1971 Ariens

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djackman
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Post by djackman » Wed. Dec. 23, 2009 11:31 pm

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 :D

Amazingly the electric starter still works after all these years!

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ariens_1.jpg
.JPG | 92.7KB | ariens_1.jpg
ariens_2.jpg
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lincolnmania
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Post by lincolnmania » Thu. Dec. 24, 2009 12:43 am

very nice!
we have an old ariens garden tractor here that we use to pull the wagon around with

 
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Richard S.
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Post by Richard S. » Thu. Dec. 24, 2009 3:21 am

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. :lol: 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.


 
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Freddy
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Post by Freddy » Thu. Dec. 24, 2009 6:10 am

Ariens snowblowers....tough rigs! Even the brand new ones aren't 2/3 plastic like the Toro's are now.

 
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SMITTY
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Post by SMITTY » Thu. Dec. 24, 2009 6:19 am

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! :shock: Ariens does it all with one belt, no chain! 8-)

 
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WNY
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Post by WNY » Thu. Dec. 24, 2009 7:56 am

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.


 
Paulie
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Post by Paulie » Thu. Dec. 24, 2009 8:13 am

Blue flames out the exhaust means the timing is off a little. Running with out a muffler.......ouch! Forget the hands, how
about the ears? Tough machines, I just bought a new one, still rugged and simple.

 
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sperry
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Post by sperry » Sat. Dec. 19, 2020 6:45 am

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)

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1970 Ariens Snowblower 2020.jpg
.JPG | 398.3KB | 1970 Ariens Snowblower 2020.jpg

 
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WNY
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Post by WNY » Sat. Dec. 19, 2020 8:04 am

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....

 
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2001Sierra
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Post by 2001Sierra » Sat. Dec. 19, 2020 11:06 am

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.

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