SSSJ

Yard Machine Model#: 31B-611D352 So I'll need Shear Bolt 710-0890A 5/16-18 x 1.5, and Hex Lock Nuts 712-0429 5/16-18 Where's a good place to buy and how many more should I get as back ups? Thank you!!!

Luckily auger drive shaft wasn't loose at all. Still not sure how to adjust white tensioner pulley (screw it onto the lower hole on the same arm?), so instead I tighten the auger cable. Actually I've done this before, but this time with the belt cover off, I could see it can be tightened even more. Although the slack on the cable is almost all gone, the auger belt is now more snug. Last night we finally had enough new snow so today I get to try out the snow thrower. It worked beautifully with the new snow, as well as the older, more packed piles. I was so happy I played with it for almost 2 hours, blowing my neighbor's snow as well. Oh... I haven't mentioned that one auger blade is bent at the very end of the spiral (I didn't do it). Should I try to bend it straight, or just leave it? http://www.flickr.com/photos/sssj/5249075808/ I've never seen a snow thrower in real life till 3 months ago and never touched one till Thanksgiving. Today I'm feeling confident using one, and fixing it too thanks to all of you who took the time to help me. Some are really amazing experts and you truly know your stuff!

Oh Sorry... model# is 31B-611D352. Will have to read your kind replies in detail after getting done with kids' after school activities. Thanks! Picture of the tag http://www.flickr.com/photos/sssj/5238724599/

Wow you guys are good! Never occured to me to look beyond the augers. Sure enough the impeller wasn't turning at all, and what's jamming it was simply a sheet of ice. I realized I've made a rookie mistake of putting away the snow thrower with lots of snow still in the auger housing. It somehow turned into ice and blocked the impeller's movement.(However this doesn't explain why the old auger belt broke when I was already half way through clearing the drive way). After removing the ice behind the impeller, the thrower is throwing snow again! I was careful just let it chew a little bit of snow at a time. Everything was working so beautifully for about 10 minutes, then suddenly the auger stop turning again. It wasn't even chewing much snow at all! Opened up the belt cover, found the new auger belt still intact but off the pulley. It's a little easier to put the belt back on this time, still having to use some force so I know it's probably not too loose . Turn the engine back on, and it's throwing snow again. However I was afraid to use it as I know the auger belt will come off again unless I find out whatever was wrong in the first place and fix it. Here're 2 photos of the thrower with the belt cover off. By the way auger belt is amost touching the base of chute, is it normal? http://www.flickr.com/photos/sssj/5237704057/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/sssj/5237693835/ Hope it's not the gear box. I don't feel comfortable cracking it open. I'm just more willing to learn and get my hands dirty fixing things than the average housewives, but I know my limitations. Any insight will be greatly appreciated!!!

Just moved to North Dakota from the West Coast. First winter here with little kids, long driveway, hubby deployed, so bought a $150 second hand Yard Machine 2 stage snow thrower, model# 611. First time it ran just fine. Second time was fine till the auger suddenly stopped spinning (engine still runs and thrower still moves fine). Stopped the engine, disconnect spark plug. Found no blockage. shear bolds are still all there. Tried to turn spiral blades by hand and they don't move. Researched on line, found user manual and read up all related articles about auger problems. Open up the covers and found severed auger belt. Replaced with new belt OEM-754-0430A, which fits snugly on the pulley. Now start the engine, engage the drive, move back/forth fine just like before. However whenever engage the auger, not only neither stage would spin but the engine shuts off. Tried a few more times, same thing. What else could be wrong with the thrower? If you can offer insights please tried to be specific or give links. It took me almost a week to finally get a chance to go out and purchase the auger belt. Thank you so much for reading!!!