Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I have a gnashing noise when I engage the auger on my snowthrower. All the belts and pulleys are adjusted properly.The pulleys and sheaves are running true and are secure on their shafts. All the tensions are correct. The gearbox is filled with 90wt.hypoid to the proper level. The auger is properly greased and free on it's shaft and the shear pins are the correct ones for the machine.They are not grooved and are torqued to 11ft.lbs as called for in the manual.The brake arm is adjusted to 1/4" clearance with the handle depressed as called for in the manual.There is about 1/32" lash in the auger which seems to be normal for this kind of set up. I drained the gearbolx and poured the oil in front of a flashlight and found no metal fillings so I assume the gears are ok.The machine has about ten hours on it and and has made the noise from new.

The unit is a TroyBilt 42010 .It is the last of the Gardenway produced machines before MTD bought the name.I bought it at a deep discount in a crate in 1997 and used it for the first time last year. I did the assembly myself according to the assembly manual and no short cuts were taken.The noise has been present ever since the first use. The machine works flawlessly but the noise bothers me as I am afraid something is amiss. Any suggestions?

Marc

It has two shafts comming out of the engine?
One drives the drive disk? And one drives the auger/impeller drive?
The one that is driving the auger/impeller is making all the noise?

If the answers are 4 yeses, I would check the idler bearings or for a loose bolt or shaft in the idler system for the auger engagement.
The bushings on the shafts the carry the impeller and auger shaft are good? I would assume them to be self-lubricating, but who knows.

One bad thing would be if the belt was too tight when you engage the auger. I think it is spring loaded, but you might want to check to make sure it is not too tight when engaged. Make sure to take the plug out when you have your fingers where they don't belong.

Is this the long post that would not post?

Maybe when everyone comes in from clearing snow they might be able to help you. I just didn't want you to think we forgot you..

Robert,
No such luck here. Just watching the Ravens get beat by the Stillers.

I'm on the Cowboy vs Redskin game. Boy, what offensive powerhouses these two are.

Mints-This was the post that wouldn't post!! There is only one shaft comming out of the engine which is the standard Tecumseh Snow King with horizontal shaft.All the idler pulleys and their shafts and bearings are running true,appear to be lubricated and are not binding.

Cajunblu- A gnashing noise would approach the sound of rubbing the head of a bolt across the ribbed metal surface of the washboards I've seen used in Zydeco music.

Marc

mml4,

Does the sound stay static or does it has a rythem to it like it's turning, going around, back and forth, etc.

Marc,
I have a HMSK80 with two output shafts. Tec makes different SnowKing engines. Can you narrow it to the belt drive area or the auger housing area? I think I am out of my league, but I would still look at the idler real close if the noise was comming fron the belt drive area.

Mints -I can't isolate the noise as being in the auger housing or behind it in the belt drive area.Which blower do you own with the dual shaft Tec.?

Marshall- The noise is only when you first depress the auger lever. Once the auger is engaged there is no noise. It only lasts for a moment and it has no rythem or cycle.

Marc

my old ariens 7hp makes a noise when i first pull the clutch. kind of a whoosh or gnash. it is 30 years old and has always done it with no problems ever. i think what you have is normal.

You know I have been thinking about this post all evening and without seeing and hearing for myself I too was thinking it may be normal.....

More opinions to come from those more in the know.....

C