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CuriousGeorge

Name	George
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Date Joined	Nov 20, 2009
Date Last Access	Nov 28, 2011 11:54 pm

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Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions > Re: Craftsman 8/24 snowblower - Auger rake rusted on shaft - help!

Re: Craftsman 8/24 snowblower - Auger rake rusted on shaft - help!
#1 Dec 4, 2009 5:13 pm

JohnnyBoyUpNorth wrote:

I had that happen once. I pulled the shear pins out and ran the machine quickly in heavy wet snow. That freed them.

Thanks for the reply JohnnyBoyUpNorth, I wish it were that simple, I've tried 3 different kinds of gear pullers, damaging one with a 3 foot extension bar, so this sucker ain't giving up that easily!!!

On the other hand, maybe running the auger without a shear bolt (as I had to drill it out on both sides), temperature variations and material stress might loosen things up...

Cheers!

Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions > Re: Craftsman 8/24 snowblower - Auger rake rusted on shaft - help!

Re: Craftsman 8/24 snowblower - Auger rake rusted on shaft - help!
#2 Dec 4, 2009 5:07 pm

friiy wrote:

Y ou may want to drill some small holes along the shaft of the auger housing... Very small holes, just big enough to put the straw from a can of penatrating oil in. use these holes to inject oil into other parts of the shaft. If you can put pressure on the outer shaft with a puller as you heat the auger it may come off...

If you get the shaft off, polish it with emery cloth or scotch bright.. Put anti -seize grease on the shaft before putting it back together ... seal the small holes with jb weld or silicone to seal out moisture. you may want to drill into the shaft and install a grease fitting...

Good Luck,

Friiy

Thanks friiy, great tip, however I've decided to put this unit back together and use it as is, as it has been eating up too much time. I'll try it in the spring for sure!

Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions > Craftsman 8/24 snowblower - Auger rake rusted on shaft - help!

Craftsman 8/24 snowblower - Auger rake rusted on shaft - help!
#3 Nov 21, 2009 1:05 am

Hello folks,
Very happy to have found a great site full of experienced OPE people.

I've recently purchased a 20 or so year old Craftsman 24" snowblower, never having owned one before and not knowing much about them. It was on the cheaper side of what was out there, it started, and ran, so I said "I'll take it!" To not make a short story long, I started bouncing around the internets, learning about snowblowers, and checking the basics.

The one thing I've been stuck on is the left side auger rake being completely rusted onto it's shaft. The shear bolt was completely rusted in as well, so I had to drill it out on both sides.

So-far I've tried lots or penetrating lubricant, hammering, heat as well as two types of gear pullers against the shaft end. No go, will not budge. Not even a bit.

http://curious0george.smugmug.com/Machines/Craftsman-824/10387892_JWKgi#719377758_g5EhW

The right side shear bolt came right out, and the auger spins perfectly fine on the shaft. There are no grease fittings on this model.

Anyone out there have any ideas as to what I can try to get this auger off the shaft? Any tips or tricks that I can try? I suppose I can just leave it as is, but from what I am reading it could cause big issues, if the auger decided to eat something different than snow.

Thanks all, looking forward to your replies, keep up the great work!