Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I was at my friends house last night and he showed me a  snowblower a relative gave him for free !    It is a Gilson  5 hp 24" cut   two stage.  It is in very good condition (no rust,good paint etc. )    .  He said it starts up and runs OK   but may need a tune up.   the only problem is the wheels.   they are some kind of hard rubber.  the tire is not cracked or split but the treads or lugs or what ever they are called  are completey  worn off from use !    My friend said he tried the machine in our last spring storm and it worked OK  but he could get traction  on the smooth tires.  


I forgot to get the model number or serial number   but I will get it tonight.      The wheels lokked like they are held on with one bolt through the center??.



I think I recall that Gilson was a premium brand   at least the machine looks well built.     


But what can he do about the wheels?      My first thought was to see if we could get a set of chains to fit?    but I think a new set of wheels would be better.  



who  has got some ideas?


thanks

I'd suggest you check with OPE forum member "gilsons" (also goes by the name of Spectrum)who is the resident expert on Gilsons.

Heres a link to Spectrums/Gilsons site.

http://home.gwi.net/~spectrum/snowblower.html

                                                                                      Kevin

If you did't find your exact answer yet, here it is:
http://home.gwi.net/~spectrum/snowfaq.html#tires

That model doesn't exactly count as one of Gilsons finest efforts but it was a good value for the $$. Be sure that the worm gear for the auger dirive is also good. That and the tires are the weak links.

Pete

Hi Gilson,

Great web site you have !     My friend still hasnt  emailed  me the serial numbers  but  it looks like the  70s intermediate model  pictured on you site.    

 could you explain ,what is the worm gear?      thanks


As far as the tires  I read on your site they  are a problem        ,    I followed the link on you web site to that tire supply  place.     I see under the solid rubber heading ,what looks like an exact match  (at least visually)   .    to the ones on  the blower.       so that may be something to look at  ????      


my other thought was chains.    the tires seem solid it just the lugs are gone from wear !        any thoughts on   this?



I think we are done with snow here in MA   so I will help him  get it ready for storage .   then we can address the tires in the next few months.


He is also storing a 1978  Bolens   that a friend gave me .    I plan on restoring that one if it is not shot !   . It hasnt  been run in years and he told me thre impeller bearing is gone, tiresare flat, recoil rope wont return  ........ !     

With help from this group I got my free hand me down  1980 yardman   running  very well.      I just hope all you snowblower guys/gals  dont dissapear in the summer. I know I am going to need some help with this bolens !

jgreen wrote:

some of  us snowblower folk check in on cooler days in the summer.        (I have seen it snow in June - in Yellowstone Nat. Park )                                        18 degrees

18Degrees wrote: Been there done that myself 18D. 

Matter of fact it was Beartooth pass. Beautiful!

At Yellowstone the Park Ranger drove around and announced on his truck's P.A. ----"relax folks, the mountian passes are closed-no one is going anywhere.  Relax and enjoy the park."

in two days the 6" of wet heavy stuff was gone.                                                   18 degrees

jgreen wrote:
I 've taken down our old Ariens to start refurbishing: it's a lot easier to do when the temp is in the 60's and it's daylight than when you're going to have to use it the next day.....

I am around all year round though I don't know how much help I would be.....

C