Service manual
4 - 13
4.6 AUGER GEARCASE
IMPORTANT: 
Too much lubricant may cause excessive 
leakage. Too little lubricant will cause gear and/or 
bearing damage. Proper oil level must be maintained 
for operation.
Gear cases are filled to the correct level at the factory. 
Unless there is evidence of leakage, no additional 
lubricant should be required. Check for evidence of 
leakage every 25 hours or operation.
To ensure adequate lubricant level:
1. Remove filler plug. Lubricant must be at least up to 
bottom of lubricant filler hole with unit resting on a 
level-surface.
2. Add lubricant, if required, allow oil to drain to level 
of plug and replace plug (Figure 4).
3. Use only Ariens special gear lubricant L-2 
(P/N 00008000).
4.7 ENGINE
Cooling
The engine is air cooled. Air must circulate freely 
around engine from Air Intake to cooling fins on 
cylinder head and block, to prevent overheating.
Each year (more often if conditions require) remove 
cooling shrouds and clean cooling fins. Clean external 
surfaces of engine of dust, dirt, and oil deposits which 
can contribute to improper cooling. See Engine 
Manual.
IMPORTANT: 
DO NOT operate engine with cooling 
shrouds removed. Engine overheating and damage will 
result.
Engine Oil Check
The engine crankcase oil should be checked daily or 
every 5 hours of operation. Oil level MUST be 
maintained in safe operating range on dipstick at all 
times or engine damage will result (See Engine 
Manual).
To check, park unit on a flat, level surface and:
1. Clean all debris away from oil cap.
2. Remove oil cap and dipstick. Wipe oil of dipstick 
with a clean cloth. Replace dipstick until cap 
bottoms on tube. Remove dipstick again and 
observe oil level. Oil should be at the Full (F) mark.
3. If low, add oil and bring up to the Full (F) mark.
IMPORTANT: 
DO NOT over fill. Oil level must not 
exceed Full (F) mark.
4. Replace dipstick and cap. Clean up any spilled oil.
Engine Oil Change
Change oil after first 5 hours of operation, thereafter 
change oil every 25 hours (more often if required).
NOTE: 
Run engine just prior to changing oil. Warm oil 
will flow more freely and carry away more contamina-
tion.
1. Drain crankcase by removing oil drain plug (see 
Engine Manual).
2. When oil has drained replace plug and refill engine 
crankcase with new oil of proper grade.
3. Recheck oil level with dipstick.
4.8 TRACTION DRIVE BELT
NOTE: 
Unit should be in the Belt Service Position with 
the attachment drive belt removed.
To Replace the Traction Drive Belt
1. Pull idler away from belt (Figure 5) and remove belt 
from idler pulley, engine and drive pulley (it may be 
necessary to turn engine pulley using rewind 
starter).
2. Rotate belt fingers out and away from belt and 
pulley by removing one cap screw and loosening 
the other.
OS0620
Special
Gear
Lube-L2
Figure 4
1. Auger Gearcase-Cast Iron
2. Oil Fill and Drain Level Plug
3. Ariens Special L-2 Gear Lube
4. Auger Gearcase-Aluminum
1
2
3
4
2
Engine Oil Type Ambient Temperature
SAE 5W30
Below 40
o
 F (4
o
 C)
SAE 30
Above 40
o
 F (4
o
 C)
WARNING: 
ROTATING PARTS can cut or 
amputate body parts. Keep hands and feet 
away.
Loose clothing, long hair or scarves can get 
caught in rotating parts and cause death or 
serious injury.










