Why was the auger still spinning if you let go of the hand controls???
That is exactly why they have such stops-to prevent this type of accident
Sounds like a frozen linkage on the auger handle. Or a broken shear pin, but that would not have cut into fingers, merely pinched.
I have a 27 HP snow blower on the front of my ATV. Has a dead man’s switch in the seat. I stand up, it shuts off.
Gunner
Just serviced and greaed the machine. The front auger stopped. The top auger is on it’s own shaft and was still spinning. Should have checked it first before trying to clear the jam. I know, I know - dumb, dumb, dumb.
The "stops" you speak of are supposed to prevent tragedy and to minimize injuries. They are there because the Govt. says they must be there and they keep the manufacturer out of court. People used to lose entire arms in snow blowers.
You should still shut down the engine before going near the auger or tines.
The moving parts do not always stop instantly. And in some cases they will continue to move when unloaded due to some drag cause by clutches that are not completely disengaged. These things can and do go out of adjustment and people don't tend to get them "fixed" because the machine still works just fine.
They are NOT kidding when they say turn the engine off before reaching in. I always shut it down. It is easy enough to restart- if your snow blower won't restart on the first pull then get it fixed.
If you can hear the engine, don't reach in. Period.