Snowblower chain tension

[Wheelhorse84 87]

So I picked up a really nice original one stage snowblower attachment for my C1 20. Just by looking at it you can tell it was hardly used. I noticed that at low idles and when it's winding down the snowblower chain on the auger slaps around a little. I went up to the chain with my finger pushed it when it was off and it has what seems to be an inch or so maybe more of looseness. It does not touch the other chain across from it but it gets pretty close. I just don't know how much tension is supposed to be there maybe this is correct. And if this is not correct how do I fix it. And is the main pulley shaft of the snowblower supposed to slide in and out slightly? Thank s for you help.

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[squonk 41,037]

One of the sprockets is mounted on a slotted hole. that is how you adjust tension. I run 1/2" deflection on mine. If it were me I would remove the chain and check all the sprocket bearings aw well as the auger and cross shaft bearings. Buy a new # 40 chain at TSC or the like. They are cheap.

I got a "like new" tall shoot blower a couple of years ago. The chain was sloppy. I took it off and ended up having to replace both idler sprockets and 1 cross shaft bearing.








 

[Wheelhorse84 87]

Thank you for the reply so I can get the chain to tighten quite well. How tight should the chain be?

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[DougC 2,641]

Just bought a '78 42 inch single stage. Had to replace both cross shaft bearings and oil up chain. I adjusted mine to tight initially and after trial and error ended up as squonk advised in his post with about a half inch of wiggle (deflection).

[Wheelhorse84 87]

How can you tell if a cross shaft bearing is bad?

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[squonk 41,037]

With the chain off spin it by hand. If you hear or feel a roughness one or both bearings are bad

[Wheelhorse84 87]

Thank you where can I find a new cutting edge can't find anything online.

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[Tom kite 3]

Have a wheelhorse 32' snowblower old .Have way to .make and adjustment here a pic

[peter lena 8,583]

i agree with others above on the 1/2" of chain play , yes checking over those sprockets is vital along with chain wear, i also use a SERATED  WASHER  on the bolt adjustment slot , assuring that your adjustment will stay.  i regularly lubricate my blower drive and all related movement points with  chain and cable lubricant , i do it before and after usage , assuring constant lubrication. my blower auger spins by hand , and my belt pulley spring frame is lubricated also to insure the belt tension is constant. use a polymer based  spray in your chute and auger area for easier blowing. also lubricate your chute base and cable for easy use. good luck with it , pete

[tom2p 2,394]

 

anyone use an o-ring chain on their snowblower ?

 

chain stretch, adjusting, maintenance, hooked sprockets, etc. etc. just about a distant memory with an o-ring chain 

 

 

Edited December 6, 2019 by tom2p