Quote:
Originally Posted by The Phantom Gourmand
I bought an Ariens snowblower in 1974. Had it serviced "once in a while", maybe 3 or 4 times while I had it. Around 1995 or so, the carburetor got a bit gummed up so I had it rebuilt. In 2008, trying to start it, the pull rope broke. 34 years and that was the first time it failed me. I went out and bought a new machine that day (another Ariens) and gave my 1974 model to my son's inlaws. It is still going strong. My old one and my new one have Tecumseh engines, probably the factor that set them apart from other machines. Tecumseh has since gone out of business. I bought both from a dealer who fixes them...Nashua Outdoor Power Equipment. If my new one lasts 34 years, I won't have to worry about replacing it until I'm 97 years old!!!
|
I also have a vintage 1973 ariens snow blower. still going strong on it is on it 2nd (used) engine. Mine has a single belt for the auger and drive wheels with a lever mid way up the handle to disengage it. It also has the advanced drive wheel dead-man clutch on the handle bar instead of the opposite (car-like) clutch on earlier models. This blower is really dangerous but goes through anything!!!
I found that in recent years I have to drain the carburetor bowl and gas tank to store it or I'd find rust and have trouble the following season. Must be the ethanol.