I have a new Toro 26” two stage snow blower which in the 1st 15 minutes of operation had the bolt that is tapped into the end of the crankshaft loosen up and fall out causing the wheel drive and blower drive to slip. I took it to the dealer he reinstalled the bolt and locktighted it, he said that he could see that the factory had lock tighted. Well about 15 minutes run time a week later it came out again so back to the dealer, he says he’s never seen anything like this.
If it came out a second time, after using loctite, I’m betting either the threads on the bolt are bad or the threads on the crankshaft are bad. This is normally caused by over torquing the bolt on assembly. I would have the dealer install a new bolt and if it does not solve the problem a new crankshaft. If the dealer balks at installing a new crankshaft, get a new unit. If he balks again contact Toro, this is a manufacturing defect.
