I have a 12hp 33" Yard and Garden snowblower. It is constantly
throwing the drive chain on the wheel axle. It appears to
be real loose. I see no way to adjust the tension.
I have loosened the drive axele and tried to adjust up but
it doesn't have slots to do that.
I have asked in another forum and the best guess so far
is a stretched chain. The unit is about 5 years old I'm guessing,
I bought it used this fall.
any other ideas? Thanks.

Rich, December 2007

Check the bracket that the upper sprocket is attatched to. It is a flat stock of metal that is spot welded at the bottom of case under and to the left of the lower sprocket. Get your fingers in top sprocket and move it while watching lower spot welds. I have seen lower weld break thus causing play and thus chain off

Doug Haskell, November 2011

Yes, this is a typical problem-everything needs to be inspected for wear causing freeplay.
my JD1032 needed new bearings and the little play they had was multiplied by # of worn parts and adds to chain slack (at times tension will force chain off sprockets) - this chain drive is not adjustable other than getting a smaller link or one taken out of the chain

906boss, December 2008

ok yea, either the chain is streched or it is a manufacturer defect and the chain is too long or even possibly you need a bigger sprocket on the axel or a bigger sprocket on the engaging arm shaft. that's my best guess. get a new chain.

ryan herman, December 2008