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

Hi to all:

Just joined this forum. Find very informative. Thanks.

My question is this. I just bought a Toro Snowthrower. It shows on it CR 20E. I take it this is the model. Anyway, I don't know how old it is but starts and works no problem. Blows alittle oil but I corrected that by putting in the right fuel mixture. I took the cover off the belt. I find it very loose. I don't know how to tighten it or if it has to be. I'm asking if anyone ever had this model. There isn't much to them as I believe there usage is for walkways, paths or very light snow. Any information would be appreciated up here in Cold Nova Scotia, Canada. Thanks for your time and information.

Steve

I was wondering if anyone has had trouble putting on the new belts.  Last winter all of a sudden it stopped throwing the snow.  The lawnmower store told me it probably needed a new belt.  So going by the manual, I bought both belts as long as I had access to them anyway.  (Neither were actually broken).  So I replaced both belts, put it back together, then the self-propelled part wouldn't work anymore!!  My question is 1) is that fairly common that the belt can go bad when it's not actually broken, and 2) any hints on how to know if you got the belt on correctly? The manual picture wasn't very clear.  We're getting snow in a couple days, so I'm going to tackle it again tomorrow night.  Thanks!  Julie

Hi Julie.
Yes, belts do wear and can loose their effectiveness without breaking. The sides wear down and set deeper into their pulleys and loose their tension.
Without seeing how you routed your belts or what model of machine you have makes it difficult too say what problems you might have.
If you routed them the same as the old belts came off....and if your adjustments are correct.....you shouldn't have a problem.
If you do have a problem......feel free too send or post pictures and we can take a look at it.

Thank you so much!  The problem was that when I was accessing the belts to get them off, I for some reason didn't notice exactly how they were on.  I am going out to tackle it tonight, so I'll get the model number, etc, and if I can't get it, I definitely will take pictures of it.  Thanks again!!!  Julie

Hi again,  Okay it's actually an MTD Yard Machine 2 stage snow thrower (Toro is my mower, sorry!)  the Model is 31AE614E149.  As soon as I figure out how to attach the pics here, I'll do that..  They mention that you might have 1 or 2 auger belts; mine only had 1.  Anyway, thanks again!  Julie

This may help some.

Hey!  How'd you do that????  LOL   Okay here's an update with good news/bad news:

I did go over to the lawn mower shop, and brought my printout of the diagrams, but since I forgot the model number at home, he couldn't really help, except said there should be adjustments to the cables, which I knew and hadn't tried.  So I did adjust the drive cable, and then rechecked the auger belt. There is about 1/8" to 1/4" open space between the auger belt and the belt auger wheel.  But I just tried it now, it DOES self-propel, and it DOES throw the snow!!!  WOOHOO!  BUT, the drive still moves much slower than it used to, and I thought I adjusted the drive cable as much as possible.

So I guess my issues are:  1) the drive moving slower than it used to (in any gear); 2) ever since I put the new belts on, I cant move the gear to 2nd reverse. (can use 1st reverse, and pretty tough to move the lever to #2, and it wont stay there; I saw in the manual that I can adjust the drive bar thing.  I can live without that til a warmer day.

2) the reason I didn't keep using it now, is it starts right away, but if I close the choke, it idles super high, so I used it with the choke open, and I don't know if that's ok to do???  Before, once I started it, I always could close the choke and it idled smooth.  Thanks so much!!!  Julie

Hi Buttlint,

It started the first time I started it yesterday.  As far as the throttle shaft, are you talking about the throttle handle that you can move up and down?  I always put it up all the way to start and down to shut off.  Or is there something else besides that?  I'll locate the engine manual too (I know it's a two stage tecumseh 5 hp).  Now that I realize when it started happening, would it be because if there was a little old gas still in there?  I had put new gas in yesterday, but there looked like there was still a little old in there too. 

I just read a msg thread on tecumseh snowblosers and stale gas.  I haven't had a problem with that in past winters (think I bought it new in 1998?)  One guy had written that since it's hard to drain out every drop of old gas, to fill with new, let run for 10 minutes, and the problem worked itself out?  Would it hurt to let it run that long and see if it idles down?  And if I do, should I run with the choke on (runs normal speed) or chock off (running so high).  I might have the term on and off confused; I say on (or open) when I have the choke handle to the right, off when I put it to the left.  thanks again!!!

Julie.
I'm more concerned with the machine running at high speed.
You will have too pull off the carb cover too get a decent look at whats happening with your carb.
I need too know if your throttle plate and shaft  are moving freely. They can stick from old gum and varnish buildup not allowing the plate too close down, thus running at a higher speed than normal.
I am having problems posting pictures and links so check your pm box (personal message box) and we'll see if I can get you some pictures.

Thanks Buttlint, I will check my mail.  I had to run errands, and when I got home, my neighbor had done my driveway, since I asked him about it yesterday morning.  so I told him thanks and that I owe him one! 

So I tried starting it again this afternoon, cuz he did mention that sometimes he runs his at 1/2 choke.  So I put more good gas, in let it run at 1/2 choke, and was going to let it run about 10 minutes, and gradually move the choke to the left.  But one time I did, it went down and killed.  Then I think I had it flooded, cuz couldn't start it.  so put it away for the day.  It does seem that it might just gradually idle down, but I definitely will check what you said.   When you say throttle plate, is that the throttle handle (up and down)?  If so, that does move freely.   I'll also try to track down the engine manual, either in my garage or online.  (online will probably be easier to find!)   thanks!    Julie

This should make life much easier.
This is the view from the top of the carb, with the cover removed.
The throttle lever should move freely when you turn it back and forth with your finger. (engine not running)
If it sticks you can usually free it up by turning it open and closed a few times.  If that doesnt do it then removing and cleaning the carb is the next step.