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Followup To
Question -
I just inherited an older Ariens Snow blower form my aunt and her husband. It used to be her ex husbands and since she has owned it, it has not been taken very good care of. My problem is that it doesn't want to throw snow. It's an ST8-24. I took the carb off and cleaned it, put in a new plug and just today, put new belts on from the local Ariens dealer. I figured the belts were slipping. thats why I repleced them. Anyways, no better. It just seems to plow sno. The augers turn but it seems like as soon as I hit snow they stop and won't do anything. When I first got this machine this year it worked fine after the carb cleaning but ever since it seems to be getting worse.
It started with just becoming clogged once in a while. I would then have to disengage the auger, back up a few feet, reengage the auger to clear the tunnel then proceed. Now that doesn't work. It won't throw any snow at all now. A question for you is-Should I be able to turn the augers by hand with the machine turned off? I have tried this with the augers engaged and disengaged and have the same result. I feel no tension on the auger whatsoever when it supposedly is engaged. Does this sound like anything major or am I just missing something? Thanks for any help.
Answer -
Hi John,
I suspect broken auger shear pins. The augers should not turn when the engine is off, regardless whether the pto clutch is engaged or disengaged. In the center of the each auger shaft you will find a hole where the pins were. The pins bolt heads may be there but the center of the pins are probably sheared. Remove the head and nut (if present) and use a drive pin to knock the pin centers out of the hole. Make sure the auger tube is lined up with the inner drive axle. Replace the pins ONLY with the proper shear pins, as using regular bolts will result in damage to the auger and shaft when a hidden object is struck while snowblowing. Shear pins are designed to shear. Most new pins are tapered at the end and can be used as a drive pin to remove the old pin while the new one is hammered in.
Let me know how you make out.
Michael
I ended up using my snowblower lastnight and it worked better save for a few times thatit did stop andI had to do the normal ritual. I did replace one pin about a month or so ago when I actually sheared one off but the other seemed ok. When I engage the auger, I can see the ends of the augers shafts turning on the outside of the tunnel. Does this mean my pins are good or should I still try replacing both? I have spares so I don't mind trying it. If this doesn't solve the problem could there be something else wrong. Belt tension? Gear box issues? Anything?
AnswerHi John,
The augers should drive with the ends of the auger shafts. If you can spin the augers when the shafts are stationary, the pins are sheared. If the pins are okay you will need to trace the power path from the augers to the gearbox, including the impeller, the belts and pulleys and finally to the crankshaft. Look for the point that the movement stops, which will indicate the problem.
Let me know how you make out.
Michael
