|
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
I have owned a single-stage snowblower for ten years, and it has been great.
For some reason, it easily goes downhill, but driving it back uphill is too much for me. It does a great job of throwing snow. Can anyone tell me what to look for? It appears that the fan belt is OK. I will probably have to take it into a shop, but I am hoping it is a quick and easy fix. Thanks. Kate |
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
On Wed, 12 Jan 2011 16:48:05 -0800, Kate wrote:
I have owned a single-stage snowblower for ten years, and it has been great. For some reason, it easily goes downhill, but driving it back uphill is too much for me. It does a great job of throwing snow. Can anyone tell me what to look for? It appears that the fan belt is OK. I will probably have to take it into a shop, but I am hoping it is a quick and easy fix. Thanks. Kate, I would look and see if the belt has to much slack in it, causing the belt to slip. Perhaps an adjustment that tightens it a bit. Thinking out loud.... |
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
Fan belts tend to wear thin -- so they look reasonable, but
they just don't work properly. If the fan belt is more than a couple years old, it very likely needs to be replaced. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Oren" wrote in message ... On Wed, 12 Jan 2011 16:48:05 -0800, Kate wrote: I have owned a single-stage snowblower for ten years, and it has been great. For some reason, it easily goes downhill, but driving it back uphill is too much for me. It does a great job of throwing snow. Can anyone tell me what to look for? It appears that the fan belt is OK. I will probably have to take it into a shop, but I am hoping it is a quick and easy fix. Thanks. Kate, I would look and see if the belt has to much slack in it, causing the belt to slip. Perhaps an adjustment that tightens it a bit. Thinking out loud.... |
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
On Wed, 12 Jan 2011 21:48:24 -0500, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote: Fan belts tend to wear thin -- so they look reasonable, but they just don't work properly. If the fan belt is more than a couple years old, it very likely needs to be replaced. Is this a multi-speed unit? Most MTD multispeed blowers use a friction wheel that moves across a spinning disc. If the rubber gets hard/glazed - and then gets wet with snow, no drive. I just replaced the rubber friction wheel on my blower - part cost here in Canada was roughly $18 and it took me about half an hour to replace it. Mine is not an MTD, but I've done it on MTD blowers too (my last blower was an MTD, and I've done several for friends and neighbours) |
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
?
"Kate" wrote in message ... I have owned a single-stage snowblower for ten years, and it has been great. For some reason, it easily goes downhill, but driving it back uphill is too much for me. It does a great job of throwing snow. Can anyone tell me what to look for? It appears that the fan belt is OK. I will probably have to take it into a shop, but I am hoping it is a quick and easy fix. Thanks. Kate I has a fan? Perhaps you mean the V belt? If it is like mine, the "driving force" is the paddles that blow the snow. They may be worn and not gripping to assist you in moving the machine. |
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
On Jan 12, 6:48*pm, Kate wrote:
I have owned a single-stage snowblower for ten years, and it has been great. For some reason, it easily goes downhill, but driving it back uphill is too much for me. *It does a great job of throwing snow. Can anyone tell me what to look for? *It appears that the fan belt is OK. *I will probably have to take it into a shop, but I am hoping it is a quick and easy fix. Thanks. Kate Is the uphill problem new, or has it always been weak on th uphill side? My snowblower pulls itself forwad by the paddle wheel gripping into the snow and also slightly rubbing on the ground. |
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
On 1/12/2011 6:16 PM, Oren wrote:
On Wed, 12 Jan 2011 16:48:05 -0800, wrote: I have owned a single-stage snowblower for ten years, and it has been great. For some reason, it easily goes downhill, but driving it back uphill is too much for me. It does a great job of throwing snow. Can anyone tell me what to look for? It appears that the fan belt is OK. I will probably have to take it into a shop, but I am hoping it is a quick and easy fix. Thanks. Kate, I would look and see if the belt has to much slack in it, causing the belt to slip. Perhaps an adjustment that tightens it a bit. Thinking out loud.... Good thinking, and I will check it out. I took some slack out of it three months ago, so maybe it is time for a new one. Thanks. |
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
On 1/12/2011 6:48 PM, Stormin Mormon wrote:
Fan belts tend to wear thin -- so they look reasonable, but they just don't work properly. If the fan belt is more than a couple years old, it very likely needs to be replaced. I bet that is my problem. I just checked and the machine is 13 years old, with the same belt. Although, I must say, this machine has not been used heavily. |
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
|
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
On 1/12/2011 7:32 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
? "Kate" wrote in message ... I have owned a single-stage snowblower for ten years, and it has been great. For some reason, it easily goes downhill, but driving it back uphill is too much for me. It does a great job of throwing snow. Can anyone tell me what to look for? It appears that the fan belt is OK. I will probably have to take it into a shop, but I am hoping it is a quick and easy fix. Thanks. Kate I has a fan? Perhaps you mean the V belt? If it is like mine, the "driving force" is the paddles that blow the snow. They may be worn and not gripping to assist you in moving the machine. My error Ed. It does not have a fan. I don't know what a V belt is, but this unit only has one belt. I am sure we are talking about the same thing. Thanks. |
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
|
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
On Wed, 12 Jan 2011 20:26:28 -0800, Kate wrote:
On 1/12/2011 6:48 PM, Stormin Mormon wrote: Fan belts tend to wear thin -- so they look reasonable, but they just don't work properly. If the fan belt is more than a couple years old, it very likely needs to be replaced. I bet that is my problem. I just checked and the machine is 13 years old, with the same belt. Although, I must say, this machine has not been used heavily. Look on the side of the belt for a number. Take the belt to an auto supply store/repair shop for a replacement. They can measure the belt using a tool they have for that. I would get a belt just smaller than what you have. Adjust in time as it streches out further. Any cracks in the inside is a sure sign to replace it. Same if the inside of the belt is really shiny from glazing. 13 years is a very long time for a V belt. They stretch, crack, dry out and all kinds of things. Let us know. |
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
On 1/12/2011 9:00 PM, Oren wrote:
On Wed, 12 Jan 2011 20:26:28 -0800, wrote: On 1/12/2011 6:48 PM, Stormin Mormon wrote: Fan belts tend to wear thin -- so they look reasonable, but they just don't work properly. If the fan belt is more than a couple years old, it very likely needs to be replaced. I bet that is my problem. I just checked and the machine is 13 years old, with the same belt. Although, I must say, this machine has not been used heavily. Look on the side of the belt for a number. Take the belt to an auto supply store/repair shop for a replacement. They can measure the belt using a tool they have for that. I would get a belt just smaller than what you have. Adjust in time as it streches out further. Any cracks in the inside is a sure sign to replace it. Same if the inside of the belt is really shiny from glazing. 13 years is a very long time for a V belt. They stretch, crack, dry out and all kinds of things. Let us know. I originally thought the machine was only ten years old. Where does the time go? I agree, it is stored in a shed where it can be 110 degrees during the summer months. Like you wrote, anything can happen in 13 years. Thanks for the tip. |
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
|
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
Sounds like the black rubber belt might be wearing out, if
it's 14 years old. The V belt name, is because the belt cross section looks a bit like a flat bottomed letter V. For most snow blowers, it's a drive belt, not a fan belt. I didn't feel like confusing matters. Now, to confuse matters, essentially all small engines have a fan. The top of the flywheel has vanes, which blow air over the engine for cooling. But, it's not a belt driven fan. Or, the rubber ring and wheel that drives the rubber ring may be wearing smooth. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Kate" wrote in message ... On 1/12/2011 7:32 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote: I has a fan? Perhaps you mean the V belt? If it is like mine, the "driving force" is the paddles that blow the snow. They may be worn and not gripping to assist you in moving the machine. My error Ed. It does not have a fan. I don't know what a V belt is, but this unit only has one belt. I am sure we are talking about the same thing. Thanks. |
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
My experience is to take the belt in hand, to a hardware
store, or auto parts. I usually get mine from my heating and AC supply. I havn't found belts to stretch longer. They do get thinner. Each time I've gotten a shorter belt, it's been too short. So, I'd want to get one the same length. Sometimes they are marked. A typical size marking might be 3L410. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Oren" wrote in message ... On Wed, 12 Jan 2011 20:26:28 -0800, Kate wrote: On 1/12/2011 6:48 PM, Stormin Mormon wrote: Fan belts tend to wear thin -- so they look reasonable, but they just don't work properly. If the fan belt is more than a couple years old, it very likely needs to be replaced. I bet that is my problem. I just checked and the machine is 13 years old, with the same belt. Although, I must say, this machine has not been used heavily. Look on the side of the belt for a number. Take the belt to an auto supply store/repair shop for a replacement. They can measure the belt using a tool they have for that. I would get a belt just smaller than what you have. Adjust in time as it streches out further. Any cracks in the inside is a sure sign to replace it. Same if the inside of the belt is really shiny from glazing. 13 years is a very long time for a V belt. They stretch, crack, dry out and all kinds of things. Let us know. |
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
On Thu, 13 Jan 2011 09:00:21 -0500, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote: My experience is to take the belt in hand, to a hardware store, or auto parts. I usually get mine from my heating and AC supply. I havn't found belts to stretch longer. They do get thinner. Each time I've gotten a shorter belt, it's been too short. So, I'd want to get one the same length. Sometimes they are marked. A typical size marking might be 3L410. Sure the belt can stretch. That's why machines, cars, etc., have the ability to adjust them as needed. Like Kate stated; she adjusted the slack in the belt. Measure your new belt. When you start to replace the old one, measure it again. May not be much, but they do stretch. IME |
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
On Jan 12, 7:48*pm, Kate wrote:
I have owned a single-stage snowblower for ten years, and it has been great. For some reason, it easily goes downhill, but driving it back uphill is too much for me. *It does a great job of throwing snow. Can anyone tell me what to look for? *It appears that the fan belt is OK. *I will probably have to take it into a shop, but I am hoping it is a quick and easy fix. Thanks. Kate Since the only "drive" with a single stage is the rubber "paddles" on the auger contacting the ground, it's possible that the paddles are worn and that the slight backwards lean of the unit as you go uphill is separating the paddles from the ground enough to lose traction. Try lifting up on the handle, forcing the front end down towards the ground. If the traction improves, the paddles may be worn. P.S. I got to use my new 2 stage machine yesterday in some decent snow. 7 inches on the ground, over a foot at EOD. It was sweet! I finished my driveway and then went and did 2 more just for fun! I was like a snowblowing ninja - in and out before the neighbors got home from work. I'm sure they (both single ladies) were surprised and grateful. |
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
On Jan 12, 6:48*pm, Kate wrote:
I have owned a single-stage snowblower for ten years, and it has been great. For some reason, it easily goes downhill, but driving it back uphill is too much for me. *It does a great job of throwing snow. Can anyone tell me what to look for? *It appears that the fan belt is OK. *I will probably have to take it into a shop, but I am hoping it is a quick and easy fix. Thanks. Kate Many of these single-stage units have multi-V belts (flat like an auto serpentine belt).(and I don't mean multiple belts) Also what they are saying about the paddles being the drive is correct. |
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
I finished my driveway and then went and did 2 more just for fun! I
was like a snowblowing ninja - in and out before the neighbors got home from work. I'm sure they (both single ladies) were surprised and grateful. Oh yes! :) |
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
On Thu, 13 Jan 2011 08:58:05 -0500, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote: Sounds like the black rubber belt might be wearing out, if it's 14 years old. The V belt name, is because the belt cross section looks a bit like a flat bottomed letter V. For most snow blowers, it's a drive belt, not a fan belt. I didn't feel like confusing matters. Now, to confuse matters, essentially all small engines have a fan. The top of the flywheel has vanes, which blow air over the engine for cooling. But, it's not a belt driven fan. Or, the rubber ring and wheel that drives the rubber ring may be wearing smooth. It APPEARS this is a "snow thrower" or "power shovel" type machine, not a "wheel drive" machine.(which is what I was referring to with the friction wheel Stormy is also referring to) If it still throws snow well, it is NOT a drive belt issue. One of the advantages of these machines is they scour right down to pavement, cleaning the sidewalk extremely well, using what is basically sections of conveyor belting on the "flutes" of the spinning auger. The spinning rubber flutes provide traction to drag the blower across the surface. This wears the flutes down. When they get worn sufficiently they still throw snow, but to not drag the thrower across the ground any more. I would say the chances are better than 99.9% that this is the situation with the OP's blower. At 13 years of age, the likelihood is still pretty good that new auger flute rubbers will be available from MTD or the aftermarket for that machine. |
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
On Thu, 13 Jan 2011 09:00:21 -0500, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote: My experience is to take the belt in hand, to a hardware store, or auto parts. I usually get mine from my heating and AC supply. I havn't found belts to stretch longer. They do get thinner. Each time I've gotten a shorter belt, it's been too short. So, I'd want to get one the same length. Sometimes they are marked. A typical size marking might be 3L410. Which is a 3L width (or format) belt 41 inches long. And Stormy is right - they VERY seldom stretch any appreciable ammount. They wear narrower, so the original 3L belt becomes a 2L belt (or close to it) which might measure as a 2Ll415 or 2L420 (41.5 or 42 inch) (which "appears" to have stretched) Automotive belts start with either 4L (12.5mm wide) or 3L (9.5mm). The number following it is the outside length of the belt in tenths of inches. The inside length of the belt is typically 2" less for a 4L belt, and 1-1/2" less for a 3L belt. An example would be 4L460, which would be 46" long outside, 44" inside. "Classic" or "fractional horsepower" v-belt numbers start with a letter identifying the cross section, A through E - A series belts are the most common. The number following it is the inside length in inches. The outside length is typically 2 inches more. An example would be A44, 44" long on the inside, 46" outside; the equivalent of the 4L460 above. A 3V is 3/8", a 5V is 5.8", and a 8V is 1" wide. A is 1/2" wide, B is 21/32, C is 7/8, D is 1 1/4 It is important to use the right series belt, particularly not using a V series in place of a 3L or 4L, or letter sized belt because the V series are a 30 degree included angle while the rest are 40 degree angle belts. |
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
?
"DerbyDad03" wrote P.S. I got to use my new 2 stage machine yesterday in some decent snow. 7 inches on the ground, over a foot at EOD. It was sweet! I finished my driveway and then went and did 2 more just for fun! I was like a snowblowing ninja - in and out before the neighbors got home from work. I'm sure they (both single ladies) were surprised and grateful. What did you buy? I sometimes want mine to die so I can justify getting a bigger model. The little single stage was a gift about 10 years ago and it is all I need most of the time, but the EOD can be a bear at if it is deep and heavy. I bought a big Cub Cadet at work and it is great there, but far too much for me at home. |
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
|
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
On Jan 13, 10:56*pm, "Ed Pawlowski" wrote:
? "DerbyDad03" wrote P.S. I got to use my new 2 stage machine yesterday in some decent snow. 7 inches on the ground, over a foot at EOD. It was sweet! I finished my driveway and then went and did 2 more just for fun! I was like a snowblowing ninja - in and out before the neighbors got home from work. I'm sure they (both single ladies) were surprised and grateful. What did you buy? *I sometimes want mine to die so I can justify getting a bigger model. *The little single stage was a gift about 10 years ago and it is all I need most of the time, but the EOD can be a bear at if it is deep and heavy. I bought a big Cub Cadet at work and it is great there, but far too much for me at home. I bought this unit (link below) in the late fall when Ariens had it on sale for $599. It was available at Home Depot as well as a few independent Outdoor Power Equipment dealers. Since Ariens sets the price, it's the same everywhere, so I went to an independent dealer. I had more trust in them setting up the machine than a HD employee, plus they told me that they are the authorized service dealer for machines sold at HD. As a customer of theirs, I would be ahead of an HD customer if warranty repair work was needed. I'm glad I went that route because when I went to pick up the machine a tech showed me how to operate it (I'm a newbie to 2-stage snowblowers). As he engaged the auger, he didn't like the sound of it and took it back inside for a slight adjustment. I wouldn't have known it wasn't right and I doubt HD would have even spent the time teaching me or - more importantly - noticing the minor problem. The Ariens Sno Tek line is Ariens' endeavor to offer some entry level machines to compete with Sears, MTD, etc., which are basically all the same (MTD) machines. When on sale for $599, the quality of the Ariens machine blows the others $599 machines away. Metal where they have plastic , stronger welds, overall better quality. Some of the other models have plastic impellers. Plastic *impellers*. Are you kidding me? The Sno Tek line doesn't have any features like hand warmers, differential steering, headlights, etc. but as I said, it's an entry level machine and all that I need. It comes in a 24" and 28" width. I believe there is a Sno Tek single stage model also. The dealer told me that Ariens usually puts their machines on sale in mid to late November and then again in late February to early March. http://www.ariens.com/products_snow/...s/default.aspx If you want information on snowblowers as well as other outdoor power equipment, I recommend this site, which pointed me in the Sno Tek direction. These guys live and breathe that stuff: http://www.opeonthenet.com/phpBB2/index.php |
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
?
"DerbyDad03" wrote I bought this unit (link below) in the late fall when Ariens had it on sale for $599. It was available at Home Depot as well as a few independent Outdoor Power Equipment dealers. Since Ariens sets the price, it's the same everywhere, so I went to an independent dealer. I'm glad I went that route because when I went to pick up the machine a tech showed me how to operate it (I'm a newbie to 2-stage The Sno Tek line doesn't have any features like hand warmers, differential steering, headlights, etc. but as I said, it's an entry level machine and all that I need. It comes in a 24" and 28" width. I believe there is a Sno Tek single stage model also. The dealer told me that Ariens usually puts their machines on sale in mid to late November and then again in late February to early March. http://www.ariens.com/products_snow/...s/default.aspx That is exactly what I'd be looking for. My driveway is only 60 feet long or so. We get a total of about 48' of snow a year, mostly 6" or so at a time. Two dealers not far from me too! Thanks. |
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
Ed Pawlowski wrote:
? "DerbyDad03" wrote I bought this unit (link below) in the late fall when Ariens had it on sale for $599. It was available at Home Depot as well as a few independent Outdoor Power Equipment dealers. Since Ariens sets the price, it's the same everywhere, so I went to an independent dealer. I'm glad I went that route because when I went to pick up the machine a tech showed me how to operate it (I'm a newbie to 2-stage The Sno Tek line doesn't have any features like hand warmers, differential steering, headlights, etc. but as I said, it's an entry level machine and all that I need. It comes in a 24" and 28" width. I believe there is a Sno Tek single stage model also. The dealer told me that Ariens usually puts their machines on sale in mid to late November and then again in late February to early March. http://www.ariens.com/products_snow/...s/default.aspx That is exactly what I'd be looking for. My driveway is only 60 feet long or so. We get a total of about 48' of snow a year, mostly 6" or so at a time. Two dealers not far from me too! Thanks. 48 feet of snow???? Wauuuu, have you any pictures showing that?? |
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
?
"Sjouke Burry" wrote That is exactly what I'd be looking for. My driveway is only 60 feet long or so. We get a total of about 48' of snow a year, mostly 6" or so at a time. Two dealers not far from me too! Thanks. 48 feet of snow???? Wauuuu, have you any pictures showing that?? Sorry, but I can't get out through the chimney to take pictures. Doors and windows are blocked. Some years we only get that many inches though. |
Yard Machine by MTD Snowblower Problem
On Wed, 12 Jan 2011 16:48:05 -0800, Kate wrote:
I have owned a single-stage snowblower for ten years, and it has been great. For some reason, it easily goes downhill, but driving it back uphill is too much for me. It does a great job of throwing snow. Can anyone tell me what to look for? It appears that the fan belt is OK. I will probably have to take it into a shop, but I am hoping it is a quick and easy fix. Thanks. Kate Likely the friction disc. There is an adjustment procedure in the manual. |
| All times are GMT +1. The time now is 03:16 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004 - 2014 DIYbanter