Meteor snowblower repair advice needed

[StrangeRanger]

Well, I knew last night was gonna suck, and it did. I bent the fan shaft on my 60" Meteor blower. You know, the shaft that actually holds the 4 bladed fan that throws the snow up and out.

I'm calling around to see if I can get this shaft. Assuming I can locate one, does anyone know how much of a hassle it's going to be to change out? Got any tips or pointers or don't do's for me?

Thanks,

 

[StrangeRanger]

Ouch! Just learned that the shaft itself is about $200. Then add labor, seals etc. Or a new gearbox is about $375! Dang it!!

 

[rimshot]

This should be Wilko's web site. They are the builders of the meteor blower. Here is their web site and good luck:

Wikco.Com Catalog Of Tools And Equipment

rimshot

 

[ByronBob]

This should be Wilko's web site. They are the builders of the meteor blower. Here is their web site and good luck:

Wikco.Com Catalog Of Tools And Equipment

rimshot

I'm not sure this is true. They are out of Canada.

 

[hwp]

There appear to be two companies making "Meteor" snowblowers.
Walco Equipment in Elmira, Ontario, Canada homepage
and Wikco in Arizona Wikco.Com Catalog Of Tools And Equipment Is there a data plate on the unit to determine the manufacturer, model no., etc.?

 

[shvl73]

Are there any automotive machine shops in your area? The kind that do heads, cranks, etc...? Some of those are good repair and straightening shafts.

 

[rbargeron]

........ I bent the fan shaft on my 60" Meteor blower.........

Is the fan hard against the housing now? Is it possible that the gearbox has just shifted in the bolt holes? Assuming the shaft is bent, the fan wobbles as it turns?

If the shaft got bent without damaging the gearbox, it may be possible to bend it back - it's probably just soft steel. Also, it wouldn't have to be laser -straight to work ok. The Meteor fan shaft is 1" diameter on a 60" machine - not that hard to bend.

With the fan removed, a 6' piece of 1-1/2" sch 40 pipe slipped over the fan shaft couldbe used to cold-straighten it in place. Need to be careful not to break the gearbox, but the Meteor has alot of steel reinforcement around it so it should be ok.

Another way to go at it would be to take the gearbox apart and straighten the shaft in a shop press (more work).

Found this page for Meteor Snow Blowers Maybe you could call and see what they think about cold straightening it.

As always, prompt cheerful rufund if advice is bogus.

 

[ray66v]

I was able to straighten a shaft like that once, it takes more patience than anything else. Then when it got bent again I cut out the middle 90% and welded in a new piece. Sure it has some vibration, not a lot, a brand new shaft will end up vibrating before to long, and that would have been $300 more.

 

[StrangeRanger]

I appreciate all the advice guys but I ended up buying a new gearbox/shaft set. I will repair the damaged one and keep as a very expensive spare when I have time.
I didn't want to spend the money, but our family has extenuating circumstances that require EMS services be able to get to the house w/out any issues and at any time. It's been snowing for 3 days straight here, the drive is a little over 2,200' feet long and I simply didn't have the time or ability to fix the bent shaft in a timely manner.
A couple things: Yes, it was the shaft that was bent. The gearbox appears un-damaged and un-moved (I was hoping it was only moved). So I'll try to straighten the shaft and rebuild the gearbox. It is a steel hardened shaft so we'll see what happens.
Meteor snowblowers are manufactured by MK Martin Enterprises out of Elmira, Ontario. They might be related to Walco, but couldn't get a confirmation on that. They are NOT part of Wikco.
Live and learn I guess eh.

 

[ray66v]

2200' HOLY CRAP!!! Do you have a rest stop on that thing?

 

[themichelob]

Wow, I'd like to know what bent that shaft. That's a pretty beefy piece of steel. What did you suck up in there, and how come your shear bolt didn't let loose before doing that damage? Sorry to hear about you troubles...
Regards, Mike

 

[ray66v]

He has a Kubota so doesn't need a rest stop!!!

Not for him, for his visitors!

 

[StrangeRanger]

2200' HOLY CRAP!!! Do you have a rest stop on that thing?

I know right. And I wonder why I have to beg my wife to let me get a top-n-tilt. Do you have any idea how many times I've been up and down, on and off that dang tractor adjusting my top link!? And she still won't give me the go ahead!

 

[StrangeRanger]

Wow, I'd like to know what bent that shaft. That's a pretty beefy piece of steel. What did you suck up in there, and how come your shear bolt didn't let loose before doing that damage? Sorry to hear about you troubles...
Regards, Mike

It was a piece of rock about 9" long and 5 or 6" in diameter. Think football made of rock and you get the idea.

And it did break the shear bolts. Well, 2 out of 3 of them.

I do have to say that I have not been nice to this blower. In just this one season it has taken a tremendous amount of abuse. I would recommend this blower to anyone.

I don't blame anyone but myself for this damage. I think the key here was usually the "smaller" rocks and stuff bounce/get thrown out even when shear bolts get broken. But this time that puppy got lodged right up inside the blower fan and discharge chute. Something had to give. Guess I'll be installing the taller shoes

 

[ray66v]

When I lived in the city, and used a tractor mounted blower to clear my HUGE 65ft. long drive. I would once or twice a year pick up a chunk of asphalt left in my drive courtesy of the County snow plow. I got real good at truing up my auger, and at one point I cut out the main shaft from the auger and welded in a new one. Each time I was able to return the unit to service with satisfactory results. However, I don't think with a 2200' drive, I would have even considered a repair, except in an emergency.

 

[shvl73]

I picked up a piece of wood in a spot I shouldn't have been blowing snow. It did break a shear pin but, it also bent (slightly) the shroud around the fan. It sure can happen and it does happen quickly. I got lucky with no real damage, this time.

 

[StrangeRanger]

Well, I finally got my parts and time to fix the blower last night. Turns out, I did break the shaft, not just bend it. When I took the bolt out holding the fan onto the shaft and started wiggling to pull the fan, pop!, the fan came out and when I turned it over, looky-there!, a busted shaft!

Oh, and whoever assembled the blower was not kind enough to use any never seize on the shafts. OMG what a pain that was getting the shaft out of the fan and especially out of the PTO. If someone has a tool or trick for getting shafts out of the PTO knuckle PLEASE let me know. That was horrible!