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

Has anyone tried to quiet down there snow blower?  My Techumseh  Hmsk 80 is registering 101 db .  I ware ear muffs but I want to be nice to my neighbors . Any suggestions?

There are other mufflers that would fit that motor, you could try a few and see what happens. Is the 101db just the motor or the machine as a whole moving snow? You may be able to quiet the motor down some, but augers & gears have a sound all their own.

Greg13 wrote:
I get 101 db with it revved up doing nothing

bus708 wrote:
I have a neighbor with the old 2 stage snowblower with Tecumseh engine.  The neighbor's house is about 250 feet from me, I like the sound of it when it's loaded up trying to clear 12" snow.  I'm sure it's loud, but it's far enough away that I find it acceptable.

Next door neighbor have a small single stage 2 stroke Snapper 19 LE.  I can't stand the sound of it.  It's annoyingly loud and doesn't move snow very well.

My point is that it depends on how the engine sounds.  As a bystander, I like the sound of the Tecumseh engine muffled by a blanket of snow and distance.  However, as an operator of the machine, I probably wouldn't like it.

If you want to be nice to your neighbors, get the newer OHV 4 stroke engines, or a Honda.  If your neighbors are far away, I wouldn't be too worried about bothering them.

I agree with switching to a newer OHV engine.  They are quite a bit quieter and don't vibrate as much so you don't get the resonating noise from loose controls and whatever else rattling.

Shryp wrote:
I would love to change engines but i.m limited and lost. My crank rod to move my shoot is mounted to the top of my engine. If change engines other than another Techumseh then my shoot rod support will have no support and thus will not work. 

I know shoveling is very effective at cutting noise so it is an option.  I do not love my neighbors that much.

MN_Runner wrote:

LOL

I shoveled last 2  years.It cuts noise, yes.It Made it easier for me to fall asleep after hours of shoveling at night.I could feel the effects of shoveling the next day.A couple of times our neighbors helped us.

This is my first year with snowblowers.

bluemonster,

There is a guy selling Honda HS55 for $350 and it is a nice 2-stage machine.  If you are near MN, it might be worth the trip.  Heck if you need to borrow my spark plug wrench and you are in the area, you can use my wrench.

sale-kh88h-2701999844@craigslist.org

bus708 wrote:
I'd keep using your existing snowblower with ear protection unless your neighbors have a problem with the noise.  I don't know what your neighborhood is like, but if the houses are spread far apart with lots of trees and shrubbery, it may not sound that loud.

Of course, you can try to be nice to your neighbors by not snowblowing before 7 AM and after 8 PM, if possible.  I have fairly quiet snowblower and can throttle down if need be.  I even shovel manually at 6 AM when the snow is not too wet and less than 4 inches.

aa335, you are a considerate sport.  I have on an occasion mowed my lawn before 6AM and blew snow after 11PM.  Sometimes, you have to do what you got to do.  Don't worry I am not moving to Chicago area any time soon,

Just do what I do.  Snowblow half the street so they dare not complain.

MN_Runner wrote:

Thank you MN_Runner.The two used single stage machines are a huge step up from shoveling.I think they will be enough, hopefully.

MN is still far from WI. I am almost at the border with IL.I remember 2 years ago I was at Minneapolis airport for a layover from Amsterdam.Took a long time to de-ice the old plane. It was cold, snowy,icy just around Christmas. 

Shryp wrote:
Same here.  No complaints yet.  But I do get cookies from time to time, they think I'm Santa Claus.

Those Hmsk80's are noisy beasts.  I have one on a craftsman 8/25 and it was at least 50% louder than the11hp OHV engine on my restored Cub Cadet.