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

Well we finally got a good 12" of snow last Friday.
 A guy called me and asked me to do his parking lot.
Had family in town for the weekend and my sister took these.
Snow was light on the top, heavy on the bottom.
Couldn't help, showing off a little, throwing it up in the air
and across the parking lot.
Wish I would have thought to give her my video camera.

I know how you feel.  This was the biggest snow we've in well over a year.
Our yearly average is about 122".   Last year we had about 46" total.
This year we're up to about 70" so far.
It was fun to get out there and let things fly.
Did pop the auger belt though.  Just shredded the thing.
But had it back up and running in about 30 minutes.

Yes this is the Ariens 1032 with the Honda 13hp.
And the larger blower drive pulley.
That new lower first gear I added really worded well with the EOD piles.
That slower speed trends to keep the bucket down in front so it digs into to the
pile better.  Instead of wanting to ride up on it.

I think what happened was the belt got a little stretched.
(I put on a new one last year but but only used it once. And didn't check the pulley tension this year.)
Started slipping a little under the 12" snow load.
Which caused the blowers snow processing capacity to drop.
 I was running in a gear that is usually correct for the snow load.
But in actuality I was over-driving the blower more than I realized.
More slipping more stretching more heat and pop goes the belt.
But that was after about 4 hours of blowing and a lot of EOD piles
I did sense that something wasn't right. I was having to let the blower clear itself.
Which I don't normally have to do.
But your right that 13hp driving a 32" blower is a lot for one 1/2" belt.
I usually drive it about 3/4 throttle. It's a sweet spot.
Throws a good 30 to 35'.  And the blower capacity matches really
well with second and third gear. 
I do occasionally like burning the tires.
And yes I probably was showing off for my sister

There was a noticeable difference after putting on the new belt.
In how it performed while I finished the lot.
Dual belts would probably better suit the set up I've got.
But things get really tight putting a two groove pulley on the impeller shaft.
I've thought about going with that type of set up.  But I thought I'd rather have a belt
break.  Than snap a shaft or tear up something made of steel.

No not really.  Those are weather proof. 
There is no way you could blow snow inside them.

LOL, Your right!
If the sun hadn't been out I wouldn't have done that.
But the light power I figured would melt before anyone got mad at me.
I also checked for anyone walking in the lot before I opened it up.
I just couldn't resist seeing that plume with the sun where it was.
It was a Tim Taylor moment.