Stuck auger

[North]

I have a St. Croix Auburn pellet stove. When I went to start the stove for the heating season I noticed the auger was stuck. I started to remove and could not get the auger to come out so I got the motor off and the plate that holds it in place. After some working it I got it to spin but I can not get it to slide down to come out.
Does any one have a suggestion on how I can get it removed?

 

[smwilliamson]

From inside the hopper whack the auger flighting down with hammer and some wood. Like a 2x4 or a length of broomstick so you don't damage the flighting

 

[North]

Thank I will give that a try

 

[rickwai]

Spray some wd40 up to top of auger w/ straw from inside the hopper. Then work it back and forth. The bronze bushing and auger shaft end gets dust ect built up in it and makes the auger stiff to turn. Get the auger out and clean up w/ steel wool. oil it and put it back in and spin it in the bushing and all will loosen up with not having to replace any parts.

 

[North]

Thanks for the replies I did get it out with the 2x4. The bushing came with it after heating it up with a torch, I got the bushing off and cleaned up.
Thanks again for the replies

 

[Bioburner]

What was the reason for the seizure? Someone leave fuel in the system and it got wet-damp?
I would recommend buffing out the tube and giving the auger flights a coat or two of graphite paint or moly to give the motor assembly a little less friction to have to work against. The Auburn is a good corn burning stove.

 

[heat seeker]

I lubed the bushing in my Afton Bay a few years ago with high-temp grease. It still turns easily. I think regular oil will just gum up with the heat. When the pellets get low in the hopper, I grab the auger and move it to make sure it's still free. A free-turning auger greatly increases the life of the motor and gearbox.