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jdutton


Joined: Mar 13, 2006
Points: 4

'92 Ariens 724 - only one wheel gets power
Original Message   Mar 13, 2006 11:35 pm
While I was snowblowing today, I suddenly realized that only one wheel is getting power.  The other spins freely.  Apparently something is broken.  Might it be something simple like a sheer pin, or am I looking at a more expensive repair?

Thanks,

Jeff

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jdutton


Joined: Mar 13, 2006
Points: 4

Re: '92 Ariens 724 - only one wheel gets power
Reply #3   Mar 15, 2006 11:24 am
Interesting.  I've had this snowblower for 14 years and never knew that there was a pin in the axle that could be used to control whether the wheel gets power or not.  Thanks.  I'll check it out.

Jeff

sammyk


Joined: Feb 2, 2006
Points: 11

Re: '92 Ariens 724 - only one wheel gets power
Reply #4   Mar 16, 2006 2:26 pm
What's more interesting is that you've been using it for 14 years and you just suddenly realized it! :)
nibbler


Joined: Mar 5, 2004
Points: 751

Re: '92 Ariens 724 - only one wheel gets power
Reply #5   Mar 16, 2006 5:52 pm
Its probably more a comment on the weather. It finally got bad enough so that having extra traction on the straightaways became noticable. For light stuff ( a.k.a. Fluffy) I use oe wheel free. For heavy stuff where we need traction I lock the wheels. I'm saving my pennies for a machine with a differential  but have been wondering if the trigger release would be "good enough".
jdutton


Joined: Mar 13, 2006
Points: 4

Re: '92 Ariens 724 - only one wheel gets power
Reply #6   Mar 17, 2006 12:31 pm
sammyk wrote:
What's more interesting is that you've been using it for 14 years and you just suddenly realized it! :)


Actually, I know that both wheels were getting power until the incident I'm asking about, and it has always been that way until now.  I still haven't looked at the snowblower to determine exactly what might have happened.

Garandman


Location: South Boston, MA
Joined: Mar 10, 2005
Points: 341

Re: '92 Ariens 724 - only one wheel gets power
Reply #7   Mar 17, 2006 3:13 pm
Most of the old Ariens had both wheels locked to the axle with a Woodruff Key - a half-moon shaped piece of metal that locked the wheel hub to the axle but allowed it to slide out if necessary. they fit into semi-circular notches in the axle. It could have fallen out or become dislodged.

You can buy a replacement at the dealer for about $1.50 or buy an unplated one at Home Depot for about $0.50.

If yours is unlockable, you'll likely have a knob on the wheel that looks like the one in this picture near the tire stem.

jdutton


Joined: Mar 13, 2006
Points: 4

Re: '92 Ariens 724 - Problem fixed
Reply #8   Mar 18, 2006 1:36 pm
As it turns out, my wheels are not unlockable, and are held onto the axle by a simple nut and bolt.  One of the bolts had rusted off.  I replaced it.  Checked the other side and it is in good shape.  I bought an extra nut and bolt "just in case".

Thanks for all the ideas.

Jeff

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