RE: (ET) Got a snowblower. Um...... This is going to be a learnin g curve

["Elie, Larry (L.D.)" <lelie ford com>]

Coming into this late, but here are a FEW MORE suggestions:

-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Zach [mailto:czach computer org]
Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2004 5:42 PM
To: Elec-trak list
Subject: (ET) Got a snowblower. Um...... This is going to be a learning
curve


Some things I learned in the first 5 minutes:

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

The blower is the heaviest of all the common tools.

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

***Do you have the NARROW (~3" wide) or WIDE (~6" wide) front tires?  On 
soft ground (not winter ground) the wide ones 
don't sink in.  On hard ground, the NARROW ONES ARE EASIER TO TURN!  In 
either case, inflate these to the max recommended 
pressure... or MORE.  The footprint is the flat area when the blower is 
UP.  More air means a smaller footprint on hard 
ground, and easier turning.  This is very noticeable.

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.

***Make sure the batteries that do the lift are around 6.7-7V each.  Every 
little bit helps.  Yes, there is a thermal 
breaker.  You can TRIPLE loop the block and tackle and beat the lift 
problem, but you have to get a little creative.  
Also, make sure you are using the right pulley on the tractor; there is 
one for blade & blower, and another for the 
mower.

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!

Yep.  Load is part of the problem.  You probably were going too slow.

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?

***Scrape the drive as low as you can; you want the back tires riding on 
3/8" or less snow.  Parts wear and can 
be replaced.

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

***WEIGHT ON BACK; YOU NEED IT!  200 to 400 lbs is nice.  The original ET 
tires had STUDS!  I looked for some, and 
ceramic studs (don't harm concrete as much) but couldn't find any.  Chains 
help, but on flat pavement just weight 
does the job.  I have a dual seat; I occasionally draft another rider.

Larry Elie


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