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

I just bought an old Sears 10XL tractor with the snow thrower attachment (and a mower attachment) very cheaply at a yard sale. Both the tractor and the snow thrower work, but the snow thrower won't disengage. There's a lever on the right that tightens the belt connecting the engine and the snow thrower; it moves an idler wheel against the belt. But even when the belt is slack, the snow thrower is still turning. It seems to me that the end of the belt on the snow thrower must be engaging a clutch mechanism -- simply pulling the idler wheel back and decreasing tension on the belt would just make things slip and squeal otherwise. Am I right in assuming that the clutch on the snow thrower is some centrifugal clutch that kicks to the left when spinning (when there's no tension on the belt) and disengages, but when the belt is tightened with the lever, pulls in toward the right and engages? The snow thrower serial number is 917252620, and the gear assembly that the pulley is attached to is part number 5353H3; I can send photos if necessary.

Thanks, and any trouble-shooting information (ie, "they all do that; take it off, take it apart, lube it up") would be immensely appreciated.

--Rob Siegel

Rob,While reading what you have written something comes to mind.Don't be 100% sure that just because the thrower runs means the belt is on the proper way .You must be certain that the belt is threaded the correct way before you look for the problem.I have allready seen belts on the wrong way,and still things run,but then down the road it breaks or something.

Another possibility is that the belt is too short - go to the Sears Parts website armed with your model numbers & search for the snowblower belt. Many times when you hit "checkout", there is an L-### (ie: L-542) that can be obtained at an auto parts store...

Marty