fore aft impeller play on 2 stage Toro snow thrower

[Gary S Minnesota 61]

Hi All,

I recent gained a 2 stage Toro snow thrower that was included in a purchase of a C-160.  I have since removed a single stage snow thrower which was on my 520 H and replaced it with the 2 - stage unit.

Upon starting the 520H and engaging the 2 stage thrower I noticed an intermittent scraping sound which seems to come from the impeller area? It does not happen consistently and actually seems to go away when the auger RPM's come up to operating speed.  I'm able to move the horizontal shaft that runs through the impeller and into the auger gear box in and out slightly, 1/4"?  Everything in the power train seems to be in alignment and running smooth and quietly. Is that play in the auger shaft normal?  Do I maybe have a bearing problem with that impeller shaft?  Hope not, it looks like a fair amount of work to replace that bearing?

 

 

thanks,

Gary in Southern Minn.

[c-series don 10,567]

I’m not going to claim to be an expert on the two stage blower, but if I remember correctly mine does the same thing and operates just fine. Maybe @Dan 312-8 can chime in on this? 

[wallfish 18,628]

Check the up/down fore and aft play in those 2 auger (bushings) bearings. They tend to wear because they are bronze bushings. Not a big deal to replace them if necessary because the sides come off. Toro replacement bushings are kind of expensive for what they are but they can also be replaced with real bearings. 

You might need to remove the chute, but try up and down movement on the shaft with the impeller checking the bearing that behind it. It shouldn't move at all. Changing that bearing is a bit more involved.

Maybe watch inside there while someone else spins it by hand

[Dan 312-8 263]

56 minutes ago, c-series don said:

I’m not going to claim to be an expert on the two stage blower, but if I remember correctly mine does the same thing and operates just fine. Maybe @Dan 312-8 can chime in on this? 

@Gary S Minnesota, @c-series don, the impeller shaft does move fore and aft about a 1/4”, when I spun it manually it does drag a bit. I have used this snowblower on and off for the past 12 years or so with no issues. As Don claimed, I am no expert on these, just sharing my experience. Hope this helps.

[Gary S Minnesota 61]

Thank you for your responses.  I checked  for play up/down, fore aft on the impeller drive shaft and auger bushings.

Everything seems to be tight and in alignment.

At this time I’ve decided to leave things alone and see how it performs on a measurable snow fall.  Putting a load on the blower should tell the story.  

Only had to blow snow off the driveway 3X last winter. Really unusual for Southern Minn.

We will see what this Winter brings.