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snow thrower question before the big blizzard

16 years ago

I've been tuning up my craftsman two stage. I put a new belt in, but I have a question about its adjustment. The craftsman instructions suggest a half inch of play. When I used the snow thrower the last time, I noticed that I wasn't getting a very long throw out of it. It may have been not only because the belt was worn but because of an incorrect adjustment. I'll try adjusting to a half inch again, but I was wondering if I still get a weak throw and need to readjust, would tightening it or loosening get a longer throw.

thanks for any advice.

jeff

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Comments (7)

baymee
16 years ago
Tightening would give a longer throw. Whenever I check the belts, I make sure there is sufficient slack with the belt disengaged. When pulling the lever to engage, I want the belt to loose its slack about 70% of the way through the pull. The extra 30% of tightness of the belt gives a little added pressure of the pulley.
jeffisme
Original Author
16 years ago
thanks for the advice. one more question, the manual suggests that the augur cable be readjusted after changing the belt. how important is that? It doesn't feel all that much different to me after the replacement.
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My bet is there is still ice or a fastner holding the impeller. Maybe damage was also done to the belt as it was attempting to turn the auger pulley. If the impeller is free, you should be able to turn the big pulley-which in turn should turn the auger. Maybe even take a bar or pipe and a hammer thru the chute and tap on the impeller (with reasonable force) to see if it will break free. If you would have damaged the gear box, they don't as a rule bind up-rather strip the worm gear inside- tho it is possible. Good luck.
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tomplum
16 years ago
It is one of those times to set the book down and adjust the belt somewhat tighter than the instructions call for. It isn't the first time manufactures put too cautious tension adjustments on these. If it makes you feel better, re-tension the new belt after it's first use. Baymee's advise will get the job done.
screechyfixes
16 years ago
Help - my about 10 year old MTD quit, impeller and rotor won't go around but can be truened by hand. Do I need to separatethe parts of the blower and find where they are hooked togther?
jeffisme
Original Author
16 years ago
thanks again for the advice. my question though wasn't about the belt, but there's also this issue about resetting the augur cable up by where you squeeze it down on the handle. As I said, it feels fine to me, but what do I know?
bill_kapaun
16 years ago
My guess is they recommend resetting the cable due to slight manufacturing (length) tolerances in replacement belts. Sometimes 1/4" can seem like a foot!
I'd also not be surprised if the belt lengthened slightly after use, depending on belt quality.
Chances are, that if it "feels right", it probably is.
baymee
16 years ago
For screechy, you might have a shear bolt that broke. Look for a 1/4" hole where a shear bolt might go thru.

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