New John Deere 47SB Snowblower - Noisy

[psdx]

I have read the threads about noisy snowblowers and don't feel like I figured out enough to diagnose this. I made sure the PTO shafts were in phase. The chain seemed awfully tight - now about 1/4" and in line with the specs calling for 3/16-3/8". I was hoping that by including a short video someone with more experience could suggest something else before calling the dealer. It's brand new and it cost too much to make this kind of racket, and something is going to wear prematurely if it's left like this. Also, when I run the throttle up the snowblower starts shaking and rocks the tractor from side to side. When I disconnect the front PTO shaft all is quiet and free of vibration so it has to be in the snowblower. I appreciate any suggestions.

Here's a video that should demonstrate. Thanks for your help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbfzyq9MocY

 

[beenthere]

Sounds a little rough but not out of the ordinary.
Pull the shear pins individually and check out if it is in the auger or the blower, or the drive line.
Might remove the shields and run (carefully) while observing the chain drives. May be missing something there.
Check if the PTO is connected and not on all the way.
And if brand new, visit the Deere dealer. Either have them look/listen or ask them to demonstrate one on the lot for you to compare.
Lots of options. Hope one includes some snow soon.

 

[psdx]

I didn't post a video showing the full throttle effect, but the snowblower shakes back and forth enough to make the tractor rock back and forth. ....kind of like a washing machine in the spin cycle with a bunch of towels all bunched up on one side .

At any rate - it would seem to me that anything that causes that much shaking means something is seriously out of balance. Between the noise and the shaking/rocking something seems wrong.

 

[beenthere]

Not doubting you, and removing each activity (auger, blower, both) will help you find out what is wrong.

 

[psdx]

I will do that tomorrow and post an update. I'm also going to check the short shaft on the front to make sure it doesn't get on a bind and bottom out against the joint on either end. Thanks for the help.

 

[psdx]

I removed the long driveshaft to spin the auger and there seems to be a fair amount of drag. Maybe that's just the gearbox? No noise at the slow speeds you can spin it by hand, and I don't detect any rough spots. I also disconnected both sides from the fixed shaft that goes through the axle and it spins freely with no rough spots.

I removed the shear bolt behind the gearbox and the blower spins freely on the shaft. I removed the shear bolts at both ends of the auger and both sections spin smooth and free.

I have not yet watched the chain and sprockets with the PTO on. But after all this messing around I do believe the noise in the video is the plastic impeller jumping back and forth on the shaft. There is some play the allowing it to move back and forth (front to back) on the shaft. It looks like I could maybe loosen the collar that holds the shear bolt and slide it back to take up this play and eliminate that noise. Is that accurate? Thank you.

 

[beenthere]

You can try that and see if it helps. Just tightening the shear bolt may help too, but then loosen it for running.

From what you said, sounds like you did not remove a shear pin from the auger and spin the blower up to tractor rpm speed. Maybe I misinterpreted, but it may help isolate the vibration.

 

[psdx]

You can try that and see if it helps. Just tightening the shear bolt may help too, but then loosen it for running.

From what you said, sounds like you did not remove a shear pin from the auger and spin the blower up to tractor rpm speed. Maybe I misinterpreted, but it may help isolate the vibration.

How tight/loose should the shear bolts be? Is there a torque requirement? ....I made them snug, but I'll say I was wondering how that much surface area tight together might affect the ability of the bolt to let go.

With regard to running the snowblower with the shear bolts removed, you're right. I didn't do that. Let me try that.... Thanks.

 

[mfreund]

It will REALLY quiet down when shoved full of snow! I am only jesting... Good to get it worked out before you need it.

 

[bigtiller]

It will REALLY quiet down when shoved full of snow! I am only jesting... Good to get it worked out before you need it.

Actually, that is true.

Check your chain again. Does the small gear have a lot of run-out? Mine did so I split the difference on the chain slack - tight in one spot and slack on the opposite side.

Also, use metal lock nuts with some blue loctite. The plastic ones seam to loosen to easily.