Snowblower issues

[Beer Belly]

I have a Craftsman 5.5hp, 24 inches Snowblower. Here in the Northeast, we are, and have been, getting hammered with snow. This particular Snowblower will only throw the snow 1 foot high, and only 2 feet away at best....or, it just clogs every 3 feet....clogs more often thatn not....I'm talking only 3-4 inches of snow.....I've replaced the Auger Belt and adjusted the Idler Pulley in hopes to keep the Auger turning better. Any suggestions on what I can do about this....I'd like to get a nice Ariens 28 pro....but Wife sez "work with what ya got"

 

[srossman]

Is it possible a shear pin is busted? I know on my walk behind, I had a shear pin on each side of the auger, and if one broke, it would clog and wouldn't throw snow worth a darn.

 

[cdaigle430]

If it's heavy and wet, then I would understand. Otherwise, it sounds like and RPM issue. These blowers are set to a certain rpm to maximise performance reliability with maximum snow through the chute. Maybe the rpm adjustment is out of wack?

 

[Zork]

Some of the throwers are not rated too highly, especially at higher travel speeds. Moisture content (light/heavy) has allot to do with all blowers abilities in regard to discharge distance. Check sheer pins. Try slowing down, max rpm, maybe some WD-40 on 2nd stage impeller and chute to prevent sticking. AND above all else, do not be tempted to clear the chute with your hand or discharge tool while unit is running.

 

[devildog1]

You need to check shear pins on auger and fan, sounds like one is busted. I have a 30" 10 horse Sears Craftsman's and it blows snow like a bear, had for about 6 or 7 years. I do 200' driveway and large turn around, wonderful snow blower.
DevilDog

 

[chipsndust]

BB:

Is your snowthrower a two stage (does it have an impeller behind the auger)? A single stage blower would work about like you're describing, and is only useful for light snow.

If it's a two stage, I would agree with others that a sheer pin is broken in the impeller.

Possibly the impeller has moved forward on the shaft (away from the back of the housing, toward the auger) due to a loose/missing setscrew and/or woodruff key.

You can check for this with the engine turned off, the impeller should not turn independent of the auger.

Maybe some pictures would help us see the problem.

Never stick your hands in there with the engine running, make sure everything has completely stopped turning.

 

[ljellio]

Yes one person in a cast this year is plenty wish it wasn't that had to set the example

 

[bellcon]

Tell your wife to use it for a coouple of storms and the ariens may be closer than you think!

 

[F1520]

Never stick your hands in there with the engine running, make sure everything has completely stopped turning.

Yep, seriously. We all probably think "yeah, I know" but there were two different accidents not far from here, one where a guy lost one finger and damaged two others and another accident where a guy lost all of the fingers on one hand

Snowthrower accidents lead to loss of fingers, Readington Township Police say | NJ.com

 

[oldnslo]

I have a Craftsman 5.5hp, 24 inches Snowblower. Here in the Northeast, we are, and have been, getting hammered with snow. This particular Snowblower will only throw the snow 1 foot high, and only 2 feet away at best....or, it just clogs every 3 feet....clogs more often thatn not....I'm talking only 3-4 inches of snow.....I've replaced the Auger Belt and adjusted the Idler Pulley in hopes to keep the Auger turning better. Any suggestions on what I can do about this....I'd like to get a nice Ariens 28 pro....but Wife sez "work with what ya got"

Is this one of the models with the rubber single stage auger? If yes the auger flights are probably getting worn and this will prevent the blower from working. There should be less than a 1/4" between the flights and the housing.

Can you have some one operate the blower while you watch from a safe distance to see if the auger is slowing or stopping while under load?

Roy