RickO

Thanks Kevin.  I am actually glad this was the problem, as otherwise something would have been terribly wrong, since everything else was functioning fine.  I was throwing 40'+ easy, and now w/ the snow actually being directed to the impeller I should get more volume moved.

Totally agree about the 24" width / power ratio.  I wanted a wider machine but this is what fits best in my small garage.  The 9.25HP is ample power for a 24" wide, so I plan on rocking in high gear except in the real deep heavy stuff :)

Some of you may remember my brand new dealer purchased 924DLE having trouble teaking lots of snow out the sides.  Took it back to the dealer and was informed that the factory had the two augers reversed.  So instead of pulling snow towards the center of the machine it was pushing it out.

Nonetheless, I am looking forward to re-trying my Ariens for the first time :)

Without question, it is a phenomonal feature.  It has worked flawless on my 924DLE since I bought it.  I spoke w/ a tech at Ariens before purchasing and asked this exact question.  He claimed the mechanism is bulletproof.  I have a tight garage and have some tight maneuvers to do to get it out past the cars, and it is so easy.  Best of all, traction enages instantaneously after turning and proceeding forward. 

Thanks for the replys.  Shear pins are just fine.  Last night after Christmas dinner I went out for two hours clearing sidewalks and neighbors drives.  First drive I did had not been touched and had about 8-9" on it.  In 3rd / 4th gears it cleared it easily, but still had the trailing problem.  Just to see I tried first gear, and it left about the same amount of snow.  So the speed does not seem to matter.  On a sidewalk again w/ about 5", I hammered through it in 6th gear.  Trying first gear again just to see, the result was the same.

So the machine is effortlessly doing the bulk of the work, but I am needing to clean up afterwards.  Personally, I feel it is such a heavy duty 24" machine that unless I am in a heavier snow it is going to keep happening.  I would love to try the 30" 11.5HP machine and see if the same thing happens.

Honestly, the worst part about it is hearing my wife complain about how my older, less expensive machine seemed to do better...

So today I woke up to a beautiful White Christmas.  Did the presents, coffee, and breakfast, and headed out to maybe 5" of fresh powder.  This is the 3rd time using the machine.  The problem is I leave trails on each side of the cage w/ every pass.  Speed does not seem to matter.  Even in first gear, and again, only 5" of snow, I leave trails.  I tried one pass of taking maybe an 8" wide path and it still kicked out snow to the far side.  I'm at a loss.  It almost seems like the auger is churning it too agressively and spitting it forward.  The impellar is throwing fine - 35 to 40' I would guess.  But it is very aggravating to have to keep retracing my tracks to clean up the lines.

Any ideas?  I bought it from a local Ariens dealer and they said they will check it no problem.  I went with the 24" as it fits in my garage better, but am sensing it may be too heavy duty a machine for a slim 24" path.  I never had this issue w/ my older 29" Crafstman.

On the plus side, these Ariens are super heavy duty.  The automatic traction control is sensation.  I can turn the machine with one hand, and thus rotate the chute even while turning.  Definitely the best feature of the machine.

Merry Christmas everyone!