VIDEO: How to Fix a Snow Blower Chute That Won't Rotate
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If your snow blower is suddenly having issues with chute rotation, it might be an easier fix than you think. While in some cases, broken wires are to blame when your powered chute stops working, issues commonly occur because of damaged or loose components. Before you jump to conclusions and schedule your snow blower for expensive service, consider how regular wear and tear can lead to the mechanism losing its effectiveness—and learn how to fix it yourself in minutes.
We've found that the hardware for the discharge shoot will loosen over time—likely due to the reverberation of the machine, but also potentially because of heavy clogs. When heavy snow or chunks of ice jam the chute, it can prevent the chute from rotating. If you're trying to force the electric chute control to turn when it's pinned in place by heavy snow, you can force misalignment between the pinion gear and the chute gear. Fortunately, there's a little play in how these gears fit together, so it's worth taking a closer look to see if the gearbox issues are a DIY fix.
Emily Fazio
Emily Fazio
While the video looks closely at a Craftsman Dual Stage Snowthrower (model no. 536.886180), but if yours is a similar design, you'll be able to apply the same steps to different manufacturers. Most snow blowers that have a cover for the electric chute control gearbox. Start there, and see if you can repair the alignment between the gears by yourself.
Materials and Tools You'll Need
How to Repair Your Snow Blower Chute When It Won't Rotate
Loosen the gearbox cover. The snowblower chute gearbox has a housing that protects the gears. Use ratchet to loosen the bolt and remove the cover.
Notice how the pinion gear and the chute gear fit together. The teeth should be properly oriented so that one gear turns the other. If the gears aren't touching, that's your problem. In the video, you'll notice how the pinion gearbox loosened and shifted due to the engine's rattle or because the discharge chute became jammed.
Shift the gears back in position. The chute gear is fixed, but the holes that hold the pinion gear in position allow for some play.
Use the ratchet to secure the pinion gearbox. Ensure that the teeth of the two gears that operate the electric chute mechanism are properly aligned.
Add lubricant. Lubricating your snow blower throughout the season is important.
Reattach the gearbox cover. Tighten it to protect the gears.
Test it out. Start up the snow blower and use the control levers to test whether the chute rotates properly.
