Hooray Blizzard
- Thread starter Wx4Cy
- Start date
I'm sure you're correct. I simply got tired of replacing the pins - especially when Sears is always "out of stock". I think they want me to bring the blower in for service so I can be charged more. So far, the nut and bolt has worked well and has not caused damage. However, in the long run, I'm sure you're cprrect.
I can do that well enough on my own. Odds are I wouldn't even get far enough to mention BrianHos.
Ya, Sears and other places love to have items brought in for service...money in their pockets for simple things like shear pins! A nut and bolt are ok for the "quick fix" to get the snow out of the way...I just wouldn't keep it in there for long as all it takes is once. Maybe get a couple of shear pins from a regular small gas engine shop and see how they perform. Only making suggestions to save you from a bigger repair cost down the road. Have a good sunday!
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
I worked at Sears in Lawn and Garden, and don't remember having this problem. We always had those in stock.
If you went to Parts and Service, that may be another matter.
If you used the replacement shear pin, it would be a good idea to go and get a replacement or two. Those things aren't meant to be a long-term solution.
That is FREAKING AWESOME! :notworthy:
Back to the original topic... the impending blizzard. It looks like they upped the snowfall total forecast for at least the Ames area from 1-2" to 3-5." This will make things especially nasty with gusts as high as 50 MPH! There's already a bunch of fluffy snow on the ground, any additional snow will just get blown around. I'm excited to see how bad some of the drifts get...... of course I hope no one gets stuck out in this weather. The wind chills are going to get downright NASTY. Please everyone, be careful.
I'm wondering if the university is considering canceling classes... (since it's just the first day and travel will be dangerous for out of towners).
There is nothing special about shear bolts other then they aren't as tough as Grade 8 or tougher bolts. If you go to a hardware store, tell them you want bolts for the auger shear bolt on the auger. It is either going to be a grade 3 or grade 5 bolt with a lock washer and nut on it. Make sure you get a bolt that completely fills the hole in the shaft so there is no play if you try and move the auger before it catches. A guy at the hardware store could help you find the bolt, but it's not a specific bolt only made for your make and model snowblower.
I just realized tonight that my windshield wipers aren't working... That will help out alot tomorrow...
A true shear bolt has 2 grooves cut into it...one on each end so that when the unit encounters a sudden jam, the bolt will shear at the 2 grooves..saving the unit from further problems. And yes, depending on the snowblower manufacturer, some shear bolts ARE specific to their uits and will not properly fit others. Google search shear bolts for snowblowers and you will see quite a few variances...diameter/length of shear bolt, depth of the grooves at the shear point, etc.
It's the difference between "properly engineered" and "works". I guess.
Considering the price difference is pretty negligable compared to the cost of fixing something that broke because something else wasn't properly repaired, I'd just spend the extra few cents(?) on a proper shear bolt.
Or you could just buy a Toro, which doesn't have shear bolts
I would just buy a shovel. Actually a shovel and one of those scoopers you push along the ground
Worked for me for several years now and not once have I ever gone outside and been unable to clear snow!
I'll second the 'its cool how these seem to always miss Omaha!'
Worked for me for several years now and not once have I ever gone outside and been unable to clear snow!
I'll second the 'its cool how these seem to always miss Omaha!'
I would just buy a shovel. Actually a shovel and one of those scoopers you push along the ground
Worked for me for several years now and not once have I ever gone outside and been unable to clear snow!
I'll second the 'its cool how these seem to always miss Omaha!'
Agreed thats how I've always done it....I will admit the 10+ inch snowstorms are a pain, anything less and its not that bad though.
I'll admit that going from a house with a garage behind to a typical 2car was almost like getting a snow blower. The old house also had a huge parking pad so you could turn around to go out the driveway - plus that annoying grass strip on the driveway just to make it tougher... By the end of one winter there there wasnt any room left to put the snow.
I've had a Yard Machine for 10 years. Works like a champ.
Is it a 2 stage? Could you have broken the shear bolts? They attach the auger to the axle that spins the auger and are there to protect you from damaging the auger if you hit a rock, or a big chunk of ice..
I would just buy a shovel. Actually a shovel and one of those scoopers you push along the ground
Worked for me for several years now and not once have I ever gone outside and been unable to clear snow!
I'll second the 'its cool how these seem to always miss Omaha!'
Never had a snowblower until a neighbor gave me his old one because it didn't work right for him. I took it home, tore the carburator apart, put in a new gasket kit, put in a new spark plug, put new skid plates and scraper bar on the bottom and now have a snowblower I couldn't have bought for $300. This past Saturday I was the nice guy who did 8 driveways in our neighborhood.
And as far as paying extra for a sheer bolt with extra grooves in it, I will have to respectfully disagree. Most shafts coming out of the gear box are solid shafts(or should be) and the shaft of the auger should be able to slide on without much play. Unless the groove is where the split is between the input shaft and the auger shaft, it isn't going to affect how it breaks. Grade 3 or grade 5 bolts are softer by design and will break where they need to break if there is too much torque on the auger and are quite a bit cheaper.
