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

Hello, I have an MTD Yard Machines single stage snowthrower,
this model (31AM2N1B700)

http://www.yardmachines.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10451_18503_90854_36257_-1#

When using it, a jet of snow squirts out of the left edge
of the mouth. Some snow goes out from the chute as it is
supposed to, but some just squirts out in front from the left.
Everything appears to be fine, so I cannot make out
why this is happening. So only about half the snow
gets thrown to the side, the other part is just moved to
the front. Recently, the belt broke and I put in
a new one. This started happening after that, so may be
it has something to do with it, but I don't see what. The snow
is squirting out front of the same side as the belt, but the belt
itself and others things seem to be okay. Auger blades look
okay (as far as I can tell). Any ideas? Thank you!

My initial thought was that the rakes ( the part of the auger that turn around slowly) on the left hand side were installed backwards. They are supposed to scoop the snow and move it towards the machine's centreline and backwards into the impeller. If installed backwards they move the snow towards the outside of the housing and push it forward.

Since it was working and changed when you put a new belt on the only thing I can think of is that a shear bolt broke and the left hand rakes aren't turning. That would lead to snow accumulating and coming out the front but it wouldn't "shoot out". Did you blow a belt by jamming the auger?

I wrote a reply just about identical to yours Nibbler but then I realized that gearman is talking
about a single stage blower (which you can see through his link).  I don't think there are
shear bolts for this nor do the augers appear to be switchable.

Paul

Thanks nibbler and pvrp. Yes, I blew the belt by jamming the thrower in a pile of snow. It is turning in the correct direction, but there is a jet of snow shooting out of the bottom left corner. There are two straight metal blades on both sides of the mouth on which the 'spiral crescent'  rubber blades are mounted.  The metal blade on the right seems to be rock solid (I can't move it with hand If I shake it) but the one on the left is slightly loose and can be moved/shaken a bit with hand. I don't know if this is how it is supposed to be or how I can tighten it.

Sorry I was talking about a two stage. I have very little experience with single stage machine so I can't offer any advice.

I think the side metal bars that the auger rubbers mount to are welded to the shaft so should not move. If that's correct then under load the rubber is probably distorting, not delivering the snow to the flats in the center of the auger. The out of shape rubber on the loose side would be more flat instead of angled and could be pushing snow to the front. 

David

Thanks David. Maybe it is supposed to be welded but it has cracked. I will try to fix it with liquid weld or something like that.
 

trouts2 was absolutely right. The welded joint on the left side has come off. Question is, is there anything other than welding that might do the trick? I tried locktite high strength threadlocker on the joint, but it looks like there is not enough surface area for it take hold. Could soldering work? I have a small soldering iron that does not seem to be enough to heat the parts to make a good bond. If I get a larger soldering iron, could that work, or welding is the only option? Thanks.

Welding is the only fix that will help you (short of replacing the part).

Take it to any steel gate or iron shop without taking it apart and it can be welded in five minutes for a few bucks.

Thanks everyone for the help. Took it to a welding shop and got it welded for $10. Now it
is working fine. Whoo hoo!