. Or maybe the noise in the auger will go away once I get it loaded with snow.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Craig