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

I have read some postings on other sites that say this kit will destroy an engine or the shaft bearing..  Does anyone know  that this is true?  Thinking of buying one for my 1986 Toro 824 Powershift..  I have a good 3/8" gap between the blades and housing.  Has anyone tried a smaller impeller pulley to speed it up ?  No sign of the BIG snow storm in NE Ohio ...yet!
Packo

I have read some postings on other sites that say this kit will destroy an engine or the shaft bearing.. Does anyone know that this is true?
NOT TRUE .Two years on mine with out hiccup !!

This message was modified Jan 31, 2011 by hirschallan

I agree, NOT TRUE.  I swear by them. Installed a few and big difference made.

I haven't installed or used a blower with one of the kits.  But I did modify my impeller to decrease the distance between the blade tips and the housing.  It made a very noticeable difference in the blowers performance.  Other than adding a little weight to the impeller the kit really shouldn't have any negative effects on the engine or the impeller shaft bearings. As long as a person checks to make sure that when they install the rubber pieces. That they aren't dragging on the housing more in some places than others.  You would want them just touching. 
If you have a 3/8" gap and closed it down to 1/8 or less you would notice a big difference in the way your blower throws snow.  Especially the wet heavy kind of stuff.

Having said all that I should also add.  Because of the improved efficiency that the impeller will have at moving snow. You will need to be a little more aware of how the engine sounds and the load it's under.
Throwing heavy wet snow can really put a load on the engine.  So you may have to slow down your forward speed a little or take a little smaller cut. (I usually prefer to take a smaller cut and keep the forward speed).  If you decide to install the kit you will see what I'm saying.  Just don't overload the blower itself or lug down the engine to much or for to long. That's not a good thing to do with any Snowblower.

I absolutely love mine.  installed in 2009 and kicks butt!  No more clogging, no problems with wet snow or slush.

Dan

kdez wrote:
What snow blower did you install it on Dan?

My Ariens 924050

I'm getting a couple of kits for my CubCadet SWE930 and my Dad's 9hp Craftsman. Mine has a bit of a gap, not huge, but it doesn't throw slush very well unless I'm really moving into it. I had a a lot of trouble a couple of storms ago where snow was followed by rain. My 930 was basically a water pump. His Craftsman doesn't throw anything well unless you're charging into the snow pretty well. I think his will benefit more than mine, but I'll be getting 2 kit's this spring/summer when I do maintenance on the 2 machines.

Jimmy can you tell us wich city you are in, I notice that you login multiple IP address from maine to New-york to Massachusset. Thanks

With a 3/8" gap, I'd probably put a 5/16" stainless steel liner on the inside of the impeller housing rather than modify the impeller blades.   Might cost a bit more but it would be easy enough to install and will likely last the life of the machine.

borat wrote:

I think it will be pretty difficult to bend 5/16" SS liner for this project. I would do the impellers.

carlb wrote:
What you would do, is buy a suitable piece of SS pipe that will fit the impeller housing.  Most impellers are standard size and there is a wide variety SS pipe sizes.   Find the appropriate size pipe and cut out a piece for the ejector/exit opening.   Fit the liner inside the impeller housing to ensure proper fit with impeller.  When all is good, drill six holes through both.  Pull the liner out and countersink the holes on the inside of the liner.  Use SS bevel head screws to secure it.  

Prior to inserting the SS liner, I'd make sure the impeller housing in freshly painted and I'd put a dab of silicone around and in each drill hole to help prevent rusting on the housing.  I'd then use some Loktite on the screws holding the liner in place.   Not sure if SS can be welded to regular steel.  If it can be, one could drill holes in the impeller housing only and spot weld the SS liner in place.  

A piece of 10 to 12" od Stainless Steel pipe would be VERY expensive and not easily found I suspect.

carlb wrote:
I don't think so.  

Put the word in at a few scrap yards and/or go take a look to see what they have.  If you live in an area that has any type of mills, power plants etc.  that stuff is pretty common.  Might have to wait a bit to get exactly the right size but it''s out there and from a scrap yard it's fairly cheap.  Might cost a few bucks to have it cut though.

Why not just mount a bigger impeller?

My Cousin has a Exxon and BP refinery in town.  

-----You should see his stainless luggage racks and cargo holders on his old Toyota Landcruiser that he built from scrap..

Friiy

Denis wrote:
Sorry, Denis. Missed your post.
I live in Mass (Boston/Metro-West Area), but the company I work for is based in Maine and some times I connect from there. I also have family in New York and a co-worker that I occasionally visit.