Augers won’t spin in snow


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Old 03-11-18, 07:48 AM
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Augers won’t spin in snow

I have an ariens 824 and unsure as to what the problem is. First the shear pins seem to be intact; the augers spin freely; once I engage the augers they seem to work fine and the impeller spins as well; but once I engage the snow, the augers stop. i checked the belt and it is not broken. I have been told to replace the belt and someone else had told me I need a new gear case. As I cannot transport the blower to my local shop, it will cost $100 for them to pick up/drop off blower. If it’s just the belt, I can handle that (I think)! Appreciate your help!
 
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Old 03-11-18, 07:56 AM
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@rj "First the shear pins seem to be intact;" They can still be in place but sheared. Under load they slip. Not a pro on snowblowers but have had to replace a few shear pins. High probability.

If not, age of the blower and what were you doing with it last?

Bud
 
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Old 03-11-18, 08:00 AM
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Question. Does it throw any type of snow at all? This last snow fall we had the type of snow would not flow or move into the chute or impeller area in spite on the augers spinning. The snow froze at the auger entrance and the augers just spin. Also, hitting a full load of snow at a full speed will only clog the chute.

Can you move the augers by hand with the machine turned off? If so the pins are sheared.

If transmission or gear case is damages you can do a simple test. Get a piece of 2 x 4 or broomstick or similar. Put it in the path of the auger and go. Do not hold on to the stick. Be sure it's free on the ground. One of two things will happen. If all is well the shear pins will snap and the augers will stop spinning. Or they will seize as the gears or transmission is failing and maybe stall the engine.
 
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Old 03-11-18, 09:50 AM
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Shear Pins are fine

Pulled both shear pins out and they’re fine.

Is their a way to attach short videos?
 
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Old 03-11-18, 09:57 AM
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Before you do this, remove the key and unplug the spark plug wire from the spark plug; Find a way to engage the auger, while it's engaged grab the auger to see if you can spin it by hand. If everything is connected as it should, It shouldn't spin. If it does, check to see if the impeller spins with it, they work together. Again, with the auger engaged check the belt tension, your operators manual should tell you what the deflection should be. Good luck.
 
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Old 03-11-18, 09:58 AM
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You'd need to have it hosted somewhere... like you tube... and then link it here.

If the blower is spinning fine, and the shear pins are confirmed ok.... you've lost the gearbox.

With the way the gearbox is designed.... you don't have to hold the impeller. The gearbox won't allow the augers to spin.
 
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Old 03-11-18, 10:19 AM
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Auger engaged

Ok, with the auger engaged the augers do spin freely and the impeller does not spin.

looking more closely at the belt, I do see a horizontal crack in it, but not sure if this is the cause?
 
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Old 03-11-18, 10:24 AM
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Looking at the exploded view..... it appears there is a third shear pin in your machine.... #20. It may be inside the gearbox. If not... gear #14 is worn out.

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Old 03-11-18, 10:34 AM
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Gearbox???

ugghhhhhh!!!!

is that a do it yourself project???

if so, do I purchase it from ariens or from another supplier?
 
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Old 03-11-18, 10:37 AM
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I updated my post while you were typing.
 
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Old 03-11-18, 10:53 AM
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Yes, the crappy Ariens does have a shear pin for the impeller axle. It is a DIY project not too hard.
 
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Old 03-12-18, 06:26 AM
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Looking at pjmax's diagram of the auger/impeller system, it looks like there is another pin closer to the impeller, it's #6 on the diagram. If that pin sheared, that could explain the reason for the auger to spin manually but not the impeller. Roger
 
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Old 03-12-18, 10:08 AM
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I only posted the diagram portion but part #6 is a set screw to hold collar #5 in place.
 
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Old 03-13-18, 06:29 AM
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I stand corrected. The drive shaft or axle does not use a shear pin. I should've known better. I've only rebuilt that thing several times.

Ok, with the auger engaged the augers do spin freely and the impeller does not spin.

looking more closely at the belt, I do see a horizontal crack in it, but not sure if this is the cause?
Can you spin the impeller by hand? Do the simple thing first. Replace the belt. It needs bit regardless.
 
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Old 03-13-18, 07:58 AM
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I heartily dislike the comment about the 2x4 in reply #3 above. It is not a good idea to test the snowblower with a severe load, causing the breaking of the shear pins to verify proper operation up to that moment.

I find it hard to believe that part #20 inside the gear case is a shear pin. You would have to disassemble the gear case to replace that pin and there is (there should be) a lot of grease inside the gear box that would spill all over the place when you opened the gear box.
 
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Old 03-13-18, 08:16 AM
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I find it hard to believe that part #20 inside the gear case is a shear pin
I agree, it is more than likely a hardened steel roll pin.
 
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Old 03-13-18, 11:15 AM
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The two pins (19) that are in the augers and are easily
replaceable are.... 5803000 3/​16 x 1-1/​2 roll pins.

The pin (20) that is inside the gear box is called a groove pin... 05806900 groove pin. .313" x 1.44". It looks like a roll pin but much thicker than the auger pins. It may be hardened steel.

So if we're in agreement the groove pin didn't shear.... then that leaves the worm drive shaft or auger gear. The gearbox will need to be opened to assess the problem. A problem at this point is that those parts (#14) are shown as discontinued at many parts locations.
 
 

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