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

Hi gang. With more snow coming down right now, I went out to the shed this morning to do a pre-check on the blower to make sure it's ready to go tomorrow morning when I get home from work. Started ok, and ran ok for a couple minutes. Out of nowhere it just stopped going forward or reverse. Auger is working and drive belt is working. It's not making any funny sounds either. I didn't have time to pull the back cover off to check the chains or drive disk yet. I had to eat and now it's off to get some rest for tonight. It's a circa 1990 JD 726. Here's a pic, with my back up next to it if I don't get it running. It's supposed to be another sloppy mix. Snow now, sleet later then rain all day tomorrow. This stuffs no fun!  LOL
                               Any help or what to look for is appreciated,    Kevin

Actually the valve stems on my Simplicity tractor are all on the inside. Again, thats the way it came. It's really not that hard to get to on the blower. My son's last weekend home from college and we are going out for a family breakfast this morning. Only things I'm doing after that are putting that pin in, cleaning my woodstove pipe, then it's football, football, football.

                                                                                                            Kevin

Some other manufacturer's did that and maybe still do.  I know that MTD put the valve stems inside the rim.  I inquired and they told me just what Robmints did.  People were catching the stems on something and doing who knows what with them.   

     Well it turned out to be an easy fix. The old pins came out the the axles easily. I slid the solid left axle and wheel into the hollowed right axle, lined up the holes, tapped the tension spring or "rod" into the hole and done. Even the wife got to help by tipping the blower back  while I was underneath it. Thats trust. LOL.  I even thought I'd take it for a spin and have the wife take a pic to post on here. Couldn't start it. 2 weeks ago in the slush/snow that I was blowing, the recoil starter was acting erratically. sometimes it wouldn't catch. Today, nothing. I have a repair manual for the tech engine and it looks like the "dog spring" is missing. I'll check with the local OPE dealer for a part Monday.
     Honestly though, the other day when the axle and wheel came right out of the blower, I thought this was going to be a major fix and mucho bucks. All it cost was 25 cents for a 3/16 x 1" tension spring or "rod". The best part is, I got more OPE education, thanks to all that replied with suggestions and solutions. It never hurts to get up close and personal with your machines.

                                                                                                                                           Kevin

 

Good job Kevin.
That was brave, I don't know what came over her. Maybe after she saw you had some skills you might be worth something after all.

robmints wrote:

She's quite a gal. Most unselfish person I ever met. Geez, I was gonna write something funny here, but I'll leave it at that.       
    Kevin