New-to-me snowblower

[THORROMIG]

Back road pick up --- was free!!!

Yesterday Haley/dog and myself went for a ride in the Tundra on a rural back road close to home. Came upon this and gladly grabbed it before someone else had. A Granny came out as I was securing it in the bed and said, "it runs." I thanked her and she smiled. Have done nothing to it just yet. Looks to be alittle vintage but priced right. Tires have air in them and controls/levers function.

 

[97prizm]

Not too vintage. Late 90s early 2000's? I'd pick up some naval jelly rust remover to stop it from getting worse.

 

[joekingcorvette]

Nice find. Not sure if it's cracked where it says 9 inch impeller? If so it looks like it could be welded. Have fun with your restoration. I would masking tape or put grease over the decals and repaint it with some new silver again. Take and paint the engine black parts again and armour all the tires and maybe paint the wheels etc and it will be like new. Hopefully it doensn't need too much mechanical work but it sounds like you probably are mechanically inclined or no someone who can repair any problems. I did a slight restoration on a green Craftsman a few years ago and it looked like new.

 

[GSCJR]

I got mine almost the same way, my neighbour gave up on it after installing a new spark plug. It's similar to yours and all it needed was a shear pin, only one auger was spinning when engaged. Good luck with yours @BAJA_05 !

 

[jeepman3071]

Nice find! Nobody in my area gives away power equipment for free anymore, even if it doesn't run and is missing wheels people will still try to get 50 bucks for it on Marketplace.

 

[JTK]

Nice!

I can't tell if that's an MTD, Murray or AYP based sears machine, but any of the 3 is good for the vintage. The belts, friction disk, bushings and bearings will be a lot more robust vs what's built today. Not to mention the gauge of the steel. If there's drive chains under the belly cover, it's an older Murray design.

If the engine has two output shafts, one for the auger drive, and one for the wheel drive, those are not worth trying to re-power, but good machines in stock form.

It seems like every 20-30 year old machine I'm "gifted" or given to work on has the dual shaft engine.

 

[JohnnyG]

Ah, memories.
Why I moved from Ohio! Thanks.

 

[THORROMIG]

Ah, memories.
Why I moved from Ohio! Thanks.

Yeah, we rarely get snow in my parts anymore. I dont consider 2 inches snow -- thats about what we get anymore for a storm. Few and far that we had a good 10 or 12 inch snow all at one shot. Getting older, dont miss it.

 

[John105]

I have the larger version of that from Sears, purchased 2003. I paid $649 so I bet this one was $499 new.

Insanity in 2020. The co that took over Sears outlet centers had my snowblower for sale for $299 (not a typo). Texted my wife’s cousin who ran right out and got it…mine still pull starts and runs (electric start broke early on).

Good luck that machine is likely fine!

 

[walterjay]

I think it's MTD

 

[THORROMIG]

I think it's MTD

Will throughly check it out this week one day after work. Had a barbecue with some good friends over today. Will report back my findings.

 

[THORROMIG]

I have the larger version of that from Sears, purchased 2003. I paid $649 so I bet this one was $499 new.

Insanity in 2020. The co that took over Sears outlet centers had my snowblower for sale for $299 (not a typo). Texted my wife’s cousin who ran right out and got it…mine still pull starts and runs (electric start broke early on).

Good luck that machine is likely fine!

That was decent money back then for a snow blower. I know my Parents/Grandparents/Aunts & Uncles all shopped at Sears. We have another big store name in my parts called Boscovs that they all used to shop besides Sears. Boscovs was established in Berks County Pa.. Now they have huge department stores all over the East Coast. We know what sadly became of Sears.

 

[userfriendly]

My daughter could use one of those for cleaning up after her dogs.

 

[repairman54]

I used to have one of those wet snow brick makers. At least mine was. Looks like a 1995 era machine. Not looking back since getting an Ariens.

 

[John105]

I used to have one of those wet snow brick makers. At least mine was. Looks like a 1995 era machine. Not looking back since getting an Ariens.

My uncle was using his late 70’s Ariens into the early 2000’s in Boston. Always wanted one from the garden center (as opposed to the big box as they are different products from what I was told 20 years ago). Those sweet machines are not simply not cost effective living in Phila. Based on how much use they would get.

 

[jeepman3071]

My uncle was using his late 70’s Ariens into the early 2000’s in Boston. Always wanted one from the garden center (as opposed to the big box as they are different products from what I was told 20 years ago). Those sweet machines are not simply not cost effective living in Phila. Based on how much use they would get.

A used Ariens is a great value IMO. The older ones were built way stronger, and you can find some with barely any use that have been well maintained. My personal snowblowers are a Toro 721R for the slush and sidewalks, and a 1979 Ariens 1032 repowered with a Honda GX390 13hp for the driveway.

 

[#18FAN]

Check that impeller and see how tight it is with linkage in blowing mode

 

[repairman54]

I got my 8hp Ariens from an auction house for $200 in NW NJ when I was living there. Paint was not even worn off the augers or the housing and chute, definitely a low mileage unit. Not a box store one either, had a local dealer sticker on it. They can be found for a deal in lower snow areas.