CraigN

Here's an update...had the local shop where I buy all of my outdoor equipment look at my Ariens snow blower. They used to sell Ariens but no longer carry them. They said that the front transmission/gearbox is shot and needs replaced and they expect it to cost around $250. They said that was a common problem with most Ariens blowers. I can't find anyone locally who carries rebuilt or used attachment buckets so I guess that I will have to bite the bullet and have them make the repairs.

If I had the time I would try it myself but I'm not sure how available the parts are. 

Are the replacement parts going to be of the same quality as the 1995 vintage parts or did Ariens upgrade the gearbox parts in the newer machines? 

Thanks

Yes

Thanks to both of you for your replies and suggestions. Looks like I have some work to do this weekend. What I can't figure out is if it's an internal gearbox problem why it didn't show up before this with the old v-belt on it. When I put the blower away last spring it was running fine and with no noticable noise. I even cranked it up a few weeks ago and everything appeared normal.

You mentioned that an entire used/rebuilt attachment bucket might be available. I guess I should start checking locally if I need it. Any idea where I should start looking?

Thanks again and if I need additional assistance after I check it out I will not hesitate to post.

Hey all. Just new to the forum and hope someone can assist me. I have a 1995 vintage Ariens 7hp, ST724, model# is 932027. It has always run great and served me flawlessly over the past 14 winters here in central PA.

At the end of the last winter after using it to dig us out of the 60 + inches of snow we had in February, I noticed the attachment clutch was squealing when I engaged the blower attachment so I purchased new v-belts for the traction drive and blower attachment and just installed them last weekend. After I reassembled the blower I tried it out and the attachment belt made a loud noise and was thrown off the sheave. I checked the large attachment sheave and it wasn't lined up with the idler pulley. I loosened the front blower attachment and re-assembled the unit again this time trying to move the bottom bolts that are in a slot further away from the engine section and it seemed to align the belt better. I used ascrewdriver to pull back on the pulley where it passes through the blower rear section and it moved about an inch.

When I restarted the blower and engaged the blower clutch, the new belt now stays on and is aligned with the idler pulley but there is a noticable metal grinding noise that I did not have before.

We haven't had any snow so I haven't been able to try the blower under load but it seems that the impeller shaft bearing may be shot. Or maybe the noise in the auger will go away once I get it loaded with snow.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Craig