Model 47 Snowblower gearbox question

   / Model 47 Snowblower gearbox question #1  

mikefamig

Silver Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2013
Messages
115
Location
CT
Tractor
JD X728
I am new here at tractorbynet and a new John Deere owner so bear with me. I've been searching out info here for a week or so and hope that you guys can help me with a problem.

I just bought a slightly used -180 hour - X728 tractor with a bunch of accessories and I',m in the process of rebuilding a model 47 snowblower. I have it stripped down to the bare metal enclosure and plan to replace the 5 bearings and chain but I have a question concerning the gearbox.

The thing is that there is quite a bit of backlash in the auger. When I look at it closely I can see that the gear hub that holds the auger shaft is pretty tightly connected to the input shaft with little backlash leading me to believe that the ring and pinion gears are not very badly worn. but there is considerable play between that hub and the auger shaft.

My question: What holds the hub to the auger shaft? The shaft slips easily left and right in the gearbox pretty freely. Can I slide the shaft from the gearbox without disturbing parts inside the gearbox? Do I need to open the gearbox to deal with this looseness?

Anyone?

Thank you in advance, Mike.
 
Last edited:
   / Model 47 Snowblower gearbox question #2  
Mike, maybe you should ask this question on the John Deere forum, (owning/operating) Welcome to TBN!
 
   / Model 47 Snowblower gearbox question
  • Thread Starter
#3  
I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't notice that there were areas dedicated to JD. Thanks!
 
   / Model 47 Snowblower gearbox question #4  
I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't notice that there were areas dedicated to JD. Thanks!


If your snow caster is like my 42 inch unit being an RAD snow caster in JD colors the end bearings
are what holds the cross auger halves together and the cross auger stubs simply ride inside the housing.
 
   / Model 47 Snowblower gearbox question
  • Thread Starter
#5  
If your snow caster is like my 42 inch unit being an RAD snow caster in JD colors the end bearings
are what holds the cross auger halves together and the cross auger stubs simply ride inside the housing.

Mine seems to be a single shaft holding both auger halves and that shaft does ride inside the gear case housing but there is backlash between the shaft and the housing. Do you know what attaches the auger shaft to the gear inside the housing and what would cause the backlash? I'm guessing that there is a slot in the shaft with a woodruff key.

The thing is that parts are no longer available for this gearbox and it may be best to just run it the way it is until it fails. If there is simply a woodruff key then I will take it apart and try to tighten it up but if I need any other parts I think that I may be out of luck. I don't want to disturb the seals if I can't get parts for the unit.unnecessarily.
 
   / Model 47 Snowblower gearbox question #6  
Mike, I just replaced the gearbox on my John Deere 52 broom. Deere really values their gearbox as a new one runs over a $1,000. I trust you have a similar gear box on your blower. If it is a gearbox failure there a no replacement parts. My gearbox failure was due to 3 missing teeth on one gear and two on the other. I may take it to my machine shop friend to see if the gear can be repaired. I found a replacement on Ebay that was for the 52 or 60 broom for $300. It listed the correct john deere part number so I took a chance. I had my dealer switch over the shaft and installed a new sprocket. He agreed it was an exact replacement so it worked out. I see he lists the gearbox occasionally so he must have a few sitting around.

There is someone who lists on Ebay who claims to repair the gearbox with original parts. You send him your gearbox and he repairs and sends it back. I have no experience with this seller and make no claim as to the sellers performance. I believe he gets $500 so one would have to weigh that vs. the $1000 through John Deere.

But if it is the gearbox it can get expensive real quick.
 
   / Model 47 Snowblower gearbox question
  • Thread Starter
#7  
Well I removed the auger shaft from the gearbox this morning and answered my own question. After removing the augers the shaft just slides out of the gearbox freely. JD used a woodruff key to to make the shaft rotate with the output gear/sleeve in the gearbox. My woodruff was beat up and it looks like a new one will fix it up.

Maybe this info will help someone else out there.

Mike.
 
 
 
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