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

["SWS" <ssawtelle erols com>]

To add to what others have said:

1. Yes it is.
2. Yes it is. Like others said, rear weight helps.
3. It does stress the lift motor, but it should lift it. I don't know about
a thermal breaker - it may be a bad/poor connection somewhere.
4. Yes it would.
5. 1/2" is getting low to blow. I believe you will something more than that
to deal with tomorrow.
6. What others said.
7. Yes, the chain and the rotating chute. Probably the bearings if you can
get to them.  Originally the chute was greased, but I think I saw a SB that
says to use oil or something. I greased mine. The chute is removed by
unscrewing 3? 1/4 bolts around the bottom perimeter of the rotating part.
They keep the chute from rising up off the fixed part where there is a
retaining ring. Kinda hard to describe.....

I have an extra drive chain if needed.

Tire chains may be needed on your drive.

Have fun tomorrow!

- SteveS
E20
Leesburg, VA



----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Zach" <czach computer org>
To: "Elec-trak list" <>
Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2004 5:41 PM
Subject: (ET) Got a snowblower. Um...... This is going to be a learning
curve


> 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
>
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