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

Hi-

I have an Ariens ST724 (model 924075), which has stopped powering forward when I press the drive clutch lever. I took off the bottom cover to see if it was something fairly easy to repair/replace, like a belt, and I found a broken spring lying in the cover.  I'm guessing this is the root of my problem! I can't really afford to bring it to a shop, so I was hoping to be able to fix it myself.  Here are a couple of details:

• The auger seems to keep moving now, even when I release the clutch lever.
• For a while after it stopped powering forward, it DID work in reverse, but no longer does.

Here is a picture of the broken spring and the drive plate, etc.:







Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks,

Nipper

One end of that spring hooks in a hole in the bottom of the arm for the "drive" idler pulley.
The other end of the spring looks in a hole in the side of the housing just above the right wheel axle.  It's just a hole or slot.  You will be able to see the end of the spring hook on the outside of the housing
above the right axle after you install it.  It is possible to get the spring put back on without taking the blower housing off but it's a tight fit.
There is no linkage to move the idler pulley for the "drive" belt tension.  The "drive" belt idler pulley is always in contact with the belt.  It is always under tension.  Unlike the idler pulley for the "blower"
belt.  That pulley is only in contact with the belt when you depress the handle.  When you release the handle the pulley pulls away from the belt and the blower (impeller and auger) stop spinning.
If you try and pull the idler pulley for the "drive" belt away from the belt you should feel a lot of tension.  That is, if the spring is in place and working.  If you grab the pulley and it moves easily
away from the belt.  The spring is not in place.  And that is why the drive system is not working.  The belt is simply slipping around the pulley's.

Thanks, jrtrebor.  Now your first reply makes sense - you had it nailed right away.  I misunderstood what you were talking about, and now it makes perfect sense.  I just ordered the spring (couldn't find it at the local hardware store or Home Depot).

   I have a similar problem drive problem with an old Ariens 724.  The factory numbers are rubbed off but 924028’ish. 

I put in a hardware store tensioner spring last year but it fell out on the first storm so no drive.  I have other machines so sidelined it until warm weather.  I forgot how I installed it so back to Abby’s and found the answer. 

  Nice post so I’ll get the spring placed in a few days.  I remember most of the posters so know it’s reliable info.     I learned a ton on Abby’s over the years.  Where is Borat these days?