Got this ariens snowblower

[eljefino]

Itchy to use my stash of five spare Chonda 6.5s. Got this thing wicked cheap, no spark.

Want to look at the belt? The guard has lunch box style quick releases!

But wait, take two thumbscrews out and the whole blower part falls off the front of the "tractor". This is the PTO joint:

Maybe this could have been the rear end of some other groovy stuff, like a brush hog...

Non original (says seller) tec motor with electric start:

This is cool, take the heat shield off for summer use: PS, takes 5w20 winter, MS grade 30 in the summer.

You can't shift gears without pushing down on that lock button.

PS, Oh joy, the motor has a 3/4 shaft just like the chonda. Saves me buying a new pulley. Neutral on the wheel drive is a true neutral, this thing rolls very lightly. Most blowers have substantial drag. This might be a keeper, leading me to dump my toro! Just have to wait 6 months to see...

 

[gomes512]

Hehehe nice I just picked up an Ariens from a local garage sale myself. You can find the original manuals online.

This was from the Ariens "tractor" manual:

 

[eljefino]

So the new motor's on.

Ariens put in long motor mount studs. The tecumseh has a 1/16" thick steel plate. Chonda is 5/8" thick. Just enough thread. Also thrilled I didn't have to take the base apart to deal with loose bolts.

Let's adjust the chute control clearance:

Clearance? I have clearance! There's another fill hole on the other side. That side has the dipstick. I could file off the thumb-grabby part if I wanted even more space, but it's not a problem.

The other end, under the carb. There's a u-joint in the middle forming a "V". This OHV engine is shaped NOTHING like the flathead that preceded it yet this control sneaks right through!

 

[eljefino]

How do you change the belt? Just pull this thing off:

reminds me of...

 

[BigCahuna]

Anybody have experience with old Ariens Riding mowers from about the mid '70's? A buddy gave me one, but it has some form of drive issue. I looked it over but dont see and adjustment points. I can't get it to roll in neutral, and it barely moves in the forward gear settings.Any ideas?.,,

 

[steve20]

The Ariens transaxle is now on its 3 motor, in Maine no less. That should tell you something.

Ariens riding mower-when it's low or out of gas stand it up on its rear end-you will see how it works-rubber contact wheel touching metal engine driven plate.

 

[BigCahuna]

I can see the wheels and I understand the theory of how its supposed to work, but like I mentioned it doesn't seem to have any adjustment for the vertical wheel's distance, from the horizontal drive wheel.I can't push it in neautral and it won't move very much in forward, that's what's got me stumped.,,

 

[JTK]

Looks great! You got lucky with the chute rotation rod. Looks like it was almost made for that Chonda.

You'll need to throw one of those "Clarence" impeller clearance improvement kits on it if you want it to throw snow anywhere near the distance your Toro will though. Old Ariens had enough clearance between impeller and housing that they could just about pass a phone book w/out jamming. Result was poor snow toss-ability

Joel

 

[eljefino]

Hmm, I do generate used junk tires, perfect donors of scrubby rubber. Thanks for the tip! Should be easy to get in there with the "saucer separation" mode.

I've also found a greyhound motor that DOESN'T surge at 3600 RPM, no load. HF will fix this on the "black stallion" replacements, I'm sure.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Hmm, I do generate used junk tires, perfect donors of scrubby rubber.


Good idea. Tires are a beeatch to cut up though and those chords might be a wear problem for the impeller housing.

Great to know that Greyhound runs good! You can't go wrong when you grab those babies on sale.

Joel