The part(s) or condition(s) listed below for the symptom Snowblower only one auger turns are ordered from most likely to least likely to occur. Check or test each item, starting with the items at the top of the page.
The shear bolt is a metal bolt that slides through the auger axle sleeve, locking the sleeve in place with the auger drive axle. Shear bolts are designed to break in half if the auger hits a rock or chunk of ice to prevent damage to the engine. If the shear bolt breaks, the auger won’t be able to turn. Inspect the shear bolt to determine if it is broken. If the shear bolt is broken, replace it.
The shear pin is a metal pin that slides through the auger axle sleeve, locking the sleeve in place with the auger drive axle. Shear pins are designed to break in half if the auger hits a rock or chunk of ice to prevent damage to the engine. If the shear pin breaks, the auger won’t be able to turn. Inspect the shear pin to determine if it is broken. If the shear pin is broken, replace it.
The shear bolt is a metal bolt that slides through the auger axle sleeve, locking the sleeve in place with the auger drive axle. Shear bolts are designed to break in half if the auger hits a rock or chunk of ice to prevent damage to the engine. If the shear bolt breaks, the auger won’t be able to turn. Inspect the shear bolt to determine if it is broken. If the shear bolt is broken, replace it.
First, check the shear pins for damage. If the shear pins are broken or worn out, replace them. Next, check the auger blades. If the auger blades are bent or damaged, replace them. If the entire auger assembly is worn out, replace the auger assembly.
One or more of the bearings for the auger might have failed and seized. If a bearing has seized, replace the bearing and check the belt for damage.
The gearbox might have failed. The gearbox is located between the two halves of the auger. The gearbox has three shafts: one shaft connects to the drive system, and the other two shafts power the two halves of the auger. If the drive system is powering the main shaft and the shear pins are intact, but the two auger shafts aren’t rotating, replace the gearbox.