Snowblower question....
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 678
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From: Central, MA
Snowblower question....
Any one ever have this happen?
I just had a bolt shear on my snowblower's axle. This one connects drive sprocket to the drive axle. I very easy fix.
I was wondering if I should replace it some kind of low grade bolt or a high grade type of bolt. The owners manual says nothing! I instantly replaced it (twice) with a shear pin that is intended for use on the auger and it lasted only seconds. When I got into deep snow, it snapped. I grabbed a low grade 1/4-20 bolt and it held up fine under the same conditions.
My machine has some pretty serious (off road looking) tires. When I get into deep snow or hit something not movable, they should be able to spin w/o breaking this 1/4-20 bolt. I work at a place where we have a machine shop. I'm bringing the broken bolt to work monday to see if it seems to be hardened or just a low grade steel bolt. I've been using the machine for about 9 seasons and the bolt had some rust on it. It could have just weakened and gave up the ghost.
I just had a bolt shear on my snowblower's axle. This one connects drive sprocket to the drive axle. I very easy fix.
I was wondering if I should replace it some kind of low grade bolt or a high grade type of bolt. The owners manual says nothing! I instantly replaced it (twice) with a shear pin that is intended for use on the auger and it lasted only seconds. When I got into deep snow, it snapped. I grabbed a low grade 1/4-20 bolt and it held up fine under the same conditions.
My machine has some pretty serious (off road looking) tires. When I get into deep snow or hit something not movable, they should be able to spin w/o breaking this 1/4-20 bolt. I work at a place where we have a machine shop. I'm bringing the broken bolt to work monday to see if it seems to be hardened or just a low grade steel bolt. I've been using the machine for about 9 seasons and the bolt had some rust on it. It could have just weakened and gave up the ghost.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 963
Likes: 1
From: wichita kansas
If the low grade bolt holds up then I think I would stay with it. There is a reason for a small bolt or shear pin. You might go to a hardened bolt and have it last forever, or it might cause something else to be tore up in the drive train. Since it is a easy fix and the low grad bolt holds up fine I'd stay with it and not worry about tearing something else that is $$$ and hard to repair. Just my .02
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 1
From: North of Boston MA
Snowblower getting a workout this season? 
On my now 16 year old machine, the first winter I had it I kept breaking the shear bolt that was installed to hold the wheel to the axle. I got tired of that crap and replaced it with a snap-ring pin (don't know what they are really called). I have been using it ever since and never had a problem.
I found that letting some of the air out of the tires makes it a bit more forgiving when hitting something solid like tree roots and sidewalk cracks while still giving good traction.
Another foot or two coming mid-week.....
On my now 16 year old machine, the first winter I had it I kept breaking the shear bolt that was installed to hold the wheel to the axle. I got tired of that crap and replaced it with a snap-ring pin (don't know what they are really called). I have been using it ever since and never had a problem.
I found that letting some of the air out of the tires makes it a bit more forgiving when hitting something solid like tree roots and sidewalk cracks while still giving good traction.
Another foot or two coming mid-week.....
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
I have an early Toro that was a prototype from the factory (that is a whole 'nother story) that I brought with me to Fargo when I lived there. I had problems with the roll pin on the drive axle shearing. I think I replaced it a few times and then I moved out so I never dealt with it again after that. I wouldn't hesitate to put a low-grade bolt in there as the tires should spin long before it stalls out the motor.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 678
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From: Central, MA
Thanks or the input guys!
I'm going to stick with the low grade bolt. It reminds me of the cheap stuff you get when you assemble a gas grill or those "assemble at home" furniture kits.
I'm fortunate where I live. All of my immediate neighbors help each other out ans also own multiple machines. I used an 11hp Ariens Friday night. What a horse that thing was!
I'm going to stick with the low grade bolt. It reminds me of the cheap stuff you get when you assemble a gas grill or those "assemble at home" furniture kits.
I'm fortunate where I live. All of my immediate neighbors help each other out ans also own multiple machines. I used an 11hp Ariens Friday night. What a horse that thing was!
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