5 year old Craftsman 22inch Snowblower.
Why is the auger belt causing a groove to develop in the idler pulley?
Background:
Earlier this year, the wormgear in auger gearbox stripped out. Because I could not just get the wormgear, I had to replace the entire gearbox. Shortly after, the auger again would not turn and I noticed the auger belt was fraying and the idler pulley was almost destroyed. I changed out the belt and the idler pulley. I tightening the belt up just a little by adding a little more tension to the auger engagement cable because it was slipping. I do not think the belt is too tight because I can only loosen it up slightly before its looseness is maxed out.
I've thought through various possibilites including did I mess up the gearbox installation, is the idler pulley not properly lined up, is the belt too tight. I just don't know. The new pulley which now has a good grove in it (whereas it was smooth when new) only has 3 or 4 hours on it.
Why is the auger belt causing a groove to develop in the idler pulley?
Background:
Earlier this year, the wormgear in auger gearbox stripped out. Because I could not just get the wormgear, I had to replace the entire gearbox. Shortly after, the auger again would not turn and I noticed the auger belt was fraying and the idler pulley was almost destroyed. I changed out the belt and the idler pulley. I tightening the belt up just a little by adding a little more tension to the auger engagement cable because it was slipping. I do not think the belt is too tight because I can only loosen it up slightly before its looseness is maxed out.
I've thought through various possibilites including did I mess up the gearbox installation, is the idler pulley not properly lined up, is the belt too tight. I just don't know. The new pulley which now has a good grove in it (whereas it was smooth when new) only has 3 or 4 hours on it.