Snow I broke my new snowblower!

[yelbike]

Ouch!! It never feels good to see that faithful line of tractor blood leaving the scene!!! I hope smething is done for you!!

 

[George the Beagle]

The shear pins didn't break and one or more of them should have--that's what they're for. It makes no difference if you wrapped a rope, tarp, or small car around the auger, the shear pins should have protected the gearbox. Be honest. You'll sleep better.

 

[MikeD74T]

Shaft appears to be at an odd angle?? If so I'd guess a shaft or bearing failure beyond the bevel gear. Should warranty for mfg defect. MikeD74T

 

[dougtrr2]

The shear pins didn't break and one or more of them should have--that's what they're for. It makes no difference if you wrapped a rope, tarp, or small car around the auger, the shear pins should have protected the gearbox. Be honest. You'll sleep better.

I agree, be honest about what happened. But put a lot of emphasis on why didn't the shear pins do their job. I don't think companies and other consumers should have to subsidize my mistakes, but I am grateful when they do.

Take Care,
Doug in SW IA

 

[jakell2010]

What is the snowblower hooked to?,,,what model tractor, and what model blower?,back or front?,,,,I agree , looks like the shaft was long

 

[leonz]

I can almost garantee that the PTO shaft was too too long and the stress crack picture from the right side of the gear box shows how it happended from the repeated binding and release pressure from the rotation of the shaft.

Even with the turn buckles tightened this would not happen with the properly sized propeller shaft.


A mounted implement with a PTO driveline atached should be able to raise fully within the full arc without binding the propeller shaft when the P.T.O., shaft is engaged by the operator.

The break in the gearbox case at the neck shows a lot of thrust damage with the way the metal was fractured due to the presssure of the stress agains the locking collar of the gear box which holds the seal, shaft and drive gear.

The shear pins would npt have helped you in this case as the streses were in the very beginning of the drive train for the snow caster and the tarp simply became huge balled up mass that kept getting larger eventually causing the auger to be moved.


Once they open the gearbox they fill find a very large amount of thrust damage to the other gear and bearing.

 

[lilranch2001]

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?

bummer

 

[yelbike]

Even if the shaft was too long they may warranty it. If not you could try your home insurance, but it may not be worth it depending on deductible an increased rates.

 

[don white]

The shear pins should have broke. That is what they are for. Very strange!

 

[Evil the Weasel]

Since the tarp is jammed between the housing and the auger, I'm wondering if the auger pin should have even sheared in this case? Unfortunate and I hope they do something to make it right for you.