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Why won't my snowblower throw snow far enough?
less than a minute readJun 04Lyle Weischwill
When your snowblower isn't clearing pavement well, first turn off the snowblower and clear any snow that's built up in the chute. A clogged chute won't throw snow very far. Use the Chute Clean-Out Tool to clear out the chute.
If the chute isn't clogged, one of these problems could be preventing the snowblower from throwing snow properly.
Broken shear pin
The shear pin is a fastener bolt that connects the auger to the rotating drive shaft. The shear bolt is made of soft metal that purposely shears off or breaks to protect the transmission and motor when a foreign object or hard-packed snow binds the augers.
Check to see if any auger blades spin freely on the auger shaft because its shear pin is broken. Replace any broken shear pins.
After replacing broken shear pins, the snowblower should throw snow properly.
Damaged augers or impeller
Check augers and the impeller for damage if you found no broken shear pins or the snowblower still won’t throw snow far enough after replacing broken shear pins.
Augers are rotating blades that collect snow and throw it out of the auger housing and up to the impeller. The impeller works like a fan to propel the snow up and out of the chute.
When these components are damaged, the snowblower won’t shoot snow out of the chute very far. Replace any damaged augers or the impeller if necessary.
Worn, stretched or damaged auger drive belt
A stretched or damaged auger drive belt won’t spin the auger fast enough to throw snow off the pavement and out through the chute. Examine the auger drive belt.
If the belt is okay but the cable isn't keeping the belt snug on the pulleys, adjust the auger drive cable.
Replace the auger drive belt if it’s worn. Our DIY YouTube video How to Replace a Snowblower Auger Belt shows you how.
Bad gear case
The gear case is a transmission that controls the spinning of the auger shaft. A bad gear case won’t spin the augers at the right speed to shoot snow out through the chute. You’ll likely need to replace the gear case if the auger shaft doesn’t spin at the right speed even though the auger belt works properly.
Engine needs a tune up
If you didn't tune up the snowblower at the start of the season, the engine might be running rough and lack the power to throw snow. Tune up the engine and check all of the other issues that could be preventing your snowblower from performing as it should as discussed in this Sears Home Services article Get Your Snowblower Ready for Winter.
Chute problems
If the chute doesn't pivot, you could end up blowing snow into the wind-and right back onto the driveway. Repair or replace the chute control assembly so the chute pivots. If your snowblower has a 4-way chute control, repair or replace that control if you're not able to control the chute. Adjust or replace the chute deflector cable if it isn't controlling the chute.
These videos offer DIY troubleshooting tips on fixing chute and auger problems when your snowblower won't throw snow.
Get you snowblower working right with these expert DIY tips from Sears PartsDirect and Sears Home Services.
These repairs may help solve your snowblower problem
Adjust or replace the snowblower belts
A worn or loose belt can slip or squeal when the snowblower is in use. Physically examine the belt and pulleys. If the belt is worn, replace it. If the belt is sound, adjust the pulleys to tighten the belt.
Adjust or replace the snowblower belts
Find the required part specific to your product.
Dec 01
How to replace a snowblower auger belt
A squealing or slipping snowblower auger belt is a sign that the belt is wearing out. This DIY snowb…
Repair time and Difficulty
45 minutes or less
Replace the snowblower auger drive cable
The auger drive cable is a control cable that connects the auger control lever on the control panel to the engagement lever in the auger drive system. When the auger won't engage, the cause is often a damaged, worn, or broken auger drive cable. Inspect the cable and replace it if it's worn or damaged.
Snowblower auger drive cable
Find the required part specific to your product.
Dec 01
How to replace a snowblower auger drive cable
If your snowblower auger isn't turning, it's possible the auger drive cable is damaged or broken. Th…
Repair time and Difficulty
15 minutes or less
Replace the snowblower gearcase assembly
The auger drive system uses a gearcase to rotate the auger shaft so that the augers can move snow. Replace the gearcase if the auger won't spin properly or at all.
Snowblower gearcase assembly
Find the required part specific to your product.
Do a snowblower tune-up
A tune-up restores the snowblower to its peak operating condition. A tune-up includes changing the oil, cleaning the engine, replacing the air filter, checking the ignition system, inspecting the carburetor, testing the battery, adjusting the throttle and choke controls, and adjusting and lubricating all moving parts.
Do a snowblower tune-up
Find the required part specific to your product.
Dec 07
How to replace a snowblower spark plug
If your snowblower won't start, the spark plug could be fouled or damaged. This DIY repair guide sho…
Repair time and Difficulty
15 minutes or less
Replace the snowblower auger
Hitting rocks or other foreign objects hidden beneath the snow damages the auger. Broken or bent auger blades won't move snow into the impeller and out through the discharge chute. Replace the auger blades if damaged after hitting a large object that breaks the shear pins. Inspect the auger blades regularly and replace the auger if you find bent or damaged auger blades.
Snowblower auger
Find the required part specific to your product.
Replace the snowblower shear pin
Shear pins fasten the augers to their drive shaft. They're designed to break if the auger hits a large foreign object or hard-packed snow, to protect the motor and transmission from damage.The auger won't turn if the shear pin isn't intact, so replace it if it breaks.
Snowblower shear pin
Find the required part specific to your product.
Jan 20
How to replace a snowblower shear pin
If your snowblower hit something hard and the auger stopped turning, the shear pin might have broken…
Repair time and Difficulty
15 minutes or less
Clear the snowblower chute and housing
Snow and ice can build up inside the chute and housing, restricting the exit path of the snow being cleared. Shut off the snowblower and clear built-up ice and snow.
Clear the snowblower chute and housing
Find the required part specific to your product.
Replace the snowblower 4-way chute control assembly
When you move the snowblower joystick on the snowblower 4-way chute control assembly, the joystick turns the snowblower chute rod, which then rotates the snowblower chute control gearbox. Replace the snowblower 4-way chute control assembly if it won't rotate the snowblower chute rod.
Snowblower 4-way chute control assembly
Find the required part specific to your product.
Dec 01
How to replace a snowblower 4-way chute control assembly
If your snowblower chute is stuck, it could mean a broken chute control gear box, chute rod or contr…
Repair time and Difficulty
30 minutes or less
Replace the snowblower chute control gearbox
The snowblower chute gearbox moves the discharge chute left or right as the joystick rotates the chute rod. If the chute control gearbox is damaged or stripped and the discharge chute won't move, replace the snowblower chute gearbox.
Snowblower chute control gearbox
Find the required part specific to your product.
Dec 01
How to replace a snowblower chute control gearbox assembly
A stuck snowblower chute could mean the control gearbox is damaged or stripped. This snowblower repa…
Repair time and Difficulty
15 minutes or less
Adjust or replace the snowblower chute deflector cable
Examine the chute deflector cable if the chute defector isn't moving properly. Sometimes the cable just needs to be adjusted. But if the chute deflector cable is damaged or broken, replace it.
Adjust or replace the snowblower chute deflector cable
Find the required part specific to your product.
Repair the snowblower chute control assembly
Examine the chute control assembly for the cause of a problem with this component. The owner's manual usually shows how to properly assemble and adjust the chute control assembly. Replace the chute control assembly if it's damaged or defective.
Repair the snowblower chute control assembly
Find the required part specific to your product.