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So I have an old Toro 824 used snowblower from the mid 90's. The last two times I used it we had wet snow. Snow kept getting clogged and I had to break it up with broom and then it would just clog again.

Like an idiot I kept doing this and the augur froze. The belt was smoking a bit and the auger wouldn't turn. I put the blower back in the garage let it sit (and melt). When I came back out the auger turned fine.

We had another snow last night and I used the blower today. The snow clogged pretty easily and it didn't "throw" the snow and eventually clogged. I borrowed the neighbors 524 new blower and that handled the snow albeit poorly.

Is it likely my belt needs to be changed or tightened? Or are belt issues an all or nothing deal? Changing the belts on the two stager's seems pretty challenging and I may have to sub it out. I'm hoping I can chalk it up to wet snow.

Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
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tjcinnamon
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2 Answers2

6

I would suggest that since you experienced the burnt belt smell, it's probably time to replace. Overall, the procedure looks pretty simple and straight forward. Here are the instructions for replacing the traction drive belt:

REPLACING AUGER/IMPELLER DRIVE BELT

  1. Pull high tension wire off spark plug and make sure it does not contact the plug accidentally.
  2. Remove two thread forming screws holding belt cover in place and set belt guard aside.
  3. Move auger drive control to DISENGAGE and wheel drive control to N, neutral. Next, remove auger drive belt from engine pulley and large auger/impeller pulley.
  4. Install new belt around large auger/impeller pulley. Next, loop belt over engine pulley, making sure that belt is on inside of idler pulley and wire belt guide.
  5. Install belt cover with two thread forming screws.
  6. Reattach high tension wire onto spark plug.

ADJUSTING AUGER/IMPELLER DRIVE BELT

  1. Loosen jam nut from clevis at bottom of auger drive control rod. Next, remove cotter pin and clevis pin holding clevis to bent rod.
  2. Rotate clevis counterclockwise - out - to increase belt tension. By contrast, rotate clevis clockwise - in - to decrease belt tension.

NOTE: When adjusting clevis, rotate it one half - 180° - turn.

  1. connect clevis to bent rod with clevis pin and cotter pin. Next, tighten jam nut against top of clevis.
  2. Check tension of belt by operating the auger. If belt still slips, adjust clevis again.

NOTE: This was taken from this video of the Toro 824 Manual. Quality was so bad, I did a lot of squinting to get it for you. Please watch it yourself and be thoroughly as unimpressed with it as I was ;-)

Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
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1

@Paulster2 gives great information in his answer. Consider one other thing in snowblowers: surface friction. With wet snow, sometimes spraying the chute, auger and other snow contacting surfaces with silicone spray can help provide better feed. Using silicone spray may help your blower move more snow without sticking as much, but it is not a substitute for maintenance and adjustment.

mongo
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