Snowblower - what happened?

[robbo323]

I have a front-mount 2750C snowblower attached to my BX2350. "Found" a 2x4 that got left in a bad place and snapped both shear bolts for the first time on the main auger shaft. I replaced both bolts, but I noticed that where previously there was an equal small gap at each far side of the shaft - basically it was perfectly centered, now the auger shaft is shifted to butt up against the left side and there's about a 1/2" gap on the right with the underlying shaft exposed. With the shear bolts in where they belong, its all locked in, so it can't be nudged back over. I can't even get my head around how this happened without some kind of horrible damage to the gearbox in between. What happened? Think I can leave this alone? Incidentally, I finished the driveway before I noticed this problem and it seemed to work fine. Thanks.

 

[art]

I wouldn't worry about it. The 2x4 might have put a stain on it causing the metal to allow it to move to one side. To put it in the garage or in a heated area to allow it to thaw and inspect for bent metal(often shows from cracks in the paint) to see what might have given. Look for new wear marks in the paint to possibly tell how mcuh movement it had. If it all spins fine and smooth then don't be alarmed just keep using it.

 

[MrJimi]

I saw pictures of a shovel that a snowblower ate, sad site for the shovel owner
Jim

 

[rbargeron]

Sounds like the whole gearbox/auger assembly got shoved to one side when the 2x4 got wedged. I wouldn't worry about the gearbox - it's plate bracket would bend sideways pretty easy. The impeller may now have more clearance on one side than the other but the performance wouldn't be noticeably affected. I agree with Art that if it all still rolls freely with no rubbing anywhere, it's ok and can be used as-is. The auger shaft floats in its end bearings and 1/4" side shift should not cause any bearing trouble. It would be possible to re-center everything, but may not be necessary. Besides, the next time the auger eats something it may shift everything back the other way

 

[Scrounger]

Are you talking about the placement of the auger? The shear pins might have a bit of slop in them. You can try to loosen the shear bolts and see if it will move back in place. I moved a row of bricks with a blower and it didnt mess up the blower. Didnt even break the shear bolts until one did not get lifted and shot out good.

Removed a row of small bushes once too. The show was blowing and I just thought I picked up a bit of dirt until I was done.

 

[Killer_B]

Robbo,

Don't worry about it a lick. This used to happen to my BX2750 all the time, whether or not I ever hit anything. There is some side to side slop in the whole auger/differential assembly. It has no effect on anything.

 

[porky69]

If the 2750C is like my 2550, the shaft that the auger rides on is not locked onto the gearbox, it is a slip fit through the center gear with a 1/4" key to drive it, the end bearings are all that centers the shaft.

It will not hurt anything for it to be off center, but if you want to center it you should be able to pry or hammer it over.