Snow 47" snowthrower broke

[chipsndust]

This stuff only happens when I have 16" of snow in the driveway!

I drove my 2305 out of the tractor shed, engaged the PTO for the front mounted snowthrower, and noticed that the auger and impeller weren't turning. I shut off the tractor and got out to see what was wrong, and saw the large sprocket from the snowthrower lying on the ground behind the tractor.

Fortunately I could get the tractor into a heated garage to work on it. Although I never found the woodruff key (had to drive into TSC to buy one), I think the set screws loosened and allowed the sprocket to slide forward off the shaft.

I put the sprocket back on the shaft with a new woodruff key, adjusted the chain tension and tightened the two setscrews using red loctite.

 

[defed]

at least it was an easy fix. i had a similar problem w/ my garden tractor blower, set screw loosened, key fell out, shaft was spinning on the gearbox. never fun working on it when it's 15F, and i don't have a heat option!

 

[fdmars]

Glad it was only labor and nothing really broken....but what a pain. I filled the tractor the day before for the storm, after it was over went out ready for some great seat time w/ alot of snow. Saw I left the key on ALL night:ashamed: Oh my god will it start or like you for the worst snow storm of the season, I will not be ready....turned the key slow turn over, but it did fire up Thank my lucky stars....and off i went. Better double check that key next time.

 

[chipsndust]

at least it was an easy fix. i had a similar problem w/ my garden tractor blower, set screw loosened, key fell out, shaft was spinning on the gearbox. never fun working on it when it's 15F, and i don't have a heat option!

Yep, all it took was time (and a trip to TSC for a 99 cent 1/4 X 1-1/4 key). I will be checking the setscrews more often from now on!

 

[chipsndust]

Glad it was only labor and nothing really broken....but what a pain. I filled the tractor the day before for the storm, after it was over went out ready for some great seat time w/ alot of snow. Saw I left the key on ALL night:ashamed: Oh my god will it start or like you for the worst snow storm of the season, I will not be ready....turned the key slow turn over, but it did fire up Thank my lucky stars....and off i went. Better double check that key next time.

fdmars:
Glad it turned out OK. I haven't left the key on, but I HAVE started driving forward with the block heater plugged in. Fortunately, I noticed the extension cord straightening out and stopped in time!