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

Just scooped up this 2006 Murray SS machine with the vernerable Tecumseh TH139SA engine.  The thing is almost mint.  Got it for $30.00!  Took it home, pulled the carb apart, to clean it but it was spotless.  It does have a cheap plastic main jet in it though.  Nonetheless, it runs like a champ.  Previous owner said he couldn't get it running and probably needed the carb cleaned.  I found out that all that was keeping it from running was old gas with more oil in the mix than fuel.  Cleaned everything up, added fresh fuel and it fired right up.  I was amazed how good it looks considering it sat outside in the elements for a couple of years, uncovered and unprotected.  It's got a bit of rust on the muffler but nothing to be concerned about. 

Note string attached.  I figured that since I had it apart, I might as well give it the treatment.  This engine has the same crank dimensions as my Craftsman machine.  They're virtually identical.  Might as well unload the MTD now that I have two of these babies!

By the way, I noticed how quiet it is on the site.  What's happening?  Nothing going on or is everyone too busy? 

borat wrote:
I just happened to check this forum lately.  It seems like ages since any activity or discussion on snowblowers.  Kinda makes sense.  We just went through record breaking heat wave, 3 straight days of 100F plus weather.  I haven't even thought about mowing my lawn, a whole lot less thinking about snowblowers.  Been busy keeping cool and keeping the plants and flowers from drying out.  :)

My problem is we are in a drought, havent mowed in 4 weeks.  The only things I've gotten done is a rebuild on a Toro personalpace tranny. Would like to test it in some GREEN grass.

Nice score, borat! You're amassing quite the collection of those Tecumseh fitted SS machines.

I think it has been slow on here because of the crummy, no snow winter we just experienced. We only got about 7" of snow all winter not counting the crazy October nor'easter that rolled through and caused a ton of damage. I only used my 2 stage once all winter and my single stage twice! Also, trying to cram all the summer activities into the 3 summer months we get around here cuts into everyone's free time. Hopefully we'll all have a "real" winter this time around...

Yeah, I'm with you. 

Our winters the last few years have been nothing like what we got 30 or 40 years ago.  This climate change issue is real.  Forty years ago, it wasn't unusual to see snow banks on the sides of streets eight to twelve feet high and the road narrowed down to one lane.  Now, snow banks don't get much over 5 ft.   We're also getting a lot of southern critters coming our way.  We never had raccoons before.  Now I'm seeing (and shooting) several every year.  I even heard of one guy catching an oppossum up our way.  We're on the north shore of Lake Superior.  We never used to see animals like that this far north.  We even get turkey vultures up here now.  Never saw them 20 years ago.  Up in the arctic, people are seeing robins!  Unreal. 

No wonder I'm down to using single stage machines moreso than the big two stage snow blower.  We just don't get the same winters.  Not too happy with that either.  I love winter and I love snow.  

I can remember going  pheasant hunting on Thanksgiving morning in snow up to my hips a few times about 30 years ago or so (a waste of time - look in the trees). Now I hunt deer in little more than a shirt and a light fleece jacket.

Anyone who doesn't think climate change is happening is either too young to know or live in an are where the seasons aren't noticable.  Those of us who experience the wide variatons between the seasons know it's happening.   Most people I know, like the milder winters with less snow.  However, there are a few who, like me, enjoy the winters of old. 

borat wrote:
What happened to yur memory Borat?  Winter of 2011 set records in our area!

"What happened to yur memory Borat?  Winter of 2011 set records in our area!"

My memory is good enough to know I wasn't in "your area".   

On average, what have your winters been like compared to 30 years ago?   Last winter, we didn't get enough snow for me to use my snowmobile even once.  A walk out in the bush revealed no snow under the bows of the spruce trees.  Don't recall the snow being much more than ankle deep after most snow falls.  I'm hoping this is more of an anomolie than an omen of the future.  Got to have snow!   

borat wrote:
Hard to figure averages fur something like this.  Last winter was very light, but no record.  2011 was record snow or close to it.  I can remember both types for as far back as I go.  I think "memory" probably introduces a bias in the "figures" though because most people will tend to remember the tough winters more than the light ones.

borat wrote:
I wondered if these engines are purposely "crippled" or "detuned" so that they don't tear up the rest of the snowblower.  Reminds me of early Honda V6 and Subaru WRX engines when mated to an automatic transmission, performance was very lame.

Anyways, I've tried increasing the RPMS on my 4 strokeHonda HS621 snowblower and 2 stroke Powerlite.  I didn't like the extra vibration and noise.  There's no dampening and sound reduction in these machines so it got too uncomfortable to operate. Maybe that's the nature of these snowblowers.  They keep the RPM of the engine low so they don't need vibration and noise control.