Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Hey all. Just new to the forum and hope someone can assist me. I have a 1995 vintage Ariens 7hp, ST724, model# is 932027. It has always run great and served me flawlessly over the past 14 winters here in central PA.

At the end of the last winter after using it to dig us out of the 60 + inches of snow we had in February, I noticed the attachment clutch was squealing when I engaged the blower attachment so I purchased new v-belts for the traction drive and blower attachment and just installed them last weekend. After I reassembled the blower I tried it out and the attachment belt made a loud noise and was thrown off the sheave. I checked the large attachment sheave and it wasn't lined up with the idler pulley. I loosened the front blower attachment and re-assembled the unit again this time trying to move the bottom bolts that are in a slot further away from the engine section and it seemed to align the belt better. I used ascrewdriver to pull back on the pulley where it passes through the blower rear section and it moved about an inch.

When I restarted the blower and engaged the blower clutch, the new belt now stays on and is aligned with the idler pulley but there is a noticable metal grinding noise that I did not have before.

We haven't had any snow so I haven't been able to try the blower under load but it seems that the impeller shaft bearing may be shot. Or maybe the noise in the auger will go away once I get it loaded with snow.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Craig

The pulley should not have an inch of travel even with a bad support bearing, much less.  In out slop in the auger drive shaft which the auger pulley is on can only come from slop in the auger gearbox and that’s just a little.  (The only assumes the auger axle is bolted to the side as it should be but moving that whole assembly 1 inch would be very difficult so probably not that).  You can have right to left or up and down slop of about ½ inch when the bearing is really shot but not in and out.

If shot the bearing can have a grinding noise but usually a squeal.

It’s likely something is wrong in your gearbox.   A back flange may have broken or the gear worn allowing slip with the worm. 

>>>>With the spark plug out<<<

You could try spinning the impeller and holding augers from moving so see if you can force slip by rotating the impeller as hard as you can press on it.  Do that at several places on the gear by rotating the impeller about a turn and a half to get on new gear teeth. 

Running the augers more should wait until the noise was ID’d.  If it’s from the gearbox then the gear is worn or the flange broken and could be being chewed by the worm.  The worm is steel and the gear brass so no contest on which one will give.  Teeth might be breaking off.  A piece of the shear pin inside the gearbox may have broken a piece off but the rest still holding.  Loose whatever could be grinding so there is a few possibilities.

 

If the gearbox is the issue then further running could damage the worm (it’s at the end of the auger drive shaft and part of it) making the repair much more difficult and expensive.  Gearbox internal parts can still be bought so if the worm is damaged your looking at a big headache.  If you get to that people here could help you. 

 

You could opt for a replacement attachment which is much cheaper and easier than a gearbox fix.  Around eastern Mass they go for $25 to $100 for a complete bucket ready to bolt on.

Thanks to both of you for your replies and suggestions. Looks like I have some work to do this weekend. What I can't figure out is if it's an internal gearbox problem why it didn't show up before this with the old v-belt on it. When I put the blower away last spring it was running fine and with no noticable noise. I even cranked it up a few weeks ago and everything appeared normal.

You mentioned that an entire used/rebuilt attachment bucket might be available. I guess I should start checking locally if I need it. Any idea where I should start looking?

Thanks again and if I need additional assistance after I check it out I will not hesitate to post.

Seems silly, but make sure you installed the new belt correctly too.  You did pull the spring loaded brake back and put the belt under it right?

Yes

Here's an update...had the local shop where I buy all of my outdoor equipment look at my Ariens snow blower. They used to sell Ariens but no longer carry them. They said that the front transmission/gearbox is shot and needs replaced and they expect it to cost around $250. They said that was a common problem with most Ariens blowers. I can't find anyone locally who carries rebuilt or used attachment buckets so I guess that I will have to bite the bullet and have them make the repairs.

If I had the time I would try it myself but I'm not sure how available the parts are. 

Are the replacement parts going to be of the same quality as the 1995 vintage parts or did Ariens upgrade the gearbox parts in the newer machines? 

Thanks

>>They said that the front transmission/gearbox is shot and needs replaced and they expect it to cost around $250.

 

Ariens does not source the old main parts of worm, shaft or gear for that gearbox anymore.  They only offer a replacement gearbox assembly which includes the drive shaft with worm, gearbox and rake arms as an assembly.  It’s $179 online.  There’s a thread on it with pictures here :

http://www.abbysguide.com/ope/discussions/52242-0-1.html

 

Possibly they may have new parts from old stock or quoting with used parts for the repair like have a complete assembly out of a similar bucket.   

 

>>If I had the time I would try it myself but I'm not sure how available the parts are.

   The repair is not so difficult technically but rust makes it a bear.  The pulley, auger support bearing, pulley flange and impeller will probably be rust frozen and difficult to deal with. You might have to bring the impeller to a shop to have it heated and put in a press to get off - $50-$75.  

 

>>Are the replacement parts going to be of the same quality as the 1995 vintage parts or did Ariens upgrade the gearbox parts in the newer machines?

     The original aluminum was a pretty good gearbox.  The upgrade replacement assembly mentioned in the thread above is cast iron and seems very….very robust.

 

Craigslist is a good source for a bucket.   They come up all the time but not on demand so you’d have to wait until one came up.  It would be cheap and easy to swap out but hit and miss on availability. 

 

On the estimate.  If $250 is with the Ariens replacement cast gearbox then that seems like a very good price.  But it does not leave much for labor so may not be for the Ariens replacement cast box assembly.   If not then I’d ask what parts they are going to use.   The replacement could be more if they run into rust trouble which is very likely.  Some shops are geared up for that and some are not. 

It would be a nice summer project but you are probably pressed for winter.