Snowblower Doesn't Propel - Help Me Diagnose the Problem

[hondaf17]

I have a Craftsman Model 536887992 Snowblower. This is a 9 HP electric start dual stage snowblower. We just got 10 inches of snow so I am trying to use it for the first time of the season.

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/par...2/0247/1507200?searchedModel=536887992&blt=05

The snowblower starts fine. The auger works fine. However the snowblower does not propel itself. If I lift up the back (so the wheels are in the air) the wheels spin, but seem to spin slower than they otherwise would. When I set the machine down it goes nowhere. It's like there's not enough power/torque to propel the machine.

The first thing I checked were the belts, which look good to me. The drive belt spins fine and does not slip when I start it.

I then took off the bottom cover and checked the friction wheel. That again looked OK. There weren't any metal or rubber shavings. I've included pictures.

Here is the link to the photos:
http://sdrv.ms/Z2VRfR

Any ideas/suggestions?

TYIA,

 

[WilliamM2]

Sounds like the same symptoms I've had with a worn drive wheel. It's not making good contact with the disk anymore. Could also be too much slack in the cable that engages it.

 

[Ferzerp]

Is the belt supposed to be loose like that in picture 7? I can't imagine it disengages driving something by making the belt loose so that it just slips....

 

[WilliamM2]

Is the belt supposed to be loose like that in picture 7? I can't imagine it disengages driving something by making the belt loose so that it just slips....

That's exacty how it works on basic MTD snowblowers. The steel bars you see by each pulley are there to keep it from jumping right off. That is the auger drive belt you are seeling, the one behind it drives the disc/wheels.

 

[hondaf17]

That's exacty how it works on basic MTD snowblowers. The steel bars you see by each pulley are there to keep it from jumping right off. That is the auger drive belt you are seeling, the one behind it drives the disc/wheels.

Correct. And the Auger belt gets pulled very tight and works great when I engage the auger handle.

William - I adjusted the cable and it is plenty tight. In the photos does it look like the drive wheel is worn? It seems like it makes good contact with the disk. Can you tell from the photos?

TYIA,

 

[Zenmervolt]

Either the drive wheel or the disk. Can't really tell from the photos and it's possible to not have good contact even if it all seems OK if either the wheel or the disc have hardened because then the rubber isn't as grippy as it used to be.

Usually what happens when these rubber parts wear out is that the rubber dries out and shrinks a bit as well as hardens, becoming smoother. Both contribute to increased slippage and eventually an inability to transmit much power.

ZV

 

[WilliamM2]

Correct. And the Auger belt gets pulled very tight and works great when I engage the auger handle.

William - I adjusted the cable and it is plenty tight. In the photos does it look like the drive wheel is worn? It seems like it makes good contact with the disk. Can you tell from the photos?

TYIA,

With the blower off, if you put it in gear and engage the wheeels, can you push the snowblower forward? If it's making good contact, the wheels should be locked up tight.

And I agree with the above, mine shrunk with age, altough it still looked good. It also started to slip once in awhile, before it just stopped moving forward.

 

[hondaf17]

Yes, I could push it forward, but it took a lot of effort. That's how I was able to get a couple strips done. Still waiting for the diagnosis from the mechanic, will let you know what they find.

Thanks guys.