Hi john_in_mass,

My neighbor took some pics of my Ariens sucking in 100 feet of plowed snow "endwise". I'll see if she can E-Mail the photos.

Question: What happens if the 724 inhales a frozen newspaper? I don't see any shear pins so how do you protect the auger gearbox?.

I'd like to see those pics.

The auger's drumm still runs on a normal shaft. I don't know if you can see in the second photo, but there is a notch in either end of the drum that lets you reach the shears. Not too convienent, but at least they're there.

I bought this 1995 Ariens ST824 last Spring on eBay for $212. It had a fair amount of rust on the blower housing and chute; had worn out skids and scraper bar; and old turf tires with chains. The engine had been replaced so it was a couple years newer. I replaced the carb ($53) last Fall to make sure it ran strong as there was some hunting at full throttle. While it was off I ported the intake manifold to clean up the air flow a little.
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Over the summer I repainted it , put on new tires, scraper, skids, etc.
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I recently purchased a newer style chute and retrofit it with the toothed ring to use with the older worm and pinion chute conttrol. It has worked really well.
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1970 Ariens Sno Thro that was rebuilt with a new Briggs & Stratton Intek Snow OHV 7.5hp in place of the old Tecumseh H50. And 5" Carlisle Snow hog tires replacing the 4.1" turf tires and chains. I gave this machine to my brother but tried it out today - this machine works great! That engine is quiet and powerful, and the tires allow good manueverability and excellent traction.
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Vintage Ariens with some "work"

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:297132}}

I know I'm gonna get rode pretty hard about this because of where I come from (NC), but if the "big one" ever comes I'll be ready for it. I'm too dam old to bust a shovel anymore.
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Also, since I bought this Ariens a couple of years ago we haven't had any measureable winter precipitation since...which is just the way I like it. lol

Joe, here's your machine. Nice job!

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Nice photos guys!

Garand, that's the type of machine I've had my eye out for. Either that or a Simplicity of similar style. They're a joy to work on. The drive internals are basically the same as the 2nd-pattern (twin lever with electric kill) Ariens from the '70s, but with more aluminum.

Joe, was that modded with AYP or Murray parts? Some bits look familiar. Are your drift cutters backwards? I'm curious about something--that Ariens was originally something in the 4-5HP range, right? What's the performance difference like with the new engine? I've never played with an older medium-frame like that.

>>The drive internals are basically the same as the 2nd-pattern (twin lever with electric kill) Ariens from the '70s, but with more aluminum.You mean the 1970 or 1995? The 1995 is the highest serial # range of model 924050.

What aluminum are you referring to, other than the engine?

My fiance using our 926 for the first time in the last storm; I've been having toomuch fun until now and would let her use it;^)

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That's what everyone wants, a woman who'll use the snowblower.

I'm talking about the '95. I believe all the ones that of that style still used the same internal drive assembly that first appeared on the design that replaced your '70. The sliding cast cradle that carries the disc drive parts used to be cast iron, along with some other stuff. At least on the machines like your ST824 I've worked seen, it's aluminum. No problems though.

Got it. Here's the disk drive on the 1970. The disk is an aluminum casting, as it the carrier (with steel bearings inside). The shift rod is a steel fabrication (not shown).

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And on a 95 ST8254 before refurbishing. The newer design has an aluminum casting to carry the friction disk. And the pinion shaft is unsupported at one end. But this design has been in use since at least the 1980's and I've never heard of folks breaking it. It is much, much faster to change the drive disk: the old ones can take a couple hours.

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John, Sorry for the delayed response to your questions. The medium frame Ariens originally had a 4HP Tec. - it handles the 7.5 Briggs Intek just fine, the machines are over built and can take the stress. This year I mounted Ariens 6" rims with Craftsman tires and painted the shoot with Por-15. The headlite (thanks to Briggs alternator) is a $10 Autozone jobbie. I don't know what you mean by the drift cutters being on backwards (They are facing forward ha ha ha). Do they mount on the inside of the hopper? Got the engine as an "orphan engine" at small engine warehouse for around $240 if memory serves me and I had to rearrange the shoot linkage with a universal joint to get by the OHV engine. I've had alot of fun modding this thing and its quite a work horse with no issues.

This guys got a home brew blower that works...

Here is a link that might be useful: Big Blocks

Hello Everyone
I have had problems getting into the GardenWeb forums, but it looks like the issue has been fixed.
What I wanted to really know is, is this forum still viewed by anyone?
I could take some pics of a couple units that I modified last summer.
I currently have about 8 snowblowers.
-Toro 3521 (I a couple of years ago put a 11 hp engine on this. But we did not get enough show for me to pull it out. I also took the engine off because it had to sit back a little too far. So it made the snowblower too light in the front. I would have had to add weight to the front to keep it down)
-Toro 521 (have 2 units. One modified with 7.75 hp OHV it's awesome).
MTD 524 (have 2 units. One modified with 11 hp OHV).
-Ariens 520 1984 model Just picked it up for $50 not running and in very good shape. I will try it out before I do any mod's to it.
-Montgomery wards 524 1980 Looks almost new never repainted, paid $40.
-Honda HS520 I picked it up not running for $100 has electric start. Not that it needs one... LOL

Well, that's all for now.
Have a safe Winter.

Take care,
Jeff

The fleet

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- Kris

honda724wa. 0.1 hours.

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Gotta say I liked joe's (MA) and the 70 Ariens with the Briggs snow engine and Snow Hog tires from the fatory. What it should have had in the first place. Fit in a Polymer shute from a Yard Machine and watch the snow fly. No sticking, particularly with the slop at the end of the drive. Nice resto's here, I am impressed!