How Do I Replace the Auger Belt in a Craftsman Model 287.8845 Snow Blower?
- 1). Turn off your snow blower. Rest it on a flat, level surface. Unfasten the spark plug from the spark plug wire.
- 2). Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws securing the belt covering. This is on the very front of the engine. Take out both screws and lift off the covering.
- 3). Tilt the snow thrower completely forward, until the motor housing is balanced on the level ground. Remove the Phillips screws securing the frame cover beneath the main body of the thrower. The auger drive belts are now visible.
- 4). Remove by hand the idler spring from the hex bolt in the auger drive-belt housing. This requires no tools, as the idler spring just needs to be unhooked. Doing this loosens the auger drive belts, giving them enough slack to be removed. Remove the front auger belt from the engine pulley first, then the rear auger belt.
- 5). Install both replacement auger drive belts by reversing the removal process. Thread the rear auger drive belt along the engine pulley notches. Repeat this action for the front auger drive belt. Secure the snow thrower frame cover and Craftsman belt covering. Reattach the spark plug to the spark plug wire. Start the snow thrower and test for proper operation.