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

So... yesterday we got some very wet and heavy snow.  I had not quite finished clearing the driveway and when I went to finish it today the auger would not turn when I tried to engage it.  Instead, the engine stalled.  If I try to slowly engage it, the engine will not stall but the belt begins to slip. I thought it was ice so I heated around the auger with a small heater and melted all the ice around the auger but this did not help. I will look more into it tommorrow when it is light but have very little experience w/ snowblowers - any help?

Don't put any squishy parts into the auger impeller area unless you have it blocked so it can't move if there is a sudden release of tension, a sudden movement of an inch or two can amputate a finger if its in the wrong place.

It does sound like something is either caught or frozen in the auger/impeller area so hot water will probably be your friend. I've had some jams where wet gravel in the impeller chute froze over night and I had almost the exact same symptom. I used an ice chipper with a 5 foot handle  to get the stuff out and release the impeller. I try to keep my hands away from that entire area if there is even a hint of the thing being jammed and the system is under tension.

Great, I'll be able to look more closely tommorrow in the light. Thanks for your input.