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- posted March 15, 2017 in Husqvarna: Ask & Answer > Snow Blowers
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Keep me informed if there is a class action law suit. I think it abnormal for the impeller/auger to constantly freeze up, maybe it is a design flaw.
- posted March 15, 2017 in Husqvarna: Ask & Answer > Snow Blowers
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Sorry to hear you are having problems. I was having issues with my ST224 until I realized my auger/impeller assembly was freezing up. Since then the machine is working fine, yesterday I cleared 6 inches of wet heavy snow without a problem. Rather than rewrite my comment please search for it under my name.
- posted February 14, 2017 in Husqvarna: Ask & Answer > Snow Blowers
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I read your review, as well as most of the other reviews. I had a similar problem, but discovered a major reason why this problem was occurring. First off, I bought an ST224 for $799 plus tax and $25 delivery charge 3 years ago. The first year the machine worked perfectly. The second year it was working fantastically, and cleared 100X40 driveway and sidewalk after the worse snowstorm in NY in the last 30 years - I had approx. 28 inches in driveway with even bigger drifts. The problem started the next day when I tried to use the machine to clear some residual snow that the city snowplows left in front of my driveway. The impeller and auger would not spin and I burned through my auger belt. If you are not very thorough in clearing the snow around the auger and impeller it freezes up and prevents the auger from turning. The belt spins but the auger/impeller do not; consequently, the belt shreds and burns. Luckily, I was able to obtain a replacement belt from Sears mail order which came within 2 weeks, also Husqvarna sent me both an auger and drive belt at no charge. Since replacing the auger belt the machine is working fine.
Please pay attention to this next paragraph as it is important. Last week I used the blower again, as NY had another snow event. The depth was approx. 9 inches where I live, but I had drifts in my driveway that measured 22 inches without exaggerating. The machine cleared everything perfectly. However, the next day I noticed that the snow near the auger/impeller melted and then froze because my garage is not heated. I knew not to start the machine because I would have destroyed another belt. In the last few days the temp. has risen above freezing and the snow has melted freeing the auger assembly. My suggestion to you and everyone else who has this type of machine is first turn off the machine, then take out the key, and then remove the spark plug cable so the machine can not possibly start. Next, get down on your hands and knees and using the plastic clearing stick that came with the machine completely remove any snow or ice that will prevent the auger/impeller from spinning. After this, start the machine and run it for 4-5 minutes to make sure the snow/ice are removed from the auger/impeller assembly. I hope this works for you because I know how frustrating it is to have a snow blower that is out of commission when you need it.
- posted February 24, 2016 in Husqvarna: Ask & Answer > Snow Blowers
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- posted 11:02 AM in Husqvarna: Ask & Answer > Snow Blowers
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I bought a Husqvarna ST224 snow blower Nov 2014. I used it 5 times and it worked great before the auger belt broke. Turns out it was my fault because after perfectly clearing 27" snow fall Jan 2016 (property 100'X40') I did not run the machine for 3-4 minutes (as the owner's manual tells you to do) or clean out the auger/impeller area after job was done. Instead I just turned off the machine and put it in an unheated garage. The next day the auger and impeller froze over so when I tried to use the machine the auger belt shredded and burned.
The authorized dealer told me that a small amount of ice or snow can prevent the auger/impeller from spinning, this can happen even if the machine is running especially if the snow is heavy and wet. Make sure the chute and impeller/auger are clear of snow otherwise the engine/pulley runs but the belt shreds because it is not spinning the auger assembly. I spent $799 for this machine plus tax and delivery and was disgusted with this machine when it happened, but as I said it was my fault. If machine stops throwing snow, turn it off clean auger/impeller area and chute, if you leave the machine run and continue to try to throw snow the belt will shred. I'm not saying that this is the case with everyone who is having trouble with this machine, but hopefully this will save you some aggravation in the future.
I found a great video on you tube that demonstrates exactly how to replace the auger belt. Husqvarna sent me a auger and drive belt free of charge, also bought another auger belt from Sears on line. Took approx. 1/2 hour to change auger belt and machine is working fine again. Suggest you watch the video and read the owner's manual before doing job.
My drive belt is OK but in case I have problems with it down the road, does anybody know of a video that shows how to replace the drive belt for this machine?
PS: I just spoke with Husqvarna factory, there is a service bulletin on the ST 224. They gave me a incident # and told me to bring the machine into a factory authorized dealer.