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

I have a Craftsman 2 Stage Snowblower.  I got a rubber toy stuck in the impeller (stage 2).  The rubber dog toy is jammed really tight bewteen the impeller blade and the metal wall (about a 3/8" gap).  Now....I need some suggestions on how to remove it.

Here is what I gathered up so far online, please let me know if I'm missing anything to be safe

- Remove key, pull spark plug so it cannot start

- Pull the shear pins out, so that the augers don't release stored up energy and get my hand once the item is out (is stored up energy a big issue?)

- Cut the toy out using a small hack saw or sharp blade

Just want to make sure I have everything covered so it's safe.  Let me know if anyone has any tips.  This rubber toy is jammed very tight in the impeller...doesn't budge at all.

Oh yeah, been there done that. Had some reflectors mounted on aluminum poles marking the side of the driveway. One got knocked over and I didn't know it, and it snowed over it. About 18" of the shaft got twisted around the impeller shaft and the rest was sticking out the top front. I cut off the part sticking out easily, but couldn't get at the rest. It stayed wrapped around the shaft for the rest of the season until I had nice weather to cut it out ... in 2" pieces. Took hours cause I couldn't get an angle with any kind of saw and resorted to using end nippers taking a little at a time.

Where the energy comes from.

The entire drive train from the engine, through the belts to the impeller shaft and onward can all be under tension. They act like a very stiff spring. When the object is removed the spring releases its tension by moving the auger blades a little bit. Any squishy bits in the wrong place can get stuck, mangled or cut. It doesn't happen all the time but when it does its not nice.

I try to jam a 2x4 down the impeller when I fiddle with the auger. Removing the auger belt also sounds like a good idea but it may be hard to do if the system is under tension. I also use pliers ( channel locks), cutters, screw drivers,  what ever to keep the squishy bits away from things that can go squish. I hadn't thought of a torch but its a good idea.

Thank you NickM!!! My snowblower sucked up a rubber stepping stone that was totally jammed between the auger and the casing. I used my reciprocating saw to cut it up and I'm back in business!!

Flame is dangerous! Raise the front of the blower grap a vise-grip on the rubber toy then pour a few bucket of boiling water on the toy until It smooth out, It will come off easy. Good luck Denis