Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

So... yesterday we got some very wet and heavy snow.  I had not quite finished clearing the driveway and when I went to finish it today the auger would not turn when I tried to engage it.  Instead, the engine stalled.  If I try to slowly engage it, the engine will not stall but the belt begins to slip. I thought it was ice so I heated around the auger with a small heater and melted all the ice around the auger but this did not help. I will look more into it tommorrow when it is light but have very little experience w/ snowblowers - any help?

Check for something jammed in the impeller. (or auger) I caught a newspaer in the impeller once. It stopped immediatly. I had to use a knife and cut all the layers. It actually wrapped arounf the impeller blade.

Don't put any squishy parts into the auger impeller area unless you have it blocked so it can't move if there is a sudden release of tension, a sudden movement of an inch or two can amputate a finger if its in the wrong place.

It does sound like something is either caught or frozen in the auger/impeller area so hot water will probably be your friend. I've had some jams where wet gravel in the impeller chute froze over night and I had almost the exact same symptom. I used an ice chipper with a 5 foot handle  to get the stuff out and release the impeller. I try to keep my hands away from that entire area if there is even a hint of the thing being jammed and the system is under tension.

Great, I'll be able to look more closely tommorrow in the light. Thanks for your input.