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

Anyone want to clue me on a tip or two
I recently just regreased the auger on my HS724. Nothing complicated nor special...

I just fired it up for the 1st time since doing that.
It spun the Augers 1 1/2 rotation before it quit out on me.

I've been messing with it since, and it makes this loud creaking noise when I engage the auger and then the engine just quits on me....

It spun fine before I got it. Auger does not appear seized....

Pulled the top cover off. Belts look fine.
Fired her up .Engine is nice and smooth.
Yeap, confirmed it's the pulley.
Has the throttle in fast, engaged auger and she's smoking up as the belt is moving but not the pulley....and there is the source of my creak..
Now, on to the fix. Thoughts, suggestions.

At least that was an easy problem to fix.  It's surprising to see that kind of problem on such a fairly new machine.  Do you think that's why the original owner decided to flip it?

Now that you found the problem, what's the root cause?

How did you miss that on the pre-purchase inspection?  Did you engage the auger then? 

Not trying to bust your chops, but just wondering if there's anything else neglected in the machine that might surface soon.

Nope...that's the thing. We engaged the auger and she spun fine during the PPI....

multitasking....buttoning up the 621 and then debating when to wrench on the 724

Post pics of the 621 when you're done.

On that 724, is it possible for some liquid to seep past the belt cover?  Maybe it was a defective bearing on the idler pulley?

I'm stumped....

Broke her down, drive pulley looks fine. Everything spins as they should...
I'm at a roadblock. OPE's are not my thing....

OKAY. Making progress. In my haste to unbutton things, I was not thinking methodlogically.
Put basket and drive pulley back on and she spins just fine without the augers on.

I believe I have the augers blades on right. Aside from gearing, this should not affect it ?
Without the engine off, and if I move the impeller, it moves the augers...

Thoughts. Maybe things just needed a little bit reseating....
Love to start buttoning this thing up, hate to out all the bolts on, put the augers on and figure out problem not solved...

Sorry AA. She's not worthy of pics yet....
It's pretty good if not great.  I ended up painting like 5 $#@#$ times. Put on 2 coats and on my 3rd coat, I wetsanded. Unfortunately it was not 100% dry (go figure this time of the year.....and me taking extra precautions) but when I laid the 3rd final coat, the solvets creeped all the way down to my 1st coat and crinkled some areas. I was PO like no tomorrow and quite frankly, between the repainting process and this damm bucket removal on the 724, the trivial fun of R&R on these things is getting a bit long toothed. I don't even want to touch that other 621 until after July 4th 2010 ;-)

chefwong wrote:
If it's any consolation, my 621 auger housing painting was not to my satisfaction either.  I had limited time to work on it before it gets too cold for the paint to cure and the snow arrives.  Plus, I didn't have too much time to put into it.

I'd probably strip it down again and paint it again this coming summer.  The appliance paint is not holding up too well against the abrasion and bombardment of rocks.  I've already got some paint chips and the gray primer is showing.

You guys talking snow blowers or Lamborghinis?

Snow blowers, guys.....  Tools to move snow right?  

I can see keeping the exterior of the machine looking decent but, obsessing over the augers and impeller?   Well????????

Yes, I believe we're talking about machinery that moves snow.  If it was a Lambo, I'd leave it up to the professionals to do the painting.

I can't reply for chefwong, but I'm not looking for automotive finish.  Just something that is durable and looks decent. 

aa335 wrote:
Take the augers and impeller off and get them powder coated.  Can't beat that for durability.  However, in time, that will give way too.  

Trying to keep the business parts of the machine painted and rust free is an exercise in futility.  First pile of EOD snow will begin the paint stripping.  Personally, I haven't noticed a drop in snow throwing performance with a bit of rust on the auger and  impeller assemblies.   

Two things to look at. 1 would be the right hand rake or auger,looks too close to the gear box. Could be the angle of the picture. Another would be the brake arm,when it is back together, watch the arm and see if it clears the pulley and dosen't rub hard on the pulley.

Just my suggestions, Hope you get it going!

T.J.

I think we're on to something....bearing the noise when the auger drive is engaged, I'm planning to change the impeller bearing and button her back up and see how she goes.

AA - u want to spray thin coats. For me, that is 3 thin coats that by the 3rd coat it's soiid color. In my experience with enamal paints, thin coats with plenty of dry time is key to a hard finish...
I'm thinking maybe the paint you used is hard but too brittle - kinda like putting too much hardener if you are *mixing* your paint.
If that does not do it for you, Rustoleum Professional has more ~solids~ in them. The next level above that is automotive paint, but that get's pricey.
The more solids, the more durable the finish.

chefwong wrote:


You're probably right, I got impatient and put on the coats too quickly and thick which did not allow it to properly cure. 

Going to strip it down and try again next spring.

FACEPALM

I bought a new bearing, replaced it, engaged auger drive and it spun.
Proceeded to button things back up. Put a couple bolts on the chassis to bucket, installed the auger and then I realized what I had done wrong.
I probably snugged the main bolt/washer that is on the sides of the bucket that turns out.....the washer sits ontop of the auger bearings and I probably snugged that way TOO tight when I installed the auger previously.

I'm thinking this was the issue, or maybe it was this and a bad impeller bearing, but all is well and she spins fine now.

Good, at least you found out what went wrong.  I wouldn't be happy putting things back without knowing the cause of the problem.

So now you know WHAT NOT TO DO when you remove your augers to grease them

Just in time for the snow.  Now put everything back before you break more stuff.  :)