Did most of the cleanup (sidewalk, edges of driveway) from last storm with a newer Husqvarna 7hp/24" two stage snowblower. The ones with deadman controls that have to be held down to engage the auger and drive. After a while they start hurting your hands.
Dragged out a 1971 Ariens 6hp/24" I've been meaning to get to. Lapped the valves, set lash, cleaned carb, fired right up.
The label on the handle says it all: "to stop wheel drive SQUEEZE handle". What a pleasure it is to use, doesn't throw as far as the Husky but hands not hurting from the safety squad is priceless. Under full load in a snowbank there's a nice 2" blue flame coming out where the muffler should be
Amazingly the electric starter still works after all these years!
1971 Ariens
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- Member
- Posts: 2684
- Joined: Fri. Jan. 26, 2007 9:55 pm
- Location: Birdsboro PA.
- Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 350
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Furnace: reading allegheny stoker
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: alaska kodiak stoker 1986. 1987 triburner, 1987 crane diamond
- Coal Size/Type: rice
very nice!
we have an old ariens garden tractor here that we use to pull the wagon around with
we have an old ariens garden tractor here that we use to pull the wagon around with
- Richard S.
- Mayor
- Posts: 15184
- Joined: Fri. Oct. 01, 2004 8:35 pm
- Location: NEPA
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Van Wert VA1200
- Coal Size/Type: Buckwheat/Anthracite
I used to work at a bicycle/lawnmower place when I was young and they carried Ariens. I can remember the salesman from the company was there and some lady was shopping and asked why they cost so much. The sales guy who easily weighed 200 lbs jumps on the deck of one lawnmower and starts bouncing on it like its a trampoline. Those things were built like brick *censored* houses. Bearings in the wheels and full axle, the decks must have been double the thickness of wally world brand.
- SMITTY
- Member
- Posts: 12520
- Joined: Sun. Dec. 11, 2005 12:43 pm
- Location: West-Central Mass
- Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520 Highboy
- Coal Size/Type: Rice / Blaschak anthracite
- Other Heating: Oil fired Burnham boiler
I still have one out back somewhere .... just needs an engine! Those things last forever. Few drive parts, unlike the Bearcat that comes to mind: 3 belts & 4 chains! Ariens does it all with one belt, no chain!
- WNY
- Member
- Posts: 6307
- Joined: Mon. Nov. 14, 2005 8:40 am
- Location: Cuba, NY
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Keystoker 90K, Leisure Line Hyfire I
- Coal Size/Type: Rice
- Contact:
I have a '74 Toro 5HP and it still works pretty good. only paid like $60, need a couple auger bearing, belt and skidders. Found all the parts on ebay for under $50. Just fired it up the other day, took a few pulls, but ran.
- sperry
- Member
- Posts: 67
- Joined: Fri. Nov. 05, 2010 10:55 pm
- Location: America
- Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
download/file.php?mode=view&id=106617
1970 Ariens Blower
12/17/20 SW VT 30" of snow in 14 hours
50 years old and still performing flawlessly.
(The rest of the clean up was done with a 1988 Chev w/350, 5 speed manual)
1970 Ariens Blower
12/17/20 SW VT 30" of snow in 14 hours
50 years old and still performing flawlessly.
(The rest of the clean up was done with a 1988 Chev w/350, 5 speed manual)
Attachments
- WNY
- Member
- Posts: 6307
- Joined: Mon. Nov. 14, 2005 8:40 am
- Location: Cuba, NY
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Keystoker 90K, Leisure Line Hyfire I
- Coal Size/Type: Rice
- Contact:
I upgraded a few years back, a local guy had a nice 10hp MTD 26", practically brand new for 15 years old. It runs great. I upgraded this year with some LED lights, built a small circuit, switch, etc.... def. improvement especially since it dark in the morning and evening when I get home from work. I usually do many of the neighbors sidewalks and a few driveways....
- 2001Sierra
- Member
- Posts: 2211
- Joined: Wed. May. 20, 2009 8:09 am
- Location: Wynantskill NY, 10 miles from Albany
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Keystoker 90 Chimney vent
- Coal Size/Type: Rice
- Other Heating: Buderus Oil Boiler 3115-34
Just put new bushings on my 1973. Wheel hubs frozen to the axle shaft and ended up sawing axle in half, pressing off the wheel hubs and sleeving the axle and welding the sleeve. Does not throw snow like newer machines but built like a tank.