NEW SM Auger Recoil Problem

[McGurk]

Well, went to re-open the permanent's holes today, and wouldn't you know it; a recoil problem. It's a SM Mag 2000 w/ the Tucumseh(sp) head on it w/ the yellow de-comp button, and the METAL shaft that the recoil pulley is bolted to snapped clean off of the top protective shroud that you need to remove to get at the recoil. I've already had the replace the plastic recoil pulley once due to the flaps that the metal dogs catch stripping clean off, and now this. These both have to be the result of the snappiness of these new 2 hp heads w/ the increased compression rate, I don't know what else to think. Both problems were accompanied but the now trademark POP that will always come after starting and dying.

I try to do things right; always start the auger before I leave the garage, and let it idle for a couple minutes before drilling holes, and shut it off using the yellow decomp button, but I still have this G.D. problem. I'm pretty much done with any Tucumseh motor(SM or Jiffy), and go to anything else (Nils or Eskimo, anyone...anyone...?). I find it hard to blame SM, but this is ridiculous. With the number of problems (broken ropes, springs coming undone, stripping shafts, etc...) reported just here, I'm sure DRock is sick of seeing them come through for warranty work. I know I would be.

Now that I've vented, I'm refilling my coffee cup, and headed up to DRock. I like the service and the convenience, and will report back on anything I hear from them.

[anyfishwilldo]

Personally, I'd go right to SM in Big Lake. Maybe they will have a fix there, or an idea for a fix.

[McGurk]

New shroud, pulley, recoil spring, rope, and handle were the answer. My man at DRock said there are improvements that were done AFTER the high compression motors were produced and on the market. The shaft that snapped off is now stouter and fluted out more at the base (i.e. STRONGER), the recoil pulley has been altered to allow for the bigger shaft, and the dogs that catch the flaps on the recoil pulley are taller so there is more contact area (i.e. less stripped flaps on the pulleys). I have got a transitional power head where I have the higher compression rate, but not the other enhancements to take the beating.

Unfortunately, there is no way to physically look at the head to know if you have the beefed up recoils or not. The dogs are taller, but hard to reference if you don't have the other ones there to compare to. The shorter ones are approx 3/8" tall, where the new ones are maybe 5/8" tall. I'd guess if you have one of the early release higher-compression 2 hp heads (yellow button), you'd not have the improvements. If you have a recoil problem and need service, I'd ask the service shop if you have the stouter shaft and taller dogs, and see if they'd upgrade you under warranty.

Works great now, so I'll give it another go, and another pat on the back to DRock's service.

[danwilliams]

Good info. Now I can stop worrying about mine. It was new last year.