This is all I've ever needed
Is this considered two stage?

 

We average 100" of snow a year around here. I use a 1993 Ariens 8 HP/24" cut snow blower. I take very good care of it and it still runs and looks like new. Some of their newer machines really look cheap though.



My son is still using my 1963 Ariens 4 HP / 24" cut snowblower. (Yes, you read that right.) It still starts on the first or second pull and has never been rebuilt. They were built a little tougher back then.

 

Is that pic before or after you took the PC and Hyperdressing to it?

 

Believe it or not, that shot was taken last fall when I pulled it out. I waxed it and used HD on the tires when I put it away! Not bad for an old machine huh? Trust me though, the 1963 that my son uses looks a little worse!

 

Not bad at all I used to use a 50's era Jacobson with a 36in cut and that thing could move some snow. I am hoping my old Deere 312 will look as good as your Ariens soon. I am going to restore it a little at time between seasons.

 

I like that, - looks like all the right parts are metal! I like that chain link adjuster in back as well, -that would make it to easy.

Don't purchase a Crapman people. The only part worth it's weight is the 9.5 HP Briggs that came on it. Parts that break are plastic, - important parts lol.

I wish I would have never got that Sears card in the mail. It was painful making those payments lol

 

Junk! But it does clear some snow. And puts it where you want it, - until the shoot breaks off and your left with picking up debris, -or something else flys apart. It was entertaining at first. Until you have to fab up your parts because they don't carry anything that will last. Glad I never needed to choke the engine, the little plastic choke **** broke where it attaches to the carb. It just keeps going around and around when the machine is running, - don't watch it, you'll get dizzy.

That's all I can say at the moment, - I'll reflect a little more, -maybe I'll dig something else up about this fine experience.

 

Oh yea! The springs broke for the friction wheel, - well one did. - That was enough to leave it inoperable, it wouldn't move in gear, that's right, a big *** book end! I replaced both inferior low tensile strength springs with good ones from the local hardware. Since these springs need to be exact in length and they didn't have them of course, we ordered a set that were close and re-sized them once they came in. More fun, but they have been working perfectly, thankfully..

 

I bought my new Ariens at the local John Deere dealer. He refuses to sell the latest Deere blowers because of the number of returns and repairs. The current Deere blowers are made by MTD as are the Craftsman. Older Deeres were Ariens painted John Deere Green. He said he (and other Deere dealers) will not sell the MTD Deeres. They want Deere to renew their contract with Ariens. The Deeres at Home Depot and Lowes are MTD.

 

Yikes.... maybe it's better I didn't move out there. LOL!

 

for 10 years i owned a 26 inch 8 hp snapper snow blower. always chewed right thru slush, ice or snow. this winter i plan to be sitting on the beach with a six pack of coronas talking to others still north with their snow blowers.

 

I'm just glad I was born down here in the South. Snow makes a good holiday. But just 2 or 3 days is all we need. We rarely get that

 

Now that's the way to do it.

I've got a Snapper blower, and it's never failed me... but now since the I got the tractor... between that blower and the Kubota, I don't think I'll have any snow removal issues.

 

Absolutely correct. As much as I hate to admit it, even the "consumer line" Ariens are looking pretty crappy these days.

Both of the machines I mentioned earlier have Techumseh engines on them. The 1963 has never even been tuned up. It does get regular plug and oil changes though - and starts on the first or second pull. Doesn't even burn any significant amount of oil!

Did anybody happen to notice that Techumseh went belly up? Most of the new stuff out there is now Honda or Briggs & Stratton. I swore off B&S years ago when they started making junk. (Had two that literally wore out with less than 10 hours on them.) I love the Honda stuff (I have 2), but they're expensive as hell. Looks like when my 1993 Ariens wears out (in about another 20 years), I'll be looking for a Honda!

 

My 1978 Ariens has a 8hp Tecumseh 'Snow King' motor. No choke but instead a primer bulb. It's never failed me yet but I did have an electric starter mounted in 2000.
Pulling the rope when it's 0* outside just wasn't getting it anymore after I turned 50.