Features of the friction ring for the snow blower

Snow removal equipment contains many parts and components. And those of them that are hidden from prying eyes are no less important than segments that are clearly visible from the outside. Every detail should be given maximum attention.

The friction ring for a snow blower is subject to very heavy wear. Therefore, it often breaks down in a short time. Meanwhile, the efficiency of work largely depends on this ring. Without it, it is impossible to synchronize the spinning of the wheels with each other. The breakdown is most often manifested in the fact that the gearbox sets one speed, and the device works at a different pace or changes it chaotically.

By default, most manufacturers equip their snow blowers with aluminum clutches. Products with steel parts are much less common. Regardless, the ring is shaped like a disc. A rubber seal is put over the disc element. Of course, the reliability of the rubber used is critical.

All manufacturers in their advertisements and even in the accompanying documentation indicate that friction rings have a large resource. But this only applies to a normal situation. If the rules for using the equipment are violated, the disk will degrade quickly. The same applies to machines that are operated correctly, but under very high loads.

Dangerous effects arise when:

• changing gears on a moving snow blower;
• attempts to remove an excessively large layer of snow, especially snowdrifts;
• ingress of moisture inside the mechanism.

If the owner of the device changes gear without stopping the device, he will not notice anything bad at first. But the sealant, which is designed to protect the disk, will immediately undergo a strong blow. Even the strongest and most stable rubber cannot be designed to permanently absorb such shocks. It will wear out quickly under the influence of friction. As soon as the protective material breaks off, cracks, friction begins to act on the friction disc itself.

It will also collapse, albeit not so quickly. However, the result will be the same - complete degradation of the part. This will cause the snow blower to stop. Characteristic signs of wear are the grooves that cover the outside of the ring. Having noticed this sign, it is better to immediately discard the part and pick up a new one for replacement.

As for the dampness, everything is clear here - there is no chance of resisting it. By definition, a snow removal apparatus will be in contact with water, albeit in a different state of aggregation. Liquid ingress will provoke corrosion.

It is almost impossible to "reanimate" the friction ring. But there is no need to be afraid - changing a wheel is quite simple. The first step is to turn off the engine and wait until it cools down. Pulling out the spark plug, pour out all the fuel from the gas tank. Further:

• remove the wheels one by one;
• remove the pins of the stoppers;
• unscrew the screws;
• dismantle the top of the checkpoint;
• remove the pins from the spring clips holding them.

The next step is to remove the support flange. It blocks access to the friction device itself. The remains (fragments) of the worn out disk are removed. Instead, they put a new ring, and the snow blower is assembled (repeating the manipulations in the reverse order). A newly installed disc must be carefully checked by warming up the engine and going through the area with a snow blower in idle mode.

The purchase of friction discs is not always profitable. It is often more economical to make them yourself. But you need to understand that homemade elements can be made completely even only after many hours of hard work with a file. Billets will have to be made of aluminum or other relatively soft alloys. The outer contour of the old ring will allow you to prepare the circle.

In this circle, you will have to prepare the most even hole. The easiest way is to use a drill. Relatively thin drills are fixed in it. When several channels have been made, the bridges separating them are removed with a chisel. The remaining burrs are removed with a file.

When the disc is ready, a seal is put on it. Polyurethane rings of the appropriate size will be required, for example, 124x98x15. "Liquid nails" will help to put the ring on the disc more firmly. Installing self-made discs is done in the same way as in the case of industrial products.

If the disc is made according to all technical rules, during a test run, each gear change is made without the slightest extraneous sounds. But even minor knocks give a reason to redo everything from scratch. Usually it takes about 2 minutes to check. As for the polyurethane protective elements, the harder versions are most often painted blue. The 124x98x15 clutch wheels mentioned above are the most common format.

In terms of elasticity, polyurethane bypasses any metals. However, it is not sufficiently resistant to strong heat. Therefore, the operation of the snow blower is permissible only with a strictly limited load on the clutch. What is important, the ring of any model is adapted only for strictly defined modifications of harvesting equipment. You need to be interested in compatibility in advance.

Important parameters when choosing a factory product are both the diameter of the inner hole and the outer section. Of course, it is advisable to choose the products of the same company - it is safer and safer this way.

For information on how to independently replace the friction ring on a snow blower, see the video below.