Snow I broke my new snowblower!

149owner · Jan 22, 2012

I got to use the snowblower yesterday for the first time and it worked great. I had put a piece of 1/16" stock under the blade and adjusted the skids to the ground. Today I went out to do a little clean up around the edges and snagged a corner of a tarp which then wrapped around the auger. I heard a big bang and then a lot of noise so shut it off as quick as I could. I figured I broke a shear pin so finished up with the plow. As I coming up the driveway I see a line of fluid in the snow so get out to see where it's coming from. I wasn't happy at what I saw! None of the shear pins had broken but the input shaft to the gear box broke and cracked open the case! Since this was only the second time I used the blower should this be under warranty?

tcreeley · Jan 22, 2012

149owner said:
I got to use the snowblower yesterday for the first time and it worked great. I had put a piece of 1/16" stock under the blade and adjusted the skids to the ground. Today I went out to do a little clean up around the edges and snagged a corner of a tarp which then wrapped around the auger. I heard a big bang and then a lot of noise so shut it off as quick as I could. I figured I broke a shear pin so finished up with the plow. As I coming up the driveway I see a line of fluid in the snow so get out to see where it's coming from. I wasn't happy at what I saw! None of the shear pins had broken but the input shaft to the gear box broke and cracked open the case! Since this was only the second time I used the blower should this be under warranty?

It shouldn't be breaking that easily. Strip the tarp out- take it in, say you hear a noise- no idea what happened, now it's broken. Want your money back or a new one.. Don't gp for repair because the casting could be bad on this entire machine. - Maybe just go for another brand or model. Could be a bad run. Don't say it was your fault. Nothing should break that easily.

murphy1244 · Jan 22, 2012

Who makes the blower?

5030 · Jan 22, 2012

Obviously not a Kubota blower, some off brand per chance?

I'd take it back and play dumb (as suggested).

I suppose you didn't see the trap getting sucked up or you weren't watching??

Next time get an implement made better. That's a timy gearbox.

I have a Lucknow that I've run cinder blocks, tarps, fence posts and who knows what else through with nothing more than a slight jump (as the object comes out the chute).....

Saw 'em going in..... Saw 'em coming out......:laughing:

crazyal · Jan 22, 2012

Did you make sure your pto shaft was the correct length? A tarp shouldn't have done that kind of damage. I asked about the pto shaft because the dealer may ask you and try to say that the damage was done because it was incorrect. Just be thankful that it wasn't the rear of the tractor that broke. I have a friend with a BX who had that happen because the dealer who sold both to him didn't fit the blower to the tractor when he brought it down to them.

The Deerslayer · Jan 22, 2012

Sorry to hear that happened....can only imagine how upset you must be. Being that it is a Pronovost, it is a high end piece of equipment, and not sure why the auger shear pin did not give way. My new Pronovost came with the wrong pins as I mentioned on your other post. I wonder if that happened with yours. Did you purchase it locally?

BeezFun · Jan 22, 2012

149owner said:
Since this was only the second time I used the blower should this be under warranty?

I would second the suggestion of checking PTO length, it sure looks like there's more going on than just hitting a tarp. Is it possible that the tarp pulled the auger shaft out of the side bearing? Tarps and ropes can create some serious side directed forces when they wrap around a shaft.

carmichaelb · Jan 22, 2012

Your shear pins should have gone regardless of everything else. Unless you modified the unit it should be warrantied. I would not give the dealer any information you do not have to, just the it hung up on something and instead of shearing the pins the shaft went. Good luck!

149owner · Jan 23, 2012

I bought it last March after last years wild winter. At that time there were only two 54" Puma's left in the New England area. Unfortunately, the closest one was in New York state which is 3-4 hrs away from me. I'm calling the dealer today to see what he will do about it. I had called him about a month ago to get some shear pins and he was supposed to send them to me but I still haven't got them. I hope that isn't a sign of what is to come next!

The Deerslayer · Jan 23, 2012

149owner said:
I bought it last March after last years wild winter. At that time there were only two 54" Puma's left in the New England area. Unfortunately, the closest one was in New York state which is 3-4 hrs away from me. I'm calling the dealer today to see what he will do about it. I had called him about a month ago to get some shear pins and he was supposed to send them to me but I still haven't got them. I hope that isn't a sign of what is to come next!

Another thing you can check out is to compare the gearbox description that is in the manual to the one on the unit. I noticed that mine is a different part number and is visibly a different one from another Puma size. Not sure if that is good or bad, but worth checking out.Good luck. Let us know how you make out.