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

I guess I shouldn't be surprised.  With all the downed branches from the ice storm, we couldn't clear them all.  A short length of a two inch thick branch got stuck in the impeller of our new 924DLE, stalling the engine.  It worked fine for a short while after, but now the impeller isn't turning.

I've already tightened the attachment cable a bit, but haven't fired it up again and won't until morning.  The manual says the idler arm should just touch the case, which I think I've done, but it's difficult to tell.  Also, one of the two belts shows some signs of excess wear, but not enough to make it fail imminently. 

One thing that concerns me is a loud thud when squeezing the attachment lever.  It could just be that it's just the combination of having the cover off and no engine running which makes it seem louder than it should.  I'm planning on tipping it over tomorrow morning, and taking a look a the mechanisms from there.  I'm wondering if there's something specific I need to check, or if that sound is normal?  Is it possible that the stuck branch caused more serious damage than stretching the cable and/or belt?

Thanks,
Gary