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My new 2 stage doesn't throw slush very far but I'm still so happy!

4K views 16 replies 11 participants last post by  Kielbasa 
#1 · (Edited)
My new Ariens Deluxe is my first experience with any kind of motorized snow moving equipment. I was worried about getting a two stage over a single stage because of all the complaints I read about the poor performance of two stage SBs in slushy conditions.

What a difference. I can throw light snow across the yard into the neighbor's driveway if I wanted to but I can barely throw slush out of my driveway into my own yard. It barely throws it 8ft.

But I couldn't be happier!!!!

I just make a few extra passes, clear the chute a few times and never have to lift a single shovel of the stuff. Priceless
 
#2 ·
I usually try to point the blower into a pile of dry snow to clear it out before it plugs up , usually do 1 or 2 passes on the driveway then the EOD snow so I have lots of salt free snow to finish up with to clear it out good.
 
#3 ·
What size Ariens do you have? I just got a brand new Ariens 24 deluxe,I've only got to use it once,snow was kinda light and fluffy,I guess I'll have to wait and see how it does in The heavy slushy EOD stuff
 
#4 · (Edited)
What size Ariens do you have?
Congrats on the new SB. I just got a new Ariens Deluxe 24 too. I love it except for two small details, the axle could use a lock up for clearing rough surfaces and I think the interlock would be more functional if if the drive lever could released instead of the auger lever. I'd like to be able to rotate the chute on the fly without having to reach across the dashboard from the far side. Even though I have a few small complaints about the machine it didn't take me long to figure out it beats shoveling!

In the EOD and other heavy areas the engine changes to a deeper tone, sounds like it's getting lugged down, but it just keeps one truckin' along. I don't know if that's normal but I hit the big stuff in smaller bites anyway so it isn't really an issue.
 
#8 ·
Welcome Eric and congrats for your new SB.
As I say this I also would recommend an impeller kit and you would ever think going through slush.
It is simple to install and very efficient as you can even blow water with it.
Check the much previous posts on it or PM me if you want help.

Good Luck


Norm
 
#9 ·
Thanks Norm,

I watched some of the impeller mod videos on youtube at least six months before I ever thought I'd need a SB. Funny how variable geometry turbocharger videos led to snowblower impeller mods but that's the joy of youtube. It seems like it would be a standard factory install not an aftermarket solution but it's probably a liability issue for Ariens. I'll most likely wait until the warranty has expired before I modify the impeller but I plan to do it eventually. I'm sure they'd deny a warranty claim because of the modification so I'm a little gun shy. I envy the guys with the money and guts to modify a new vehicle or piece of equipment but I just can't do it so I'll have to put up with it this way a couple of winters. Moving water would be great too. The blacktop here is the worst. We have puddle in the back that gets to be 12-15 ft across and one out front that gets to about 10 ft wide.

Thanks Again
 
#10 ·
Yeah at least it's throwing it and not clogging.

My first experience with snowblowers was last weekend with my Toro Snowmaster 824. It snowed 5 inches then rained for several hours at 50 degrees. By the time I got home to clear the driveway there was 2 inches of slush left.

The Snowmaster just kind of spit the soup a few feet, but it never clogged. It just kept spitting, I kept pushing, and the driveway was clear. It worked better the faster I went.

I haven't tried my ariens yet. I couldn't dare drag it out in those condition. [emoji2]
 
#13 ·
Coat the bucket,shute and rakes with liquid acrylic floor wax available in any super market. Put on a coat, let dry and then re coat. The more wax buildup the better! This works better than the commercially available dedicated products. Lasts a long time! Absolutely will last a season of heavy snow. Think about what happens when you step on a freshly waxed floor with wet shoes!
Marc
 
#15 ·
Just out of curiosity, how far away from the housing are the impeller fan blades? The impeller kit brings this down to near 0", but I'm just curious to see how much clearance is designed in this new machine.

My hunch is that anything over 1/4" would contribute enough to slush buildup to justify an impeller kit. When I measured my old 79 Ariens, I was looking at about a 3/8" gap.

Note: If you do measure this, PLEASE unscrew the spark plug before sticking your hand in that impeller housing!
 
#16 ·
It's 1/4" at the 10 o'clock position and about 3/8" from 6 o'clock up to 2 o'clock . Of course it's widest right where it seems to me it needs to be the tightest, at the point of discharge. If I get the 1/4" side closed down the widest gap will be about an 1/8". That would be way better than it is now.
 
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