(ET) Dead on the road

[Klein Robert W NPRI <KleinRW Npt NUWC Navy Mil>]

First let me say that I've never been so impressed with my Wheelhorse 
C-185 (E-20) then during this last two snow dumps here in New England.  
The combination of snowthrower for removal of the high volumn light and 
fluffy coupled with the quick change to the plow for the removal of 
hardpack on pavement has impressed the entire neighborhood.

Now for the bad news...  One of my favorite neighbors missed all this 
blizzard action by being in Hawaii on vacation (Talk about timing ).  
Being the good simaritan, I fired up the snowthrower and headed off to 
make sure he had a way to get in his driveway and into the house.  This 
entailed the removal of 4-5' high snow drifts over a loose gravel 
driveway.  After two hours I had removed a car width of snow 75' long as 
well as hand shoveled his walk, stairs, and front porch.  Fully exhausted 
I backed out and did a couple of passes in front of the mailbox.  It was 
at this time that I pushed into a pile of snow left from the plow, the 
engine and blower motor loaded down big time.  By the time I removed my 
foot from the pedal all was quiet.  The I figured I had over  heated the 
motor so gave it a 20 minute rest... But the motor was only warm to the 
touch.  Physically disconnected the snowblower.  Checked the fuses and 
50amp circuit breaker... All OK.  Walked home, got my IC Wheelhorse and
with the help of another neighbor towed the C-185 (E-20) back home.  Put 
the charger on.  Pulled the thermal circuit breaker off the motor and 
checked with a VOM meter... Everything OK.  Put the transmission in 
neutral and pushed the throttle pedal and the motor barely moved... Like 
it wasn't getting any real power.  

The front lift vcontinues to work fine.  No smoke or smell of burning 
wires.

HELP!  Could it be that I've fried a contactor/solenoid?

Bob Klein
Really Snowbound in Charlestown, RI