Snowblower help

[Snowman7]

Serviced the four point hitch,serviced the blower( LX2980 ) ran fine for about 20 minutes. Sounds fine when you engage and throttle up to just about 1800. As soon as you enter the snow with the blower you a
heard ratcheting sound. I immediately disengage, throttle down and go thru the engagement and throttle up and everything is fine. Move forward into the snow and she ratchets. It sat in a 50 degree garage overnight so it is not snow and ice accumulation. The shafts both look good where they connect when you move the engagement lever. Stumped???? We got over 24” in northern Michigan and I am feeling a little handicapped with just my rear blade.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

If this is the 'k-connect' system where there's 1/2 a 'coupling' on the blower side and the other 1/2 on the tractor side, it sounds like they are NOT fully engaging, that a shaft has moved.
A picture may help of that 'connection'. Hopefully others who have a similar setup can help PDQ.

 

[Snowman7]

If this is the 'k-connect' system where there's 1/2 a 'coupling' on the blower side and the other 1/2 on the tractor side, it sounds like they are NOT fully engaging, that a shaft has moved.
A picture may help of that 'connection'. Hopefully others who have a similar setup can help PDQ.

They look perfect, I will try to get a pic

 

[DustyRusty]

Greeensvillejay is on the right track. Look at this breakdown of the snowblower, and pay particular attention to part #80. Make sure that it doesn't have a broken bolt (part #170). You will have to remove the snowblower from the machine to check this. Then check the same mating part on the K Connect for the same problem, and report back what you find.

Kubota LX2980 646" SNOWWBLOWER (LX2980 64" Snowblower) Parts Diagrams

Kubota Parts Catalog Lookup. Buy Kubota Parts Online & Save!

www.messicks.com

 

[Snowman7]

Greeensvillejay is on the right track. Look at this breakdown of the snowblower, and pay particular attention to part #80. Make sure that it doesn't have a broken bolt (part #170). You will have to remove the snowblower from the machine to check this. Then check the same mating part on the K Connect for the same problem, and report back what you find.

Kubota LX2980 646" SNOWWBLOWER (LX2980 64" Snowblower) Parts Diagrams

Kubota Parts Catalog Lookup. Buy Kubota Parts Online & Save!

www.messicks.com

It is in garage, I will take blower off when she thaws, I will let you know what I see, THANKS

 

[Donystoy]

There should be a cover with four bolts over the drive connection area that can be removed to check the operation of the engagement leaver and the integrity of shaft connection coupling without removing the blower from the K member.

 

[ve9aa]

Broken shear bolt? (hanging up and making that sound once you put some force on it?

(just a guess)

 

[Snowman7]

Ok, shaft coming back from blower is good, bolt and nut look good.

 

[Snowman7]

Ok, shaft coming back from blower is good, bolt and nut look good.

Ok, shaft coming back from blower is good, bolt and nut look good.

The dealy with the 4 bolts that the shaft protrudes thru I am not sure about. You can move that shaft in all directions, I have no clue if that is supposed to float like that. Not in and out but right, left, up and down.

 

[jkrubi12]

I'm in agreement with @ve9aa, I'd look at auger & impeller shear bolts. This assessment is made based on the noise appearing once snow is introduced into the auger housing.

 

[Snowman7]

I'm in agreement with @ve9aa, I'd look at auger & impeller shear bolts. This assessment is made based on the noise appearing once snow is introduced into the auger housing.

Boy that would be the easy solution, going to go double check all shear bolts

 

[Snowman7]

Shear bolt

Boy that would be the easy solution, going to go double check all shear bolts

shear bolts are perfect on the blower

 

[atitus]

Is it actually affecting it throwing snow? Reason I ask is I started getting a clicking sound, but didn't affect it throwing snow so I checked manual then checked chain drive, the chain was making noise because I had not tightened it. Manual lists the flex allowed in the chain.

 

[atitus]

After adjustment, sound went away.

 

[Snowman7]

After adjustment, sound went away.

I tightened the chain when I did maintenanc, I am wondering if it is too tight?

 

[DustyRusty]

The part that moves around, up down, right left, is the way it is supposed to work. Your second picture of the mating coupling appears to be worn, but the picture is so dark that I can't tell for certain. There is no doubt in my mind that the first picture shows the coupling with wear on it. I don't know if that wear is excessive or not, but I can tell you that the part is made of hardened steel and shouldn't show any grey area.
You didn't say how old your snowblower is, so it might or might not be covered under the warranty.
This thread might give you some additional insight into your problem. https://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/threads/lx2940-quick-hitch-manual.60868/#post-595685

I did enlarge the picture that you posted in post #9, and I tried to lighten the contrast, but a better picture would be helpful. From what I can see, it might be worn, but this is merely a guess on my part based on a picture that is difficult to read. If you can get us pictures straight on and from the side will help to determine the condition.

 

[DustyRusty]

I tightened the chain when I did maintenanc, I am wondering if it is too tight?

Once again, I haven't worked on your particular snowblower, however, it is similar in design to the BX2750 blower, which I have extensive time both using and repairing. Your chain should have a small amount of slack in it, and it should be oiled regularly, about every 4 hours of use. I used chain bar oil on my chain and would have some oil in a metal can that I could heat on the stove so it had less viscosity to it, and then remove the cover, and brush the oil on with a 2" cheap bristle paint brush to make sure that I got the entire chain lubricated. I would tighten the chain so it had about 1/2" + - of slack on one side when you put a straight edge on the two sprockets and push the chain towards the center of the sprockets. If your chain has a lot of wear on it, then it is time to replace the chain. I bought a box (10' ) and made up a bunch of chains, and would replace them when they were stretched and worn. It cost me less for the 10' box of chain than it would have cost me to buy a Kubota chain. I also kept a bunch of repair links with the spare chains. I could change a chain in about 15 minutes with some hand tools if necessary. I don't believe your problem is the chain, but it is in the coupling, but not being there, this is just an opinion based on what I am seeing in pictures. I don't rule out there is more than one issue that is causing the noise you are hearing.

 

[DustyRusty]

Shear bolt

shear bolts are perfect on the blower

This thought just came to me. Did you check the shear bolt on the fan, or just on the augers? Easy to check, with the tractor off, key out of the ignition (normal safety warnings), reach into the fan, and try to turn it. If it turns easily, then the shear bolt in the fan is broken. It is part $260 in the diagram below. This is a common part available almost everywhere that sells bolts. BOLT HEX GR 5 PL- BOLT HEX. 3/8"NC X 2" LG GR.5

Kubota LX2980 646" SNOWWBLOWER (LX2980 64" Snowblower) Parts Diagrams

Kubota Parts Catalog Lookup. Buy Kubota Parts Online & Save!

www.messicks.com

 

[Donystoy]

I agree that the coupling looks very worn. Mine is new and the design of the coupling has angled mating surfaces that draw the coupling together when turning force is applied. If there is enough wear in the entire assembly it could easily slip and cause noise. I think these two pieces should be replaced.

 

[Snowman7]

Just spent 6 hours on the tractor. 3 driveways( one is 1/4 mile long ) and after taking blower off and checking everything it still ratcheted. This is the second winter on this blower. I do not know how you guys turn your head around with a rear blower. My neck is killing me. I will try to get some better pics. That would have been 2 hours and 10 times better with my blower. Probably the biggest snowfall we have had in at least 10-12 years.