Snowblower Snowblower discharge chute stuck

[JCA]

Hi folks,

Once again I need access to your collective wisdom.

The discharge chute on my snowblower is frozen in place. No, that's not quite right: the chute moves freely--it's the cheezy spring-looking worm gear thing that's frozen. And it's not really frozen, since we've had REALLY warm weather lately. When I first noticed the problem it was 50 degrees out.

It's a Kubota front-mount, model 2650, and I've tried spraying it with WD-40 and then chain lube. Helped a little but it's still way too sticky. Takes two hands to turn it; I've come close to bending the handle a couple of times.

Thoughts?

Jim

 

[SeymourBota]

On my 2750, I have to watch the "cheezy spring-looking worm gear thing" (technical term) to make sure it doesn't bind. If it does, lubrication won't help- you'll have to loosen the bolt and adjust it so there is some slack.
The other thing that gets sloppy and causes problems is the double universal joint in back of the cheezy spring-looking worm gear thing. If that gets too sloppy, you will need to drive new pins in it. I'll try to get some up-close pix to post later.

 

[JerryK]

I use white lithium grease on the movable parts on my discharge chute. That type grease will hold up better than WD-40 in wet locations. I'd use it on my "cheezy spring-looking worm gear thing", but I don't have one. Anyway, try some after you get things adjusted/free'd up. I have a home-made cable turner thingy on my one foot diameter Canadian born discharge chute.

 

[JDFANATIC]

Why not try to fabricate some kind of hydraulic rotation. The one on my deere is about as simple as you could get: one hyd. cylinder and a cable that goes around the chute. I'd be happy to post some pics if you're interested.

 

[jimgerken]

Pictures! Yes, we need pictures! I am fabricating one right now, and would appreciate the pics. thanks!

 

[Junkman]

I have already broken the one on my BX2750 snowblower. Considering what the machine costs, they certainly don't waste much money on quality. Just another case of "grin and bear it".... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JerryK]

Here is a picture of one I made for my 78" JRW snowblower. It is made out of 1" rod. The 'spool' on the end is made of 1" pipe with heavy washers welded on the ends to complete the spool. I was worried about it being hard to turn the chute, but this turns the 1 foor diameter chute easy, as long as you are not blowing a lot of snow at the time, then the chute is really locked in place. I put the handle end right above my right fender, so you don't have to turn much in the seat to spin the chute around. The blower came with a big cresent shaped adapter to turn the chute hydralically, but it works pretty easy by hand. A lot cheaper, too.

 

[JerryK]

Here is a sideview. Sorry about it being so dark. The blower is setting up on 8" wood blocks, and the handle is usually a lot lower. I made the handle out of 1" PVC electical conduit, and it is mounted on a 3/8 bolt with small ball bearing inside to let it spin easy on the bolt. The white stuff on the end of the spool in the 1st picture is white lithium grease, good stuff.

 

[JerryK]

Here is a picture from the handle end. If you look down under the handle, you will see the half-moon hydralic operator thing that came with the blower. It's in between a tilted-down red rear blade and a bag of garbage. I can take a better picture of of the it if you want to go that way, too. Good luck.