OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Unusual Customisation Projects Ariens self propelled mower

I am after an Ariens self propelled mower so that I can get hold of the drive assembly so I can attempt to build a self propelled mower for a mate of mine and use one of his Honda motors on it. He is rough on his equipment and the fragile Honda gearboxes just are not strong enough for him. The Ariens drive fitted with a Honda motor would be the best combination I can think of. Any other thoughts?

Hi Norm
I have a Ariens 21inch self propelled mower with a Kawasaki motor on it that I picked up from a Kerb collection the frame and the motor were fine but the gear box had to have every bearing replaced and I felt that they were all possibly a bit small for the job being asked of them and they were rather expensive. I did repair it though and still have it as after advertising it I could not sell it for what it cost me in parts. Its just a thought to consider.

Hi exfarmer, the one I have had some involvement with only had the external fiber gears, I guess a few bearings in there and the pulley from the belt has a couple of bearings, I had to replace those from memory. I can't imaging replacing those would go close to replacing the under-designed, fragile 3 speed Honda gear box. If you were closer I would grab it in a heartbeat. My grandson is using his great grandfathers in his mowing business and loves it.