Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Hi all! Ariens ST824s Question

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phish_on2k

Joined: Feb 15, 2014
Points: 1

Hi all! Ariens ST824s Question
Original Message Feb 15, 2014 6:40 pm

Well....hi all! I have gotten a lot of help from this site just by reading others postings...now I have an issue with my snowblower that I cannot figure out and would like someone who might know a little more about it help me troubleshoot and solve this problem...

I got a "3rd hand" Ariens ST824s from a friend who didnt need it..first year it worked like a boss...just had to tweak the carb and fuel flow and use a lot of SeaFoam and Stabil fuel additive to keep it running smooth..this year I had a tune up done on it and it starts on first pull and runs great with new carb kit.

I have found that when snow blowing, once there is an amount of snow taken in, the auger will stop moving (the second stage inside still blows snow). I thought that it might be very old auger belt...so just replaced it...now when i engage the auger it sounds like i just kicked a dog! I am hoping that it needs a little time to break in...BUT...auger still stops when a certain amount of snow(of any type other than powder) is taken in...checked the Shear Pins...they are good to go...no squealing when auger stops, so as far as i know, the belt is not slipping...engine is NOT bogged down when this happens...I can stop, throw it in reverse, engage clutch and it will work until it chokes on snow again

So...can anyone give me a direction to go in? I really do not know what the heck is keeping the auger from moving...

Thanks in advance, you guys rock!

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jrtrebor

Location: Michigan - 3 hours north of Chicago on the lake
Joined: Feb 10, 2010
Points: 539

Re: Hi all! Ariens ST824s Question
Reply #2 Feb 15, 2014 11:52 pm

From what you described it does sound like you may have a problem in the gear box.
But I'm a little confused by a couple of things.
"no squealing when auger stops, so as far as i know, the belt is not slipping"..
When you say the "auger stops". Do you mean the Impeller?
When you release the Blower engage handle. The belt stops spinning so it shouldn't squeal.
You said "(the second stage inside still blows snow)" if you saying the the impeller was spinning and
throwing snow out of the chute. Then the belt may have been worn but it was still working.
Because it was turing the impeller. So the augers not spinning was not related to a bad belt.
If the belt was the problem, then you'd be having a problem with the impeller not spinning as well.
If you weren't getting the squealing noise until after you replaced the belt.
Then I would say the the new belt is either routed incorrectly. Or not adjusted correctly.
The squealing or noise problem may not be related to the auger problem.
Just a guess.
."engine is NOT bogged down when this happens...I can stop, throw it in reverse, engage clutch and it will work until it chokes on snow again"
What your describing here has nothing to do with the operation of the impeller and augers.
The drive train is driven by a separate belt. It's a separate system.
So you should be able to stop, shift and move forward or backwards.
Even though there is a problem with the augers not spinning.

Did you by chance check the shear bolts by putting a wench on
them and seeing that the nut turns when you turn the head?
It's a long shot.
But sometimes the bolts will shear. But the head and nut end will not
fall out of the auger tube. So they look okay, but in fact are sheared.
Sorry to be so long winded.

This message was modified Feb 16, 2014 by jrtrebor

RedOctobyr

Location: Lowell area, MA
Joined: Nov 5, 2011
Points: 282

Re: Hi all! Ariens ST824s Question
Reply #3 Feb 16, 2014 9:43 am

If the impeller keeps spinning when the augers stop, I would suspect a problem in the auger gearbox. You might try testing the gearbox. You could try grabbing both augers, and trying to rotate them both forward or back. Give them both a hard push/twist, and see what happens. If they can turn, something is likely broken in the gearbox.

niper99

Location: London Ont
Joined: Dec 2, 2007
Points: 354

Re: Hi all! Ariens ST824s Question
Reply #4 Feb 16, 2014 2:13 pm

certainly sounds like its in the gear box....

Snowmann

Joined: Dec 3, 2003
Points: 494

Re: Hi all! Ariens ST824s Question
Reply #5 Feb 17, 2014 9:44 pm

What is the model and serial number? Sometimes those shear bolts can corrode in place and be sheared, yet the bolt head and nuts stay intact. Check that first. Try to rotate one with a socket. Second, if the gearbox is not transferring power, either the gear teeth are destroyed, or the groove pin (or key, depending on model) that affixes the gear to the shaft has sheared.

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