ri702bill 10,769 #1 Posted Saturday at 05:04 PM We got a few inches of the white stuff today, daytime temps in the 20's. Used all three of the seasoned "Snow Angels" - 1979 C81, 1964 854 8 Speed, and the 1976 Ariens 24" Snow-Thro. The Snow Shovel not shown has only 8 years on the job, gets an "Honorable Mention" ... 7 12 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Razorback 1,213 #2 Posted Saturday at 06:25 PM I love it...... ANY excuse to get the toys out!!! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 10,769 #3 Posted Saturday at 06:29 PM And between the three, I went thru just less than a gallon of 92 octane Ethanol free gas... 8 HP tractors & 7 HP Ariens get it done. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Razorback 1,213 #4 Posted Saturday at 06:36 PM We get extremes of temperature here in NW Arkansas, but we never know what to expect regarding snow. We can get anything from just a dusting, to maybe 6"-10" at a time any given winter. One year, 2009, I think, we got 2 FEET of snow within about 8 hours! I have my push blade and chains on the C160, just in case........ (hoping!!) Christmas here was mid-70's temperature..... Sunday night will be low 20's ....... not unusual to get just below zero later in winter. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 10,769 #5 Posted Saturday at 10:49 PM 4 hours ago, Razorback said: I have my push blade and chains on the C160, just in case....... That setup is like having the Fire Extinguisher hanging on the wall Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sqrlgtr 1,529 #6 Posted yesterday at 12:09 AM 7 hours ago, ri702bill said: We got a few inches of the white stuff today, daytime temps in the 20's. Used all three of the seasoned "Snow Angels" - 1979 C81, 1964 854 8 Speed, and the 1976 Ariens 24" Snow-Thro. The Snow Shovel not shown has only 8 years on the job, gets an "Honorable Mention" ... Great looking crew you got their Bill. Glad to hear they don't eat much either . 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 10,769 #7 Posted yesterday at 12:35 AM 24 minutes ago, sqrlgtr said: Great looking crew you got their Bill. Glad to hear they don't eat much either . They all have had their share of upgrades & modifications; they all have earned a place in the garage (the shovel has yet to get that respect!) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Terry M-(Moderator) 2,282 #8 Posted yesterday at 12:56 AM @ri702bill I like your older Ariens blower!! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 10,769 #9 Posted yesterday at 09:47 AM Terry - a little history on that unit. I received this from my sister and BIL back about 1982. It was his grandfather's, bought new and used to remove snow on the large driveway & walkways at the two 3 deckers he owned. My first modification - installing a steel backer and the two broom clips to hold a snow brush. The replacement skids now are thin pressed steel that are worn out after two seasons (yes, they are double sided and you can reverse them) so since there is enough height adjustment, I shape a strip of 1/4 x 1-1/4 Hot Rolled Steel to make a shoe & tack weld those on. The latest addition was to swap the still running but tired H60 with a nice freebie HH70 - huge difference! And I love having the plastic fuel tank as it will never rust. The original electric start H60 is now on my Troy Bilt chipper. Prior to acquiring my FIL's 702, this was the only gas-powered snow removal tool I had to clear my drive & walks for 10 years or so. About 2008 or so, I got another one - its all-original twin sister! It resides at my rental property. Remember that these were nicknamed the "Cat Killers" - NO safety features at all. You clutched it to switch speeds and to stop. Let the lever go and it takes off by itself if it is in any gear other than Neutral.!! Kind of like a 502! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 6,202 #10 Posted yesterday at 11:03 AM 16 hours ago, ri702bill said: And between the three, I went thru just less than a gallon of 92 octane Ethanol free gas... 8 HP tractors & 7 HP Ariens get it done. Those old Ariens blower are like these tractors. Made to last. They built them in those days very well like Wheel Horse. I have a the old contractor grade Ariens this is a heavy machine. At my age it is getting a little hard to handel.I see the new ones are not the same quality made as 80s and 90s and early 2000 models. Glade to see you are using what you own. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 6,202 #11 Posted yesterday at 11:05 AM 10 hours ago, Terry M said: @ri702bill I like your older Ariens blower!! Terrey those old Ariens blowers are tanks compared to today’s units. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wayne0 1,428 #12 Posted 18 hours ago 9 hours ago, Retired Wrencher said: Terrey those old Ariens blowers are tanks compared to today’s units. I just sold my 70's vintage 32" Ariens blower that was on it's 3rd motor! Bought it used and ran it 30+ years. It was a beast!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 10,769 #13 Posted 5 hours ago The troublesome component of these old machines is the Helicon Gear - the 1-piece gearbox input shaft / worm gear. NLA and used ones are pricey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 6,202 #14 Posted 4 hours ago (edited) 13 hours ago, Wayne0 said: I just sold my 70's vintage 32" Ariens blower that was on its 3rd motor! Bought it used and ran it 30+ years. It was a beast!! Wayne: Agree 100% on that. I bought the professional model back in the 90s paid $2000 for it. It is over built. The new one are not even close to the older units. It’s a lot of machine for an older person. Edited 4 hours ago by Retired Wrencher Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
