I was lubing and rotating the snowblower the other day, and noticed the chain is noisy, and appears loose. As the chain is rotated the links try to follow the gear around to the inside before they pull off. The manual I have doesn't seem to show any adjustment. Do the chains need to be replaced, links removed, or is there any adjustment I am unaware of? Video link attached. Thank you.
Re: Kubota B2660 Snowblower chain stretch, how to adjust?
- Thread starter Kayaker37
- Start date
Looks fine to me. You never want a chain 'taught', a little 'whip' is good.
To check for a worn chain, try lifting the chain off of the sprockets at the top. If you can get more than 1/2 of the tooth exposed, time for a new chain and sprockets. However, I doubt that chain or sprockets will ever get the wear or abuse to require replacement.
To check for a worn chain, try lifting the chain off of the sprockets at the top. If you can get more than 1/2 of the tooth exposed, time for a new chain and sprockets. However, I doubt that chain or sprockets will ever get the wear or abuse to require replacement.
ken erickson
Well-known member
Equipment
B7100 hst, 2650 front mount snowblower, L2501 hst qa loader
Here is the chain adjustment information from the operators and owners manual for the B2660 and B2650.
I agree that your chain appears to need an adjustment. Adjust according to the manual instructions posted above, and then lubricate the chain with a chain saw bar and chain oil. You don't want to ruin that chain, because being a double chain with "O" ring seals it is a very expensive chain. If you do ever have to replace it, I would buy the correct chain without the "O" ring seals and you will be replacing it after a season or two, but it will be a lot less expensive. Industrial suppliers sell chain by the foot off large reels in cities where there are a lot of manufacturing machines that use chain. If there are none near you then you can buy bulk chain from McMaster Carr.
Post another video after you make the adjustment and lubricate the chain. Also, purchase some repair links if you break the chain during a snowstorm. Having a spare ready to go might be a good thing to do before you need it. You can take the master link off and then count the number of links in your chain and buy an inexpensive one to keep on hand for that "emergency" use.
Watching your video again, it appears that the side of the chain is hitting something at the lower sprocket. Is this an illusion or is it fact? If it is truly hitting something, then you need to reposition your sprockets. It would be helpful if you were to give us the model number of the snowblower. Many times I refer to the online dealer parts pictures to see how it is assembled before making a recommendation for repair. I have had several snowblowers apart over the last 20 years, and the one thing that I can say is that they are almost always alike on the engineering side and only the parts change. Checking part numbers can often make it simple to find what you need. Before I ever start working on anything, I try to locate the parts diagrams and print them. The paper and ink that I might waste are inconsequential to the amount of time I will waste if I make a mistake putting it back together. A picture today is worth 10,000 words because of how complicated some things are.
Post another video after you make the adjustment and lubricate the chain. Also, purchase some repair links if you break the chain during a snowstorm. Having a spare ready to go might be a good thing to do before you need it. You can take the master link off and then count the number of links in your chain and buy an inexpensive one to keep on hand for that "emergency" use.
Watching your video again, it appears that the side of the chain is hitting something at the lower sprocket. Is this an illusion or is it fact? If it is truly hitting something, then you need to reposition your sprockets. It would be helpful if you were to give us the model number of the snowblower. Many times I refer to the online dealer parts pictures to see how it is assembled before making a recommendation for repair. I have had several snowblowers apart over the last 20 years, and the one thing that I can say is that they are almost always alike on the engineering side and only the parts change. Checking part numbers can often make it simple to find what you need. Before I ever start working on anything, I try to locate the parts diagrams and print them. The paper and ink that I might waste are inconsequential to the amount of time I will waste if I make a mistake putting it back together. A picture today is worth 10,000 words because of how complicated some things are.
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ken erickson
Well-known member
Equipment
B7100 hst, 2650 front mount snowblower, L2501 hst qa loader
I believe the OP gave the model of his blower in his title, B2660
He also mentions he has a "manual". Not sure if its a Kubota manual or not, but it is available on Kubota Books. index.php Which also has exploded views.
Thanks everyone, I did miss the paragraph in the manual for adjusting the chain, I flipped through and was expecting a picture I guess, helps to read the Table of Contents. I've had the Kubota for about 18 years, I'll have to pay better attention to maintenance with it getting older.
"Watching your video again, it appears that the side of the chain is hitting something at the lower sprocket. Is this an illusion or is it fact? If it is truly hitting something, then you need to reposition your sprockets."
I took the cover off, and it appears it may be the sprockets misaligned. Not sure where to adjust, looks like allen screws on the top? Here is a picture, and video clips which show it clearer, thank you.
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I took the cover off, and it appears it may be the sprockets misaligned. Not sure where to adjust, looks like allen screws on the top? Here is a picture, and video clips which show it clearer, thank you.
Kubota B2660 misaligned sprockets 1?
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Kubota B2660 misaligned sprockets 3?
youtube.com
Took off the snowblower, flipped it 90 degrees, removed the chain. The sprocket is pinned to the shaft. There are two round things with allen screws, which looks like we would loosen those and adjust the shaft in between those stops. As it was, the pin was smashed against one of the stops, so I wanted to move the shaft in the other direction. Couldn't really budge the round stops but finally after days of spraying with PB Blaster took a crow bar and was able to lever it against the end of the shaft and move things in the correct direction just a smidge. Funny how the exploded parts diagram doesn't actually show all the parts. I tightened the allen screws, although I could not move the round stops at all. I'll tighten up the chain a small amount, and keep an ey we on it.
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I am not familiar at all with your snowblower, so I really can't help with the sprocket issue beyond what I have already said. It might be that some burs on the shaft are keeping it from moving. Many times the Allen screws are locked in place with Loctite. Did you purchase the snowblower new or used? If you now have the sprockets aligned properly, then just tighten down the Allen screws and call it a day. While looking at one of your pictures I noticed that the cutting edge is wearing at the end. I suggest that you turn over the cutting edge to get additional life out of it.
I just looked at the manual and also went to Messicks, and most of the parts for that snowblower are not obsolete, so if you intend to keep it, I would be keeping it well lubricated, and clean after its use if there is a possibility that you have come in contact to a corrosive agent, known as road salt. Based on the last page of the service manual your snowblower was manufactured before August 1996. If you ever hear about a used one being available I would buy it for spare parts.
I just looked at the manual and also went to Messicks, and most of the parts for that snowblower are not obsolete, so if you intend to keep it, I would be keeping it well lubricated, and clean after its use if there is a possibility that you have come in contact to a corrosive agent, known as road salt. Based on the last page of the service manual your snowblower was manufactured before August 1996. If you ever hear about a used one being available I would buy it for spare parts.
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Looks good to me. Now, smear that chain with lots of chain and bar oil to keep it properly lubricated. If you have a wood stove, you can put a small amount in a can and warm it so it will flow easier and lather it up like you were washing your dog who has fleas!