I know, I know….too early to be thinking about snow, right? I’ve been watching the local Want Ad and watching the used snowblower prices for a month or so. This seems to be the time of year to make the purchase. This is what I’ve found, and am wondering if it’s a decent deal. Any and all comments, thoughts or suggestions are welcomed.
Found a 10 year old (give or take a couple years) Ariens 1132 (11hp, 32″ path) for $400. Brand new Tecumpseh 11hp engine. Recoil start, no electric. Light kit. New belts/bearings. I checked it out this morning, and it looked solid. Started up on one pull and ran nicely. Little rust. Nice solidly built machine compared to what I’ve looked at at HD and Sears recently.
Is that 11hp engine going to be tough or impossible to turn over in the middle of winter without electric start?
I know that Tecumpseh engines are probably the least sought after of the small engines on the market, but what can I expect for a lifespan with good maintenence? 5 years? I’d be happy to get five years out of this machine.
Thanks in advance for your advice. BTW, I left a deposit and have to make a decision by Monday pm.
Replies
Tecumseh engines, alike most others are no problem if you keep them in tune,( change plugs, fresh gas, change oil,etc.) We have used them in Central Ontario Canada ,in -20 F and have never had to resort to the electric start yet. A couple of pulls and away it goes. No problem.
Good to hear Hube, thanks.
Tescumseh has most of the market for snowblowers. I used to be a dealer for Toro, Lawnboy & Ariens. I rarely saw problems with engines that were specific to a particular to a single brand. Rebuilt 1000s of carbs because of old gas. Remember that your not putting that many hours on these engines and they are running in a clean environment, no air cleaners. Take a look at the engine, there should be provisions for mounting a 120 vole electric starter. The cost of the starters have gone up but I think that they are around $125-150 money well spent unless you have a son. Remember is is a lot harder to start that engine when it is cold out and it is also a lot harder to pull that rope when you look like the Michelin man.
It sounds like a good deal, check the skids, scraper and lube in the front gearbox and if they are ok take it.
As far as the lifespan goes I have seen engines that are 20-25 years old and still going strong. Change the oil yearly, Drain the gas and run it dry. When you buy your gas, give it a dash of stabile so that if it sits in the corner for six months it will still be good. A little tlc will go a long way.
Actually I rather have a Tescumseh than a Briggs in a blower. I lived thru the years where Briggs tried to sell a two stroke blower motor. One of the worst designs ever, would replace 2-3 motors under warranty for every blower sold.
That too is all good to hear.
I've heard the Ariens is one of the easier brands to find parts for older models. Is this true? I hope so because it's got alot to do with this decision.
RE: electric start
I am in MN and have a big Toro, about 10 years old. The electric start is really great for that first start of the season, but after that, one or two pulls on the manual cord, and it fires right up.
Yeah, with my Ariens I use the electric start maybe half the time. Depends on how lazy I feel. When it refuses to start it's usually because I forgot to open the fuel valve.
But I'll double what the others said about gum in the carb. At the end of the season siphon most of the gas, then give it a couple good squirts of Stabil, then run it dry. Then change the oil. Start of next season, get fresh gas and always put some Stabil in it. You should have no trouble starting it (if you remember to open the gas petcock).
If you do leave gas in it over summer then it will likely get enough gum that it won't run without choke. Don't panic. If it's an adjustable carb just unscrew the mixture screw a half-turn or so, otherwise run it on the lowest choke setting. Put in fresh gas with double Stabil. After about 2 hours operation it will be about half ungummed, so readjust the mixture. Should be normal after about 10 hours.
To adjust the mixture, with it under load (clamp the auger clutch down) start from slightly rich and screw in SLOWLY until the engine speed peaks, then drops off slightly. Back off the screw until engine speeds up again. But a 10 YO unit may not have adjustable mixture.
I just wanted to check back in with all you guys who were kind enough to share you experiences...
I went back tonight an bought that beauty. Fires right up on the first pull. Brand new engine, light kit.....just need some snow. I think I can wait though.
I'll take a picture of it in the daylight and post it in case anyone's curious.
We've had 2 to 3" every ninght for the last 5 nights...
Come and get it...
It's gone by lunch...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming.... WOW!!! What a Ride!
congrats:
well here's hoping you get 6' - 8' to play with.
Adam
of course, I'm in CA so.... :-)
Here's hoping you get 6-8 feet to play with.
You do realize that now that you went and bought it that there won't be a drop of snow this winter.
My father-in-law's co-op apparently has a big Ariens snowblower that doesn't work. They were told that it wasn't worth fixing (?), and were sold a new one. I'm gonna get my hands on it... I love a challenge like this.
It's amazing how these threads disapear and re-apear.
My brother works for a company that repairs small engine equipment. They have a yard full of "it ain't woth repairing" stuff.
Thats where I get all of my stuff!!
EricEvery once in a while, something goes right!
Check out Northern Hydraulics or whatever they are called now. You can pick up a new motor for a cheap price if needed. But a lot of times someone will say something is not worth repairing even though 5 minutes of work will fix it.
Case in point a friend picked up a used Honda outboard that he was told was seized up. Almost new and the previous owner had stored it so that it developed a hydraulic lock, cylinder full of oil.
So check out that blower. It could be the case where someone just wanted to sell or buy a new blower. Personally I like my snowblowers powered by a 4440 JD 160 hp. I like the heated cab and stereo.
We have an Ariens blower, I'm thinking maybe the next size smaller, that is probably 18 years old. Have had to replace several parts on it (chute crank gear, clutch cable, etc, and last winter the tires) but otherwise it's held up fine & still runs pretty well. Tecumseh engine.
I'd second what Dan H said. I've got an OLD one, probably 20 or more years old......can't kill it even when abused. B&S 5 horse though. Nuthin wrong with the Tec though.
Mine has a mount for a 110 volt electric start. Look into it maybe. Get a pile of extra shear bolts for the cutters. I eat up rocks and broken black top often, some jerk (me) replaced one of the shears with a hard bolt and lunched the gear case. Azz hole!!Two or three pulls mines up........yours is bigger, and your younger, shouldn't be a problem.
Eric
I've only broken a shear bolt once -- when a chain came off and got caught in the auger.
Re the repair parts, it's instructive to note that with those two (chute gear and clutch cable) the new part had an improved design that was less likely to break.
You should make sure, though, that there is an Ariens dealer somewhere nearby. Especially on a used unit you're apt to need a part every now and then, and having to drive 50 miles to the nearest dealer can be a pain.
Edited 8/21/2004 10:16 pm ET by DanH
I think parts are available online, too. I lknow at the Ariens website they have schematics of the various models, so you can find what you need.
I have a 20+ year-old, 7.5hp 32" Ariens that is the most reliable thing I've ever owned. A bit slow on the heavy stuff, but with the locking differential, I easily clear our 400ft hill of a driveway (one stretch is 12% grade).
My brother bougth a second-hand one for $50 at a garage sale. Took it in for service and the reapir shop offered him 3 times that. So $400 for a newer one is probably a good deal.
DP, what is a "snowblower"??
:)
I bought an Ariens 8.5 hp 24" with the industrial transmission last year (8524 DLE). Its awesome! That thing chomped through the snow the plow left with no problem.
This year it looks like they re-tooled them a bit and increase the width by 2" and hp by .5 hp and with the tranny I have they now put it in the professional line.
Before purchasing last August (yes I was as anxious to get one too), I posted a thread to this forum and the people here gave me some really good positive advice about them.
Come oct, you couldnt find one in the stores around here.
Sounds like you got a nice one! I'm buying a fairly well used one myself... but it does have a new engine and some new parts.
Is yours recoil start only or both recoil and electric?
If it's just recoil, any problems during a cold start?
Yes, mine has the electric start and it is a nice feature to have. I can start it manually too though. Sometimes with several pulls others with one or two depending on how cold its been and how long between uses.
A snowblower is the thing you use to remove the gravel from a flat roof before laying down more tar.
I bought an Ariens about 5 yrs ago w/ elec. assist because I hated the sight of my wife trying to start the thing with the wind whippin her in the face, I would look to adding one of those.
It has helped her out in the kitchen too, on those real cold days she just pushes the button to start 'er up and she can finish up, with plenty of time to make sure supper isn't late.
Man I hope she don't read this one LOL
Hottest day of last August got an ariens st1128le. ALL THE LOCAL STORES WOULDN'T MATCH internet $ ...... So took my 10% off depo coupon down to Mr. Depo...... not only did they price match "and" beat it by 10%, I got another 10% off w/coupon. Everybody at the check out were laughing at me, Saved over 200. Bottom line big snow fall last year cut like butter, enjoy
Alright gentlemen.... here's my new baby...
Wow, its a beauty! and look at how even it cut that grass.....one can only wish right?
Seriously though. Looks good man. Congrats.
Bro, that's so product placement.......McCarthy General Contracting........snow blowing by the mile...........free estimates!!!
You gotta be dying for some snow to try that baby out!! Wanna race??
Looks good. Don't burn your fingers on the muffler!
I hope it don't snow at all this year.......ha, ha, ha ,ha
EricEvery once in a while, something goes right!
First year I bought a snowplow we got about four flakes and stiff breeze.....thought I'd never even break even on the thing. I expect about the same this year.......that's why I bought it! Now I know I won't have any weather-related down time!
D,
if you take ALL of the #'s to a good dealer, he should be able to gat a handle on the year.
I'll do a snow dance for ya!
EricEvery once in a while, something goes right!
Yeah, looks exactly like mine, only a few of the engine details are different, and I see the decals have been modernized a hair.
How old is yours Dan? I'm trying to figure out the year mine was made.
The engine is brand new on that one. Probably why they look different.
Ours is a 932 purchased in April 1987. The main difference in appearance is that ours doesn't have the cage over the muffler.
I think somewhere around 5-7 years ago they changed the design to use larger tires/wheels.
Thanks for the info Dan.
What a beauty!! I just picked up an old Ariens ST824 myself (circa 1986-1988??) at the local power equipment store yesterday. Great deal for $480! Has the electric start and everything. It lacks the fancy joystick for controlling the chute like on the newer models, but what struck me was the fact that it started right up and doesn't have a bunch of plastic parts like the newer ones that cost $1000 and up. It looks to be built like a tank! How'd it work this past winter?- Toolfreak
You ask; "how'd it work this past winter"
How on earth would we know?
Works great. It has a brand new engine... Tecumseh Snow King..... it's an 11hp and fires on the first pull every time. I'm impressed, because I was never thought much of Tecumseh before. Was also picturing myself trying to turn over an ice cold 11hp without electric start at 2am.... but it's been a real cream puff. Here in New England, it's been a dang good winter to have bought a snowthrower.
I looked at alot of new machines myself before buying this used one. Just didn't seem to be worth all that extra money for what looked to be like lighter duty machines. I never would have been able to justify such a large Ariens if I had been buying new, so it's the best of both worlds I guess. It's a real workhorse and I love it.
Edited 3/10/2005 7:12 pm ET by dieselpig
Yeah, I have electric start on the Tecumseh engine of my small Ariens, but haven't used the electric start in at least two years. If it doesn't start on the 2nd or 3rd pull I start looking for an operator malfunction (key off, gas valve not open, etc).
Diesel,
Does that blower have all the warning stickers on it? I just want to know if there really is one that says "DO NOT USE SNOWBLOWER ON ROOF"
It's a good lookin machine!
k
Double ditto to what Abe said ........... he nailed it. The Tecumseh Snow King is used by almost every maker of outdoor power equipment to power snowblowers. The sidevalve Snow Kings are good engines and as Abe said, bad gas is the most common problem. The newer OHV engines I don't know much about. Ariens is a good machine.
I purchased a 10 horse Ariens a couple of years ago, and love it. Prior to that, I had a 1966 5 horse Ariens that I had purchased used. It was bulletproof. Both models have the same drivetrain system that is VERY easy to maintain. I gave the old one to my buddy, and it still works great. BTW, here in Northern Michigan, they get used on a regular basis in the winter.
What's a snowblower? They don't sell them down here in NC!
Like I keep having to tell you guys, it's what you use to remove the gravel from a flat roof.
Dieselpig,
Nice machine!!!
Beats having to pay full retail like had to when my Murray threw a rod a few weeks ago during our last snow storm.
I had two choices at F&F. a Husquvara @$1500. or a Murray @ $900. Went with the Latter. At least the new one has heated handle grips and power tilt. LOL
Jon