pop goes the weasel

jdboy4410 · Feb 11, 2010

hello everybody. i was out doing what everybody was doing yesterday in the north east,moving snow.just about to call it quits for the day and i was backing up blowing the snow with my 60" thrower and i heard a loud pop,and the blower quit working.the PTO light was still on but could'nt tell if the shaft was rotating,it was late,i was tired,and going to investigate it today.i hope the PTO shaft did'nt take a hike.the blower was working fine up until then,nothing was clogged,and i did'nt hit anything.almost afraid to look.first time i have had any trouble with my favorite toy.i do know the shear pin is in tact for the blower.i just bought this blower two days ago anticipating this storm.i have always gotten by with the FEL and the rear blade.after having so much snow,i decided to buy the blower in hopes that it would cut my seat time in half.it works pretty well,and now i don't have snow mountains everywhere.any ideas to what could have happened ?

RRacing · Feb 11, 2010

Some snow Blowers have 2 shear pins ( Mine does ) 1 on the main PTO shaft back by the gearbox. The other drives the screw augger and is out on the chain. Normally the 1 out on the auger shears first.

kennyd · Feb 11, 2010

Welcome to TBN

We need some more info...go look it over and post back. The way the PTO engages on the JD's is hard on shear pins though especially if your above idle RPM when you pull the switch.

jdboy4410 · Feb 11, 2010

i hope you are right about the second shear pin,i know the one out by the chain is in tact for sure.as far as engaging the PTO.i have never engaged it above 1100 rpm as per the operator's manual.i bought the tractor new in 04' and have always babied it.never abused or worked hard.it's still in like new condition.i will post pics soon.

RoyJackson · Feb 11, 2010

Hi jdboy4410! Reckon we're practically neighbors, BTW. I'm another Windsor resident...just a mile off Bahn's Mill Rd here.
Anyway, by this time I'm sure you have determined if the PTO shaft is turning. If it is, you can elimnate the tractor side as part of the failure...so you need to focus on the blower.
About the only things that can go wrong on the blower is the shear pin(s), the gearbox or the drive chain (if it has one) or something has blocked up the auger.
Odds are, the shear pin did what it was designed to do so that's the first place to look. The chain would be the second place to check...chain as well as the sprockets. That, and the auger BTW.

So, do you have a backhoe for your tractor? Reason I ask is there was a 4410 with a Deere backhoe setting at the end of a long drive on White Oak Road. The tractor had sat there for a week or a bit more. I figured it was for sale or broken down.

joes_427_vette · Feb 11, 2010

Kenny;
That is one of my considerations planning the leaf vacuum operated by the pto. It snaps on so fast and with the mmm on the opposite end I think it is a fast track to internal repairs. I was considering a handle with a belt tightner to ease the flywheel up to speed. That 20# chunk of flywheel wouldn't be so easy to start with a jolt. May also require a double belted pulley as one may not take the punishment of the slipage. Once it is up to speed ( like the 8" wood chipper with a 185# flywheel ) I don't think it would require alot of power to keep it in motion.

4410;
Sorry for getting off on another track but....... how could you sleep knowing there is a problem with the tractor you didn't investigate ? I'm so paranoid about the strength of the pto and internal gears my eyes would be glued open. I have the feeling once inside the housing one could spread alot of money around before sealing the cover. Besides.. I do my best planning while it is dark and quiet usually comming up with a solution or two.
Hope your problem is limited to a shear pin or something simple.
Welcome to TBN. You can keep the snow at your location. I'm looking forward to grass.

kennyd · Feb 11, 2010

joes_427_vette said:
Kenny;
That is one of my considerations planning the leaf vacuum operated by the pto. It snaps on so fast and with the mmm on the opposite end I think it is a fast track to internal repairs. I was considering a handle with a belt tightner to ease the flywheel up to speed. That 20# chunk of flywheel wouldn't be so easy to start with a jolt. May also require a double belted pulley as one may not take the punishment of the slipage. Once it is up to speed ( like the 8" wood chipper with a 185# flywheel ) I don't think it would require alot of power to keep it in motion.

My PTO starts my big chipper just fine-sure there is a jolt, and I have to goose the throttle just after I pull the knob up but it has been fine...

Wayne_H · Feb 11, 2010

joes_427_vette said:
Sorry for getting off on another track but....... how could you sleep knowing there is a problem with the tractor you didn't investigate ? I'm so paranoid about the strength of the pto and internal gears my eyes would be glued open. I have the feeling once inside the housing one could spread alot of money around before sealing the cover. Besides.. I do my best planning while it is dark and quiet usually comming up with a solution or two.
Hope your problem is limited to a shear pin or something simple.
Welcome to TBN. You can keep the snow at your location. I'm looking forward to grass.

Actually, you would be amazedd how simple the PTO is. KennyD and I had my cover off to install the mid PTO, and part of that had the PTO shaft off. It is not as bad as it seems, but it is scary at first.

Do you really live near Roy? Maybe you can stop by and let us know if he's always wearing that hat he has in his picture, or does he just wear it when it snows!

Wayne

jdboy4410 · Feb 11, 2010

thanks for all the help guys ! it indeed was a shear pin on the front yoke.awsome that they did that,super easy fix.i spent 5 hours on her today.worked great !
sorry Roy,that was not my 4410 with the backhoe.i am located 2 miles from the light in Craley.now that i have the thrower i desperately need chains for the front and rear.i managed,but would have been alot nicer with chains.my rear tires are'nt filled,so weight is a problem too.the dealer advised not to fill them,i sure wish i had.everything on my property is hill.no fun sliding sideways down a hill,trust me,i have been there.