We live in the mountains of Colorado and got the same snowblower 5 years ago except we got the track model because our driveway is sloped. There are times we would be trapped in our house without it. It is a serious machine that gets the job done, but I have had the following problems: 1) Two years ago we got a really big snow but when I went to blow it went a dozen feet and quit moving. So I haul it inside, wait for it to melt, and open it up. I saw there was a tension spring and its end had broken off. I used a pliers to bend a new end from the remaining straight piece and was back in business. I ordered a new one from Ariens and replaced it in the Summer. The spring is much better designed and now one end swivels, surely to prevent it from breaking over time. 2) While blowing last week the fuel on/off value started leaking a lot of gas, it was just draining out. I removed the metal cover to see that one of the rivets that keeps it closed had failed allowing the value to partially separate. Went to the Ariens website and it was backordered so I got one off ebay for $18 including shipping. It came today and it was easy to install. I think the valve is a Briggs & Stratton part, not Ariens, because the ebay listing said it worked in machines from various manufacturers. That one ebay listing had generated over 500 sales for the seller, so it is clearly a fallible part. 3) If the temperature is near or above freezing, the snow gets sticky so that it clogs between the blades and it becomes a spinning snow cylinder that can't blow snow. If you clean it with the shovel it just reclogs. So if the snow is good for blowing, but it is going to warm up later, you need to blow it now! 4) That big snow - it was 4 feet. This snowblower has a hard time with that much snow. I had to do two and three passes to blow it. From that experience I learned that once the snow gets between 18-24 inches you need to blow it even if it is still snowing hard. You don't want to wait until it has stopped snowing! Keep in mind this snowblower is a beast and too heavy to easily transport to a repair shop. It would be very hard for two people to lift it on to a pickup truck bed. So if it breaks you really want to fix it yourself, especially if you can't leave your house until your snow is cleared. What I have found is that while my Ariens snowblower breaks, it is easy to diagnose, inexpensive to fix, and indispensable when we get over 9 inches of snow.
That helps , I have a 1965 Ariens snow blower in the back, but it needs some repairs, It is built very well, but at 70 and handicapped I am looking to upgrade, this is the model I am looking at, nice to actually get a good look at the machine, you are great, thank you.
My next door neighbor has an Ariens snow thrower that's 60 years old. Last year it wouldn't start. I took off the carb and found a clogged jet. He bought it used after he was married! Nice machine!
I bought my first Ariens 24” back in 95 had it for 27 years looked brand new, caught a mat while using the sheer pins didn’t sheer and it destroyed the auger gear it would cost about half of the cost of a new one to repair.So I bought the 28”Deluxe SHO, what a beast works like charm.
Hi Rob, I have 29" Craftsman bought about six years to replace a 24" Craftsman bought in 1981. That 24" was a beast that threw a lot of snow and would run circles around the 29". It had a 14" impeller and 8" diameter chute. Could rotate and adjust chute angle from the handles, the 29" only rotates the chute. If I had known how bad the 29" would be, would have bought a new engine for the 24". You and your family stay safe. 73 WJ3U
Thank you for the informative video. I’m in the exact same situation in getting rid of a 20 year old craftsman for the same Ariens blower featured here. I feel I can now buy with confidence.
The two holes on top of the auger housing is for the 10lb weight bar kit...I have one on mine. It helps keep the front of the machine from riding up in deep, heavy snow. I didn't know about the heated handles, so I'll look into that.
I am an engineer who is very very keen on durability, weight and performance … till last year I was very sure I would buy a Honda HS655ETD weighing 98 kilos and producing 3.6 kw but then I saw an Ariens 724 from 2003 barely used weighing just 64.9 kilos and producing 5.22kw.. with a tecumseh engine… did some research and there no looking back …😊
One other little piece of advice, if you install an impeller kit right away, you will probably never have to use that little plastic stick to unplug the auger/impeller. It will throw better too!
Nice review Rob! Your going to like that machine for sure. I have had many snow blowers over the years... Right now my snow removal machine is a 2017 Yamaha Kodiak 700 with a warn plow and wench set up. Used it last year for the first time and the thing is a absolute beast! Did some other driveways in the area also to make some extra beer money! 😂😎 Have a good weekend my friend!
I have a bunch of ham radio videos on my channel if you want to check them out. I kind of like just listening most of the time but do POTA now and then too.
Wow! that 24" deluxe looks way bigger then I thought. I need to replace my airens st724 from the 80s, got it used from my dad many years ago. I was thinking the deluxe 24" cause I wanted the stronger engine but I dont think I got the storage space for the deluxe. I might have to consider the airens 24"compact or classic. I wonder if the compact is $300 better then the classic?
I bought the exact same unit a year ago and really like it. Still own a single stage Honda and have 4 other Honda;s in the family. Honda's are great but are too expensive. Can't go wrong with the Ariens
We didn't get a lot of snow last season but it did a good job with what we had. Seems like a decent unit to me....I guess we'll see what happens this season.
After only 3 light seasons, the Muffler Shield (part 20001017) attachment flanges fracture, as well as the flanges on the Heater Box (part # 20001047) which are another point of Muffler Shield attachment. Too thin metal was used for the heat strees this part ungoes. Once fractured, Muffler Shield vibrates wildly, must be replaced. Known design flaw. No excuse, Ariens. Parts $140 or so. Not happy.
I have a Honda rubber track hydro unit that was made in Japan before they shipped the production to USA. I hate to say, but the Japan units are awesome, and the USA models are junk. I have never clogged the chute and I hear the newer USA models do nothing but clog. It is a tank, throws snow further than anything I have seen, but is a handful to use. It eats shear pins for lunch. Buying a tractor front mounted unit since I am getting to fat and old to wrestle around with the walk behind unit. The foolish honda was 3,200 bucks 8 years ago.
The guy I bought this from upgraded to a hydrostatic drive machine too. that's the way to go for a walk behind if you can afford it. Tractor mount is even better
Just got this model today...The Toro body rusted out...but still worked well at 15 years old..Decided to give ariens a go because of price and reputation.I was going to step it up to the electric driven chute but decided against...this model will suffice for the average usage.If I ran a snow clearing buisiness I may opt for larger more expensive unit...but no need.
We live in the mountains of Colorado and got the same snowblower 5 years ago except we got the track model because our driveway is sloped. There are times we would be trapped in our house without it. It is a serious machine that gets the job done, but I have had the following problems:
1) Two years ago we got a really big snow but when I went to blow it went a dozen feet and quit moving. So I haul it inside, wait for it to melt, and open it up. I saw there was a tension spring and its end had broken off. I used a pliers to bend a new end from the remaining straight piece and was back in business. I ordered a new one from Ariens and replaced it in the Summer. The spring is much better designed and now one end swivels, surely to prevent it from breaking over time.
2) While blowing last week the fuel on/off value started leaking a lot of gas, it was just draining out. I removed the metal cover to see that one of the rivets that keeps it closed had failed allowing the value to partially separate. Went to the Ariens website and it was backordered so I got one off ebay for $18 including shipping. It came today and it was easy to install. I think the valve is a Briggs & Stratton part, not Ariens, because the ebay listing said it worked in machines from various manufacturers. That one ebay listing had generated over 500 sales for the seller, so it is clearly a fallible part.
3) If the temperature is near or above freezing, the snow gets sticky so that it clogs between the blades and it becomes a spinning snow cylinder that can't blow snow. If you clean it with the shovel it just reclogs. So if the snow is good for blowing, but it is going to warm up later, you need to blow it now!
4) That big snow - it was 4 feet. This snowblower has a hard time with that much snow. I had to do two and three passes to blow it. From that experience I learned that once the snow gets between 18-24 inches you need to blow it even if it is still snowing hard. You don't want to wait until it has stopped snowing!
Keep in mind this snowblower is a beast and too heavy to easily transport to a repair shop. It would be very hard for two people to lift it on to a pickup truck bed. So if it breaks you really want to fix it yourself, especially if you can't leave your house until your snow is cleared. What I have found is that while my Ariens snowblower breaks, it is easy to diagnose, inexpensive to fix, and indispensable when we get over 9 inches of snow.
That helps , I have a 1965 Ariens snow blower in the back, but it needs some repairs, It is built very well, but at 70 and handicapped I am looking to upgrade, this is the model I am looking at, nice to actually get a good look at the machine, you are great, thank you.
My next door neighbor has an Ariens snow thrower that's 60 years old. Last year it wouldn't start. I took off the carb and found a clogged jet. He bought it used after he was married! Nice machine!
I've heard stories like that about ariens machines too. I'm hoping this one is as good as the old ones
I bought my first Ariens 24” back in 95 had it for 27 years looked brand new, caught a mat while using the sheer pins didn’t sheer and it destroyed the auger gear it would cost about half of the cost of a new one to repair.So I bought the 28”Deluxe SHO, what a beast works like charm.
Hi Rob,
I have 29" Craftsman bought about six years to replace a 24" Craftsman bought in 1981. That 24" was a beast that threw a lot of snow and would run circles around the 29". It had a 14" impeller and 8" diameter chute. Could rotate and adjust chute angle from the handles, the 29" only rotates the chute. If I had known how bad the 29" would be, would have bought a new engine for the 24". You and your family stay safe. 73 WJ3U
Thank you for the informative video. I’m in the exact same situation in getting rid of a 20 year old craftsman for the same Ariens blower featured here. I feel I can now buy with confidence.
Just ordered mine. I’m excited.
The two holes on top of the auger housing is for the 10lb weight bar kit...I have one on mine. It helps keep the front of the machine from riding up in deep, heavy snow. I didn't know about the heated handles, so I'll look into that.
You'll be very happy with that machine. Ariens makes great equipment.
254 cc 24 " is all you need. Mine's a 2014 208cc and it works great.
I am an engineer who is very very keen on durability, weight and performance … till last year I was very sure I would buy a Honda HS655ETD weighing 98 kilos and producing 3.6 kw but then I saw an Ariens 724 from 2003 barely used weighing just 64.9 kilos and producing 5.22kw.. with a tecumseh engine… did some research and there no looking back …😊
One other little piece of advice, if you install an impeller kit right away, you will probably never have to use that little plastic stick to unplug the auger/impeller. It will throw better too!
Nice review Rob! Your going to like that machine for sure. I have had many snow blowers over the years... Right now my snow removal machine is a 2017 Yamaha Kodiak 700 with a warn plow and wench set up. Used it last year for the first time and the thing is a absolute beast! Did some other driveways in the area also to make some extra beer money! 😂😎 Have a good weekend my friend!
I'd love to get an ATV like that.
@@SevenFortyOne oh, it’s great and also a game changer 👍😎
Thanks.... Just bought the Deluxe 28"
I have a 40 year old ST524 that has handled everything suburban Rochester, NY winters have thrown at it. Note that it is only 5hp. 1 pull every time.
Thanks for your help
Good review. Nice to see the gear speeds.
I see ham antennas in the background. What radios do you have and what is your favorite part of the hobby? I'm N4IJB.
I have a bunch of ham radio videos on my channel if you want to check them out. I kind of like just listening most of the time but do POTA now and then too.
Wow! that 24" deluxe looks way bigger then I thought. I need to replace my airens st724 from the 80s, got it used from my dad many years ago. I was thinking the deluxe 24" cause I wanted the stronger engine but I dont think I got the storage space for the deluxe. I might have to consider the airens 24"compact or classic. I wonder if the compact is $300 better then the classic?
Great job love ours as well
I bought the exact same unit a year ago and really like it. Still own a single stage Honda and have 4 other Honda;s in the family. Honda's are great but are too expensive. Can't go wrong with the Ariens
Just bought the same one a few weeks ago. Weird yours has red knobs and switches. Mine has black. Looking forward to trying it out soon.
Mine is a year old...I guess they made a few minor changes.
Hey Rob,
How did it fair in the snow? Would you recommend it?
We didn't get a lot of snow last season but it did a good job with what we had. Seems like a decent unit to me....I guess we'll see what happens this season.
I am looking at buying this exact model. Do you have any videos of you using it in the NE snow? I’m in Ottawa ON Canada.
Sorry - I don't
Do you think if you put it in reverse you would be able to walk it up three cement steps? My front walk is elevated.
No idea....
After only 3 light seasons, the Muffler Shield (part 20001017) attachment flanges fracture, as well as the flanges on the Heater Box (part # 20001047) which are another point of Muffler Shield attachment. Too thin metal was used for the heat strees this part ungoes. Once fractured, Muffler Shield vibrates wildly, must be replaced. Known design flaw. No excuse, Ariens. Parts $140 or so. Not happy.
Thanks for the heads-up. I'll keep an eye out for that on mine
Why Arien's doesn't add a grease/oil fitting on the gear case. I don't see one there.
I guess 7t is a sealed unit...no maintenance required
I to just bought the same unit trying to decide on chains or not I live in eastern pa.
I have a pretty decent hill in my driveway and never needed chains with my old craftsman blower
How much did you give for it used?
I have a Honda rubber track hydro unit that was made in Japan before they shipped the production to USA. I hate to say, but the Japan units are awesome, and the USA models are junk. I have never clogged the chute and I hear the newer USA models do nothing but clog. It is a tank, throws snow further than anything I have seen, but is a handful to use. It eats shear pins for lunch. Buying a tractor front mounted unit since I am getting to fat and old to wrestle around with the walk behind unit. The foolish honda was 3,200 bucks 8 years ago.
The guy I bought this from upgraded to a hydrostatic drive machine too. that's the way to go for a walk behind if you can afford it. Tractor mount is even better
Just got this model today...The Toro body rusted out...but still worked well at 15 years old..Decided to give ariens a go because of price and reputation.I was going to step it up to the electric driven chute but decided against...this model will suffice for the average usage.If I ran a snow clearing buisiness I may opt for larger more expensive unit...but no need.