Snow Mid-PTO Troubleshooting / B2782 Snow Thrower Weak Stream

[amroth]

Hello All,

I have a 2005 B3030HSDC, and currently, have a B2782, front mount snow blower hooked up for the Winter.

I'm trying to diagnose my B2782 snow thrower's weak stream. I used it, last weekend, with no problems. Got into the tractor, to blow snow, got into the cut and the snow was only being thrown about six feet. Stopped, checked the shear pins (all good). Backed into the shop, double checked everything, and it all seems to be in order. Went back out, got into the cut, and it repeated. As the snow piled, the stream got to where it only, barely, cleared the chute. Back into the shop, take a second look. The lever seems to be throwing the linkages correctly. I was watching the linkages move, while throwing the lever, back and forth. It appears to go into the top of the transmission housing, on the end of a shaft. Looks like it rotates the shaft about a quarter of a turn, when you throw the PTO lever.

Took the blower off the tractor, took the gear reduction cover off and found nothing broken in there. I can turn the entire drive train, easily, by hand. Moves real easy, and smooth. This leads me to believe that the mid-PTO clutch is slipping. Am I missing any other checks, before I bring it in for repairs?

I can wrench, but splitting a tractor is going to be new to me, and I'm a little worried that I can pull it off.

Thanks for any input.

 

[moship]

Before breaking into the clutches, I'd have some one from a safe distance watch to see if the auger or fan speed slows during operation.

Maybe make certain the large sprocket that drives the fan/auger input shaft is not slipping on the shaft. It's held on by a tapered hub and augmented by a square key if memory is correct. It's a very long shot this would be the problem, but it's much easier to rule this out before spending hours repairing clutches.
Good luck and let us know what you find.

 

[mikester]

Was it wet sticky snow by chance? Wet stuff doesnt blow very well.

Do you store your machine outside or in a heated garage? If stored outside your PTO lever might not be fully engaging. On Friday we had high winds, blowing snow and negative double digits temperatures...my HST pedal started acting up and not returning to center because of ice/snow build up on the linkages. Parking in a heated garage freed everything up.

Do you have an RPM gauge (tachometer) to verify the PTO output speed? Id be checking that first.
Digital Laser Tachometer | Princess Auto

 

[amroth]

Before breaking into the clutches, I'd have some one from a safe distance watch to see if the auger or fan speed slows during operation.

Maybe make certain the large sprocket that drives the fan/auger input shaft is not slipping on the shaft. It's held on by a tapered hub and augmented by a square key if memory is correct. It's a very long shot this would be the problem, but it's much easier to rule this out before spending hours repairing clutches.
Good luck and let us know what you find.

It was real light, fluffy lake effect snow. Usually, I throw that stuff 30 feet. I took the blower off and pulled the cover, everything was fine. Will update, when I get to the bottom of this, so if anyone else finds this post, they'll have a reference.

 

[amroth]

Was it wet sticky snow by chance? Wet stuff doesnt blow very well.

Do you store your machine outside or in a heated garage? If stored outside your PTO lever might not be fully engaging. On Friday we had high winds, blowing snow and negative double digits temperatures...my HST pedal started acting up and not returning to center because of ice/snow build up on the linkages. Parking in a heated garage freed everything up.

Do you have an RPM gauge (tachometer) to verify the PTO output speed? Id be checking that first.
Digital Laser Tachometer | Princess Auto

This tractor has a good life, indoor storage. I may look into the PTO tachometer though. Thanks.

 

[seville009]

Engine sound normal? No lugging? Pto shaft connection to the blower shaft tight?

 

[amroth]

Engine sound normal? No lugging? Pto shaft connection to the blower shaft tight?

Yes, and yes.

As far as I can tell, everything looks, and sounds, good.

Machine goes into the cut, just fine, and then falls on its face, as the snow starts to pile in front of the augers & fan.

 

[aczlan]

Yes, and yes.

As far as I can tell, everything looks, and sounds, good.

Machine goes into the cut, just fine, and then falls on its face, as the snow starts to pile in front of the augers & fan.

Does the engine bog down or change sound when this happens?

Aaron Z

 

[seville009]

Maybe set up your cellphone in a spot where you can videotape the front of your blower going into some snow so that youcan watch it and maybe see if you can spot anything when you view it.

 

[crazyal]

Do you have any rear PTO attachments? As far as I know there isn't a separate clutch for the mid PTO. Also if the clutch is slipping you should smell it.