I happened to be reading the manual of mine (a Cub Cadet branded Berco attachment) looking for the part number of a belt and happened to glance at the maintenance section. I discovered that the auger gearbox oil is supposed to be checked annually and changed when necessary. For some reason, it hadn't even occurred to me that the auger HAD a gearbox!

I got the appropriate oil and set out to drain it, after running it for a few minutes to warm it up. It came out like black tar. Let it drain for 20 minutes, then put in the new oil and buttoned everything back up.I bought the tractor and blower in 2017, and I reckon that was the original oil in there.

Learn from my stupidity! And if you already knew about this, laugh at my mistake!

Just don't stick your hand to clear a stuck object while it is running.

It practically purred when I poured the new oil in.

As long as we are discussing snowblowers, I have, what will probably be considered, a rant.

Anyway, I purchased a new Husqvarna snowblower back in 2014 and was very diligent in my maintenance of it and there were some years where it didn't get used more than once or twice. This year we got hit with a pretty good snowfall in December so I cranked up the snowblower and started working on the driveway, it's a lengthy country driveway. Cleared the area in front of the garage and started on the driveway itself when the snowblower stopped moving. It worked fine in reverse. Backed it up into the garage and checked the usual suspects and everything seemed normal. Pulled the belt cover and checked the belt and it was fine. I moved the forward control lever and noticed that it wasn't moving the control arm across the pressure plate. Cable itself checked fine. Looking under the console I noticed that the control cable was only partially attached to the console.

Long story short. The plactic tabs that secure the cable had broken and in searching the internet trying to find a replacement console I discovered that this is a common defect, so common in fact that no one has that part in stock and aren't expecting any until late February. Also found out that those brands that use that similar part also have that defect. Poor engineering design and no desire to change it by Husqvarna.

Just goes to show that even if you take care of your equipment the fickle finger can still poke you in the eye.

Good for you Pyker. I have an airens and should do the same thing. What kind of oil did yours call for. 90 wt, gear oil?

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Good for you Pyker. I have an airens and should do the same thing. What kind of oil did yours call for. 90 wt, gear oil?

The manual calls for SAE 90, I used 80W90 gear oil from NAPA. I believe Valvoline does a similar oil.

Thanks, that is what I figured. On the to do list. Thanks buddy