Weird snowblower wheels won't engage unless lifted


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Old 03-21-18, 02:09 PM
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Weird snowblower wheels won't engage unless lifted

hi All,

Nor'easter here in the Northeast...Craftsman 5.5 HP 2 stage

snowblower runs. depress drive and wheels won't spin. I can only blow going down the driveway. upward..forget it

what's weird is if I lift the blower from the handle the wheels spin normally. as a matter of fact if i tilt it like when you're storing it they spin as well...

thanks for any help
 
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Old 03-21-18, 03:54 PM
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Why is that weird ? The weight of the snowblower is keeping it from moving as the drive is slipping,

Most small machines have a spinning disc/clutch system. When you pull the drive handle a pulley hits a revolving disc. The drive is usually under the engine and near the rear wheels. Most machines will have a 4 bolt cover you can remove to see that area.
 
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Old 03-21-18, 04:49 PM
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so what do I check under then? friction wheel?
 
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Old 03-21-18, 05:41 PM
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Could be the friction wheel is worn out. Or the gear mechanism is out of adjustment. I've replaced several.

here is a pic as PJ described.

 
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Old 03-21-18, 05:54 PM
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thanks for that Norm.

the friction wheel I'm familiar with, but can you give any tips on the gear mechanism? never tackled that before
 
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Old 03-21-18, 08:26 PM
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The friction wheel is attached to a mechanism which is spring loaded to keep the wheel from touching the plate. When you pull on the lever to engage drive.... it pulls against the spring and allows the wheel to contact the plate. There should be an adjustment in that linkage that allows the wheel to travel further.

If you post the Craftsman model number we can bring up a diagram for you.
The model number will look like xxx.xxxxxxxxxx
 
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Old 03-22-18, 03:37 AM
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can you give any tips on the gear mechanism?
Also, if you'll notice the right hand circled area on my pic. The cheap way Ariens is holding the shaft in place wore out and as a result the shaft no longer held tight so the gears would not mesh. I had to make shift a collar to hold the shaft in place.
 
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Old 03-22-18, 06:26 AM
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Pete, thanks.

Model No. is 247.88355.0

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Norm, thanks again.
 
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Old 03-25-18, 12:57 PM
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okay, had a chance to open the snowblower.

2 things:

1. friction wheel rubber ring is off the assembly and looks like it's been chewed on
2. the pulley that hits the friction ring is gouged in every place (not smooth)

obviously, the friction ring with no rubber has been scraping off the pulley

I can replace the friction ring and at this point might as well replace the whole assembly.

2 questions with the pulley:

1. does anyone have instructions to replace it?
2. parts list from sears calls it an "Auger pulley" is this correct even it controls the "drive"
 
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Old 03-25-18, 01:41 PM
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How bad is the friction plate gouged? You may be able to surface sand (grind) smooth. All parts should be replaceable. However if the cost of parts are more than $100, don't bother. Buy a new unit from one of the big box stores. Buy the low end brand and assume it will last about five years and prepare buy another at that time.
 
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Old 03-25-18, 01:49 PM
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thanks Norm

pulley is badly gouged. imagine like 3-4 different deep rings were created.
 
 

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