551 Snow Blower Throwing/Shredding/ Belts
 

Hello All,

I am having an issue with my 551 snow blower throwing and cutting belts. I have it mounted to my 1641 garden tractor. Last year was the first year I used it.
I took it to a dealer last year mid season to get it sorted out, but it came back doing the same thing. As far as I can tell all the pulleys are strait; even replaced one idler for good measure.
When I lower the unit to the ground to start every thing looks normal, and the belt looks to be lined up. When I go to start pushing the unit, it seems like the blower twists. If you are sitting on the tractor looking forward, the left side pulls back to the frame and the right side pulls away from the frame. When this happens the the idler pulley on the left crashes into the main pulley for the blower and the right idler is so far off from being straight up and down the belt has no option but to come off. Unfortunately when this happens more often than not the belt is cut in two from the left idler and the main pulley acting like a sheer.

Right now I have the lift tube set so the blower barley comes all the way down putting very little pressure on the skids. This seems to help, but by no means fool proof.

Any one have an idea about this?
Thanks in advance,

Ben

It sounds like you don't have the mount bolts installed. Do you have the unit bolted to the frame? :bigthink:

There should be a bolt on both sides going through the blower into the frame where I have circled below.

http://s26.postimg.org/uj2b91x55/IMG...909_Custom.jpg

Yes, both Bolts are in.

I sure do. From what I can tell, it seems like its twisting on the snow blower side.

How about some pics of the blower mounted on the tractor. I guess I would start checking the unit over real close. You have got loose fasteners or worn out holes. My 451 I am going through right now had about the same symptoms as yours as far as moving around alot. I found the bracket on the bottom of the blower unit to be very loose. The bolt holes for the arms that attach to the side of the blower were wallowed out real bad. Between the two issues my blower could be moved back and forth 3-4". Never had an issue with the belt coming off though. Sounds to me like there is something else going on if it is shredding belts.

I'll get some pics up tonight when I get home then. This may sound silly, but is there a special way to insert pictures into a quick reply?

This snow blower has been a real head stumper.

I can't help you on pics I'm computer stupid. One other thing I would check is the integrity of all the pulleys. I know you said you replaced one but I would check the other ones real close just to make sure there is no sharp burrs or nicks in the sides of the pulleys. Plays hell with belts. Is the belt routing correct as well.

I have 2 images that I can show you all. Any idea's on how to get them on here? Its asking me for a url.

Click on this link.... Posting Procedure

http://i568.photobucket.com/albums/s...psyh1uvx95.jpg

http://i568.photobucket.com/albums/s...pspxveonrk.jpg

Thank you
R Bedell
for the link.

Here are the photos that show that the blower frame is bolted to the tractor frame. I did notice that there is another hole down (Circled in RED) a bit and back a bit. I am wondering if some one didn't put this unit together all that well.
I also pulled on it the direction that it has been twisting and I couldn't make it do it. Tonight I think I'll take it out and just set it on the drive way and see if I can make it do like I would be using it to blow.

Maybe this is nothing but I have wondering, if you are looking at the blower in this pic; the top is pitched forward. When I set it down it levels out. Is that normal, or is this do to ware?

I can't say for sure but I think that upper link belongs in the hole you have circled in red. At least that's what it looks like on the Cub parts site. I'm wondering if the PO drilled an extra set of holes because the drawing only shows the hole you have circled in red. :bigthink:

I moved both arms back to the hole I have circled in red. The whole blower does look better as far as it being more square as it comes up and down.
I watched the tractor ride down the drive way with the blower in the full down position (Full weight on the blower) and I am still thinking that the main pulley is going to hit the idler pulley. Just guessing but there cant be more than an inch of clearance between the idler and the main pulley; even less when riding down the drive way.
Just a thought I had, but does any one know the correct pulley size for that blower? The pulley on the PTO is 6" I believe. My thinking on this is if I had a smaller main pulley there would be more clearance. With that in mind, if I went to a smaller pulley I am going to gain RPM's at the snow blower.
Any one of thoughts on this?
Thanks,
Ben

Are you talking about the pulley that is the tension pulley? The one with the spring on it? If that is the case the belt you are using is to long. Those 2 idler pulleys need to be about right across from one another with the belt on and tensioned. That my friend is why you are shredding belts.

no.
The tension pulley is the one with the most clearance. What I mean is that when the blower "Twists" there are several inches of clearance between the idler with the spring and no clearance with the stationary idler and the main drive pulley. I do believe that its the main pulley moving with the frame that's causing it to crash.
The 2 idler pulleys are straight across from each other when every thing is working normally.