341 Snowthrower Auger

[graydog59]

Has anyone experienced problems with this unit?
I've owned it for 4 yrs and it's been great, until recently. Mounted on 2166 tractor. In the last week, I've broken two of the worm gear shafts for the auger drive. Local dealer says he's never heard of anyone breaking a shaft and I've done it TWICE in a week. At 239.00 for the drive unit it's getting ridiculous!
I have a NAPA drive belt that I installed last year when the OE belt broke. I'm wondering if the belt is working too well!?

 

[jim1]

I have had lots of problems with my 2185 with a 340 blower also. These will be covered in a different post.

Are you breaking the long shaft that supports and drives the augers? If so, do you have the correct shear bolts? What part of the shaft fails?

jim

 

[graydog59]

The short driven shaft is breaking at the worm gear inside the housing.
We've had a lot of wet, heavy snow lately and it's packing in the scoop and stopping the auger. I've tried taking smaller bites and going slower but it still packs in. As soon as the auger stops, I've been cleaning it out before progressing. I think that the stress of stopping is taking it's toll on the weakest part, obviously the worm gear. One of the shear bolts is OE and the other is just a grade 3, 5/16" bolt.

 

[jim1]

I have had the same problem with the wet snow packing up in the chute. I snapped the drive belt Thurs when I got going too fast downhill and took too big a bite.