My 1970 Ariens 22999 Blower Project
- Thread starter KU_MechE
- Start date
John316
Well-known member
Those old Ariens are great! I have an old JD that is like a tank.
Here is a site I came across you may be interested in if you are not aware of it already:
http://gold.mylargescale.com/scottychaos/ariens/
Here is a site I came across you may be interested in if you are not aware of it already:
http://gold.mylargescale.com/scottychaos/ariens/
Last edited:
Mohawk Dave
Well-known member
The old motor had some kind of internal gearbox and 2 output shafts. One main output shaft for the blower/auger, and another rotating the opposite direction for the self propelled mechanism. The new motor has only a single 3/4" output shaft, so I've got to make some modifications to the self propelled mechanism so forward = forward and reverse = reverse. I should be able to adjust the control linkages so the rubber wheel that is turned by the metal plate is just on the opposite side. BTW, the internals of this old blower are heavy duty. So much better than the new craftsman.
Yea, they're sturdy and that site is very useful. Definitely some inspirational restorations and re-powers on there.
I'm focusing on mechanicals and functionality for now. I will likely have to do a bunch of welding to get everything to fit. After I'm done, I'll just touch-up the welds and leave the rest of the original finish. My version of a rat rod.
p_mori7
Well-known member
The craftsman had a broken auger you say ? Could it have been simply a broken shear bolt ?
I checked that, but no. The driveshaft and drive pulley need replacing. Plus, it now needs an engine
Flatintoone
Well-known member
You ****!
Where do you find these cheap snowblowers?
Looks like fun. I'd like an Ariens... There are pics of me as a baby on my dad's brand new Ariens garden tractor. He still uses it to cut grass and blow snow regularly.
Where do you find these cheap snowblowers?
Looks like fun. I'd like an Ariens... There are pics of me as a baby on my dad's brand new Ariens garden tractor. He still uses it to cut grass and blow snow regularly.
so, it's about time I update this thread on my Franken-rat-blower. Work stopped until I wired my garage with 240VAC power and bought a MIG welder. The blower now runs and blows, but still needs the chute adjuster fixed and paint.
Work done so far:
-fabricated an engine mount so this thing would fit
-clearanced the OE handlebars to make room for the engine
-fabricated a chute extension and relocated the control sprocket so it would clear the new engine pulleys
-made an impeller kit from baseboard rubber and self tapping screws. works great
-modified the pulley system, replaced fuel lines, replaced friction disc, replaced scraper bar, greased everything
-Replaced tension pin in gearbox due to a failure. Ran into a sprinkler head and the shear pins didn't fail, so the gearbox tension pin did. This was a pita.
Work done so far:
-fabricated an engine mount so this thing would fit
-clearanced the OE handlebars to make room for the engine
-fabricated a chute extension and relocated the control sprocket so it would clear the new engine pulleys
-made an impeller kit from baseboard rubber and self tapping screws. works great
-modified the pulley system, replaced fuel lines, replaced friction disc, replaced scraper bar, greased everything
-Replaced tension pin in gearbox due to a failure. Ran into a sprinkler head and the shear pins didn't fail, so the gearbox tension pin did. This was a pita.
Mohawk Dave
Well-known member
DAMN!!!! That is cool! Great job.
(Only one thing I'll mention. The self tappers on the impeller. Maybe change to nut/lockwasher/bolt/loctite etc. Be scary if someway-somehow those self tappers loosened up and out from vibration and what not and became a projectile.)
So, when and what paint scheme?
And what MIG did you get?
(Only one thing I'll mention. The self tappers on the impeller. Maybe change to nut/lockwasher/bolt/loctite etc. Be scary if someway-somehow those self tappers loosened up and out from vibration and what not and became a projectile.)
So, when and what paint scheme?
And what MIG did you get?
Thanks, and you make a good point. Ill look at adding nylock screws. I'll probably go orange and white like the original. Welder is a Lincoln 180HD with C25 gas. Been awesome so far
Mohawk Dave
Well-known member
Right on. I think the orange and white is timeless. Good call. Glad you like the welder. Keep us posted!
Believe it or not, my Grandmother had an 8 horse with electric start. She would put on her snowmobile suit and clear her driveway, about 800 ft with turn around. Unfortunately, the Ariens along with Grandma are long gone.
I agree, tire chains are the thing to get.
ffemtdisp
I agree, tire chains are the thing to get.
ffemtdisp
Jeffksf
Well-known member
I would swap over the snowhog tires from the craftsman donor blower. I installed a set on mine and they made a big difference over the 30 year old rubber I had on mine.
How were all the bearings in that Ariens?
I've done the rubber impeller mod to mine and it does make a big difference.
How were all the bearings in that Ariens?
I've done the rubber impeller mod to mine and it does make a big difference.
On paint color to match the orange, if you have a Fleet Farm near you, the Flambeau Orange, No. 15963 is almost a perfect color match to the Ariens orange. Almost, but not quite, but very acceptable and hard to see unless you really look closely. It is oil based and so far on mine, it seems quite durable.
Plus 3 or 4 on the recommendation on tire chains.
Don't forget to fab up a set of drift cutter bars if you live in an area where you get so much snow that the banks get too high. Will keep the front of the blower from burrowing under when it is really deep.
BTW, where did you get the rubber baseboard stuff from, I'd really like to do that trick myself.
Cheers,
Jim Don
Plus 3 or 4 on the recommendation on tire chains.
Don't forget to fab up a set of drift cutter bars if you live in an area where you get so much snow that the banks get too high. Will keep the front of the blower from burrowing under when it is really deep.
BTW, where did you get the rubber baseboard stuff from, I'd really like to do that trick myself.
Cheers,
Jim Don
Mohawk Dave
Well-known member
Jim, that rubber base is called Cove Base. Its for commercial use. You can find at Home Depot etc...
EDIT: you have to buy a big roll or a box full of long pieces. Just flag down a flooring guy and give him 5 or ten bucks for a piece that he has in his truck/van.
EDIT: you have to buy a big roll or a box full of long pieces. Just flag down a flooring guy and give him 5 or ten bucks for a piece that he has in his truck/van.
bobcatdan
Well-known member
Tire chains are more of a pain then worth. Never found a reason I needed them. Let the blower do the work, the wheels will never spin.
Right now, i dont have enough room between the tires and the frame for a feeler gauge, so no chains for me. This is only a 20" wide blower and the original tires were tiny. I'm planning to throw on those Craftsman blower tires soon. Maybe spring for X-Tracs
Home depot has individual pieces of cove base for about $3 ea.
Home depot has individual pieces of cove base for about $3 ea.
Yea, I think the snowhogs are going on soon.
Bearings and bushings seem OK. I cleaned up all the bronze bushings and greased them before install.
Gregg33
Well-known member
Neat project. Personally though I would have kept the Ariens all original and lived with the smaller engine. The Craftsman could have been fixed up for sale or to use as your primary snow blower, or even could have been parted out.
nice job on the blower those old machines are built like tanks, i personally don't like the tire chains for the mere fact of climbing onto the sidewalks and patio the chains will bust small pieces off the edge of the concrete mine works just fine with no chains and don't tear nothing up with just the rubber tires
Packard V8
Well-known member
Absolutely not true for all uses. I've got a very steep asphalt driveway and without chains my 1974 Simplicity would never climb the hill, much less do any work on the way up. Even with chains, it spins and needs a lean on the handles to help it dig in.
jack vines
Nice Blower, I love those old Ariens. My dad still has and uses his 5hp that he bought in 1967. Starts on 2 pulls most times.
Glad you stayed with the Tecumseh instead of a HF clone, they just don't look right!
The 4 hp would sell if you listed it on the old minibike site, would hate to see that go to scrappers.
Glad you stayed with the Tecumseh instead of a HF clone, they just don't look right!
The 4 hp would sell if you listed it on the old minibike site, would hate to see that go to scrappers.
Yea, but this has been more about the project. I'll probably part out the rest of the craftsman soon...if my Ariens proves reliable.
Thanks! I used the Tecumseh because the price recommended it, but I like having it over a chinese engine.
Here is my current tire clearance at probably 1/8":
And here is my clearance to the edge of the auger housing. These things just barely fit, but I think I can get the SnowHogs in there.
Can't go any bigger unless I modify the auger housing to add 2" to each side. I'm considering it.
And here is my clearance to the edge of the auger housing. These things just barely fit, but I think I can get the SnowHogs in there.
Can't go any bigger unless I modify the auger housing to add 2" to each side. I'm considering it.
Hi! First of all, I love the work you did! Let me ask you, I got the exact same ariens 22999 with engine tecumseh 55232a 2 cycle 4hp, someone gave it to me on craigslist... It is a very old model and my very first snowblower ever, so I am not sure how much oil am I suppose to mix with the fuel.... For this engine. I tried to find the manual but no luck. Your help will be appreciated! Thanks
Fabio
Fabio
So i bought this Ariens in running condition for $20. The original engine is a 1969 4hp Tecumseh. Everything runs fine, but the carb needs a rebuild and the engine isn't as powerful as I'd like.
