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

HI Everyone,

   1st post, so please bear with me.  I have a one year old MTD Pro 10 HP, 29" snowthrower.  After a couple of usages this winter the rear wheels locked up.  After tearing it apart, I noticed a 16/44 gear was rusted to the shaft.  I have removed it, and will be paying $50.00 for a new one that doesn't have rusty needle bearings in it.  But my question is, How often should I be greasing the shafts and gears in the transmission, what type of grease would you recommend, and how do you keep it from getting on the friction wheel which is a few inches from the transmission gears.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me ... 

Nick

MTD had some problems with seized drive systems on some of their models.
They issued a service kit too resolve the problem which includes 2 types of grease.
Knowing your model number could help determine if your machine is one with the problem.
If it is, your dealer might be able too help you.

Hi MTD4now,

Your greasing of the shafts and gears is not the problem. The problem is MTD.  This has been ongoing  - i'm told from my repair center the latest repair kit is their 4th attempt at fixing the problem.  The newest kit involves a sealed bearing, and my repair center has all but told me it won't work. Your problem occurs in the off-season when it's in storage, right? And then you go to move it and it's locked? Same problem i had - you might be interested in my review on this site of my 10.5HP29" Yard Machine.  But i'm also curious as to why you did not go back to MTD?

I am having this same issue.  Any advice on the best way to:

1. Unlock the wheels for use (expecting a snow storm tomorrow)
2. Solving the problem longer term?

Is this worth doing myself or bringing to a service center?  I've had my unit (purchased at Sam's Club) for 3 years.