(Econor 48 inch) shaft seal leaking on snowblower

[asco2]

Hi

Can anyone help me on having procedure on changing a shaft seal on Econor snowblower ( NORMAND snowblower) it's the seal of the gear case on the snowblower that the PTO shaft is attach to.

Thanks

 

[Dave M7040]

Let me ask you a couple of questions on your problem.

How old is the blower? Did you get it used or new? Did the PTO shaft come with it?
How did you determine if the pto shaft is not too long?

It is unusual for these seals to leak unless there is another problem causing the seal to be dealing with an unusual load on the input shaft.
If the pto shaft is too long, as the blower is raised, the pto shaft may bottom out, i.e. have used up all of its telescoping ability and in this case extreme pressure is put on the gear box of the blower and on the rear gear case of the tractor's transmission. I have seen very expensive damage done to both tractors and gear boxes on implements when this happens.
You need to raise your blower until the pto shaft is level. At this point try and remove it from the output shaft of the tractor. If it does not want to pull back off the tractor output shaft this is a big clue.

Of course over filling with oil will build up pressure and cause leaks. If your blower is a conventional back up style on the 3 pt hitch, the gear box has 3 seals. One for the shaft the fan is on, a second for the shaft that turns the auger and the third for the pto input shaft. Is the pto shaft seal the only one leaking?

Look very closely at the gear box mounting structure. Loose mounting bolts, cracks in the steel framework for the gearbox will all lead to leaks.

Email Normand and ask for an owners manual which will include a parts diagram. Since this is your first time, I would buy the seal from a Normand dealer. You will pay more than at a bearing supply place but you will be certain to have the correct one. Once you see the seal you will see how easy it is to remove and install a new one. Keep the box and the old seal and should you ever need another one a bearing supply place can give you what you need for a cheaper price.

Removing just means wedging a thin screw driver between the outer edge of the seal and the gear box and prying the seal out taking care not to scratch up the metal surface of the gear box where the seal sets. Installing is a little trickier. You need something that is approximately the same outside diameter of the seal. A piece of abs drain pipe if the right size will work. You ideally have something that fits over the pto shaft and allows you to uniformly force the seal into the place for it in the gear box. It will take a few medium strength wacks of a hammer hitting a piece of wood which is protecting your abs pipe/special tool. Your are trying to get the seal to go in without being twisted as happens if one side goes in first.

The above image is not for your blower but most are typical. In this gear box all three seals are the same identified as #12

The new seal needs to go in facing a specific direction so look closely at your new one and the one you remove to get it the correct way in.

Good luck

Dave M7040

 

[asco2]

Hi Dave

How do you remove the driveshaft from the snowblower not the tractor.

Thanks
Guy

 

[Dave M7040]

Hi Dave

How do you remove the driveshaft from the snowblower not the tractor.

Thanks
Guy

Guy
How about a couple of pictures which will make my answer more relevant.

At the tractor end I assume you have a spring loaded collar which you pull back to release the shaft from the tractor.
At the blower end there could be two bolts clamping the shaft collar to the blower gear box.
Often the gear box shaft has a key way rather than the spines found on the tractor pto shaft.
Sometimes there is a single bolt running through the shaft collar which creates an interference with a groove on the gear box shaft stopping the shaft from pulling off.

It should come off easily.

Dave M7040

 

[Dave M7040]

Guy
Every time I offer advice to someone on this forum I feel a sense of responsibility to not lead them down a path that their life's experience might not be what I thought it was.
We are talking about your snow blower pto shaft and my sense is that you do not have a lot of experience around farm machinery. Not trying to insult you in any way but rather to help you stay safe.

PTO shafts are very dangerous. Every year experienced farmers are killed or maimed by having arms and legs ripped off by the pto shaft.
Please take a few minutes and look at a few youtube videos such as this one below.

How to Transplant and Move Large Trees Featuring an Air Tool! - YouTube

The outer cover on the pto shaft is a critical safety item. However, if the two light chains attached to each end of the pto cover are not attached to something solid, you do not know that the shaft cover will protect you. The cover should be stationary when the pto is rotating.

There are those who do not believe in government safety regulations and I respect that as long as they are making a fully informed decision about the risks they are accepting and further, they are not exposing other unsuspecting children and inexperienced people to a dangerous situation.

I will help you all I can to resolve the oil leak on your blower's gear box as long as you respect my concern for your safety. I am a professional mechanical engineer and my foremost duty as an engineer is to public safety.

Looking forward to seeing a couple of photos of your pto and gear box. Snow is coming soon

Dave M7040

 

[asco2]

HI Dave

You are right and I thanks you very much for all your advice it did help me I know to ask from now on any questions

Thanks again and any french translation you need ( my turn not to insult you ) ask any time

Guy

Québec Canada

 

[asco2]

Hi Dave

Here are the photo's if it work

 

[Dave M7040]

Hi Dave

Here are the photo's if it work

Guy
One photo was with your post.
I marked up your photo which is below.

The silver or gold collar should pull back (towards the tractor) and release the bearings which serve as a lock by fitting into a groove on the gear box shaft.
Likely it is the same as the end of the shaft on your tractor.
If it has not been off for a long time, the grease on the shaft may have gotten thick and sticky and spraying WD40, using a fine tube that comes with the WD40 can, between the gear box shaft and pto shaft may soften the grease and make it easier to pull off. Let the WD40 sit overnight.
The oil I see looks old. I would drain and refill the gear box with fresh oil. Clean up the old oil thoroughly and any oil you spill and then watch for a leak of fresh oil.
It may be that the previous owner was sloppy and spilled oil that was never cleaned up and there is no need to change the seal.

I appreciate your offer of french translation. I spent some time in Quebec many years ago as you will read in the following press report. My french was not very good but better than now and in the court proceedings I had a personal translator with me at all times. Very sad story that impacted many families. I am the Federal investigator.

Dave M7040

 

[asco2]

Thanks again Dave

Sad story and close one for you. I will try out and let you know how I made

Like we say in french ( A plus ) meening see you later

Guy

 

[asco2]

Hi Dave

Here is the picture of the seal that I have to remove has you can see, what would be the procedure

Thanks again Guy