Same Toro here as in video. Tightened up the cable and got rid of my weak squealing belt during chicagos heavy wet snow. Now properly cutting and throwing. Thank You for the perfect instructions! Saved my back and my wallet!
Ooooo Excellent ! I stopped the video and sure enough my cable was loose. My adjustment is on top towards the handle I have the snow commander 20 yrs old and noticed the other day it just wasn’t throwing the snow as far as it use to When I first got it it would throw the snow ten to fifteen feet Yesterday was a powder coat of 2 inches and it just wasn’t throwing it I made the two hole adjustment but I also ordered a belt After 20 yrs of faithful service it deserves it !
@@brantsmallenginerepairs thanks again…. Had always wondered what the hell that thing was, and just yesterday morning had this issue, and this worked like a gem…..Preciate cha
Thanks very much for this video. This has helped me identify what ails my 21 inch Yardmachines blower. The last 2 years with substantial snow, I heard a lot of squealing and intermittent blowing; after removing the cover I found black dust everywhere and the belt quite loose. The only slack adjustment was at the top of the cable, I moved it to the other position, making it tighter. I haven't had a snowfall to test it, but how do I know if belt needs replacing? Thanks in advance.
If you still have issues after tightening the cable then the belt has probably worn or stretched and should be replaced. Or check for visible signs of damage, cracking or bare spots. Hope this helps. Cheers
Greetings from Chicago, Gerry! Thank you so much for the terrific, detailed video. I have a quick question, regarding the second machine with the "drag-tree" adjustment (Craftsman). Does using the holes closer to handle create more tension on the belt, or is it the holes more towards the belt assembly? Please let me know your thoughts, and many thanks! 🍻
Hi Sascha. Moving the z-bend to a hole closer to the handle will put more pressure on the belt. The holes closer to the bottom of the "tree" will put less tension on the belt. Hope this helps. Cheers
It sure does, Gerry (@@brantsmallenginerepairs)! Mine's a Toro, but it's basically the same unit. I think the owner's manual describes the directions incorrectly (they seem to imply more tension as you go lower down the "tree," but that just didn't make sense). I just tried it, and my squeal is gone, and the snow went directly into my neighbor's yard! LOL Thank you so much, once again!! 🍻
My yard machine 2 cycle is stuck in the engaged position. The engagement handle is inoperable so when its running the auger is always engaged. Any suggestions? Also, when running, the engine is screaming. Are these two issues possibly linked? Thanks
I had a little Craftsman that was doing the same thing not long ago. The paddles would not disengage and continued to rotate after the handle was released. Turns out the belt was super worn. This could possibly be related to the noise. Check out the video here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-S0BVD-kVTUI.html
I have a craftsman 5-year-old 21'" 123cc single stage snowblower. It's not self-propelling or blowing snow.! So, it's the belt either loose or broken! I can do it!
@@brantsmallenginerepairs I looked at the belt it looks good the auger turns good but don't touch ground, unless I take the scraper blade off then it works just like always. Auger supposed to touch the ground a little, right? I've ordered an auger kit and a new scraper blade it's 7 years old I'm surprised it lasted that long. We got 4"-6" of snow tomorrow in Michigan I'll use it without the scraper blade just be careful not to hit no bumps.🤣
@@brantsmallenginerepairs Thanks for the help. I just needed the new shave plate and to straighten out the bottom of the snowblower. My sidewalk is under even and it's took a beaten. Lowes.ocm has craftsman replacement parts at the best price.
Brant great job on the CCR 3650! I think that belt looks pretty worn and for just $10 bucks I would just replace the whole damn belt since they're so cheap too, I got a brand new belt on now. Mine cable has a lot of play in it but I cant adjust the cable if needed until I have that brake spring on there first to see where the tension is pulling the opposite way. I got the new primer bulb on the way but until I get it replaced in the time being the best way to start it is just plugging in the electric starter so it saves you a lot of pulls lol. I need some warmer weather so it's comfortable being in the garage putting the new parts on but this arctic blast just isn't letting up!
Keep up the good work Karl. All the maintenance and TLC you're giving your machine will certainly pay off in the long run. This cold weather definitely sucks. I'm lucky enough to have an attached garage with an electric heater to keep it around 50 to 60 degrees. In fact, I'll be out there working today on the 3650. Going to be fixing a mangled electric starter gear and also working on the manual pull cord start (cord doesn't always return so probably need to lube recoil spring). Stay tuned.
@@brantsmallenginerepairs Brant your right and I also do take very good care of my stuff but I just wished I had that 60 degree garage like you do so I can get the stuff done on the 3650 but it will just have to wait for nicer days. What I love about the 3650 is that the parts are so cheap and extremely easy to find. I used to have the old S-200, remember those??? The S-200 wasn't designed for long term use since mine fell apart over the years like the handle broke and the vents in the front started breaking and it also got to the point where I couldn't change the direction of the way to shoot the snow, but the motor held up and everything else around it was breaking and falling apart. I bought the 3650 from someone on Craigslist that lives about 20 miles away from me that was selling it out of his garage and he had 2 other ones taken apart on his big workbench so I think he buys them broken and fixes them and re-sells them.
@@karlswert3348 it is convenient to have the garage to work in. I often find equipment for cheap, fix it up and resell it. You wouldn't believe what people throw away these days that just needs some TLC. I think your 3650 will serve you well. Just keep an eye on your electric start system. If it starts acting up then investigate it earlier than later. I have a video coming up in the next few weeks that will explain why
@@brantsmallenginerepairs Thanks Brant I'll be on the lookout. Just used the 3650 earlier, I electric started it since the primer bulb is still broke to save all the pulls from starting. I never use my electric start because it takes 1 or 2 pulls to start on a cold start. It's more time getting the cord out and plugging it in to push the button than it is to give a yank or two and get it started lol. Once my prime bulb is replaced then I'm back to pull starting again. The last time I electric started was back when I first bought it to test the starter for shits and giggles.
@@brantsmallenginerepairs Brant how does the governor work when you push the snowblower into snow? How does it speed up when it knows there is tension going into a snow drift?
Can you tell me if the paddle on my Toro 518 is it supposed to come in contact with the ground I know it may sound ridiculous but I’m a woman and this is my first gas snowblower I’ve always had electric because it already looks like some threads are hanging off of it the paddle. I sure hope somebody sees my messages and lets me know what’s going on.
The paddles will definitely come in contact with the ground. This will almost create a "self propel" function. As it scraps the ground, it propels itself forward.
You first need to isolate where the squeal is coming from. Is it from the belt and pulley area? The auger area? If it's the pulley area then you might have to replace the belt if it's still slipping. If it's from the auger are then maybe you have some bad auger bearings.