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

My ariens model 924116 (1028) snowblower sheared the groove pin that holds the auger gear in place.  Although this is a fairly inexpensive fix, it appears that the original pin simply slipped out of the gear/shaft just far enough to hit the aluminum housing & shear off.  I was just moving snow when this happened - no rocks or boulders.  It seems that nothing but friction holds this groove pin in place & I am worried that this will happen again.   Does anyone have any suggestions?  Should I peen the ends a bit?

   It's weird how that could happen.  Possibly the collar sholder fit against the pin lifts the pin over the years by very small movement in the gearcase - that is very small.  Possibly that might be the value of the cast iron over the aluminum. 

BTW: I've got a 924116 in excellent shape.  The rod was broken so I put in a rod, rings, and re did the valves.  it gets 5% on a leakdown test.  I love the cast iron bore engines.

Ke