QuestionI have a Simplicity snowblower, model 643-001393. I believe it was made around 1973. The problem is with the tension pulley that puts it into gear to make the wheels turn (See yellow arrow in the photo). After using it several times to clear the driveway, the other day I shut it off to shovel a bit. The engine started ok. I put the shift lever into the drive position, but when I squeezed the lever on the left handle to move the tension pulley, nothing happened. See the white arrow. This is the cable that runs up to the handle lever. Just above the right side of the part of the cable seen in the photo is a spring about 2 - 3" long. When I squeezed the handle lever, the cable pulled the spring, but the pulley didn't move. Or I should say the flat steel bar holding the pulley didn't pull the pulley back to put tension on the drive belt.
I shut it off, and the pulley, marked with the yellow arrow in the photo, which is usually fairly loose, was very tight. The pulley itself turned ok. The cable (white arrow in photo) connects to a flat steel bar that is mounted on the "frame". When the handle lever is squeezed, the cable pulls this flat bar and this pulls up the tension pulley and the wheels turn. When the handle is released, the bar and pulley go back down and the wheels stop turning.
I looked underneath where the flat steel bar the pulley is bolted to, is fastened into the "frame" of the snowblower. It moved freely horizontally through the mounting hole. When I took hold of the pulley itself to try to move it into the drive, it was very tight.
I took a big screwdriver and put it under the left side of the pulley and lifted it up so it put tension on the drive belt, but when I removed the screwdriver, the pulley didn't drop back down as it should. I had to push it down by hand.
What makes the drive tension pulley tighten up so the cable doesn't move it? It did this a few weeks ago and I have no idea what I did to get it going again.
This sound confusing so hope you understand what I'm talking about.
AnswerHello Jerry:
>>For some Reason I Did Not Receive the Picture.
>>From your Description it Sounds like the Tensioner Pivot Bolt or the Pivot Arm (the Flat bar you are talking about) is Worn and Binding.
>>When you Pull the Lever to Engage the Tension Pulley, the Tensioner Arm (flat bar) is Supposed to Move and Tighten the Belt using the Idle Pulley Attached to the Tensioner Arm (flat bar).
>>If the Pulley is Turning Freely on the Tensioner Arm, but the Tensioner Arm is Not Moving Freely, then Check the Pivot Bolt (attaches the tensioner bar to the Frame) and Tensioner Arm for Burrs or for Wear that will Allow the Component to Bind/Stick.
>>If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I Hope to be Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Be Safe and Happy. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
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Respectfully
John
