JD 47-inch blower problems

[Z71]

Got a 2010 JD X728 with 47-in JD snow blower. After dealer rebuilt blower last year (chain and gears worn out <100 hrs) is has not been pushing out the snow like it once did or my neighbors similar machine. I always end up with a snow bank in front of the blower as if it cannot handle even 4 inches of light snow.

Anyone have an insight as to why this is occuring?

No broken shear pins, auger throws snow but can't handle the load like it once did. Dealer service was not helpful.

 

[oldnslo]

If this is a two stage have you confirmed the auger shear pin in not broken? I.e. have someone watch while you push into a pile of snow. This sure sounds like the symptoms of a infeed auger not turning under load.

 

[Z71]

2 stage.

Shear pin is not broken, just checked it.

 

[RNeumann]

I don’t know a lot about these but the idea an unhelpful dealer changed sprockets and chains has me wondering if the gear ratios were changed because the dealer had some parts laying around. Can you count gear teeth on your neighbor’s blower compared to yours?
Again this is a shot in the dark- I don’t know much about blowers.

 

[Z71]

I thought the same thing but when it asked him he claims the parts are all the same so it was impossible to mix up parts and slow down the machine, just laughed at that. I check out my neighbors machine but I am fed up with JD service.

By the way this is a 1-horse dealer, salesman and his B'n'L is the service tech so no telling what they might done.

 

[zzvyb6]

Compare the auger speed on yours to those shown on YouTube with X728s and 47 blowers. The wrong gearcase could have been put in. Is your pto 2000 rpm or does it have the 540 box ?

 

[Reb954]

You might verify your PTO rpm versus what rpm the snowblower is meant to have.

Some tractors will run the PTO at 1000 rpm or 540 rpm.

I'm unsure if you mean the auger isn't feeding fast enough or the impeller isn't throwing the snow fast enough or both.

 

[Reb954]

I just looked up your tractor, are you using a front snowblower or rear?

It shows your front PTO runs at 2000 rpm, rear at 540 rpm.

 

[cford36]

I just looked up your tractor, are you using a front snowblower or rear?

It shows your front PTO runs at 2000 rpm, rear at 540 rpm.

The JD47 is a front mount, I had one.

 

[Z71]

Its hard to see detail in pic due to stormy weather today but notice the snow appears pushed, thats whats happening. A pile of snow forms in front of the auger.

Has a cab on it today.........

 

[zzvyb6]

I wonder if they replaced the gearbox with the parallel one and the blower drive input is going the wrong way. When I got a used 47, I had to buy a shaft reverser instead of a $700 main gearbox replacement. Just check the auger rotation direction. You can do this by hand with the engine off.

 

[oldnslo]

In looking at the JD parts website it looks like the sprockets would be two very different sizes but it also does not show the tooth count. I did not see more than one set of sprockets listed but possible dealer the incorrect units.

Does the fan seem to throw the snow OK or does it also seem weak?

Good luck is resolving this issue

 

[zzvyb6]

How about this global warming theory: They left the shaft key out of the chain sprocket drive shaft. With light snow or none at all, the set screw for the sprocket can roll the auger and fan, but under load, the sprocket slips and you now have a snow pusher.

 

[Z71]

Does the fan seem to throw the snow OK or does it also seem weak?

It does blow but compared to my neighbors machine not as fast and as far, his machine does not leave a bank of snow in front. Going to run a sidexside test tomorrow to Don's machine, has same HP tractor and same blower, just 5 yrs newer model and his has never needed auger rebuild.

A local guy (owns a JD tractor) who works on tractors mentioned maybe a governor that controls the pto speed? Is there such a thing?

The bill, looks like he used JD parts or at least charged me for JD parts

 

[zzvyb6]

Part numbers jive with JD Parts listing and pics for a 47" blower. Hard to mix up speed ratio with any parts. I see there are 3 drive pins (fan and 2 on the auger that need to be in place to turn all the rotary pieces. If engine speed is correct, fan and auger would be at the proper rpm with no load. If loaded and there is slippage of some form (as in missing shaft key) then the drive system would slow down or halt. A video shot from the front would tell it all. Can't wait to see the comparison results !

 

[oldnslo]

100% agree with zzz that something is slipping causing the blower to slow down. Question is what is slipping, something on the input drive to the blower or something on the blower itself.

Take a video or have someone watch both the infeed auger and blower fan while pushing into a pile of snow.