MTD Track Drive Snowblower Locks Tracks up

Rick 386 · Post by **Rick 386** » Mon. Jan. 25, 2016 8:55 pm

We have had a Troy Built (MTD) track drive snowblower for several years now without issues until now.

It goes forward or in reverse for about 3 feet then the tracks lock up and won't move. Today I had some success using the turn levers and most times it would start moving again. But the majority of the lock ups required putting the unit in the opposite direction to unlock and then put it back to continue the intended direction.

Will be looking at it tomorrow but I wondered if anyone had any idea on where to start.

Just a quick look and it appears that the front axle may be slightly forward on the left side where it exits the frame and the cog wheel is attached.

Just another add on to my wonderful weekend experiences.......

Rick

Flyer5 · Post by **Flyer5** » Mon. Jan. 25, 2016 9:17 pm

Rick 386 wrote:We have had a Troy Built (MTD) track drive snowblower for several years now without issues until now.

It goes forward or in reverse for about 3 feet then the tracks lock up and won't move. Today I had some success using the turn levers and most times it would start moving again. But the majority of the lock ups required putting the unit in the opposite direction to unlock and then put it back to continue the intended direction.

Will be looking at it tomorrow but I wondered if anyone had any idea on where to start.

Just a quick look and it appears that the front axle may be slightly forward on the left side where it exits the frame and the cog wheel is attached.

Just another add on to my wonderful weekend experiences.......

Rick

Thanks for making me feel better about my weekend Rick.

windyhill4.2 · Post by **windyhill4.2** » Mon. Jan. 25, 2016 9:32 pm

Rick,you sure have a run of trouble in your life right now.I am trying to remember what causes that issue,my mind is foggy tonite,it has been a hard 3 days.Tracks too loose or too tight ,broken center on the track drive wheels,ck the chain inside the bottom pan. I picked up a customers Cub Cadet with that same set-up,i hope to look at it tomorrow,it has drive issues too.

SWPaDon · Post by **SWPaDon** » Mon. Jan. 25, 2016 9:47 pm

Like Windy said, probably a track or chain too loose. It rides up on top of the cog and locks up, reversing lines it back up with the cog for a short time.

CapeCoaler · Post by **CapeCoaler** » Mon. Jan. 25, 2016 10:28 pm

Somebody always has it worse...
But I feel for ya...
I will gladly trade the last 3 weeks...
for three feet of snow

...
Bring it into the shop and thaw out those parts...
Fresh morning eyes will show the issue...

SWPaDon · Post by **SWPaDon** » Tue. Jan. 26, 2016 9:11 pm

Rick, any updates?

windyhill4.2 · Post by **windyhill4.2** » Tue. Jan. 26, 2016 9:25 pm

Rick,i didn't get to look at the unit here that is similar to yours. I think I pulled a muscle/pinched a nerve/hernia,whatever it is I have trouble walking today & got very little done.

Rick 386 · Post by **Rick 386** » Wed. Jan. 27, 2016 9:04 am

Sorry for not updating last night.

My bad luck continues........my spraybooth fan quit working. Found out blowing snow got inside the squirrel cage, froze in place and took out the belt. Plus the snow on the roof prevented the louvers from opening fully. Took the greater part of yesterday to diagnose. Now waiting for replacement belts.

Then got the snowblower inside and removed the lower cover. Lots of slack in the drive chains allowed the chain to bind up against the rear aluminum cover. Then found out the reason why...........Both rear brake cogs are shot. Looks like the inner bearings failed. And to boot, the right side shaft bearing where it exits the side of the case is also worn.

Looks like it s cheaper to just replace the entire rear drive axle assembly.

Remnants of bearing still on shaft.

.JPG | 96.4KB | Snowblower.01.jpg

The shaft is no longer centered in the opening

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Rick

Post by **coaledsweat** » Wed. Jan. 27, 2016 9:25 am

We need a pic of the car behind the snow blower.

SWPaDon · Post by **SWPaDon** » Wed. Jan. 27, 2016 10:01 am

Oh, wow. That's a lot worse than I thought it was going to be. Check everything else over real good before buying parts, ya don't need any surprises halfway through.

CapeCoaler · Post by **CapeCoaler** » Wed. Jan. 27, 2016 11:00 am

If it weren't for bad luck ya have no luck at all...

You are just getting all the bad mojo at once...
From now on smooth sailing...

Rick 386 · Post by **Rick 386** » Wed. Jan. 27, 2016 11:47 am

coaledsweat wrote:We need a pic of the car behind the snow blower.

Here you go CS,

The latest project. 68 Mustang Notch. We will be replacing the entire outer sheet metal which includes both fenders, both doors, both full quarter panels, rear body panel, trunk lid, and front and rear valance panels. Customer previously bought a fiberglass hood to cover his worked over small block.

I'll try to take pics along the way. Waiting for the parts to arrive. Rust has hit this one and customer doesn't want to just bondo it up. The car currently is all bondo'd up. Then a full paint job by painting the parts off the car. Makes for a much better job. You just have to be real careful assembling it back together.

.JPG | 114.2KB | Snowblower.03.jpg

And Don, a quick parts check shows it is cheaper to buy a full rear axle assembly rather than buy the individual parts.

Seems to be the way they sell parts now a days.

Rick

SWPaDon · Post by **SWPaDon** » Wed. Jan. 27, 2016 1:51 pm

Thanks for the update, Rick. I hope everything goes smoothly with the repair.

EarthWindandFire · Post by **EarthWindandFire** » Wed. Jan. 27, 2016 3:42 pm

This is one of my favorite forums besides this one. You can post on the dedicated MTD forum.

http://www.snowblowerforum.com/forum/mtd-snowblowers/

Flyer5 · Post by **Flyer5** » Wed. Jan. 27, 2016 4:25 pm

Jeeeze now I am feeling bad for ya Rick. I hope things turn around. WOW!