This article on Home Living Handbook might contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through a link on the site, we may earn a commission.
If your snowblower is suddenly having issues with chute rotation, it might be an easier fix than you think. While in some cases, broken chute motors or control panels are to blame when your powered chute stops working, issues commonly occur because of damaged or loose components.
Before you jump to conclusions and schedule your snowblower for expensive service, consider how the regular wear and tear of snow removal can lead to the mechanism losing its effectiveness—and learn how to fix it yourself in minutes.
We've found that the hardware for the discharge shoot will loosen over time—likely due to the reverberation of the machine, but also potentially because of heavy clogs.
When heavy snow or chunks of ice jam the chute, it can prevent the chute from rotating. If you're trying to force the electric chute control to turn when it's pinned in place by heavy snow, you can force misalignment between the pinion gear and the chute gear. Fortunately, there's a little play in how these gears fit together, so it's worth taking a closer look to see if the gearbox issues are a DIY fix.
While the video looks closely at a Craftsman Dual Stage Snowthrower (model no. 536.886180), but if yours is a similar design, you'll be able to apply the same steps to different manufacturers or model numbers. Most snow blowers have a cover for the electric chute control gearbox. Start there, and see if you can repair the alignment between the gears by yourself.
Materials and Tools You'll Need
How to Repair Your Snow Blower Chute When It Won't Rotate
- Loosen the gearbox cover. The snowblower chute gearbox has a housing that protects the gears. Use a wrench or ratchet to loosen the bolt and remove the cover.
- Notice how the pinion gear and the chute gear fit together. The teeth should be properly oriented so that one gear turns the other. If the gears aren't touching, that's your problem. In the video, you'll notice how the pinion gearbox loosened and shifted due to the engine's rattle or because the discharge chute became jammed.
- Shift the gears back in position. The chute gear is fixed, but the holes that hold the pinion gear in position allow for some play.
- Use the wrench or ratchet to secure the pinion gearbox. Ensure that the teeth of the two gears that operate the electric chute mechanism are properly aligned.
- Add lubricant. Lubricating your snowblower throughout the season is important.
- Reattach the gearbox cover. Tighten it to protect the gears.
- Test it out. Start up the snow blower and use the control levers to test whether the chute rotates properly.
Signs Your Snow Blower Chute Is Wearing Out
Small issues often show up before the chute stops turning. These early signs help you spot loose parts, shifting gears, or strain on the gearbox. This matters because many chute problems come from slow changes that happen while the machine vibrates or pushes through heavy snow.
When you see these signs, it often means the pinion gear or mounting bolts are starting to move out of place:
- Slower rotation than normal
- Rotates fine in one direction but erratic in the other direction
- Extra noise when the chute moves
- A slight pause before the motor responds
- Gear teeth that look worn or uneven
- A cover that rattles while the machine runs
When you see these signs, it often means the pinion gear or mounting bolts are starting to move out of place.
When is it necessary to replace the chute?
We think you'll find that most chute issues come from loose hardware or misaligned gears, but that doesn't mean you might have a chute control box or electric motor problem instead.
If the motor shows these signs, it may be struggling to deliver enough power to turn the chute. This can happen after years of strain from clogs or repeated stalls:
- No movement even after the gears are aligned
- A motor that runs hot after a short time
- A burning smell
- Clicking without rotation
In that case, replace the motor, and you'll be able to get many additional years out of your snow blower.
FAQ
Why does my chute get stuck after heavy snow?
What a pain, right? It's packed with snow and ice. That heavy stuff can wedge between the chute walls. This pressure actually keeps the gears from turning and as a result, can shift the gearbox out of place. Clearing the snow build-up and realigning the gears often solves it — and as a reminder, you never want to put your hands in there. Always use the snow clearing tool.
How can I prevent chute problems with my snow blower?
Clear clogs as soon as you begin to notice a change in performance. Also, using a small amount of lubricant on moving parts helps during the season. And, while you're at it, check bolts after a few uses because the vibration can loosen them slowly over time.
