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

Hi All,

     First post here but before I start, I must say great board! I have read through many of the pages here and have learned a lot already!

OK, here is the story. My dad gave me his old Ariens snowblower 2 years ago. It has a 24 inch cutting path and has a 8HP techemsa engine. It has 5 or 6 speeds forward and one reverse. My best guess is it is 17 to 20 years old. On the outside, it is in pretty good shape as it was always kept in a garage. When i got the machine, it ran but not very well...it had to have the choke 1/2 way out and would pop through the exhaust. My dad would leave gas in it and he probably neve changed the oil!!! I took care of the easy stuff and changed the oil. I made it through the first winter and this past fall, I cleaned out the carb real well and got it to run MUCH better! I still could not push the choke in all the way though. Well today I started the machine up and before I could get to the fist pile of snow, I blew the connecting rod out the side of the block!

So I showed my wife who says we can't live without a snowblower (Oh do I love her!!!) so I explained we will need $1,000 for a replacement. I got the OK :)

My questions are:

1, Is this really worth fixing?

2, Is my old machine worth anything? I live in Wantagh Long Island NY If anyone is interested

3, If I replace, I am looking at Ariens 8526LE, or the 926DLE or the Simplicity 9560E or 1060DLE....are my choices good?

Thanks everyone,

Brian

http://www.pbase.com/cleanmaxx_brian

I'd recommend getting a new machine.

BTW Where did you say you live again? :-)

On a more serious note.

I just put a B&S Intek Snow  engine on a machine that I had blown the engine on late last season. The block looks very similar to your picture.

The new engine is working great. The main problem that I have is that some times the snow is thrown too far ;-)  I also broke part of the transmission. I don't know if its the extra torque of the new engine or simply a 13 year old part finally giving up the ghost..

The point that I'm leading up to is that putting a new engine on is both doable and will probably lead to a noticable increase in performance. The thing to consider is what shape is the rest of the  machine and how hard is it to get replacement parts in case something else breaks.

If you decide to go the new unit route I'd recommend the following:

1. Given you do a bunch of driveways get something that is easy to turn the Ariens DLE or the trigger traction release both appear to be good;
2. Fast ground speed makes a big difference, 6 speeds, all too slow is a pain;
3. Mention your decision on the forum, you might get someone who wants to restore the old machine or at least use it for parts to help restore another machine. Either way its better than junking it.

Thanks for all the great replys!

So here is the latest and final chapter... I went on e-bay and found:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=42230&item=4364901542&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
This guy is 25 min away so I gave him a call. He explained that he purchased 6 Ariens 8526LE's to keep at a new contracted  job site. (He does snow removal during the winters and yard work during the summers) However he lost the deal and is now stuck with the units. The retailer would only give him store credit so on to e-bay he went!  Well to make a long story short, he sold me one for $875 cash and that means no tax Brand new still in the box! That seams like a good deal no???
I brought it home, put it together and ooogled at the new features!  I gave it a quick start and hit a small pile of snow (Whats left from today) and it tossed the heavy wet stuff  an easy 25 feet.  The only thing I wished it had was the better axel of the 926DLE but  it is not like my old machine had it ...and I have never tried it, so I do not know what I am missing!
Now is there anything I should check on this new  8526LE? I have read some people having minor problems...with the build quality and not the machine itself.

Now as for my old machine, a buddy of mine has a cheap snowblower and it has a 8 HP Techumseh engine so this summer, we are going to try and fit his motor onto my old machine. I really hated to just "throw it away".

snowshoveler wrote:
I checked the oil level just now after the rod damage and the oil level is still in the good zone.  However a break down in lubrication could have been the cause. I do not think my Dad changed the oil in it very often... Could it just have been from use? This machine has moved a LOT of snow in its lifetime! As for your age guess, I bet you are right! I just called my mother and she said my father bought it USED 20 plus years ago!!! (Now that is a guy who knows his machines!!!)

I also read the post that showed that all of the Simplicities machines with the  B&S engines are 12 HP. What is the deal with my new machine? Is there a chance that it too has more power than what the label says????

By the way, where do you live again?

I live in Wantagh, Long Island New York.

Cool, I was just wondering where it was snowing today. Welcome.

Brian,

Welcome & good score on your new machine!

Now, since I won't be getting your old machine, let me pass this on. You mentioned fitting another engine to your old machine. When I took another look at your pic of the peek-a-boo-I-see-you connecting rod, I noticed that the black fuel hose seems too long. If the fuel shutoff valve is lower than the carburetor, that could explain your lean running condition. Having this hose lower than the carb can cause fuel starvation.

Marty

OOOO Good catch Marty, I never thought of that but it make perfect sense.

I must admit to you all now that I have read EVERY SINGLE Ariens post in this message board. And to be honest, the Tecumseh  rod issue is scaring me. It seems if you run a tad low on oil, expect to see the inside parts on the outside  I hope the newer engines do not have the same problems!!!

Brian,

There are thousands of older snowblowers donned with Tecumseh's that are still going strong. If you check your oil often & keep it clean, the Tecumseh will serve you well as it has done for MANY others. BUT - I will say this, they are less tolerant to low oil conditions.

Marty

You asked about things to do with new Ariens.

I believe Ariens comes with an extensive owner's manual and it details the break in procedure. RTFM.

 Basically you have to change the oil on the engine after a relatively short period of time and you have to adjust the belts after they have worn in a bit.. Its also a good idea to go over everything and check for things that are loose that shouldn't be.