LX2963 Snowblower Auger Issue

[Oldmoon]

I’ve only plowed twice and I broke a shear bolt already. It doesn’t seem right and I don’t see any parts in the manual to fix this.

Is it normal to have this much movement. I feel like there’s something missing.

 

[nbryan]

I’ve only plowed twice and I broke a shear bolt already. It doesn’t seem right and I don’t see any parts in the manual to fix this.

Is it normal to have this much movement. I feel like there’s something missing.

Mine has similar play end to end. Both sides should be similar. If not, either an end plate or the center worm gear mount plate has been bumped/bent a bit to one side, increasng the play to one side and tightening the other side.

I assume you broke shears like I do because of solid ground debris bits, like chunks of roots, hefty sticks, or 2x4s or maybe a brick or two. My first couple passes around my property every year finds them all and breaks ther shears, so I ned to stock shear bolts every fall.

Remember to align the auger opposite the other auger's alignment, as it can be rebolted on 180 degrees opposite and doesn't do very well with snow bank removal.

Meaning the inner end (end nearest gearbox) of the auger spiral on the right side sits 180 degrees relative to the other auger's end point nearest the gearbox. That way they alternate sweeping snow into the blower.

AN BTW shut off the pto and tractor, lower all hydraulics and remove keys if not alone before messing with that auger. Also, if you put the pto lever in rear-only setting, the shafts can be turned by rotating the blower fan by hand. It can make getting old broken shear bolts out, and new ones in, way easier.

 

[Oldmoon]

Mine has similar play end to end. Both sides should be similar. If not, either an end plate or the center worm gear mount plate has been bumped/bent a bit to one side, increasng the play to one side and tightening the other side.
I assume you broke shears like I do because of solid ground debris bits, like chunks of roots, hefty sticks, or 2x4s or maybe a brick or two. My first couple passes around my property every year finds them all and breaks ther shears, so I ned to stock shear bolts every fall.
Remember to align the auger opposite the other auger's alignment, as it can be rebolted on 180 degrees opposite and doesn't do very well with snow bank removal.
Meaning the inner end (end nearest gearbox) of the auger spiral on the right side sits 180 degrees relative to the other auger's end point nearest the gearbox. That way they alternate sweeping snow into the blower.

Wow, I didn’t know about the alignment. And yes your right about the first couple passes clearing debris. I’ll have shear bolts on hand every year now lol. There definitely is a larger gap on the gear box end after putting in the new shear bolt. An end plate would make sense but I don’t see it in the manual. I can’t even find a picture of that area online so can see what’s missing. From all my searches, I get the feeling lx2980 is the preferred blower.

thanks for the info!

 

[nbryan]

Wow, I didn’t know about the alignment. And yes your right about the first couple passes clearing debris. I’ll have shear bolts on hand every year now lol. There definitely is a larger gap on the gear box end after putting in the new shear bolt. An end plate would make sense but I don’t see it in the manual. I can’t even find a picture of that area online so can see what’s missing. From all my searches, I get the feeling lx2980 is the preferred blower.

thanks for the info!

Are the gaps different left and right auger?
If larger on the side that broke shears, then likely the side panel of the blower body got pushed out hard enough, maybe a 2x4 piece jammed between the auger and center or side plates under torque before the pin snapped.
I have a bent auger arm from a piece of 4x4 that twisted in there, and the play on both augers is definitely more than when it was new! Bt put 3 hard hours on it the other day, runs like a champ.
It sounds like the blower body side got pushed far enough to bend it a little outward to the point it doesn't spring back all the waya anymore.
I've thought of dissasembling my unit, dropping the bearing blocks I think at least, so the sides can be bent back straight and close those gaps on the rotors. But I haven't found any ill effects from them being a bit loose like yours. As long as the shaft end is fully engaged in the bearing it shouldn't cause any issues.

 

[Oldmoon]

Are the gaps different left and right auger?
If larger on the side that broke shears, then likely the side panel of the blower body got pushed out hard enough, maybe a 2x4 piece jammed between the auger and center or side plates under torque before the pin snapped.
I have a bent auger arm from a piece of 4x4 that twisted in there, and the play on both augers is definitely more than when it was new! Bt put 3 hard hours on it the other day, runs like a champ.
It sounds like the blower body side got pushed far enough to bend it a little outward to the point it doesn't spring back all the waya anymore.
I've thought of dissasembling my unit, dropping the bearing blocks I think at least, so the sides can be bent back straight and close those gaps on the rotors. But I haven't found any ill effects from them being a bit loose like yours. As long as the shaft end is fully engaged in the bearing it shouldn't cause any issues.

Just went to have another look at it and I don't see any damage. The blower body doesn't look bent at all. Just a 2 inch gap on the inner end of the auger. I tested it out and it works without any issues, just looks odd.

 

[Oldmoon]

Just went to have another look at it and I don't see any damage. The blower body doesn't look bent at all. Just a 2 inch gap on the inner end of the auger. I tested it out and it works without any issues, just looks odd.

The other auger is flush on both the ends!

 

[DustyRusty]

The other auger is flush on both the ends!

This indicates that the inner shaft has moved inside the gearbox. It should be corrected, however, if it were mine, I would wait for warmer weather before taking it apart. It is not a quick-fix type of job since there are a lot of disassemblies involved. Have you tried to install new shear bolts in the augers? If you can get both auger shear bolts installed then you should be able to make it through the winter. If not, then plan a time that you can devote to fixing it. I suggest that you go to www.messicks.com and download the parts diagrams for the snowblower prior to starting. I don't know of a snowblower repair manual, but there are a few videos on youtube showing how to repair them. The principles are the same, but the parts might vary from model to model.

 

[Oldmoon]

This indicates that the inner shaft has moved inside the gearbox. It should be corrected, however, if it were mine, I would wait for warmer weather before taking it apart. It is not a quick-fix type of job since there are a lot of disassemblies involved. Have you tried to install new shear bolts in the augers? If you can get both auger shear bolts installed then you should be able to make it through the winter. If not, then plan a time that you can devote to fixing it. I suggest that you go to www.messicks.com and download the parts diagrams for the snowblower prior to starting. I don't know of a snowblower repair manual, but there are a few videos on youtube showing how to repair them. The principles are the same, but the parts might vary from model to model.

Shear bolts are in and it does work fine. It's a brand new so I think I might be calling the dealer about this!

 

[DustyRusty]

Shear bolts are in and it does work fine. It's a brand new so I think I might be calling the dealer about this!

Since it is new, ask the dealer to swap it out for another so you will not be without a snowblower when you need it. It shouldn't have made it out of the setup shop like that. It is a manufacturing defect, and your breaking a shear pin shouldn't have moved the shaft. Fixing it isn't difficult, just time-consuming to get everything off and then push one side till it is even with the other side.

 

[nbryan]

This indicates that the inner shaft has moved inside the gearbox. It should be corrected, however, if it were mine, I would wait for warmer weather before taking it apart. It is not a quick-fix type of job since there are a lot of disassemblies involved. Have you tried to install new shear bolts in the augers? If you can get both auger shear bolts installed then you should be able to make it through the winter. If not, then plan a time that you can devote to fixing it. I suggest that you go to www.messicks.com and download the parts diagrams for the snowblower prior to starting. I don't know of a snowblower repair manual, but there are a few videos on youtube showing how to repair them. The principles are the same, but the parts might vary from model to model.

Cool, never thought about the auger drive shaft going off of center in the gearbox.

 

[Oldmoon]

Dealer says it's normal. When I look at the assembly I can't see how the inner shaft could have moved. Does anyone have pictures of the gearbox area they could share?

 

[nbryan]

According to kubota parts finder canada:

 

[DustyRusty]

The shaft is keyed to the gear inside of the gearbox and it is a press fit. It is supposed to be even on both sides. If the dealer says that it is normal, then have him show you another snowblower that is the same. There is a reason for the side movement, and it is so no damage is done to the augers when they come into contact with an immovable item. If it can't move the side, then the auger will bend. The clearance on the sides is to allow the shock load to move the auger. You don't have that on one side. Hard to argue with the dealer if he chooses not to fix it under warranty.