Snow Blower Slow

[wallfish 18,066]

I noticed that my 2 stage blower was throwing slower over the past few storms. It never really preformed like I thought it should ever since it was hooked up. It would clog up and slow down as it got loaded with heavier snow but the engine didn't sound like it was under load. No burning belt smell or clutch lining stink. Changed the belt anyway but no change so I pulled off the PTO bell. I could see that the lining was glazed and only contacting about 20% of the surface of the bell. So, I took my grinder to the bell to flatten and scuff the surface and used a flat block with 150 grit paper to smooth the clutch lining. WHAT a difference! It will throw that wet heavy snow over the trees now! It's hooked up to a 418 C 

If your blower is not performing as it should, this may be what you need to do. Single or 2 stage.

Edited February 22, 2014 by wallfish

[AMC RULES 37,196]

Thanks for posting this John... 

I am thinking, I was noticing the same symptoms last time I used mine.

[MalMac 1,332]

Using a snowblower is one of the toughest jobs and puts more wear on the PTO's than anything. When I had my 2 stage it was really hard on the PTO. Not just the clutch plate but even the bearing. Just the nature of the beast. Snowblowers are hard on them. Plus this winter has been especially hard on equipment.

[squonk 43,731]

So John you are saying the bell was worn unevenly or warped kind of like a brake rotor gets? 

[WH nut 553]

I hope to not have to use my blower anymore this year.

[wallfish 18,066]

The contact part of the bell was pitted and did have wear but not deep rings like a brake rotor. The bearing seemed good so maybe at one point it was worn and allowing the bell to tilt on the shaft which wore down the outer section of the lining.  Or maybe the outer edge wears quicker from dirt and grime getting in there.   The center of the bell surface was pitted and must have wore down the center. It appeared it was only making contact on the inner section and allowing it to slip. This tractor was used pretty hard before I got it and probably sat outside it's whole life. 

 

It didn't take much to grind it. Just held the grinding disk flat on the bell's surface and went around in a circle about 10 times. To sand the lining, I started the engine and contacted the sanding block for probably 4 or 5 seconds.