Caution! Blizzard sno-blowers

[Patches]

A friend recently bought a used(ever so slightly) B48 blower from a local widow. The first time he used it, the bolt that fixes the fan to the gear box output shaft, backed out, allowing the fan to move towards the auger. Once it got out far enough, one of the blades caught on the chute baffle, shearing the key and binding the fan on the shaft; we have yet been able to get the fan off the shaft using a 5 ton puller(we have bent the fan assembly). A note to all Blizzard owners:Check that bolt for tightness! I checked mine and it was fine, but I'll continue to check it before each use

 

[Mark_in_NH]

If for some reason the bolt/nut wants to keep coming loose. There are plenty of ways to prevent that from occuring.
I think I would double nut it or install a stop nut or a lock washer. You could even drill a small hole through the bolt and put a cotter pin in it.

 

[GreenWannabe]

You can also replace the nut with a locknut, or use some threadlocker.

 

[matt_isserstedt]

If I understand right the fan asm is bent and galled to the shaft.

I think I'd use a supersawzall to slice thru the hub and relieve the pressure, then you have a chance to get it off without further damage. If a puller isn't working at the pressures you describe, the "next size" puller (or press) can really do some other collateral damage.

 

[Patches]

There are many ways to prevent this from happening. This thread was meant to alert anyone with this particular blower, or any blower similarly equipped, to the possibility of an unfortunate chain of events. Lock washers, in my opinion, are worthless in a high torque, vibrating inviroment. I plan to remove the fixing bolt, drill the head an install with "lock tight" and "safety-wire" anchored to the fan itself