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

          How many of you folks out there with MTD snowblowers, have had problems, or no problems?

Let's count and see how :"Junky MTD" does !!, compared to Ariens great QC ! ! ! 

                                                                 Fred            

Hi Fred,

I just noticed on your signature you have a 10.5 hp MTD.  Are those L-heads or OHV engines?  How are those larger engines?

         Richie,

             It's an L head, but blows like he#$ with only a 26 in wide bite!!

For where I live in Dover, it is overkill  most of the time, except when we get a NE'ster, then it is still great!!

                                                                         Fred    

                       

             You have earned my respect over the years Fred!      I have a 15 year old Yard man riding mower that has seen way too much abuse . It has had a tree fall on it and even the garage roof fell in on it one year due to snow loading. It has preformed very well for me and I have been very happy with it.

           Is it a John Deere? No but it has mowed my lawn for fifteen years so I can't complain.

             Sorry it's not a snowblower Fred but I just thought I give a little honor to the old machine

                 Tom

I think when Sawme bought his machine the quality was better.  Fred have you looked at this thread ?  Do you have to disassemble your unit to replace the belts? 

Sigh......

I don't have time to post here re: all the folks I have talked to re: MTD snowblowers first hand, (and you would have to trust me enough to believe me anyway) who have had problems with them. 

I hope that no-one has problems with their snowblowers.

Most folks that buy a snowblower don't research the purchase, again you just have to take my word at this.  After they have a problem they are not going to come here and post their problems anyway, what's the use of that.

Fred with all due respect I don't feel that a thread like this is productive at all.

C

Chalk up another "sign of hands" from me for being a happy MTD owner. Will it last 30+ years? Time will tell. In my careful  & capable hands, it should last me some time. Plus, our usual light snowfall amounts in NJ will help its longevity. If I lived further north in the snow belt, I wonder how it would fare.

Changing MTD belts - There is barely enough room to slide a new auger belt between the auger & drive pulleys. Yeah, most would probably advise to separate the front of the machine from the rear machine frame. NOT NECESSARY!! Here's the secret - put the belt on the engine's crankshaft pulley, then place the belt on one side of the auger pulley. Use a long, thin screwdriver to push it between the 2 pulleys. Now with the spark plug wire off, slowly pull the recoil starter so the pulley spins some. Push down further on the belt - it will "walk" between the pulleys as the spinning motion "helps" it feed further down between the pulleys. Repeat until the belt is engaged on the bottom half of the pulley. Now just route it over the idler. Done! This procedure will NOT HARM THE BELT. Mine is holding up just fine, as well as at least a dozen others I have done the same way.

Replacing the drive belt doesn't require this procedure as its much thinner & can slide past the pulleys easilly. If you encounter one that IS tight, just follow my procedure above & you'll be home free.

Whoever uses this info owes me a beer. I just saved you quite a bit of unnecessary work...

Marty

Marty, that was a good thoughtful, helpful procedure.  You know V-8 juice is better don't you?

  AJace,

          I do not have to split the blower to change belts!!  Thank God

Marty pretty well covered it !!

                                                                        Fred.                   

 Chris S,

                    Why, because it is not "Pro"  Ariens or Toro??

                                                                   Fred         

Beat into the ground and back. Had the govenor adjusted once. Replaced the scraper bar.

Problems?
No.

Recommened it?
No. The build quality is fine. The component quality is a little iffy. Everything is thin or small.

If something breaks that is more than a cable, shear pin, or scraper bar. Marty is getting a PM to meet me at the Delaware line for a freebie.

Minds out of the gutter please.