Gas Snowblower: Why won't my snowblower throw snow far enough?

When your snowblower isn't clearing pavement well, first turn off the snowblower and clear any snow that's built up in the chute. A clogged chute won't throw snow very far. Use the Chute Clean-Out Tool to clear out the chute.

If the chute isn't clogged, one of these problems could be preventing the snowblower from throwing snow properly.

Broken shear pin

The shear pin is a fastener bolt that connects the auger to the rotating drive shaft. The shear bolt is made of soft metal that purposely shears off or breaks to protect the transmission and motor when a foreign object or hard-packed snow binds the augers.

Check to see if any auger blades spin freely on the auger shaft because its shear pin is broken. Replace any broken shear pins.

After replacing broken shear pins, the snowblower should throw snow properly.

Damaged augers or impeller

Check augers and the impeller for damage if you found no broken shear pins or the snowblower still won’t throw snow far enough after replacing broken shear pins.

Augers are rotating blades that collect snow and throw it out of the auger housing and up to the impeller. The impeller works like a fan to propel the snow up and out of the chute.

When these components are damaged, the snowblower won’t shoot snow out of the chute very far. Replace any damaged augers or the impeller if necessary.

Worn, stretched or damaged auger drive belt

A stretched or damaged auger drive belt won’t spin the auger fast enough to throw snow off the pavement and out through the chute. Examine the auger drive belt.

If the belt is okay but the cable isn't keeping the belt snug on the pulleys, adjust the auger drive cable.

Replace the auger drive belt if it’s worn. Our DIY YouTube video How to Replace a Snowblower Auger Belt shows you how.

Bad gear case

The gear case is a transmission that controls the spinning of the auger shaft. A bad gear case won’t spin the augers at the right speed to shoot snow out through the chute. You’ll likely need to replace the gear case if the auger shaft doesn’t spin at the right speed even though the auger belt works properly.

Engine needs a tune up

If you didn't tune up the snowblower at the start of the season, the engine might be running rough and lack the power to throw snow. Tune up the engine and check all of the other issues that could be preventing your snowblower from performing as it should as discussed in this Sears Home Services article Get Your Snowblower Ready for Winter.

Chute problems

If the chute doesn't pivot, you could end up blowing snow into the wind-and right back onto the driveway. Repair or replace the chute control assembly so the chute pivots. If your snowblower has a 4-way chute control, repair or replace that control if you're not able to control the chute. Adjust or replace the chute deflector cable if it isn't controlling the chute.

These videos offer DIY troubleshooting tips on fixing chute and auger problems when your snowblower won't throw snow.

• Troubleshooting snowblower chute and auger issues

• Troubleshooting chute control and gearbox problems

Get you snowblower working right with these expert DIY tips from Sears PartsDirect and Sears Home Services.