skadoo4u

thks for remarks...I guess that I will wear my earplugs,,,same as last  year..the noise is ok for 15 to  20 minutes but after 4 to 5 hrs of constant vibration engine noise , the ear plugs are the way to go....

try to borrow a users manual from a neighbour with an older machine ....most blowers are very similar to each other.     remove your chute cover and lower plate assembly and start playing with the controls...you will see how everything operates....

believe  or not  I owned one of these puppies for 23 years...your bolens would be approx 30 years old...my blower was a briggs with a primer button......not a mtd. and built like a tank ..it had elec start ,,but never had to use it ,,,always started first or second pull,,,i gave it  to a friend 4 winters ago, and it still ran great.....It was even dropped from the back of a pickup,,we straightened the handlebars and presto she fired up.....i had a bit of difficulty to find belts,,,take yours off and go to a bearing shop that carry belts and have them match..........i was also very lucky and did find an old dealer that still had a friction plate,,that i could buy....all you need is keep it greased adjust the friction wheel ,,,and it should do the job.....250 is not cheap but i did not see this bolens.......they sure don"t build them like they used to.....I now own a white 10.5 commercial and a new 10hp toro....they will never last like my old bolens  .        Hope this helps a bit..   

I have a new toro 1028 and a 3 year 1028 white commercial.........the toro is much lighter and easier to handle,,,but the white, like the ariens  is much stronger and heavier.....both run tecumseh snow king engines.. its a matter of  what you want.....

     I own a white 10.5 hp and a new toro 10 hp snowblower ...both engines are tecumseh snow king ( both look identical to me) these are very noisy ,,,has anyone ever hear of a better muffler for these puppies.     The noise is annoying and i would really appreciate some input ,,  thks Mike