Nice new machine :) That little guy will still be throwing snow somewhere in the distant future as it is modern compared to my old Ariens Sno-Thro. Mine turns 60 this winter and still throws the snow. Yeah, it's hard on my back as it's short and I'm 6'8". Mine is a 4hp 24" model 10M4 made in 1965. Still fires by the 2nd crank. To engage the drive on it or the augers, it has the old handles down between the engine and the auger housing and when she's in gear she'll go by herself if you let go of the machine. Clutch and throttle are on the left handlebar and gear shift lever is on the right handlebar. I did recently get a slightly more modern one from about 2000-01, an Ariens 824, just because it is a bit higher at the handlebars. We don't get buried in snow either most years but they sure are nice to have around when one is needed. I grew up shoveling on a farm using a grain scoop as a snow shovel, and that gets old really fast.
You can get a rubber hose with an end cap on it to extend your oil drain so that when it's not in use, you cab bend it up out of the way and zip tie it to the handlebar. I put one on my riding mower because I got tired of the oil draining all over the frame, lol.
You mentioned you didn't need a wider chute because you don't have that much to clear. There's a hidden wisdom in that. While I would always welcome a faster clearing, when I replaced my 1980s ST824 two years ago, I got another 24" wide Ariens. Choosing a 24" model (and not wider) let me optimize my engine power to basket-width ratio. The new one is a 369cc engine on a Platinum SHO 24" so I doubt I shall ever want for power. Wet, heavy snow is commonplace where I live, so power:basket ratio was an important factor for me.
BTW, you're going to love the newer-style crank arrangement and not having to reach over (or step around) the machine just to change the deflection angle! And the taller chute really helps with throw distance vs. a similar machine with a short chute.
Nice new machine :) That little guy will still be throwing snow somewhere in the distant future as it is modern compared to my old Ariens Sno-Thro. Mine turns 60 this winter and still throws the snow. Yeah, it's hard on my back as it's short and I'm 6'8". Mine is a 4hp 24" model 10M4 made in 1965. Still fires by the 2nd crank. To engage the drive on it or the augers, it has the old handles down between the engine and the auger housing and when she's in gear she'll go by herself if you let go of the machine. Clutch and throttle are on the left handlebar and gear shift lever is on the right handlebar. I did recently get a slightly more modern one from about 2000-01, an Ariens 824, just because it is a bit higher at the handlebars. We don't get buried in snow either most years but they sure are nice to have around when one is needed. I grew up shoveling on a farm using a grain scoop as a snow shovel, and that gets old really fast.
You can get a rubber hose with an end cap on it to extend your oil drain so that when it's not in use, you cab bend it up out of the way and zip tie it to the handlebar. I put one on my riding mower because I got tired of the oil draining all over the frame, lol.
You mentioned you didn't need a wider chute because you don't have that much to clear. There's a hidden wisdom in that. While I would always welcome a faster clearing, when I replaced my 1980s ST824 two years ago, I got another 24" wide Ariens. Choosing a 24" model (and not wider) let me optimize my engine power to basket-width ratio. The new one is a 369cc engine on a Platinum SHO 24" so I doubt I shall ever want for power. Wet, heavy snow is commonplace where I live, so power:basket ratio was an important factor for me.
BTW, you're going to love the newer-style crank arrangement and not having to reach over (or step around) the machine just to change the deflection angle! And the taller chute really helps with throw distance vs. a similar machine with a short chute.
Hello