jump2

Hi Walt.

Here's a vote for the Homelite.. I've had one for 8 years now and it's my most impressive cheap tool that i own. It still starts easily and just keeps on going. Only item ever replaced are chains. No other repairs. i think it was $100 back then. I bought it at the time just to cut up a tree that fell down. I  have since bought a wood insert for the fireplace and cut a cord and a half to two cords with it every year. I like it because it is light snd doesn't tire you out as a heavy saw  may. The negative on this saw is that  it has minimal vibration dampening and that gets anoying if you plan to use it more than a couple tankfuls at a time. Fow most home use it's great. Highly recommend it. For extensive use buy the orange one because they vibrate less (their higher end  models). One thing you should check is does it have a chain brake for safety. When i bought mine the 14 and 16" model had the same powerhead, but only the 16" one had the brake. Do not know if that's the same now. I think you should have a chain brake on a saw.

I also saw some suggestions on the electric. If you are within cords distance all the time that's also a good sugestion for ocasional home use. My sister has one and it works well.

Ron

Wow - 1000 ft steep driveway!!. Unless you have lots of time to do it, I'd be inclined to stay away from the walkbehind. If money were not an object the ATV sounds great in that it would have best traction and you could put a big blower in it . If you have a lawn tractor you might think of adding a blower to that, but traction might be an issue. Limited slip would help there. Might want to just find someone else that will do a better job plowing, because I've never personally used any snowblower that works good if you end up with lots of slushey snow. Plows work best on slush. Likely this isn't hugely helpful, but I'm just writing to suggest something other than the walkbehind with 1000' to clear.

Ron

Hi,

Is this a single stage rubber paddle machine or a 2 stage machine?

Below applies to two stage. If it is a rubber paddle single stage, let me know and i have another thought.

Maybe this will help you. I have Murray/Craftsman that I think is the same or at least similar to  your Noma (not sure). If it's totally different, then ignore this. I'm assuming that when you say auger that it is the same as the impeller belt . That's also why I'm asking the single or two stage question.

Had mine apart last year thanks to my childs rock obsession. It has the spacer , washer and nut as you mentioned, but there is also a keyway in the pulley and shaft and a key that holds the pulley from rotating on the shaft. I suspect that your problem has to do with that key or keyway damaged, allowing the pulley to rotate. 

First a couple questions to clear up the impeller/auger question?

Is the impeller spinning and the augers not spinning? - then you likely have a shearpin or gearbox problem.

Is the belt pulley spinning but the impeller not spinning - then likely the keyway problem. 

Note augers is the helical things that  are in front of bucket. Impeller is the high speed second stage of you have a two stage.

If it is the key damaged, you'll likely need to split the machine to repair it,  but may be able to at least look for a keyway on the shaft if you just loosten the nut (forget exactly how far the keyway came out on the shaft). Also check parts diagram first)  If yours is the same, the shaft material is very soft steel. After removing the nut, if the pulley does not slide off easily, gently grind or file any burrs off that shaft keyway before applying any major force to the pulley to remove it. Otherwise you will bend the pulley trying to get it to come off.

Hope this helps

Ron