How well does a single stage snowblower work?

[wallfish 17,152]

Well Maybe it's just the video view then if this is indeed the case.

"It seems to be turning the right direction.  Passenger side view moves clockwise, shoving the snow to the back of the unit and up through the chute."

[Ed Kennell 39,623]

6 hours ago, BuffaloD200 said:

 

Tested it with the 5L and had the same results

Same results....the belt still slips on the engine pulley?      Does the engine bog down when the auger stops and the belt is burning in the pulley?

 

Is the belt tensioner maintaining good tension on the belt?   If that belt is gripping the pulley like it should, the engine should stall when the auger locks up.

[BuffaloD200 51]

14 hours ago, wallfish said:

Is that thing spinning backwards?

Looking at the first video it can be deceiving sometimes but when you move to the side at about 12 seconds it looks more as though that chain on the sprocket is spinning it backwards. 

It should be spinning from the top to the bottom. Same direction as the tractor tires when moving forward.

Edit: Watched again and again. It's spinning backwards. It's forcing snow in the auger out to the ends instead of to the middle. Chain routing wrong? Again, I'm not familiar with the D series setup but no matter what it needs to spin the correct direction

I'll double check my work.  If it was spinning backwards, I haven't the foggiest what would be causing that.  The engine and pulley spin in one direction which goes to a 90° gearbox (maybe there's something wacky in there) then to a driveshaft which spins a gear and chain.

8 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

Same results....the belt still slips on the engine pulley?      Does the engine bog down when the auger stops and the belt is burning in the pulley?

 

Is the belt tensioner maintaining good tension on the belt?   If that belt is gripping the pulley like it should, the engine should stall when the auger locks up.

Yes.  Poor performance of snow coming out the chute and that packs in the chute and clogs the auger.  When that happens the auger seizes and the belt cooks while the PTO spins.  

I haven't the engine stall yet when the auger stops.  The belt tension sure seems to be right.  I'd prefer a weight spec, so I can properly measure with a gauge.  The only spec I could find is based on measuring distance of deflection, which I think is an unreliable method.

 

Tonight's another night.  I'll take the PTO apart again and see if something is amiss.  I rebuilt it according to the manual and the suggestions on here.

[BuffaloD200 51]

On 1/17/2025 at 7:17 PM, lynnmor said:

Sounds like PTO slippage to me.

Well I took a part the PTO tonight.  The friction material separated from the PTO face.  I used Loctite 380 as recommended on here, I've reapplied it and I'll let it sit for a few days and see what happens.  If it doesn't hold again, I believe my only option is to rivet it on.

[Ed Kennell 39,623]

1 hour ago, BuffaloD200 said:

The friction material separated from the PTO face

So the pulley was never turning?

[BuffaloD200 51]

11 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

So the pulley was never turning?

It was, but I think it was from the clamping action of the PTO.  So it worked - but not well.  Hopefully this time the Loctite will hold and maximum power transfer will occur.

[lynnmor 7,453]

12 hours ago, BuffaloD200 said:

Well I took a part the PTO tonight.  The friction material separated from the PTO face.  I used Loctite 380 as recommended on here, I've reapplied it and I'll let it sit for a few days and see what happens.  If it doesn't hold again, I believe my only option is to rivet it on.

Locktite 380 is simply Super Glue with an ingredient to increase adhesion.  It cures in 90 seconds, no need to wait days.

[Gary S Minnesota 53]

I Have used a single stage blower on my 312-8 for 25 years. I’m in Southern Minnesota and over those years have probably experienced about every type of snow condition. I have no complaint’s whatsoever on the single stages’s performance.In deep snow of 12” or more I run low range and 1st or 2nd gear to make that initial track down my 100ft driveway. Some times I had to raise the blower and take the top of a snowdrift off first and then back up and go forward again with the blower in its normal position to break through. Once I have made the first pass I then take may take less than a “full mouthful” if the snow is wet and heavy.

It also helps to play the wind to your advantage. I’ve blown snow 10-15 ft regularly. Dry, fluffy snow in windy conditions could easily end up on the neighbors property. Need to avoid that!!!

[BuffaloD200 51]

On 1/24/2025 at 9:13 AM, lynnmor said:

Locktite 380 is simply Super Glue with an ingredient to increase adhesion.  It cures in 90 seconds, no need to wait days.

380 cures in 24 hours.  My garage is set for 50, not ideal cure temps, so this time I let it cure for 36 hours before I did anything.  Pressed a new bearing into the pulley and slapped it all back together last night.  Now I just need some snowfall to test it out.  Again.