Kubota B2782 snowblower destroys its chain after every use! Help!

87mark7lsc · Feb 17, 2015

Sodo, you are correct I also think that the chain tightening caused it to become destroyed. This week I've put 30 hours on the blower and the chain is in decent shape but still not right. Today we were finally able to put a new shaft in with a new sprocket and the chain goes from like an inch of play at one point to maybe 1/4 inch at its tight spot. I'm very frustrated with this as we have replaced every single part on this blower and still have this issue. I think our next step will be taking our new sprocket to the machine shop, boring it out making sure it's centered and putting a sleeve in it. I've never seen anything like this before

tk tom · Feb 21, 2015

I'm not overly familiar with the setup on that blower but is it possible that the frame at some point is bent? That might possibly cause a shaft or bearing mount location to be flexing while in use and not show up when sitting stationary and being measured. I assume with a chain setup there are long shafts encased in tubes to go to the side of the blower housing - if something is bent or twisted or is allowed to flex while engaged then it might present your problem. Rather than look specifically at the parts that are wearing, specifically the symptom, look deeper into the cause.

Sodo · Feb 21, 2015

I guess its possible that a sprocket bore is not centered,,,,,but highly unlikely. Man you have a puzzling problem there, sorry you have to go thru it. I'm with tk tom on this, keep looking for other problems don't focus on faulty new Honda parts (yet).

87mark7lsc · Mar 1, 2015

Finally got it working right I think! We ended up loosening the bearing retainer in the back and shifting the auger assembly around. I have no idea why but by moving it left or right slightly it made a difference in how the chain tracked. We bought an aftermarket sprocket gear and used that instead of the Kubota ones. After about 20 hours use the chain looks like new still and no binding or other issues. Crazy. Out of curiosity we installed those Kubota sprocket gears on our New Holland attachment and they made the chain bind up bad on that too. So definitely a bore problem with those. Just wanted to let everyone know in case they ever have this problem

doxford jim · Mar 1, 2015

If you are certain you have the problem sorted out, would it be worthwhile drilling and dowelling the auger bearing housings to prevent any movement?
I replaced both auger end bearings on my blower and spent time locating them before I tightened uo the bolts. I haven't drilled and dowelled mine, but then I never had a problem other than badly worn bearings. I still have the original chain on my blower, that it came with when I bought it. I just spray it with chain lube every once in a while and it seems fine. I have replaced one joining link when I lost the clip and bent the link.
Hope you blower continues to work well for you after all this hassle and work.

87mark7lsc · Mar 1, 2015

Yeah I'm not sure. Those 2 set screws on those auger bearings were loosened and we pried the auger back and forth a little and locked those set screws back down. Just a tiny amount of moving the auger tine shaft made a big difference

HEC · Mar 1, 2015

87mark7lsc said:
Yeah I'm not sure. Those 2 set screws on those auger bearings were loosened and we pried the auger back and forth a little and locked those set screws back down. Just a tiny amount of moving the auger tine shaft made a big difference

I had to put lock tight on the set screws on mine as they came right out altogether after only 10 hrs. of use .

Kanook · Mar 1, 2015

Are you referring to the impeller (fan) bearings when you say auger bearings.. I have the same blower and have followed this thread in an attempt to learn as much as possible. I don't understand what the augers (rotating thingys out front that feed the impeller) can affect the chain alignment. Please explain.....and thanks for the informative posts.

tk tom · Mar 2, 2015

The chain is on a sprocket that turns the auger. It is important for the auger to be properly aligned. Off by 1/8" on the opposite end will change the angle of the sprocket drastically. Having the bore off center in the sprocket is even worse.

Kanook · Mar 2, 2015

Are we talking a B2782B blower here...'cause if we are, the chain drives the FAN (impeller)...If not, my opologies
...On mine the auger is driven off the front of the impeller thru a gear box.