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

I just started using my new hour meter/tachometer today on my blower, and it peaked out at only 3180rpm, but steadily displayed 3120rpm.  It is this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Tachometer-Kawasaki-Motorcycle-Generator-Snowmobile/dp/B0049IFX56/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1321768364&sr=1-1-catcorr 
         

Using that horsepower-to-torque formula (HP = torque x rpm, divided by 5252), I get 8.66 HP at 3120rpm.  At 3600, it would be 9.993 HP.  For the formula I used a torque figure of 14.58, which I got by plugging in the assumed Tecumseh 10.0 HP figure at the assumed rpm of 3600, into the torque-to-horsepower formula (HP x 5252, divided by 3600).  Lots of assumptions, I know, but I had to get the torque figure that way so I could turn around the formula to get my horsepower figure at 3120rpm.

Anyway, I don't know if this meter is accurate.  When my son and I get his Ariens ST824 put back together again (took it apart to paint the inside of the housing; adjust the chains; replace the friction disc, cracked handlebars, and beat-up/bent impeller; serrate the augers using a Platinum 30 cardboard template I made while at Home Depot; greasing the chains, auger shaft, and friction disc shaft), then I will try my tachometer on his machine.  I may just pick up another meter to compare in the end. 

If the reading is the same on his, or close, then maybe it is the meter.  If he gets around 3600rpm at full throttle, then maybe I need to adjust my governor.   If I do have to adjust it, does anyone know how to do that?  It's only a three-year old Tecumseh L-Head 358cc.  Thanks for any help.

jrtrebor wrote:

Thank you jrtrebor.

MN_Runner wrote:

MN_Runner, the shop manual I have is published in 1980 and printed in 1986.The updates are covered in the supplement to the manual.

4000RPM is mentioned in the main part of the shop manual.It is interesting to have two different governed RPM values.

My machine too is the older version with frame serial number smaller than 1048...If we believe the owners' manual then everything is OK. (?)

MN_Runner, I just looked at the owners' manual I had downloaded before.There it says 3.5hp@3600RPM.But it is for C.D.I.

Where did you download yours from?

The previous owner (college professor) gave me his original manual in an impeccable shape.  I passed it to the new owner.  It was just confusing , your service manual says 4000rpm and at that RPM my HS35 engine sounded like it was going to throw up the piston.

@MN_Runner,

No more single stage snowblowers?  Maybe a Toro 621?

Perhaps I will not get one now.  I have no fancy anymore as my one week HS35 experiment was enough.

I guess I will have to wait for somebody else who can help.

MN Runner:

Pick up a used Craftsman/Murray machine with a two cycle Tecumseh engine in it.   Put a string on the governor arm to spin it up and see what it can do.  You'll  find it effective and entertaining.

blumonster,

You have a secret weapon which is your service manual.  Advices from jetberator, trouts and borat are all good - maybe they can do a facetime with you.  So whatever mistake you make on HS35, you will be a pro when you have to fix your HS621.

MN_Runner wrote:
I do applaud you for venturing outside of your comfort zone on this one though.  I think you would have better transition working on a simple two stroke machine like a Toro Powerlite as opposed to a complex HS35.