Snowblower Question

[supton]

Ok, not sure what to do with my Toro 521. I think it's undersized; and it was given to me for free--so I'm tempted to kick it to the curb with a "free" sign on it that states it's broken. The auger belt won't last for more than 30 minutes; I've gone through 2 or three new belts. It simply won't tension up enough. Worse, I grabbed a slightly shorter belt (I think I had a spare drive belt) and managed to get it in place--this one won't ever slip, despite not having the tensioner in place... oops. Only way to take off is to cut it off. I'm guessing I'm going to slice it off and push it to the curb, and let someone else have at it.

Plus, I need a blower that can throw snow the length of a car. Preferably further. My main driveway is three cars wide; parking is perpendicular to the road. And I do get heavy slush from the road on occasion (right on a main road), and behind my cars are Jersey barriers. I also have a secondary driveway (conventional sort, three cars long) but it's on a class 6 road which sometimes I'll clear also. All of which is dirt road.

Do I really need a 12hp blower? Or am I better off taking this old blower (I think it's from 1995 or so) to a real mechanic and let them have at it? It runs good, despite no air filter(!); some of the newer stuff isn't worth messing with so I wonder if it is worth paying someone else to fix it--or...? I can't see myself paying a kilobuck for a snowblower, no matter how much I might use it--couple more years and the kids can be tortured into shoveling.

 

[The_Jeff]

This can be fixed. If one belt is too short and the other too long put washers under the motor where it meets the deck, this will effectively require a longer belt.

For that matter you can, with the motor mounting nuts loose, tip the motor forward and slip the belt on that way.

Also see if you have a 3/8" belt where a 1/2 should be. It will bottom out in the V of the pulleys and appear to sort of work but you need to use the sides of the belt for traction, not the bottom.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Never seen a Snowblower with a air filter (none of the 3 that I've had over the decades have had one incl my current one)

Spend the $$ to get it fixed and it will throw a car length if you go at it slowly. Two stage blowers work quite well and even a 5hp work.

Make sure its also adjusted correctly for gravel/dirt roads. If your picking up anything like the road base it will make things work worst.

Bill

 

[supton]

Hmm, I think it does bottom out... What I don't get is that I've been buying specific Toro replacement belts. Which should be the proper width and all.

I guess I could try shimming the motor up. It has been odd, in that the belts are easily replaced. Once I get the cover off, they slide in place and out of place easily, just have to work the tensioner to get the brake out of the way.

I think the runners(?) rusted off. It usually doesn't pick up rocks, thankfully the ground is (usually) well frozen when I have to use it.

 

[Shelbybob]

Think about this,if your snow blower can't handle the really big storms, then what's the point of having one? New Hampshire winters warrant something bigger than a 5 hp blower, no?

 

[gd9704]

My Ariens 724 never threw very well before I installed this:

Snowblower impeller kit

Now it will easily throw the length of 2 cars. An amazing transformation.

I think your Toro can be massaged into shape. A factory service manual will help you get the belt adjusted properly.