rsnik Posted June 30, 2008 Posted June 30, 2008 I need a big rototiller and the progress on getting the shredded 2010 with the rototiller back together makes converting Iran to Christianity look like cooking up some Top Ramen by comparison. This Ariens Rocket landed in my lap yesterday. The PO had given it to someone else. Someone else thought that the engine was seized and the drivetrain was seized. I remembered from reading posts here that you should remove the belts from the drive pulley before assuming seizure because the belts may have become glued to the pulley after sitting a long time and make the pulley appear seized. Check out how you can swing the handle bars out and lock them to plow from a side stance. After prying the belts that were stuck on the drive pulley off, the drive train is silky smooth. I think this tiller may have under a hundred hours on it. There is no apparent wear on the tines, no egged out holes, no wallowed key ways, everything seems very unworn and tight. Here is a close up of the handle bar swivel mechanism. The Ariens Rocket is 20 inch cut with 14" diameter tines. It is an eye popping heavy duty tiller. It has a 7 hp Tecumseh with gear reduction and 2 output shafts. One has an idler pulley and drives forward, the other has an idler and drives reverse (I have removed the idler pulleys in the pics to clean them up). Tecumseh still supports the Rocket and I find original replacement engines for as little as $299 online (although they are now 8 hp). The engine on the tiller is seized. The new engine comes with everything. Well, everything looks excellent except the engine. It's a 20 minute job to swap engines. I think I'm going to spring for a replacement engine and give it a go. One other thing. I thought the tires were mounted backwards. But I think the deal is, the tractor is resisting being shoved forward by the tines chewing so the tread aggression is directed towards the back instead of the front.
MPH Posted June 30, 2008 Posted June 30, 2008 Nice freebie, makes me want to rebuild my 33 year old Troybuilt. Miss the handiness of that machine. Been awhile sice I seen an Ariens but if recall they are nice machine,
DeltaBravo Posted June 30, 2008 Posted June 30, 2008 Yes that is a good tiller. Takes a lot of storage space for the handles and the Tec engine might be a little weak, but one nice machine. My parents had a 5hp on theirs and I always thought it needed more. 8hp would have been nice and an iron sleeve nicer. Nice find.
rsnik Posted July 1, 2008 Author Posted July 1, 2008 Well, I just ordered a new 8 hp Tecumseh replacement engine for it that comes with everything for $342. After I removed the belt that was stuck to the drive pulley on the drive train I pulled the starter and (he,he) the engine is not seized either. However these original replacement engines are soon to be NLA and for $342 it is nuts not to buy one.
ZippoVarga Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 Nice score! I've had a couple of those freebies by way of seized belts my self. Those are the best kind.
Recommended Posts