Ariens Rototiller Question

braggscowboy · #1 04/30/07, 02:34 PM

I went to the flea market over the weekend and did pretty well. Bought maybe 25 chains for Stihl and Husky that were from tree trimming crew. Also bars all have some wear on the bars, but the chains don't looked to have been sharpened. I have a Foley Belsaw sharpener. Should be good deal for me since I have some Husky's and Sthil.
While I was there a fellow had a Ariens tiller that looked really nice. Clean, clean. Electric start and all cast iron. Even has a cast iron weight on front. 7hp. Forward and reverse. Wheels pull independent of the tines. Had new tires and battery. Turns over a half turn and starts. Cast iron engine. Techumsy (sp)Which I don't like as well as Kholer, but I did have a good Tech. Does anyone have one of these? It is a Rocket Vll. Any info appreciated. (I also need a manual).

**Ross** · #2 04/30/07, 09:21 PM

We have an Ariens RT7020 ( I think) Sounds similar to the one you found. It's well made but a bit too fast. I'd like to swap it out with a briggs the Techumsie is a piece of junk. Sorry no manual, maybe eBay would have one?

Colorado · #3 05/01/07, 08:07 AM

I have an Ariens 7 Rocket I got back in early 70's. Two speed and you can turn the tines off and run it where you want. I prefer B and S engines too. All I can remember for sure is do not change gears while in motion. You must have it setting still to change gears. I am not using mine now as engine kicks back for meon starting. I told him not set right. I was going to get an electric start engine for it, but was given a Troy 8 horse electric start and using it. Where my papers are I do not know at this time. I am sure I did not toss but I cleaned up stuff. And not at at the end of the shelf. Mine different model probaby. I did buy the ditcher for the Ariens. Ariens have gone out of business the place told me. He still had some tillers or one left. That was 3 or 4 years ago. He could get parts for the engine but cost too must to change tothe electric. I can buy a replacement and be cheaper. It does go a bit faster than my Troy but never any problem. I used the low gear for best tilling and the higher gear to take to the garden.

WisJim · #4 05/01/07, 02:22 PM

We have an Ariens Rocket 7 that we bought in the early 1970s also. We used it a lot to till up old hay field for garden etc., had the engine overhauled twice and then replaced it with a 6 hp Tecumseh (only one we could find that fit right). Also replaced the tines and gearbox in the 30+ years. We don't work it so hard anymore, so it should last another 30 years for us. I like the way it handles, lots better than the neighbor's Troy Bilt. I am sure tht I have the manual, so if you have specific questions let me know.
We bought our Ariens after borrowing or trying out all the kinds of tillers that we could find at the time. The only one I have seen that I like better are some of the Italian ones like Grillo or Mainline (BCS).

rr · #5 05/05/07, 07:46 PM

I have a 1980 7 hp Ariens. Great machine.
The few Tecs I've had were as good as all the other engines I've had, and I found them easier to get running perfectly -- probably the carburetors.
I wasn't using it a whole lot because I have a Gravely rotary plow so I lent it to a guy who kept putting off using it during a stormy season and left it outside for a month, apparently tipped a bit so rain could run into the engine. When I got it back it was stuck. I unstuck it and filled the engine with ATF and put it away with other broken goodies until I retire, if that ever happens.
Anyway, after all that babbling: They're excellent machines, but don't lend them to people.