snapped chain.....twice

[Sumpter]

I still need to get the pictures but I have been plowing with the blade all morning. We have had at least 1.5" rain and everything is melting. Couldn't even get out of the road. I know there have been a lot of question on what I have and the pictures will tell all.

 

[Sumpter]

Here is the infamous chain that is weaker than the bolts.

Here is the second stage shear bolt.

This is the back of the blower. If you look close you can see the black knob that you unscrew to access the auger shear bolt.

This is the auger shear bolt.

As you can see it is not a tube in a tube. It is two flanges bolted together. The do spin freely when the bolts are not in. Remember that I may have at most 25 hours on this blower. Only 70 hours on the tractor total. I also use the blade a lot like today. Rain sucks in winter.

 

[kevinj]

That's how both my auger and impeller are set up and I tighten them down, they came tight from the factory. I figure I don't want them loose. If the plates are loose they'll move just a little during normal operation and will cause wear and the hole for the shear bolt to oblong. I've sheared one auger bolt but about 4 impeller bolts so far this season so I would say extra friction of the plates isn't a problem.

Next time I am at the dealer I will see if they have a service manual.

Mine were slightly loose so I put the new one in the same and I have only replaced 1 bolt in the past 4 years.

 

[kevinj]

Contact your dealer and see if they have a torque spec. Crazyal tightens his more than I do but would tighten and then back off about 1/4 turn, be sure to use a lock nut.

That blower is identical to mine except the drive is on the right, Kubota is on the left.

 

[RADIUM]

Sumpter just got a quick question have you ever checked the oil in the gear housing? Also the internal chain which is in an oil bath on the back? As I said earlier I never had a problem with my unit it's one of my biggest regrets getting rid of the TC 40 I love that front snowblower really curious of what's going on.

 

[Sumpter]

Sumpter just got a quick question have you ever checked the oil in the gear housing? Also the internal chain which is in an oil bath on the back? As I said earlier I never had a problem with my unit it's one of my biggest regrets getting rid of the TC 40 I love that front snowblower really curious of what's going on.

You know I never have. Do you think if it is low that could be the issue? I will need to check it. I see you had the same blower.

 

[kevinj]

You know I never have. Do you think if it is low that could be the issue? I will need to check it. I see you had the same blower.

You should check the oil in all gear cases, but your problem is after all the gear boxes.

 

[Sumpter]

I do make sure the oil and all that is at the right levels, and also grease regularly, but I have not thought about the gear case on the blower. I can not explain why. I have no excuse.:ashamed:

 

[RADIUM]

One other bit of friendly advice and I can see they still haven't fixed it, looking straight down you see how two bolts hold the entire black housing onto the snowblower those two bolts work loose or at least they did for me tried Loctite and everything else to no avail. The solution was to get a plate of steel and welding it to extend grabbing the other two bolts all four bolts would hold the chain drive assembly from shifting around it was the only thing that kept it from loosing ever again I'm not sure if I explained it right I drew some quick lines over a photo I think you get the idea you only need to do it on the top not the bottom that's if you have the problem mine would just not stay tight especially after heavy snow storms three in a row, that was the only problem I had can't believe you're snapping chains and sheer bolts?I beat the H### out of mine cutting down 3 foot hard packed snow walls weeks old and never having a problem.

 

[RADIUM]

one other quick photo my favorite one the 40+ inch snowstorm that front blower didn't even slow down look at that pass by the car almost 3 foot deep you shouldn't be breaking chains or shear bolts perhaps there's something wrong inside that internal chain transmission? take care