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

The differential knob on the used  ST824 I recently purchased is stuck in the locked position. The knob won't pull out. I sprayed around it with WD40 yesterday and am letting it soak in. If I have to use a crowbar to get it to pull out will it damage the differential? Also, The machine is equipped with tire chains, and my driveway is very flat, do I really need them? It is difficult to turn with them. On my previous snowblower I never needed chains? Your help is appreciated.

Mike 

I don't know the exact vintage of your ST824, but don't use a crowbar.  Use a better penetrating oil, like PB Blaster (available lots of places, even WalMart) or CRC 5-56. 

The knob on my really old Ariens was also frozen.  I used the PB Blaster and a little patience to get the knob free last winter.  Over the summer, I removed the (left) wheel and really cleaned it out and lubed it with lithium grease.  When it gets really cold, the grease is a litte stiff (and the spring is a little old and weak), so the knob needs a little help in moving. 

I have chains on my old Ariens with small wheels, with the diff locked it can be a handful to move.  I also have a flat driveway, but  the chains help a lot, especially with the end of driveway (EOD) stuff.