Hi lilrky,
I have seen this once before and we were not able to get the bucket to twist back to its original position. It would "pop" from its twisted position and move to a new twisted position to the opposite side...sort of like a spring. We ended up finding a used bucket on another blower and attaching it, augers and all. The previous owner had a fire and burned up the tractor part pretty badly but the bucket was still good. If yours is still running OK (ours was not) you might be able to get by with an adjustment to one skid shoe, at least to get you by until you find a parts machine. Good luck. MH

 

Do you know how the two boxes are attached? Welded, bolted, magic-super-glue?

"If it bleeds, we can kill it." If I can take it apart without destroying it, I can probably fix it, even if it means some funky sheetmetal fabrication. But if it's a Project, then I think I'll be smart and run it like it is for the remainder of the season and tackle it over the summer. After all, how much more snow can we possibly get? (imagining a room full of blizzards turning as one to stare in my direction with evil grins on their faces)

Thanks for your feedback...

Rich

 

These threads might help you. They deal with similar issues.

http://www.snowblowerforum.com/forum/ariens-snowblowers/12298-ariens-auto-turn-adjustment.html

http://www.snowblowerforum.com/foru...wblower-repairs-maintenance-forum/15833-bent-housing-ariens-920014-compact.html

For more videos you can look here. Search for videos of belt replacement or auger gearbox repairs.

donyboy73 - YouTube

With any luck you can get by with just loosening the bolts on each side of the tractor and jiggling the bucket back straight.
And yes, the 2 sections are simply bolted together. Usually 2-3 bolts on each side.

 

With something as ''springy'' as a housing I can imagine it might be next to impossible to twist back into original shape. But let us know if ya make out.

 

Problem solved! I took it out to clear snow today, despite the housing sitting an inch and a half off the ground on one side. Noticed that the tire looked funny and checked the pressure. Both tires were dead flat! Put 20 lbs in both and lo and behold, the housing problem was gone. The moral of this story: don't overthink things! Check the basics first. And you can bet this machine is going to get a serious going-over this spring. Thanks all!

 

Good deal! You nailed it with starting with the basics and workkng from there.

 

Well then. Glad it was cheap and easy to fix.

 

lilrky! find the flattest level you have and park the snowblower on it and push down on the handlebars very slowly and take note if both skids leave the ground at the same time. if not a very simple procedure for adjustment is here.