Friction Plate Clutch

[sandyut]

My snowblower has a friction plate clutch/drive system. When I blow the snow at a slower speed it works perfectly. When I run it on the faster speeds it sometimes gets hung up and wont disengage which is kinda horrifying.

Anyone have an idea on how to fix or what to look at first? Seems unlikely its the actual clutch or plate?? Maybe a linkage piece?? I looked at it years ago and couldn't make sense of whats the issue.

Not gonna rip it apart till spring just in case something get broke or is rusted together. its about 10-12 years old. Its a Husquavara if that matters, but I think most snowblowers are 90% the same parts with different paint.

Many thanks!

 

[radioguy]

See if you can get the clutch apart. It may just need a little resurfacing. 80 grit sandpaper. Could be just sticking. Lube up all the linkage too.

RG

 

[Fueling Around]

Doubtful it is the actual friction wheel or plate. Lots of possibilities: cable, spring, the slide mechanism to change speed, or the engage/disengage (clutch) linkage.

 

[normanaj]

Before you do anything get some lube in there and see what happens.

 

[sandyut]

See if you can get the clutch apart. It may just need a little resurfacing. 80 grit sandpaper. Could be just sticking. Lube up all the linkage too.

RG

I suspect linkage more than plate, but need to get back into it and see what I see

Doubtful it is the actual friction wheel or plate. Lots of possibilities: cable, spring, the slide mechanism to change speed, or the engage/disengage (clutch) linkage.

This is my feeling as well.

Before you do anything get some lube in there and see what happens.

Lube! yes will definitely need that in many places come spring.

I need to wait till the snow is about over. I had to replace the scraper bar and the six bolts were completely rusted together. So Im kinda expecting more of that fun. at my old hosue they used straight salt on the road, therefore the plow pile was a salty ice mess to blow through.

Many thanks for the input!

 

[sandyut]

ok I had time and want so got into it. lubed the cables and all the linkage contacts. got eyes on the friction system which looked very good and very clean.

I think the issue was that the drive speed adjuster "let me" push it past the last notch thus farther than designed putting the wheel too far to the outside of the clutch plate. Thus made the plate hang up when I released it. hard to verbalize but refer to pic. the black maker is where the lever notches end (below the plastic). I could slide it almost to the end of the plastic.

 

[sandyut]

Seems like should be something that stops the owner from pushing the speed controller too far? Call me crazy. I may rivet a piece of metal across the plastic. Hands froze working on it today, so sounds like a good summer project.