snowblower problems auger

[habber]

I just bought a new Puma snowblower yesterday to put on my MF gc2400. I used it tonight for the first time, I used it for about 20 min. Then I stopped it to talk to buddy next door. When I got back in the tractor the blower would not work but the PTO would work but the blower would not. So I got out to check to see what the problems was...I spun the auger by hand and then it just siezed up and has not moved since. I did notice that a sheer pin was broke but this should have nothing to do with the frozen auger. Your help would be appreciated.

t

 

[6sunset6]

Might have bent something when the shear pin let go.
Just a comment. When I bought mine new I went through PTO shear bolts every snow storm. I finally put in a hardened bolt ( big no no ) they are only 1/4" diam and have run like that for 8 years. Just for ha, ha I put in a grade 2 bolt ( soft) this year to see what will happan.
The difference is I used to work and plowed at night when I got home, so middle of the night was a bad time for repairs. Now I am retired and I plow when I feel like getting up in the morning. Not that this helps with your problem, of course.

 

[WilliamBos]

Our Farm King calls for a Gr 8 bolt. Why is the hard bolt a no no??

 

[Couple of Achers]

Our Farm King calls for a Gr 8 bolt. Why is the hard bolt a no no??

It depends on how the blower was engineered. They are all different. Mine for example calls for a 5/16x1 3/4" grade 5. But some call for grade 8 and some for grade 2. My little blower even has a bolt that is cut have way through it to start with, just to make sure it shears. They are engineered to protect the blower and it's parts. You should never put in a harder bolt than what the blower was engineered for. Unless you are willing to accept the consequences.

 

[kennyd]

Does it have a gearbox? If so, has the oil been checked?

 

[Matt_Jr]

I don't know much about snow blowers, but are you engaging the pto with the engine rpm low, then raising the rpm up, or engaging it when the rpm is up. Would the jolt of engaging at rpm be enough to cause the sheer pin to sheer?

 

[6sunset6]

I think it is more sticks in the auger or stones in the blower.
Although I never found anything in mine when the shear bolt let go. Thats why I put a stronger one in.

 

[jpm]

have you checked to see if there's ice in the bottom?

 

[habber]

O.K, I put a new shear pin in and started up the blower...it broke the pin but the auger unsiezed. Everytime I put a new shear pin in it breaks as soon as I start up the blower???? I went through 3 pins before I quit.

t

 

[gerard]

have you checked to see if there's ice in the bottom?

This would get my vote. Takes a surprisingly small amount of snow to melt, collect on the bottom of the second stage, and freeze. The impeller isn't going anywhere. Look at the bottom and see if some snow melted and re froze. (Also good practice to prevent/detect this is to move the impellar with your hand each time BEFORE you fire up the tractor. It should move freely.

 

[habber]

No ice build up...I can move the auger freely buy hand, the salesman gave me the same advice.

 

[Couple of Achers]

I'll ask the same question Matt Jr asked. Are you engaging the pto slowly with the clutch on low rpm and then throttling up?

 

[DMW]

I broke 4 shear pins the first hour with a new 48" blower on a GC2300. It didn't like being engaged when raised, or at an engine speed above idle. If the blower is a new unit, try letting it sit for a while spinning freely to work in the gears, it seemed to work for me. Only 1 bolt replaced the next 2 years.

 

[Dirtnut]

O.K, I put a new shear pin in and started up the blower...it broke the pin but the auger unsiezed. Everytime I put a new shear pin in it breaks as soon as I start up the blower???? I went through 3 pins before I quit.

t

This happened to me on a Lorenz blower i got from a JD dealer.It would shear pins as soon as you would start to put a little load to it. Now im not saying driving fast ramming to much snow in it.Im saying anything over 4" of snow it could not handle it would shear pins even grade 8.I ended up drilling the hole out and using a bigger soft bolt & it works great now & still have sheard these bolts easily when rocks or ice chunks get in it. My augers also have shear bolts.I think this is why the previous owner got rid of the blower,when i got it the paint was still on the fan blades it wasnt used much it was a steal at $600.00.

 

[PILOON]

I always use grade 5 bolts as shear pins.

5 shears cleanly while grade 3 will kinda bend leaving ragged edges that are hard to drive out. Also 3 will mess up the pin holes (render them oval). I believe that most blower manuals will actually call for grade 5.

 

[habber]

Seems most of you are right. I spoke to the dealer today and he asked me if I was letting it idle first or letting it rip into 540. I guess it's my fault as I was starting out at full steam. I eased into it today and no broken shear pins. Thanks you all for the advice.

t

 

[NIdaho]

Hey Guys,

On the subject of bolt grades to use as shear pins. My brother is a Lead Millright and has managed to keep several sawmills running for years. His advice to me was to either use a Grade 2 bolt or to use a Grade 8 bolt but to never use a Grade 5 as a shear pin.

As we know Grade 2 bolts are soft and will shear fairly easily. The Grade 8 bolts are hard and are actually brittle so when they are subjected to impact they shear off as well. He said that the Grade 5 are hard enough to not want to shear easily, and not brittle like the Grade 8 bolts.

 

[WilliamBos]

Hey Guys,

On the subject of bolt grades to use as shear pins. My brother is a Lead Millright and has managed to keep several sawmills running for years. His advice to me was to either use a Grade 2 bolt or to use a Grade 8 bolt but to never use a Grade 5 as a shear pin.

As we know Grade 2 bolts are soft and will shear fairly easily. The Grade 8 bolts are hard and are actually brittle so when they are subjected to impact they shear off as well. He said that the Grade 5 are hard enough to not want to shear easily, and not brittle like the Grade 8 bolts.

Thanks for the explanation. That explains why Farm King calls of Gr. 8 shear bolt.