update: ughhhh snowblower doesn't work!!!

[Wheatmaster]

ugh i'm in chicago and we have like 6 in on the ground and my snowblower doesn't work!!!! well the auger does but it won't move. i'm trying to troubleshoot the problem now. i think the clutch may be loosing or slipping (or worn out, i hope not), because i keep hearing a noise every time i switch gear in an attempt to try to move the snowblower. any help???

edit: looking a while down lol

 

[rhino56]

it should have an adjustment to take some slack out. make and model will help

 

[Wheatmaster]

Originally posted by: rhino56
it should have an adjustment to take some slack out. make and model will help

craftsman model no. 247.886640

 

[rhino56]

i dont see anything under that model number, maybe a link to the type it is?

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr...playTarget=Subcategory

 

[mcvickj]

<hands Wheatmaster a shovel>

 

[Wheatmaster]

Originally posted by: rhino56
i dont see anything under that model number, maybe a link to the type it is?

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr...playTarget=Subcategory

Text
it looks very simliar to this one but 5 hp. craftsman website is horrible so i couldn't find the actual product.

 

[rhino56]

Originally posted by: Wheatmaster

Originally posted by: rhino56
i dont see anything under that model number, maybe a link to the type it is?

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr...playTarget=Subcategory

Text
it looks very simliar to this one but 5 hp. craftsman website is horrible so i couldn't find the actual product.

1.ok does it stay out in the cold for storage?
2. was it working but then it stopped?
3. when you pull the lever does it look like the linkage is moving like its supposed to?

 

[TitanDiddly]

Unless it's really poor quality, the clutch is probably not worn out. I've got a 80's era Ariens(sp?) snowblower here and its clutch is fine.

 

[Wheatmaster]

Originally posted by: rhino56

Originally posted by: Wheatmaster

Originally posted by: rhino56
i dont see anything under that model number, maybe a link to the type it is?

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr...playTarget=Subcategory

Text
it looks very simliar to this one but 5 hp. craftsman website is horrible so i couldn't find the actual product.

1.ok does it stay out in the cold for storage?
2. was it working but then it stopped?
3. when you pull the lever does it look like the linkage is moving like its supposed to?

it stays in the garage throughout the year. last spring we drained oil and gasoline for storage and just put fresh batch two weeks ago. the motor stays on the whole time. i could use the blower because the auger still works but its pretty heavy to push around. when i pull the lever, i don't see the shifts because it's hidden inside.

 

[rhino56]

ok if you dont think that ice is jamming something which is common, then tip it on its side somewhat to see if you can see the driveline in it. it may be the belt is stretched and needs adjusted, which isnt hard if you stare long enough.
or if it is chain driven it may be another problem. but check that first.

 

[Wheatmaster]

Originally posted by: rhino56
ok if you dont think that ice is jamming something which is common, then tip it on its side somewhat to see if you can see the driveline in it. it may be the belt is stretched and needs adjusted, which isnt hard if you stare long enough.
or if it is chain driven it may be another problem. but check that first.

correction: there is no sound when i hit the traction control bar, i was hitting the auger control bar and when it turned it made a sound. this time i only hit the traction and nothing. i'm going to try to access the gearbox by flipping it over and taking off the cover.

 

[rhino56]

yeah it sounds like maybe the belt came off if it is belt driven. if it is chain then it sounds like its not engaging and may have broke some of the linkage.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

for 6 inches of snow a shovel is just as fast!

 

[Wheatmaster]

i just got the gearbox open and i don't see anything wrong with it. when i pull the traction level, it makes contact with the gear.

 

[Shame]

There might be one of those little pins near the auger that intentionally breaks if there is a blockage in the auger. Not sure what it's called. I know my Craftsman 9hp has one. Check that.

 

[CFster]

The cable from the handle that makes it go may be loose. There should be a little turn buckle adjuster on the cable.

 

[moshquerade]

keep your fingers out of it!

and time to get out the shovel.

 

[rhino56]

with it running and ready to go if you pull the lever then cinch up the cable, like pull the slack out of it does it help any? really pull hard on the cable to see if it will try to engage.

 

[rhino56]

Originally posted by: moshquerade
keep your fingers out of it!

and time to get out the shovel.

moshquerade
Diamond Member

Posts: 6666
Joined: 11/01/2001 :Q

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: rhino56

Originally posted by: moshquerade
keep your fingers out of it!

and time to get out the shovel.

moshquerade
Diamond Member

Posts: 6666
Joined: 11/01/2001 :Q

oh how devilish, and i didn't even get a screenshot

 

[Shame]

While we're diagnosing snowblowers... I'm about 2 hours from Wheatmaster, BTW...

My 9hp Craftsman won't start (4 years old).

Symptoms/What I have noticed.

1. When I hit the electric start, it turns over, but it's not firing.
2. It has new clean gas in it.
3. It doesn't have an air filter.
4. When I take the plug out and fire hit the start button, you see sparks.
5. When I remove the plug, spray a little starter fluid in there, replace plug, then fire it back up, it actually tries to start, but dies shortly thereafter.

I've got money on fuel or air problems, I am not mechanically inclined, any suggestions?

 

[rhino56]

Originally posted by: Shame
While we're diagnosing snowblowers... I'm about 2 hours from Wheatmaster, BTW...

My 9hp Craftsman won't start (4 years old).

Symptoms/What I have noticed.

1. When I hit the electric start, it turns over, but it's not firing.
2. It has new clean gas in it.
3. It doesn't have an air filter.
4. When I take the plug out and fire hit the start button, you see sparks.
5. When I remove the plug, spray a little starter fluid in there, replace plug, then fire it back up, it actually tries to start, but dies shortly thereafter.

I've got money on fuel or air problems, I am not mechanically inclined, any suggestions?

it sounds like it, what happens sometimes is the gas sits in the float bowl and sludges up a bit so it gets clogged. try some carb cleaner first, spray it in while its turning over and let it sit for about 20 min, then try again. if that doesnt do it you can try taking it off carefully and just pay close attention to where things go. its on the bottom of the carb. you will see the ports the gas has to go thru. clean with pin and gunk spray.

 

[Shame]

Originally posted by: rhino56

Originally posted by: Shame
While we're diagnosing snowblowers... I'm about 2 hours from Wheatmaster, BTW...

My 9hp Craftsman won't start (4 years old).

Symptoms/What I have noticed.

1. When I hit the electric start, it turns over, but it's not firing.
2. It has new clean gas in it.
3. It doesn't have an air filter.
4. When I take the plug out and fire hit the start button, you see sparks.
5. When I remove the plug, spray a little starter fluid in there, replace plug, then fire it back up, it actually tries to start, but dies shortly thereafter.

I've got money on fuel or air problems, I am not mechanically inclined, any suggestions?

it sounds like it, what happens sometimes is the gas sits in the float bowl and sludges up a bit so it gets clogged. try some carb cleaner first, spray it in while its turning over and let it sit for about 20 min, then try again. if that doesnt do it you can try taking it off carefully and just pay close attention to where things go. its on the bottom of the carb. you will see the ports the gas has to go thru. clean with pin and gunk spray.

You might be on to something. I was actually RTFM'ing a few minutes ago. It appears as though simply running it out of gas might not clean out the carb. Manual says there is a little button below the carb to drain the carb. Could this be related to the float bowl? Maybe I should have hit that button last year rather than just running it out of gas, eh?

 

[rhino56]

that is the float bowl,flush it out with carb cleaner and drain it thru that also.

 

[Crucial]

Originally posted by: rhino56
that is the float bowl,flush it out with carb cleaner and drain it thru that also.

We might have a small engine Roger here.

I'm in Milwaukee and we have about a foot of this white hate here. I want to get the ATV out and start plowing but it's still coming down like crazy.