I think which tool works best for you has a lot to do with grade and surface and access and so forth.
On my property the plow is vastly superior to the blower. I can push all my snow and ice downhill into one big pile at the entrance to the meadow; with the blower it was always going every which way and ending up where I didn't want it. My I5 has never needed tire chains to scrape right down to the tarmac, but it already had wide studded tires when I got it, and I fill the weight box with 1/2" thick steel plates, not with cinder blocks, so I imagine I am running pretty heavy.
--Charlie
Yup. Was pretty easy to punch out the old chain's broken links and count
the links (I think it was 81 rollers or so) which I measured out on the
new chain.
Too short. At least 1.5 links too short. Oi; I know the old one
stretched because the links don't line up but that's pretty nuts.
I did get the old chain back on with a second removable link. The trick
is to use a pair of 14 gauge wire as a "fish" on both sides of the chain
to keep things relatively possible to thread in snow. Then with
everything lined up I used a second piece of wire right on the end links
and tied it together with twists. Then removed the long wires leaving
the short one holding the chain together.
Then tried the link; it did not reach. Used a long nose pliers to twist
the wire at the links which moved them together. Tried the link on the
open side and got it in. Then moved the link halfway out, and got a
second link through the closed side of the chain which then pushed out
the first link.
With that, we were in business. Put on the other link end, clip (having
a magnet on a stick is great for when it falls which it does, a lot.
Also a rag in there so it doesn't land in the snow and crap). Chain is on!
I then noticed that one of the wires from motor to breaker had broken
off at the bolt. No problem, new connector and then THIS HAPPENED!
The bolt on the motor is of course rotted. And bad. And rounded and soft
and totally stuck on the motor shaft which requires a 14mm wrench on it
to keep it from turning and ripping up the inside of the motor. And I
can't get a socket on it because the clearance to the blower body is too
tight..... And the sun is going down and it's going to be 5f tomorrow
and all of this garbage will be rock solid ice.
So it's dead till spring. I was able to get one car out with the blade,
and I'm just abandoning the thrower on the driveway till all of this
garbage melts and the temps go above 20f. I'll roll the snowthrower on
its end, then remove the motor and rebuild it (why not) then remove the
auger and rebuild that, then put it away for another 5 years.
*grumble* Give a mouse a cookie.....
On 1/26/26 11:11, Dean Stuckmann via Elec-trak wrote:
> You don’t need a breaker. A grinder and a punch will work.
> Take care,
> Dean
>
>> On Jan 26, 2026, at 9:20 AM, Larry Chace via Elec-trak <elec-trak@cosmos.phy.tufts.edu> wrote:
>>
>> I think that the Electric Tractor Store sells the chain cut to length,
>> ready to install.
>>
>> Check the sprockets for excessive wear!
>>
>> Larry Chace, I-5
>>
>>
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