(ET) Got a snowblower. Um...... This is going to be a learning curve

[Chris Zach <czach computer org>]

Well, picked up my first Elec-Trak snowblower from Steve Brown today. 
Drove it home in the minivan, unloaded it without crushing myself.

Of course I had to hook it up to the tractor ASAP. Not a big problem; 
Dave lent me his mounting bracket and it's all pretty logical overall.

Some things I learned in the first 5 minutes:

1) This thing redefines *heavy*. Extremely bulky and tough to move

2) If you think you had problems steering before, wait till you get one 
of these on the tractor. Steering without power is pretty much impossible

3) I should probably order a new lift motor now. Even with a block and 
tackle double loop and both springs hooked up this thing barely comes 
up. I can hear the lift motor struggling, and it only comes up a bit 
before the lift motor stops *dead*. Is there a thermal reset breaker in 
the lift motor? Wouldn't go up or down for a few minutes.

4) That said, I'm really glad I replaced my lift strap last summer. 
Because this would have broken it instantly.

5) I tried to "blow" the 1/2 inch or so of snow that fell the other day. 
It turns the snow into a fine mist that the wind then carries across 
your nicely shoveled driveway, turning it into slick ice. Waah!

6) How does one keep from demolishing the skids? Should it always be 
held up a bit by the lift strap? How high up or low should they be for 
an asphalt base driveway? Should I worry about wear on those? How about 
lubing them somehow?

7) Speaking of which, where should I lube this thing?

On the other hand this one does look to be in exceptional shape, and I 
have all the parts, including the chute direction thingie.

Hopefully I can get this figured out before too long.

Chris