hawkeye08
Elite Member
I am not having any shear bolt problems with my snowblower, but had them on the hay baler growing up on the farm. The very large pulley that drove the plunger had a shear bolt. It was to protect things if something solid got into the bale chamber and stopped the plunger (for those that had wire balers in the 60-70s, this happened when you baled the needles due to timing off on needles).
Two things sheared that bolt faster than you could imagine, one when I pushed too hard and overloaded input to bale chamber and the second when I sheared a few bolts, the hole got loose and then it was easier to shear and only got worse. If you have slop in bolt holes, you will start shearing bolts for no reason seemingly.
Looking at the fan enclosure, my guess is that gravel was the initial cause of shearing and now the sloppy hole is a contributor.
I suggest two things, first close up the clearance or open up the fan clearance. I am guessing the way it is right now is likely the exact wrong clearance and a single rock can get lodged briefly and pop the shear bolt.
The second thing is to take care of the hole, either by filling and drilling back to original size or drilling to next size.
We never had bolt threads in the shear area, find a different bolt that solves that. Another thought, if there is gravel behind the fan, it could be causing you ongoing issues and a piece or two comes loose...
Best wishes getting it resolved, I would not be happy at all if I was shearing bolts like that.. and final thought, it goes without saying that this is my opinion that I am sharing.
Two things sheared that bolt faster than you could imagine, one when I pushed too hard and overloaded input to bale chamber and the second when I sheared a few bolts, the hole got loose and then it was easier to shear and only got worse. If you have slop in bolt holes, you will start shearing bolts for no reason seemingly.
Looking at the fan enclosure, my guess is that gravel was the initial cause of shearing and now the sloppy hole is a contributor.
I suggest two things, first close up the clearance or open up the fan clearance. I am guessing the way it is right now is likely the exact wrong clearance and a single rock can get lodged briefly and pop the shear bolt.
The second thing is to take care of the hole, either by filling and drilling back to original size or drilling to next size.
We never had bolt threads in the shear area, find a different bolt that solves that. Another thought, if there is gravel behind the fan, it could be causing you ongoing issues and a piece or two comes loose...
Best wishes getting it resolved, I would not be happy at all if I was shearing bolts like that.. and final thought, it goes without saying that this is my opinion that I am sharing.