Owner’s manual
How to tell if a snowblower auger belt is bad?
On the MTD 31AM6BHF793 gas snowthrower, a bad auger belt shows up as weak or no snow discharge even though the engine runs normally. The most reliable signs are an auger that stops under load, belt squeal or burning odor, and a belt that looks loose, cracked, glazed, or frayed when inspected (see the 31AM6BHF793 owner's manual).
- Augers do not turn when you squeeze the auger control, or they start then stop in heavy snow
- Snow throws weakly, or the unit “plows” instead of throwing
- Squealing noise from the belt area when the auger is engaged
- Burning rubber smell after engaging the auger
- Visible belt damage: cracks, fraying, missing chunks, or shiny glazed spots
- Belt looks slack when the auger control is engaged (slipping)
A “no auger” complaint is not always the belt. On this model, also check these items:
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Augers will not turn at all | Shear pin(s) sheared | Replace with the correct shear pin (the manual calls out OEM shear pins such as 738-04124A) |
| Auger turns but stops easily | Auger cable needs adjustment | Check auger control cable slack and adjust per the manual |
| Snow discharge is weak and chute packs up | Chute or auger housing clogged | Shut off engine, remove key, clear with a clean-out tool |
| Belt squeals or smells hot | Belt slipping (worn, stretched, or loose) | Inspect belt and replace if worn |
When you remove the belt cover and inspect the auger belt, replace it if you find:
- Cracks across the ribs or on the flat side
- Frayed edges or exposed cords
- Glazing (shiny, hardened surface)
- Oil or fuel saturation (soft, swollen rubber)
- A belt that rides low in the pulley or slips when the auger is engaged
For this model, the listed replacement is the MTD snowblower auger drive belt 256963. Match the part number to your unit before ordering.
A slipping auger belt reduces throwing distance, increases wear on pulleys and belt keepers, and can overheat and fail suddenly during a storm. Catching belt wear early helps keep the auger drive working safely and consistently.
Last updated: February 2026
How many years should a snowblower last?
For the MTD 31AM6BHF793 gas snowthrower, the operator guidance lists an average useful life of 7 years or about 60 hours of operation. With consistent maintenance and proper off-season storage, many gas snowblowers deliver reliable service beyond that average; use the 31AM6BHF793 owner's manual as your baseline for care and inspection intervals.
The 7-year (or 60-hour) figure is a practical service-life benchmark for safety and wear items, not a hard stop date. After that point, we treat annual inspections and proactive part replacement as normal ownership.
- Light use (small driveway, dry snow): often exceeds the average useful life
- Heavy use (deep, wet, icy snow): reaches wear limits sooner
- Good storage habits: reduces corrosion, fuel-system issues, and freeze-ups
These actions have the biggest impact on longevity for a gas snowblower like the 31AM6BHF793:
- Clear snow from the auger and impeller area before storage to prevent freeze-up
- Drain fuel for storage periods over 30 days by running the engine until it stops
- Change engine oil at season end
- Check fuel lines, tank, cap, and fittings for cracks or leaks
- Lubricate the hex (gear) shaft at least once per season or every 25 hours
| Part or system | What wear looks like | What it impacts |
|---|---|---|
| Auger drive belt | slipping, squeal, weak auger pull | snow intake and throwing power |
| Shear pins | broken pins after jams | auger protection and rotation |
| Cables (auger/drive) | slack, poor engagement | control response and safety |
| Friction drive components | poor traction, surging drive | forward/reverse movement |
If your auger performance drops, a worn belt is a common cause; the MTD snowblower auger drive belt 256963 is one of the model-matched parts listed for this unit.
Planning around the average useful life helps you avoid mid-storm breakdowns. Past the 7-year or 60-hour mark, replacing wear parts on schedule is usually the difference between a dependable machine and repeated no-start or no-drive problems.
You can order replacement parts for your MTD 31AM6BHF793 from the parts list for this model, or search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
Is it worth fixing a snowblower?
Yes, it’s worth fixing an MTD gas snowthrower like model 31AM6BHF793 when the problem is a normal wear item (belt, cable, shear pin) and the machine is otherwise solid; those repairs restore performance for far less than replacing the whole unit.
We use these checkpoints to decide whether repair makes sense:
- Safety first: if the machine has been vibrating abnormally or hit something, stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire before inspecting anything.
- Wear-item failure: broken shear pins, stretched cables, and worn belts are routine fixes.
- Drive problems: if it won’t move with the drive engaged, the friction wheel rubber may be worn or cracked.
- Recurring major failures: repeated gearbox or drive-train damage points toward replacement.
- Overall condition: rusted-through housings, bent auger/impeller components, or multiple missing parts usually raise the total cost.
These are the fixes we see most often that typically pay off quickly.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Typical fix | Parts you may need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augers won’t turn after a jam | Shear pin(s) sheared | Replace shear pin and cotter pin | Craftsman snowblower shear pin 738-04124A, MTD lawn & garden equipment cotter pin, 1/4- to 5/16-in 714-04040 |
| Auger engages poorly or slips | Worn auger belt | Replace auger belt and re-test auger control | MTD snowblower auger drive belt 256963 |
| Unit won’t drive forward | Worn friction wheel rubber | Inspect and replace friction wheel if cracked/worn | (Check the parts list for the correct friction wheel) |
A snowblower is designed to protect expensive components during jams. For example, shear pins are meant to break so the auger gearbox and auger shaft are less likely to be damaged. Using the correct OEM-style shear pin is critical for protecting the machine.
- Operate outdoors only; engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide.
- Disengage the auger/impeller when transporting or when not in use.
- If you strike a foreign object or feel abnormal vibration, shut down and inspect before restarting.
- For storage, keep it clean and dry, and rustproof chains, springs, bearings, and cables with a light oil or silicone.
Use the 31AM6BHF793 owner's manual for adjustment checks, shear pin guidance, and inspection steps; then order the exact replacement parts from the parts list for this model, or search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
