trouble with snowblower -only half is workin!

I’ve got an Ariens tractor with a front mounted snowblower, as seen. Only half the tines are turning today, which is just great.

I took a picture of the left side, which isn’t working, and it looks like right in the middle of the picture, there’s possibly a shear pin that attaches the tine set to the rotating shaft. Would you say that’s correct? And all I have to do is get that out somehow (it doesn’t go all the way thru) and get a new one in there? I’m thinking that’s what it’s gotta be, so I sure hope so. You can turn it by hand right now as it sits, but you can feel the bar going through the tube the tines are welded on, so it’s just not catching. Any info any of you might be able to provide on this sure would be helpful. Thanks–

Pretty sure you have the problem diagnosed as a shear pin. You should be able to see where the shear pin on the opposite side is and there should be a hole on the other side in the same place missing head and nut of the broken shear pin. You will need to line it up with the broken piece of the shear pin that is still in the shaft and knock it out with a center punch.

Yep shear pin.
I have broken many many of them.

Quote:

---

You should be able to see where the shear pin on the opposite side is and there should be a hole on the other side in the same place missing head and nut of the broken shear pin.

---

Oh, I wish it was that easy. What you see in the picture is all there is. It doesn’t go all the way through, and it kinda looks like it might be welded. Thinkin I might have to see how many drill bits I go through tryin to get that piece out. If it gets worse, can I just drill a new hole and make it proper? The reason I ask this is because there are grease zerks on the shaft the tines are on. But I’m thinking having a shear pin that goes all the way thru might be a good thing to have on there.

It might be a key pin? (not sure on the name) that your looking for. a small piece of square stock that fits into a groove where the shaft and auger line up…. I’ve seen it on other types of equipment.

Thanks Larry. How does that piece work? Is that why it looks like it’s welded in, because that’s the only way to hold it in?

Try this or something close to it for a manual..

http://www.snowblowerguide.com/ariens_snow_blower_manuals.php

Also look at the rest of the shaft, I don’t have the same one, but on mine it has bolts (look like anyway) and shear pins on both sides, make sure your not missing the shear pin.

I give up on the pins and use 1/4″ bolts..:)

Al
Al

Thanks for that link, I appreciate it. It might be a real trick to find my blower though since it’s an accessory mounted on a tractor. Didn’t see it listed there.

Are you saying that it’d be ok to drill a new hole through the shaft and tube the tines are mounted on and just put a bolt through there? I’d really like to do that, just didn’t know if I should.

No, if you find a shear pin broke you could use a bolt to temp it, but be careful.
Was hoping that link had your model, maybe try your model and google it?

Al

Thanks a lot guys, I really appreciate it. Because of your help, I went out and looked at it and found another spot where there must have been a shear pin that did go all the way thru the rotating shaft. I didn’t see it before because it was covered with snow. I tried and tried to find where the pin might be locked in there and able to be tapped out, but I just couldn’t find it at all. I drilled another hole all the way thru both the sleeve and shaft, and put a cotter pin in there and I’m back to moving mega-snow. Think I’ll try to find a stronger shear pin for it tomorrow. Thanks again!

Make Sure you don’t use any hardend bolts that are not ment to go in there you want something soft enough to break when it needs to. Grade 2 bolts also work. Good Luck

Glad to hear you’re rolling again bud! That pic with Hunter dog just cracks me up. He’s such an awesome dog.

Thanks! He even went for a ride on the trailer today, so he should be all set for a couple days now. Nothing better than ride on the truck, or something being pulled by it, of course! He’s already wondering when we can do this again. Now if only I could train him to move the snow for me….

So far this year my dad has had me pick up his blower 3 times. He seems to be lucky in finding dog leashes, chain link fence, and even an allen wrench set. I had to put a sign on it to warn anybody around him….

Nothing worse than finding that extension cord you forgot where you put it for the xmas lights…

Quote:

---

Nothing worse than finding that extension cord you forgot where you put it for the xmas lights…

---

smooth move!

Nothing like launching one of the dogs chew toys into the neighbors yard and then having the dog stand at the fence and bark at it, till I went and got it for her.

al

Quote:

---

Nothing like launching one of the dogs chew toys into the neighbors yard and then having the dog stand at the fence and bark at it, till I went and got it for her.

al

---

got to love them dogs

And the garden hose, dog chain, Flower pots, ornamental rocks, garden edging, …