The snowblower is two years old and when the bar to engage the auger is held down the auger will not rotate. Any ideas?

Craftsman blowers employ a belt to drive the auger. Open up the housing and check you belt, It is either broken or it has come off the idler pulley.

Is there a chance of a shear pin ballengerb1?

Craftsman uses shear pins on their auger blowers and their roto tillers so yes, there is a chance. I go with belts first, when you hear hoofs think horses not zebras.

That's an MTD unit, it'll have an auger belt and 4 shear pins for each auger section and it's doubtful they all broke at once. If none of the augers turn, it'll be the belt or the gearbox between the augers.

12-16-08

I have a Craftsman Snowblower Model#31A-3BDE799 with 5HP Engine. My question is when it snows 3-4 inches of wet snow the wet snow plugs in the throw chute and instantly clogs up. Is there a solution to this problem? As a side note when the snow is light and puffy the blower works perfectly.
Thanks for any suggestions.

That's an MTD unit, it'll have an auger belt and 4 shear pins for each auger section and it's doubtful they all broke at once. If none of the augers turn, it'll be the belt or the gearbox between the augers.


Is this a two stage machine? If so, see if the second stage (that throws the snow up the shoot) is still spinning. I've checked this on mine by engaging the auger in front of a mirror. If it is spinning, and the augers are not, then it's the gear box between them. There is a worm gear in there that has it's teeth ground down.

12-16-08

I have a Craftsman Snowblower Model#31A-3BDE799 with 5HP Engine. My question is when it snows 3-4 inches of wet snow the wet snow plugs in the throw chute and instantly clogs up. Is there a solution to this problem? As a side note when the snow is light and puffy the blower works perfectly.
Thanks for any suggestions.

It is typical of a 5hp machine to get clogged with the heavy, wet snow. Try buying some spray on wax, they make some specifically for this function.

Try spraying pam on the inside of the chute before using it will help keep the snow from sticking to the chute . It may sound a little crazy but it works . Good luck