coasteray

One of my sons also owns an Ariens ST824, and we had to plow through two feet of snow back in December of 2008.  It worked great just as you said.  Just this last fall, we completed a project to replace several bad and worn parts, including impeller and auger shaft bearings, impeller, lower handlebars, rubber drive plate, adjusted and lubed the chain, repainted certain parts.  We also serated the auger blades.  See the below Abbysguide link---it doesn't work, so just copy and paste to your browser bar---to see what the original poster did to his augers.  My son and I did the same to his augers.  Takes a few hours, but it's well worth it, just in case you are interested.  I made some comments and had pictures of my own, but for some reason when I called back his link, all I get is the first four posts, and mine were like #41 and 43.  Anyway, his pictures tell it all.  Again, thank you for sharing your story.  You really have a well-built machine.  Take care of it, and enjoy future big snows!!

http://www.abbysguide.com/ope/discussions/59639-0-1.html

giocam wrote:
I agree with you there, giocam!  After I found my Toro 1028LXE (Tecumseh 358cc L-Head) for a song ($600 on Craigslist in 2011 with only 10 hours on it), I have found the chute control to be really great to use.  I can aim it right where I want horizontally and/or vertically.  It's especially helpful when I go down my paved alley.  I sometimes have to aim it onto a very small area when I'm in between two neighbors' driveways near the street.  The chute stays in place with no wiggle at all.  Nice.  Also, as I go along slowly in this situation, I can gradually adjust the chute as I move along to maintain the proper area to put the snow.  The joystick operation aids in this.  It's not the end of the world, but it's nice to be able to do that.  The steering triggers are very precise in use as you said.   I've always liked Ariens (my younger son owns a really neat 1993 ST824 model), but I sure like my Toro.  I wasn't even looking for it when it came up for sale.  Good thing I found it.  I highly recommend it to anyone but advise trying to get a good price (of course), since Toro tends to be a bit pricey brand new.

We've had a weird winter, in my opinion, in my area.  We've actually had nearly 40 inches so far this season at the airport, but except for one storm of about 8 inches, all the rest is little boring stuff like anywhere from a skiff of up to a quarter inch or maybe up to 3 or 4 inches if we're lucky.   At least my Toro got to have some neat fun a few times.  I don't have room to store an SS machine and I don't have any smooth surfaces to use it with.  Asphalt that isn't always flat, grass/dirt driveway.  When it's frozen, at least it's okay.  My street is just fine.  We've been below freezing for 3 weeks, but now it's 38F.  It goes up and down, but heading into February will be our transition out of winter, a month ahead of all you guys in the east.

The airport said we had 18 inches in December.  I can't see where it all came from, but it must have come down.  Our season total average is about 47 inches at the airport, but where I am on the north side of the city, I think we get around 55 inches.  Seems like we get more per snowfall than what the airport says they get.  Across the Idaho border 35 miles away in Coeur d'Alene, they get around 75 inches a year.  Crazy lake effect.  Well, may you all get the snow you want!  Let's hope we can hear some good snow stories before it's too late!

Wishing you the best, Steve. I'll miss your videos on You Tube, that is, any new ones you might have. I'm glad to hear you're allowing your relatives to use your Toro. I have to say that your great love of your Toro was probably one reason I bought mine last year from a Craigslist ad. Best purchase I've had in a very long time. Thanks, and good luck. If you come back, would you come back to the Concord area? Hope you would, and may your driveway in that possible someday be a long one!

borat wrote:

That would be an interesting way to do it. A pre-set height, and at whatever width is needed. Thanks, borat.