Snowblower Wheel Engagement Problems

[stick]

I fought my snowblower yesterday as the engagement of the wheels did not want to go. They would rotate in a choppy manner, and I mostly ended up pushing the snowblower most of the time. Sometimes it seemed with some pushing power, the wheels would engage and at the slightest resistance (grass edge or big pile of snow) the wheels would go back to intermittent and choppy mode.

It is about a 10 year old Murray that has always worked well for me.

Any suggestions as to a potential fix?

[Big-Al]

I had a similar problem with my Ariens. It was much worse in reverse than forward. Turned out it was a drive disk that needed replacing. I took it in to a dealer last spring and and he did a complete service along with the disk replacement for $80. Works like brand new.

[skunk-ape]

You may need to shorten the cable that engages the drive. There should be a nut you can tighten to do this.

If the handle you use to engage drive isn't as tight as it used to be, this is probably what the problem is.

[stick]

Thanks guys. I'll check the adjustment and if I strike out bring it in for a "physical". It's probably about time.

[Bobby Bass]

There is a rubber donut that makes contact with the platter that drives your wheels. When the rubber wears down you have metal on metal. So sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. Tightening the cable will add more pressure, metal on metal. After ten years I would be 99% sure that the rubber has worn out. Not a hard repair job to do yourself. You can access the plate from the bottom of the thrower. Tip thrower on it's front Remove service plate on the bottom. You will see the platter and the rubber donut. Part runs around 20.00 and are common. Just did one a few weeks ago.

[wishing for walleyes]

Everything Bobby just said.The rubber disc is a called the friction disc.Very easy to change.

[stick]

BINGO gentlemen. I took the lower cover off, and the friction wheel is in bad shape. There still is rubber but it's not in good shape. That explains the choppy wheel engagement. I will try to find parts today and fix it tonight.

[stick]

You guys saved me some money on this one. $13.60 and 15 minutes and she's running like a dream. I almost blew all of the snow out of my yard I was having such a good time.

[Northlander]

My handle pin broke on mine so I figured while I did that I would do the same deal you did and boy does she move and blow snow now. WAY better than before. Mine had no rubber above the metal groove. Glad I read this or I would have brang it to the shop. Im not very mechanical.

Like you day stick a little time and $12 for the part and Im ready to rock.

A BIG THANKS to all you FM gear heads who help out guys like me get things done and save money! I love this site!

Tomorrow I change the oil. Im feeling cocky now.