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

The belt in my Craftsman single stage unraveled so I had to replace it.  During inspection, I noticed that the rear portion of the motor mount had cracked and the engine/crank shaft  had a fair  amount of movement to it which, in combination with higher power being put out likely caused the belt to come apart.   I repaired the motor mount and everything is good and solid again.

The machine takes a 3/8 x 35" belt.   I called Sears and they wanted .... wait for it..... $38.95 plus $7.00 shipping for a belt they claim is 3/8 x 34-3/4" part no. 760928 - 2150.  I suspect the belt on the machine was original equipment.  It had the same part no. 760928 - 2150 printed on it. I went to NAPA and found an FHP belt  for garden equipment coded as a 3L350 which is 3/8 x 35" and fits the machine perfectly.  The NAPA belt was only $6.00.  

Is this a suitable belt?  Will it hold up? 

borat wrote:
It's an ordinary looking car that is stealthily fast. 

I have a similar vintage John Deere TRS21 which was also built by Murray.  The engine is a Tecumseh HSK850.  It looks like you have the original black rivets on the impeller which means you have the original paddle rubber.  For better throwing performance you may want to replace the paddle rubber.  Problem areas include the hose from the primer bulb to the carburetor (hardens and cracks over time) and muffler bolts loosen over time.

borat wrote:
Glad you found some appreciation for single stage.  They can do a lot of work for their size and power.  I find operating them is quite fun, especially on medium weight snow less than the intake height.

The 2 stage also has its place, it makes quick work of heavy crusty snow or when you need to loft the snow a long distance. 

Horses for courses. 

"For better throwing performance you may want to replace the paddle rubber. "

Or, just put a piece of string on the governor control arm.  This thing throws snow when the revs are cranked up.  Probably 20 to 25 feet. 

I really appreciate it's light weight and portability.  If and when necessary, I can haul it down into the basement with ease to work on it.  That alone makes me appreciate single stage machines. 

One other thing I forgot to mention.  This particular auger and chute configuration is prone to clogging as the moisture content of the snow increases.  Every time I have change the paddle rubber I have noticed a significant decrease in clogging.  I realize that the Craftsman is an experiment but new paddle rubber will reduce your need for running the motor at higher rpms.

borat wrote:

Kind of like the snow removal equivalent of a buggy whip!

Marc

borat wrote:
A wolf in sheep's clothing.
The term dates back to WWI when the RN would hide guns on merchant ships to lure in, then sink, U boats. Fascinating stuff if you are at all into naval history. UK and US did it again in WWII. Since then there have been suggestions it might be the best way to stop the Somali pirates today. If anyone is doing it, it's probably secret. The name comes from where they were first built in Ireland, at the port of Queenstown. You see a lot of them in science fiction.

Well, there you go!

A free mini-history lesson.  That was informative and interesting Bill. 

Impressive power can be had just by the addition of a piece of string.  I don't understand why manufacturers limit the engine speed so much on these two cycle machines.  My two stroke Toro Power Shovel runs at 7 to 8 thousand rpm.   This Tecumseh doesn't seem to mind running at 5000 to 6000 rpm.  I don't recommend revving the engine unnecessarily with no load on it.   I run it at normal speed until I get it into the snow then open up the governor.  That way, the engine is working but not screaming.