BX2822 Snowblower Problem

[Spam Bot]

After a long day of blowing snow with my BX2822 Snowblower, it suddenly broke the fan shear bolt. I replaced it, and when I engaged the snowblower again, the new bolt sheared again. I replaced it with my last one. This time, I removed the snowblower and rotated the quick coupling by hand; it was smooth, and no issues were found. After reinstalling the snowblower, I engaged it, and it almost immediately broke the new shear pin. At this point, I removed the snowblower again and put on my plow to finish cleaning up the snow. Any suggestions on where to look for the problem? I checked the Messicks website for available parts, and Kubota sells everything except the gears for this snowblower.

 

[Spam Bot]

This evening I checked the gearboxes and they are in good condition and turning smoothly. The augers turn smoothly, and when the fan spins freely. I am thinking that the shaft that turns everything might be moving and that when it moves the fan hits the housing causing the shear pin to break. Unfortunately it is too cold to do much more in trouble shooting of the machine.
I looked on Kubotabooks.com for a service manual for the snow blower, however I couldn't fine one. The only manual that is shown is for a BX2822A, and I don't know exactly what was changed between the two models.

 

[unhdsm]

Just to rule it out- are you by chance over torquing the shear bolts?

 

[McMXi]

I am thinking that the shaft that turns everything might be moving and that when it moves the fan hits the housing causing the shear pin to break.

Can you see witness marks on the impeller or the snow blower housing that would indicate that it's an input shaft thrust problem? My snow blower has two shear bolts. One between the PTO shaft and gear box, and one between the output shaft of the gear box and the auger. Is the shear pin you're referring to on the impeller itself?

 

[Spam Bot]

Yes, it is the impeller shear bolt, and I did not notice any witness marks. It is fine turning at an idle, but as soon as you increase the speed and engage snow, it will snap the shear bolt. I am not over-tightening the shear bolt. Earlier in the season, the snowblower picked up a piece of a branch that fell from a dead tree, and it got lodged in the fan and broke the fan shear bolt. I cleared the blockage, removed the piece of wood, and replaced the shear bolt, and continued to snowblow.

 

[unhdsm]

Did the hole for the shear pin get deformed, leaving the pin room to move?

 

[Spam Bot]

Did the hole for the shear pin get deformed, leaving the pin room to move?

No, the hole isn't deformed, and it is only a grade 2 bolt, so it will shear quickly and cleanly should it encounter any object that doesn't belong inside the snowblower.
Does anyone know if there is a service manual that the Kubota techs use to repair snowblowers? If so, do you know where I could obtain a copy?

 

[07wingnut]

If your snowblower has a set of speed reduction sprockets, check the chain. I went thru half a dozen shear bolts for no seemingly good reason, turns out the chain was worn, and stretched just enough to cause problems. New chain, problem fixed.

 

[Spam Bot]

If your snowblower has a set of speed reduction sprockets, check the chain. I went thru half a dozen shear bolts for no seemingly good reason, turns out the chain was worn, and stretched just enough to cause problems. New chain, problem fixed.

This is all gear reduction and no chains. The BX2816 is a chain unit, often sold to homeowners, while the BX2822 is a commercial unit. Since my BX2822 is out of commission, I am using a BX2816, and it isn't half the machine that the BX2822 is.

 

[number two]

Are sure the shear bolt is grade 2?
The correct one?
Good Luck!

 

[Spam Bot]

Are sure the shear bolt is grade 2?
The correct one?
Good Luck!

Yes, I checked the part number on the Messicks website. In fact, after I ran out of #2-inch and a quarter 1/4" SAE bolts, I tried a Grade 5 bolt, and it also sheared. This confirmed that something was wrong with the snowblower when the engine was brought past 1500 RPM. Presently, the snow is built up inside the fan, and as soon as I can make room in the garage to get it inside, I will use my torpedo heater to melt the snow and begin the disassembly. It sure would be nice if there were a service manual for some guidance. I can't believe that Kubota doesn't have these available for the repair technicians' use.

 

[whitetiger]

I can't believe that Kubota doesn't have these available for the repair technicians' use.

Kubota did not make a WSM for the BX2822, just the OPM.

 

[Spam Bot]

I found the problem. On the left side of the rear of the blower, a small piece of steel had either cracked or torn away and was sticking out just enough to catch on the edge of the fan. Using a large pair of pliers, I was able to bend it away enough for the fan to clear it. I also realize that there is a bearing that is failing, because at high revolutions, without any snow going into the blower, you can hear the whine of the bearing. If I push it into the snow, the sound goes away. It will have to be investigated in the spring. For now, it is working, and I will make a surgical cut in that corner of the steel at the same time. I think that when pushing snow into the hopper, the metal distorted just enough that it was hitting that piece of steel. Spinning the fan without the shear pin, the small tip of the metal didn't interfere with the fan's rotation.

 

[Spam Bot]

Kubota did not make a WSM for the BX2822, just the OPM.

Thanks for that information. Does Kubota ever issue workshop manuals for accessories it sells, like a snowblower or a rear tiller?

 

[whitetiger]

Thanks for that information. Does Kubota ever issue workshop manuals for accessories it sells, like a snowblower or a rear tiller?

Usually, they do; it just depends on the complexity of the unit.

 

[Spam Bot]

Usually, they do; it just depends on the complexity of the unit.

Looking at the parts breakdown of the BX2822, it appears to be quite complex. If Kubota doesn't offer a WSM, do you know if RAD offers one to the dealerships? thanks

 

[whitetiger]

Looking at the parts breakdown of the BX2822, it appears to be quite complex. If Kubota doesn't offer a WSM, do you know if RAD offers one to the dealerships? thanks

Who is "RAD"?

 

[07wingnut]

RAD used to be, and probably still is the manufacturer of snowblowers for Kubota.

 

[whitetiger]

do you know if RAD offers one to the dealerships? thanks

The Kubota Dealer link has no WSM listed for the BX2822 snowblower, just an operator's manual.
Actually, there is no WSM for any Kubota-branded snowblower.