Upgrade Your John Deere Snow Blower to an Enclosed Chain Drive (AUC16953)

Owners of 2018-and-earlier John Deere 47-inch and 54-inch QuickHitch snow blowers can update the original exposed chain-drive arrangement to the later enclosed chain-box design. The conversion replaces the external sprockets, chain, bearing hardware, and bracket assembly with the AUC16953 enclosed chain box, helping protect the drive components from snow, moisture, debris, and accidental contact.

This guide follows John Deere Solution 117242 (first published March 23, 2020; last modified July 24, 2026). Because the installation requires partial disassembly of the auger gearbox and flighting assembly, it is best suited to an experienced technician or a mechanically confident owner with the correct tools and service information. Every part number below links to the matching item in our catalog.

John Deere AUC16953 enclosed chain box, isometric view — The AUC16953 enclosed chain box replaces the exposed chain, sprockets, and bracket assembly. John Deere catalogs this part as a Parallel Shaft Gear Drive.

What This Upgrade Fits

Model-year 2018 and older 47-inch QuickHitch snow blowers
Model-year 2018 and older 54-inch QuickHitch snow blowers

Model-year 2019 47-inch and 54-inch QuickHitch snow blowers already use the enclosed chain drive; this solution brings earlier units to that configuration. John Deere lists general fitment of AUC16953 across 44-inch, 47-inch, and 54-inch snow blowers, so always confirm the part against your specific machine and serial number.

A Note on Naming

Service documentation calls this an "enclosed chain box," while the John Deere parts catalog lists AUC16953 as a Parallel Shaft Gear Drive. Either way, it is the same sealed assembly: the exposed chain and sprockets come off, and a lubricated, fully enclosed drive box takes their place.

Parts Removed During Conversion

Original component	Part number	Notes
40-tooth driven sprocket	AM141408	Factory production number: AM38206. Callout A in Figure 1.
Bracket assembly	AM146805	Includes the drive-sprocket arrangement and bearings. Callout C in Figure 1.
19-tooth drive sprocket	AM141407	Factory production number: AM141869. Mounted in the bracket.
Drive chain	AM121965	Remove with related hardware. Callout B in Figure 1.
Flangettes	H103264	Removed from the auger gearbox shaft end. Callout D in Figure 2.
Bearing	JD8665	Removed from the auger gearbox shaft end.
Eccentric locking collar	JD8554	Removed with associated hardware.

John Deere notes that AM141407 and AM141408 are service part numbers, while AM141869 and AM38206 are the corresponding factory production part numbers. Order using the service numbers linked above.

Parts and Supplies Needed

Required item	Part number	Quantity / specification
Enclosed chain box	AUC16953	1
Flange-head cap screw	19M7865	4; M8 × 16
Key	M84552	Reused / aligned during installation
Gear oil	TY6296	4 oz; JD GL-5 80W-90

You will also work with the M120084 drive arm at the auger gearbox input shaft, though it is reused rather than replaced. Verify all part numbers against your specific snow blower and tractor configuration before ordering.

Installation

1. Remove the exposed chain-drive assembly

Remove the AM141408 (AM38206) 40-tooth driven sprocket, shown as callout A. Then remove the AM146805 bracket — including the AM141407 (AM141869) 19-tooth drive sprocket, bearings, and related hardware — along with the AM121965 chain, shown as callouts C and B.

Figure 1: original exposed chain drive with callout A at the 40-tooth driven sprocket, B at the drive chain, and C at the bracket assembly — Figure 1. A: AM141408 40-tooth driven sprocket. B: AM121965 chain. C: AM146805 bracket with the AM141407 19-tooth drive sprocket.

2. Remove auger gearbox shaft-end hardware

Remove the H103264 flangettes, JD8665 bearing, JD8554 eccentric locking collar, and related hardware from the end of the auger gearbox shaft, shown as callout D. This will require temporarily removing the auger gearbox and flighting assembly from the snow blower housing, so plan for adequate lifting support and a clean work area.

Figure 2: callout D at the auger gearbox shaft end where the flangettes, bearing, and locking collar are removed — Figure 2. D: auger gearbox shaft end, where the H103264 flangettes, JD8665 bearing, and JD8554 locking collar come off.

3. Confirm the housing is ready

With the original drive removed, the snow blower should look like Figure 3 before the AUC16953 chain box goes on.

Figure 3: snow blower housing with all exposed chain drive components removed — Figure 3. The housing stripped of the original chain drive and ready for the enclosed chain box.

4. Create clearance at the impeller

Loosen the set screws on the M120084 drive arm at the auger gearbox input shaft, in front of the impeller, shown as callout E. Slide the impeller forward to create the clearance needed to position the chain box over the input shaft. Do not reassemble or tighten the drive arm until the chain box is installed and the impeller is back in its final position.

Figure 4: callout E at the drive arm on the auger gearbox input shaft in front of the impeller — Figure 4. E: M120084 drive arm set screws on the auger gearbox input shaft.

5. Install the enclosed chain box

Align the keyway in the chain box output hub with the M84552 key. Slide the AUC16953 chain box over the auger gearbox input shaft and over the key. Engage the three locating pins in the chain box with the three square holes in the snow blower housing, then slide the chain box all the way forward until the bolt holes line up with the mounting slots in the housing, as shown in Figure 6.

Correct engagement of the key, locating pins, and mounting slots is essential. Do not force the assembly into place; if it will not seat fully, recheck shaft, keyway, and locating-pin alignment.

Figure 6: chain box aligned with the auger gearbox input shaft and key before being slid forward — Figure 6. The AUC16953 chain box staged on the input shaft and M84552 key before sliding forward into the housing.

AUC16953 rear face showing the keyed output hub that slides onto the auger gearbox input shaft — Rear face of the chain box. The keyway in the output hub is what indexes onto the M84552 key.

6. Secure and lubricate the chain box

Install four 19M7865 M8 × 16 flange-head cap screws into the chain box, shown as callout I. Add four ounces of JD GL-5 (80W-90) gear oil at the fill point, callout H. Use the specified grade and quantity; underfilling or using an unsuitable lubricant can compromise the enclosed drive's operation and longevity.

Figure 7: chain box mounted with callout I at the four flange head cap screws and callout H at the gear oil fill point — Figure 7. I: four 19M7865 M8 × 16 flange-head cap screws. H: JD GL-5 80W-90 gear oil fill, 4 oz.

7. Reposition the impeller and drive arm

Slide the impeller back as far as it will go. Slide the shear plate and M120084 drive arm back against the impeller. Make sure the drive hex is fully engaged, then tighten the two set screws, shown as callout J.

Figure 8: callout J at the two drive arm set screws tightened after confirming drive hex engagement — Figure 8. J: the two M120084 drive arm set screws, tightened only after the drive hex is fully engaged.

Final Inspection Checklist

The original exposed chain, sprockets, bracket, bearing, flangettes, and locking collar have been removed.
The AUC16953 chain box is fully seated on the auger gearbox input shaft.
The M84552 key is properly aligned in the chain box output-hub keyway.
All three locating pins are engaged in the square holes in the snow blower housing.
All four 19M7865 mounting screws are installed and properly tightened.
The chain box contains four ounces of JD GL-5 80W-90 gear oil.
The impeller is fully returned rearward.
The shear plate and M120084 drive arm are positioned against the impeller.
The drive hex is fully engaged.
The two drive-arm set screws are tightened.

Why Owners Make the Switch

The practical payoff is maintenance you no longer have to do. The factory chain drive calls for periodic deflection checks of roughly 3/16 to 3/8 in., chain-shield adjustment via four locknuts, and regular chain lubrication, per the 47- and 54-inch QuickHitch snow blower operator's manual. The enclosed chain box removes that routine entirely.

Important Service Note

This upgrade is more involved than a basic chain or sprocket replacement. It includes removing auger gearbox shaft-end components and temporarily removing the auger gearbox and flighting assembly. If there is uncertainty about gearbox alignment, impeller engagement, keyway fitment, or fastener torque, have the installation performed or inspected by a certified John Deere technician.

Sources

John Deere Solution 117242 — Model Year 18 and Older Quick Hitch Snow Blower Chain Drive Upgrade (first published March 23, 2020; last modified July 24, 2026). Figures 1–8 reproduced from this solution.
47 and 54 Inch Quick-Hitch Snowblower Operator's Manual (OMLVU33941) (chain deflection, adjustment, and lubrication intervals)