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

Hello all,

I have a 5 year old Ariens 927LE with a tecumseh 9hp engine (LH318sa). Yesterday I pulled it out of the garage for the first time this winter. It started up no problem but while the wheels engaged without a hitch the auger and impeller wouldn't turn at first (keep in mind there was nothing blocking them and the blower had been kept in a heated garage). Not being sure what the issue was I tilted the machine back about 6" and then let it drop to the ground (I know, I know...) Slowly the auger and impeller began to turn, eventually building up enough speed that I was able to get 3/4 of the driveway done, though the snow wasn't being shot out as far or as powerfully as it normally is. When I stopped for a quick bathroom break and came back outside that was it - the beast started up but refused to feed...

So my question to you is a two part one:

1. Based on this limited information what do you THINK the issue might be and how could I verify this?

2. I do not have any mechanical knowledge but can use tools if I know exactly what to do. Is this something i could/should tackle on my own? More than the cost of any repairs what I'd really like to avoid is loading up and transporting the thing back and forth to the service center...

I appreciate any info/advice you might have for me...

Remove the spark plug wire. Take the belt cover off and checking the belts to make sure they are in good shape. Engage the auger and make sure the auger belt tightens down properly. Try turning the impeller by hand. Try engaging the auger and pulling the rope at the same time. See if it feels very heavy.

Shryp wrote:
Ok, when you say "engage the auger", you mean try to turn it by hand?
And what do you mean by "try engaging the auger and pulling the rope at the same time"? Which 'rope" am I pulling and if it feels 'heavy", is that a good or bad thing?

But this is a start. Thanks...

Anyone else?

Engage the auger means push the handle. Pull the rope means the engine start rope. Heavy as in does it feel sort of normal or is it basically impossible to pull.

speedbird! on my 1986 8 hp tecumpseh ariens if you hold down the auger drive lever (right lever) you can see the ends of the auger shaft turn accordingly on the right and left side of the auger housing (just above the skid bars). as you move the right lever to the bar you should see the shaft ends start to spin. if the shaft ends don't spin you could have a broken, worn, or loose belt. if the shafts spin and the augers don't turn or turn very slowly look for broken shear pins that attach the right and left side augers to the right and left side drive bar on each side of the differential, ( the center right angle gear housing located between the two augers.) mine has grease zirks as well as two shear pins on each side of the differential housing that are pointed on the threaded end.

Sounds like the auger is/was rusted to the shaft.  Pull the shear pins and see if you can rotate the auger by hand.  If not, you may need to disassemble, clean/sand, and grease.

check the auger belt... youtube has lots of videos of belts being replaced and checked..

Sounds like the belt jumped the idler when it was shut down.