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

Hello I currently own a yardman 8.5 hp 28" width that has electric chute rotation. The machine is about 9 yrs old. The chute motor quit. MTD wants 300.00 for a 38.00 window motor. To make a long story short I was able to modify a car window motor to fit but this machine has some other problems. I went shopping for a new snow thrower and I cant find any models by anyone with electric chute rotation. Does no one offer this option anymore? When it works it is great but water does destroy the toggle switch, you must cover it with rubber and obviously window motors do not work well outside exposed to elements I am surprised this motor lasted as long as it did.

you can buy rubber toggle switch covers at lowes and home depot, they screw down, you must moisten the steel toggle switch with a dab of oil first or the rubber rips when you try to tighten it down, over the years i also found out that placing a plastic baggie under the switch where the wires connect to helps the switch to last longer. water kills these switches, before i took these steps to keep them dry they only lasted 2 years and its a 60.00 part. The old window motor lasted 6 years and was full of water, take whatever steps you can to keep it dry. maybe some silcone around any gaps not on the gear though that has to move. The MTD design is bad in that the window motor is mounted with the gear facing up, there was a plastic cover above it but water still got in. They should have mounted it facing down. Mybe the simplicity design is better. It sucks when it breaks during a storm, there is no way to turn the chute. MTD has a kit to replace these electric motors, the more bells and wistles you have the more things will break. I do love the electric control when it works though, you can trully rotate the chute easily while in motion.