[MP4]

I replaced an auger Belt on a Sears craftsman 24 inch snowblower. The auger cable attached to the handle is so tight that the auger won’t disengage. I tried loosening the cable with adjustments but it didn’t seem to work. Where the auger cable meets the housing of the snowblower there is some deterioration of a cable. Wondering if I should just change the auger cable

 

[MP4]

I replaced an auger Belt on a Sears craftsman 24 inch snowblower. The auger cable attached to the handle is so tight that the auger won’t disengage. I tried loosening the cable with adjustments but it didn’t seem to work. Where the auger cable meets the housing of the snowblower there is some deterioration of a cable. Wondering if I should just change the auger cable

When I initially unhooked the spring to release the auger break I noticed the bolt on the auger brake was a little loose I tried to tighten it but I will I’m not sure I was effective. That might’ve somehow caused the problem.

 

[SnowMonster]

When I initially unhooked the spring to release the auger break I noticed the bolt on the auger brake was a little loose I tried to tighten it but I will I’m not sure I was effective. That might’ve somehow caused the problem.

Some of those Craftsman blowers have an adjustable idler pulley too. If so, you loosen a nut and slide the idler pulley in a slot. In this case slide it away from the belt since it won’t disengage. Not sure your machine is like this, but it’s worth a look. Good luck

 

[orangputeh]

usually this happens if the belt is not routed correctly or the springs are installed wrong. if the idler wheel is pushing against belt with the handle disengaged it's an installation error.

my advice is to start from scratch or get another set of eyes on it. you may not be seeing sumting obvious.
This happens to me from time to time so I'll let it set overnight and revisit in morning and 9 times out of 10 the problem is staring right in my face.

 

[Marty013]

When I initially unhooked the spring to release the auger break I noticed the bolt on the auger brake was a little loose I tried to tighten it but I will I’m not sure I was effective. That might’ve somehow caused the problem.

can you move the auger brake lever by hand.. and does it spring back?? if not.. you might have caused a bind by tightening that bolt.. loosen that first to see if it helps.. you might have to play with the auger cable tension to get it bak to where it was so it isnt too loose and avoid too tight.. that can cause belts to die young too

 

[guzzijohn]

You did have the pan off when changing belt so you could see everything? The new belt is right one compared to the worn one? Parts people can screw up. Craftsman 24 could’ve been made by a number of different manufacturers. Model number is a must to identify what belt you need. Folks run into this issue all the time. The only way to be sure about belt size is with a belt measurement tool that many vendors have. Yes, recheck everything as the belt might be on the wrong side of a guide or some such.

 

[Husqvarna_10530SBE]

Show us some pictures.

 

[Auger1]

Sometimes you'll get one like that. I had a blower that without the belt being real loose it would not dis-engage the auger engine pully, fix? I sprayed silicone spray on it, worked great and when you engaged the hand lever it still worked perfect. Sometimes belts get a little grabby on the pullies.

 

[MP4]

Thanks ever I will take another look at it. I compared belts and the seemed the same. I will. Heck installation of the belt and maybe loosen the bolt. I will let you know. I appreciate all of the feedback so quickly. Happy spring soon!😊

 

[KJSeller]

As others have said the cable may be too tight. If you can find the manual for your blower or a YouTube video showing the exact steps. Some times you missed one thing. Usually the first time you do this it's hard and then it's easier the next time. When you adjust that cable make sure to apply some anti seize to the the threads of that screw and jamb nut.

 

[38racing]

make sure you didn't route the belt outside the brake lever, that's why you normally must engage the auger to move the brake away from the pulley to get belt off/on. Obviouls if belt breaks it's not an issue in the removal but you must move that brake on the install.

 

[enigma-2]

I'd agree with what @SnowMonster said. If the old belt was old and worn, all of the adjustments were tightened to compensate. Check the auger belt idler to make certain it's backed off all the way.