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

simplicity model: 5-51M, mfg no.1692320, serial no, 376 ON, ref no.603243

I am currently working on the simplicity ss  and the auger is bent. Using it like this isn't an option. It has the HSK850 in it and runs very well. I'm looking for the auger for this and the only place that has real part numbers is Small Engine Parts Warehouse. Their part # is  1686697SM which includes other stuff but none of which is available. I am pretty sure simplicity wasn't  the only one which used that auger. How can I find out which other mfg used the same part number so I can broaden my search.

$225, ouch! What is bent on the auger, maybe a little heat & persuasion can fix it?

@hirschallan

It might be more cost effective to just buy a used or new SS snowbower.  Plus the spring is just on the horizon in your area.  Parts are just too expansive on these vintage SS machines. Finding used parts will be difficult or not too cheap either.

I'm curious how it's possible to bend the auger shaft when you  have so much rubber and plastic involved.  All of my machines have the augers in a plastic housing.  One would think that the rubber and plastic would deform enough to prevent damage to the shaft.   In addition, it's hard to imagine that little drive belt could transmit enough power to bend the shaft.  I guess it's possible but, hard to understand.???

I certainly wouldn't spend a whole lot fixing it.  As GreatWhiteNorth said, take it apart and try to straighten it.  Otherwise, keep the engine and scrap the rest of the machine.   Not sure which crank is in that HSK.  They have a few variants.  Might be possible to find a decent Craftsman/Murray/MTD with a blown engine real cheap, likely for free if you shop around. 

Thanks to all for the replies. $225.00 not happening.

Borat : I got it in this condition from someone who knows nothing about ope. I have not used it since it needed the usual carb stuff and now runs strong except the wobble it the auger. I may try as was suggested and try to straighten the auger but need first to remove the plastic pulley which has a molded nut verses the exterior nut like some have. Its got a sufficient amount of rust and heat isn’t an option here due to the plastic. I will soak it with pb blaster and try then. Otherwise it’s a parts machine and will keep just the motor for some future project.

Here are the specs on the motor:

Use an impact driver to loosen the nut. 

hirschallan wrote:
I have a Honda HS621.  I have a small bend on the center portion, barely noticeable and it doesn't throw off the balance of the auger.  A brand new auger assembly is $260 online.  It's not bad to me considering how strong and well made it is, and comes with a $100 worth of rubber paddles installed. 

See if you can find a donor auger assembly from another snowblower.  If not from Simplicity or badged engineered brands, there are quite a few 20" wider auger assemblies that might work.  Just the top of my head, the Toro 2450/3650, CCR2000/3000 are all 20 inchers.  They might make good replacement.  The Toro power curve auger assemblies are superior, very lightweight and efficient at throwing snow.  They are also abundant and easy to find if you don't mind a little elbow grease to make it work.

Otherwise, pull the good Tecumseh engine from the Simplicity and drop it into a Toro SS chassis.  A "boratified" Tecumseh in a Toro is quite a sleeper.

borat wrote:

As I said the threaded portion is molded into the center of the auger pulley so impact driver option here.Nothing to grab onto.

hirschallan wrote:

I will first get this one loose and measure tip to tip. Only then will I know for sure its actual dimensions.