Snowblower chute on snowblower sticking while rotating

[charlz]

I have a Kubota 51" snowblower that came with my tractor. Pretty sure it was new in 1977 just like the tractor. It has the cable rotation system where a cable loops around the chute and then around a hand crank for a few loops on each end. The cable needed replacing so I did that. Now the chute 'sticks' when you try to crank it. I am thinking a good cleaning of where the chute sits on the blower body is probably in order. My question is: should I put grease, wax or something else in there when I put it back together? The chute does wobble pretty good, is that normal? should I look for some way to 'tighten' it up?

La Nina is in effect this year so I might actually get a chance to use it before I sell it

Thanks!
Charles

 

[JerryK]

Clean up the surfaces and put on a good coat of paint, then coat the surfaces with lithium grease [white grease]. They make a low temp blue lithium grease, but the white works fine for me. If you coat it every couple years [unless you store it outside], it should work fine. Mine spins easily, unless I'm throwing deep snow. Most blowers I have ever seen have large clearances between the rotating chute and where it mounts. Won't wobble when it's working. Good luck, Jerry.

 

[charlz]

Just wanted to say thanks for the advice. Took me a while to find white lithium grease... wallyworld and autoparts stores did not carry it ??? Anyway works like a champ now! Not sure if I will get to use it though... we have been in the 50's the last couple days... I know I live in _Southern_ Idaho but this is ridiculous!

Charles

 

[JerryK]

That white lithium grease is great for car door hindges, or just about anything else that might get wet. Enjoy your nice weather, we got up to just about 18.3 degrees today, and have only gotten about 39" of snow so far this winter. [Oops, winter doesn't start for a couple weeks yet !!!]

 

[smfcpacfp]

I agree with Jerry. I have experienced the problems you mentioned with my old rig. You need to maintain it once a year. I also find that using a kerosene salamander to get it hot and melt the ice helps for everyday useage if it is sticking and you don't want to take it apart.

An alternative would be to use a thin teflon bearing between the chute and the base, with no grease.