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

Hi folks, Randy here from New Brunswick, Canada.

We had our first real snowfall of the year last night so I decided to get the old 10 hp MTD out and tackle the driveway. 

Everything worked well for about 30 minutes then I  noticed that it wasn't throwing much snow.  I shut it off and checked the augers, one of them was stuck (picked up a rock) so I loosened it.  Still won't throw much snow.

Everything else seems to work fine, it throws what little snow it gets very well so the problem is at the auger end.

Are there shear pins in the shafts?  I see the holes but nothing is sticking out of them.  If they were there at one time and are broken/worn off,  how does one get the remainder out? 

Any other suggestions as to what the problem may be?

Thanks for your help.

Randy Justason

Canada

Sounds like a shear pin broke. With the engine off, do the augers turn by hand on the shaft? If so, I'd first check to see if the shear pins are missing or broken. You can punch the remainder of a broken pin out with a hammer and punch or large nail. If there are grease fittings on the auger shaft, grease them before replacing the shear pins.

Thanks Jonathan,

  I kind of thought that might be the problem as I can spin the augers with my hand. 

I'll give a shot at punching out the remainder.

Randy

mlmwonders wrote:
Randy
Grease those zerks before you replace the pins so you can spin the augers after its greased in order to get the stuff all over in-between the two shafts.Also make sure your replacement pins are the right ones for the blower otherwise next time you get something in there it may be the gearbox instead of the pins.

Thanks, good point!

However I don't see any fittings on the shafts.  There is a screw off cap on the gearbox.

I did manage to get the two shear pins out, now to find replacements.  I'll check with our local fix-it shop first.  Don't know if larger automotive parts/outdoor eqpt store (Canadian Tire) would carry them or not.

Hope I can find them soon, we're expecting another storm tonight!

Thanks again, and take care.

Randy

  make sure you use actual shear bolts and not regular bolts.  these are designed to break.  if you use regular bolts you will run the risk of busting the gearbox.  if you cant find the shear bolts,   you could use a brass bolt.