Hi all,
I have a solid condition 10-30e (runs great, throws snow great, etc.), but the drive is very frustrating. I'm curious if anyone else has had the following:
Put the machine in 'gear', 1st or 2nd forward and engage the drive lever. Nothing. Lift the rear of the machine off the ground and the wheels fly in the forward direction. Put it back down, nothing. Give it a shove with your mid section and it bucks and "catches" and starts moving.
Same in reverse.
I put in a new drive belt and not change.
If my friction wheel were worn out, why would it drive the wheels so well whilst held up off the ground? And why does it seem to 'buck' when on the ground in gear? Again, if the friction wheel were worn, I would think it would just ...slip. Not grab for a split second and then nothing.
I've inspected the friction wheel and the 'plate' is drives off of. Both seem in good condition. However, on the rubber friction wheel I can feel a couple of flat spots.
I wish I could see what's going on down there when trying to drive. I've pulled the plastic belt cover off and watched to confirm that when I engage the drive - the drive belt grabs and spins as it should; not slipping on the pulley.
I actually scratched up the surface of the drive 'plate', hoping this would give the friction wheel a better/rougher surface to grab onto. I cleaned the friction wheel surface all the way around with alcohol.
Maybe the drive plate isn't coming up high enough to meet the friction wheel? Maybe I need a new wheel? And a drive 'plate'?
Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. Online service manual would be fantastic - I've been surprised to find so little. I do have the owners manual, but, it's not much help.
Thank you,
Jay
I have a solid condition 10-30e (runs great, throws snow great, etc.), but the drive is very frustrating. I'm curious if anyone else has had the following:
Put the machine in 'gear', 1st or 2nd forward and engage the drive lever. Nothing. Lift the rear of the machine off the ground and the wheels fly in the forward direction. Put it back down, nothing. Give it a shove with your mid section and it bucks and "catches" and starts moving.
Same in reverse.
I put in a new drive belt and not change.
If my friction wheel were worn out, why would it drive the wheels so well whilst held up off the ground? And why does it seem to 'buck' when on the ground in gear? Again, if the friction wheel were worn, I would think it would just ...slip. Not grab for a split second and then nothing.
I've inspected the friction wheel and the 'plate' is drives off of. Both seem in good condition. However, on the rubber friction wheel I can feel a couple of flat spots.
I wish I could see what's going on down there when trying to drive. I've pulled the plastic belt cover off and watched to confirm that when I engage the drive - the drive belt grabs and spins as it should; not slipping on the pulley.
I actually scratched up the surface of the drive 'plate', hoping this would give the friction wheel a better/rougher surface to grab onto. I cleaned the friction wheel surface all the way around with alcohol.
Maybe the drive plate isn't coming up high enough to meet the friction wheel? Maybe I need a new wheel? And a drive 'plate'?
Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. Online service manual would be fantastic - I've been surprised to find so little. I do have the owners manual, but, it's not much help.
Thank you,
Jay