Not throwing snow

I have a yard machine snow thrower by MTD model # 31A5320 729
The problem I'm having is the auger spins fairly fast when engaged and will throw very light snow but as soon as it builds up in front of the machine the auger stops. I clear the snow from the chute and it will spin again. Any help would be appreciated
Thanks
AnthonyM

 

When the snowthrower is dry, you need to give some attention to the metal surfaces. Some like to spray silicone spray on all internal parts. I prefer Johnson's paste wax. Second, you can't plow into wet, heavy or deep snow thinking that it will throw snow as fast as you can push it. You need to go slow enough that the chute stays clean. And finally the snowthrower needs to be cold, if it came out of a heated garage it will tend to cause snow to stick inside.

You may find that if you keep the chute clean and then go slowly, taking half passes instead of full ones, that it will throw a lot better. This is just what you often need to do in wet snow or really deep snow.

It could be a loose or worn belt, but my guess is that the above advice will work. Hope it helps.

 

If the auger stops my guess is that a shear pin has sheared. Can you move the augers by hand (with machine off of course)? Is it a two stage unit? Is the 2nd stage impeller still spinning?

 

Thanks for the response. When I first got the unit it would thrown any kind of snow no problem. I do try and take short passes also. It's just past year that it has been messed up and I had the unit for 7 years. The unit is a one stage. When the unit is off without engaging the clutch I can spin the auger no problem. I don't know if that is good or bad.
Thanks
Anthony

 

[QUOTE]When the unit is off without engaging the clutch I can spin the auger no problem.QUOTE]

Does it spin free on the shaft or does it seem like you're turning the whole transmission system?

If it spins freely look for one or two wholes along the shaft. If they are empty or have no bolt head or nut on it then they have sheared. As they should. Easy fix, just buy some new ones that arte made and sized for your machine.

PS...I tried to find your model number on several sites (Outdoor Power Equipment Parts: Use the Part Finder Tool from MTD). Did not find. But models from 2007 single stage apparently does not have shear pins. So now a broken belt or stripped gear might be the problem. Check that model number again.

 

I gave you the wrong serial # it's. 31AS230729. Hope that helps. The auger doesn't seem to spin freely it has some resistance to it.

 

You need to go the web site I referenced in previous post or just go here

Operator's Manuals

(there are two entry's for your model, one has a dash 2. Most likely there is little difference.). Using the drop down menus find your machine (Yard Machine is at the near end) and model and download the manuals. You'll notice there are two user manuals, one 769-01283A the other 769-01283. The first one indicates it has shear pins the other doesn't. Determine what you have. If you don't have shear pins then it seems to me X-Sleeper was correct and the primary item to check first is the belt. The manuals gives the method to replace it. Start there. Check all nuts and bolts to be sure they are tight.

 

You need to go to the web site I referred to in previous post or go to this

Operator's Manuals


Using the drop down menu find your brand. Yard Machine is the second from the last.

Enter your model number

You're going to see two entries, one will be listed as 769-01283 the other as 769-01283a. The one with the a suffix mentions a shear pin, but the other does not. In either case I cannot find a pic of the shear pin in the parts list. However that does not mean you don't have any. Further searches does in fact list replacement shear pins for your machine (Yard Machines Shear Pin Parts In Stock from RepairClinic.com). You need to look along the auger shaft to see if there are places for a shear pin to be inserted if they have been sheared off.

If you don't have shear pins then I think X-Sleeper was correct and you may need a new belt. The manuals will walk you through the replacement procedure. Be sure to get the exact replacement.