Snowblower Help

I’ve got a Jacobsen Imperial 830 97 model or older-not sure I bought it used. It runs and throws snow but the blower drive belt is worn and needs to be changed. There’s no adjustment left as the idler pulley is rubbing on the shaft it rotates on when engaged. Looks like the wheel drive belt is worn to replacement also. I’ve got both the rear and the top covers/guards off and it looks like the whole blower head has to seperate to replace. Anyone do this and have do’s and don’ts to share? How about an online store to get belts? I’d rather buy parts through a dealer but the box stores have run them all OUT
Thanks and don’t bust my bubbles or something like that

Sounds like you have it under-control. Did a little site-riding and it looked like you could get some parts from Sears. I guess you have to hope it is not to old! Good luck!!!

Any hardware store should have belts

Don’t try to match belts from an auto supply store. The belts on a snow blower are usually an odd length and you will not get the right belt tension.

You need to seperate the auger housing from the drive housing on many snowblowers to change the belts. It’s generally obvious if you remove the belt cover and look with a flashlight.

Never change just one belt. As long as you’re in there, change them both. Keep the old belts as spares though as old belts are better than no belts if you blow one up in the middle of a harsh winter where everything is sold out from here to China.

IME snowblowers can be very “belt fussy”. Getting the closest equivilent generic from the auto parts store has not worked well for me in the past with both Honda and Deere. A little slippage due to a belt that isn’t quite right results in much shorter life. You’re better off finding the exact-fit replacement.

Grouse