Snow blower auger bent. Straighten by welding?

Jack345

Member
I picked up an old New Holland 4ft snow blower that has a bent auger about 1/4 inch out at center point. The auger carrier looks like about the size of a 2 1/4 pipe. Need advise on how to straighten auger.Will welding on one side help? Looks pretty well made with ball bearing at each end but NO shear pins on auger its chain driven used on front of older 16hp New Holland/Ariens tractor.Any idea would be helpful, Thanks.
 
That auger probably spins at a low speed, less than 100 rpm. You could pull the drive chain off and spin the auger by hand to check for any binding or twisting of the bearing in their mounts. If it looks good I'd try using it as-is before investing much into repairing it. Write down the bearing numbers and know where to get some replacements if they go bad.

How will you be using the machine? Most consumer snow blowers are not used many hours per year, between 5 and 25 hours per year is about all. You could probably buy a different snow blower for less cost than making extensive repairs on one.
 
It depends on where it's bent. If it's just the pipe then yes you could. If you have a torch that will work better tho. For welding just find the up side or long side and weld around the pipe abo ut 1/3 to 1/2 way and check what you have. It could take several tries. For torch just heat the same area and then cool it quickly. I don't like either of those ways tho accept when nothing else will work. Welding or heating across the pipe like that will weaken it. I would try to just give it a whack with a hammer and see if that works first.
 
Thanks Jon, think I'll make a press by supporting both ends and a long 2x4 under the backhoe blade and press in center.
 
If I was doing it I would get a chain, loop it under the cutting edge, behind the auger, and over a lever and pry down. Use a 4x4 or something. You will have more control that way. Altho I have seen some artists with a hoe. lol
 
1/4" is not much on an auger in my opinion.... I would say that if the flighting is not contacting anything adversly and the bearings are not walking too bad in their housings... don't even worry about it. For as fast as it turns it's not likely to ever be a factor.

Rod
 
I have not seen this unit in operation but gearing shows its about 3-4 reduction from engine rpm so its fairly fast about 1000-1200 rpm ( its single stage) its not walking on bearings but with a pen between housing and auger its varying about 1/4 inch ( and with bearings removed you can see a bend in pipe when sighting thru). Looks like owner before me used it as a rock thrower. I have other ways to remove snow but this unit was made for my tractor and would like have the 4 foot for some jobs. Thanks
 

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