Your Troy Bilt snow blower's auger should turn for the machine to capture and throw deep snow. But it's not turning, and now you're wondering why the problem occurred. Also, what can you do to fix it? We researched these concerns for you, and here's what we found!
A Troy Bilt snow blower auger may refuse to turn because it might have an underlying problem. The possible suspects often range from a damaged V-belt to a worn auger.
Troubleshooting the machine may help you determine the cause of the issue. You can then use the appropriate fix to restore the snow blower's normal functions.
So continue reading as we talk about these potential problems in greater detail. We'll also tackle the possible solutions you may use to help fix your Troy Bilt snow blower. With that said, let's begin!
3 Reasons Why A Troy Bilt Snow Blower Auger Doesn't Turn (And Their Possible Fixes)
Damaged V-Belt
A Troy Bilt snow blower's V-belt or drive belt helps rotate the auger. But harm to this component can prevent the auger from turning, rendering the snow-blowing machine relatively useless.
How To Fix
The specific steps to replace a Troy Bilt snow blower's V-belt often depend on the machine's type.
In other words, single-stage snow blowers often demand fewer steps to replace the drive belt than a dual-stage unit.
Here are the general steps you can follow to replace a drive belt:
What You'll Need
- Screwdriver
- Ratchet and socket
- Panel remover
- Replacement snow blower drive belt
Step-By-Step Guide
- Ensure that the snow blower's engine is off.
- Locate and remove the spark plug to remove the risks of accidental startups.
- Loosen and remove the fasteners securing the drive belt access cover. Remove the access cover and set it aside afterward.
- Push down the idler arm, which should give you access to the old V-belt.
- Unhook the V-belt from the drive pulley and pull it from its mount.
- Install the new drive belt in the same location as the old unit.
- Return the removed parts, especially the spark plug, to their original locations and secure them.
- Turn on the snow blower and inspect if the auger is now turning.
Check out this replacement drive belt on Amazon.
You can also watch this video if you need extra assistance:
Worn Snow Auger
Take note that a snow blower auger's blades may last about 3 to 50 years, depending on the quality of the machine's materials and its craftsmanship.
But you may know that the auger is about to fail (or already fail) if it's not turning.
One way to determine if it's time to replace the auger or its blades is if there are visible indicators of irreparable harm to the unit(s).
How To Fix
It's important to mention that replacing the entire auger assembly is typically more laborious and time-consuming than swapping the blades.
If your troubleshooting results suggest that you only need to replace the snow blower auger's blades, follow these steps:
What You'll Need
- Ratchet and socket set
- Wooden board
- Replacement auger blade(s)
Step-By-Step Guide
- Disengage the snow blower's motor and ensure it's off.
- Locate and remove the machine's spark plug. Set it aside temporarily afterward.
- Remove the bolts on each side of the snow blower's auger.
- Loosen and remove the fasteners securing the snow blower's chute and drive belt cover.
- Pull out the chute and drive belt cover and set them aside temporarily.
- Remove the drive belt from its mount.
- Loose and remove the four bolts near the wheels.
- Disconnect the pulley system from the snow blower's rear.
- Tilt the machine's rear end, which should loosen the connection between it and the area with the auger assembly.
- Place a wooden block inside the chute's opening to prevent the impeller from moving.
- Loosen and remove the bolt securing the pulley. Pull out the pulley afterward.
- Remove the wooden board, which should loosen the auger assembly.
- Remove the faulty blade from the assembly and swap it with the replacement unit.
- Go through the previous steps in reverse order to reassemble the Troy Bilt snow blower.
- If done correctly, turn on the snow blower and check if the auger is turning as intended.
Warning: Be careful when handling the snow blower's blades. These components can be pretty sharp and can cut your skin if you're not careful.
Note: Make sure to purchase and install the correct blades. Some Troy Bilt snow blowers use blades with different orientations for one auger assembly.
Check out the video below for a visual of this process:
Also, watch this video if you want to gain insight on how to do a complete repair for a Troy Bilt snow blower auger:
Dirty Auger Gear
A snow blower's gearbox, particularly in a Troy Bilt unit, typically has gears to help the auger move or turn when needed.
But the gears can also become susceptible to dirt and debris accumulation, which may hinder them from moving correctly. Failure to remove the particles on the gear may result in the auger stopping altogether.
How To Fix
Cleaning the offending gear may help restore the auger's normal functions. But you still need to access the gearbox to clean the dirty gear.
Follow these steps to find and access the gearbox, and restore the gear's proper movement:
What You'll Need
- Ratchet and socket set
- Wooden board
- Rust remover
- Sandpaper
- Metal wire brush
Step-By-Step Guide
- Disengage the snow blower's engine and ensure it's off.
- Remove the spark plug and set it aside.
- Remove the pin securing the snow blower's chute. Pull out the chute afterward.
- Loose and remove the bolts securing the pulley cover. Pull out the pulley cover afterward.
- Remove the V-belt from its mount and the cable from the idler pulley.
- Loosen and remove the four bolts next to the snow blower's wheels.
- Tilt the snow blower's rear, which should separate its front and rear sides.
- Stick a wooden board into the chute to hold the impeller's blade in place.
- Loosen and remove the bolt securing the impeller's cover before pulling it out.
- Unthread the four bolts on both sides of the auger assembly.
- Pull out the entire auger assembly. Remove the large washers on both sides of the auger.
- Remove the blades on the auger carefully.
- Apply a rust remover on the auger's rod. Sand down any leftover corrosion.
- Unthread the screws securing the gearbox. Disassemble the gearbox assembly afterward.
- Use a metal wire brush to remove the dirt and debris latched onto the gear.
- With the gear cleaned, reverse the previous steps to reassemble the auger and the rest of the snow blower.
- Reconnect the spark plug and turn on the snow blower to check if the problem with the auger persists.
Check out this video to see the above steps:
Warning: Ensure to place all the removed bolts and fasteners are in a safe yet obvious location. Losing bolts can prevent the machine from being secure, making it a health hazard when you engage its engine.
Should My Troy Bilt Snow Blower Auger Spin Freely?
Your Troy Bilt snow blower's auger shouldn't spin without the help of its V-belt and the rest of the assembly. If you can spin the auger by hand, and it doesn't stop rotating quickly, the machine likely has a broken sheer pin.
Can You Turn A Snow Blower Auger By Hand?
It's possible to turn a snow blower's auger by hand. But this task isn't without some risks and drawbacks. For instance, turning the auger by hand can be tiring, particularly if done for an extended period.
Turning the snow blower's auger while the machine is running can be hazardous and put you at a high risk of accidents and injuries.
Our Final Thoughts
Remember to troubleshoot the cause of your Troy Bilt snow blower's auger not turning before attempting to fix the machine. Tinkering with the unit without finding the leading cause of the problem first may result in further harm to the device than intended.
If you're looking for answers to other Troy Bilt machine concerns: