(ET) snowblower & IH Ride-on

["Darryl McMahon" <darryl econogics com>]

Neil and all,
My blower is definitely 36" - I have measured it a couple of times.
However, all the ET literature I have reviewed quotes 42" single-stage 
snowblowers, 
so I expect the 42" was normal, and this is an unusual unit.

The blower definitely runs best with a good volume in it.  Too little, and 
the 
throw is reduced; too much, and the auger stalls.  It appears to be based 
on mass; 
it takes a bigger volume of light, dry snow, and a smaller volume of wet, 
heavy 
snow to get the same throw.

If I were building another blower, I would also make the chute taller.  I 
find that 
when I am working close to snow banks (which can easily exceed 5 feet 
here), the 
chute just can't push the snow over the bank.  In the short term, I think 
I will 
add a bank-plane to the rear end to trim the angle of the banks and allow 
the chute 
to be able to clear the "champfered" edge of the reduced banks.

I thought I had written you since returning with the IH unit.  My 
apologies if I 
did not.  Yes, it is home safely, awaiting my attention.  I still recall 
fondly the 
method you used to load it into my van.  (Long pole chained to the 
hydraulic bucket 
lift of a tractor, and the ride-on mower suspended by chains from the pole 
- drove 
the whole thing in through the rear-door opening of the van, and deposited 
it on 
the floor.)  Silly me, I had brought along ramps, chains, ropes and 
ratchet hoists. 
 Your way was much easier.

The IH is an International Harvester Cub Cadet Model 95.  It is originally 
electric.  I have written to International, and a Cub Cadet web site, and 
a couple 
of IH parts dealers regarding manuals - no luck.  I have not contacted 
Bill Gunn 
yet, that has to wait until a day he is working and I am not (probably 
January 9 if 
current plans hold out).  However, if anyone on this list has information 
on this 
machine, I would be delighted to hear about it.

Darryl