nikonking

I Just want to say thanks to all who replied.

Sadly, the Ariens site doesn't have the ST824 operating manual still available for download.  I'll check on eBay next.  But, your posts have confirmed the likely -- that it's either a shear pin issue, or a belt issue.  Like I said, I'm a moron, but I think I can handle either of those repairs on my own.  So tomorrow, I'll take an hour away from the kids to see what I can figure out.  And hopefully I'll have the thing ready for the next snow.

Thanks again!!

-Ron in Michigan

Can a moron like me replace the belts without wrecking my machine?  How many belts are we talking about?

Hi All,

Let's me first start by saying I'm a moron, who is only minimally mechanically inclined.  I can handle basic repair jobs, but please use small words in your suggestions to me.

That being said, I purchased a used Ariens 824 this past month.  It's got a bit of rust but the things starts on the first pull, and the gear systems seem to be in fine working order.  However, I had the chance to use it for the first time this week (we finally got snow) and while it does pick up and throw the snow, it only throws it a few feet.  So it ends up having to rethrow the very snow I blew from the driveway a few feet over.  I know enough about machines like this to realize that something is definitely not right here.  Especially when I hear some of you folks talk about this machine throwing 40' !!

Can any of you offer suggestions on how to resolve this issue?

Thanks!

-Ron in Michigan