I too have an 826 mine is serial # 119000, if you go to johndeere.com and search the ONLINE PARTS CATALOG... try this link
http://jdpc.deere.com/jdpc/servlet/com.deere.u90490.partscatalog.view.servlets.HomePageServlet_Alt i loaded the link again and it takes you right to the 826 parts, this might be helpful to some of you.
I came to this site via a google search for info on the blower fan. It was interesting to read all that you have been writing about the "poor" toss that our snow blowers do. I am curious did anyone try the auger kit and what where your results? How about the pulley change did the increased RPMs and help?
I am rebuilding my unit ex. new bushings on augers, new friction disk, new feet or skids, new scrapper bar, points/condensor, belts. I ahve it tore into 3 pieces...I first went to the above JD site to look at parts...WOW they are expensive! I did some research and found that I was able to locate all the bushings for 1/3 of what JD wanted at a local bearing dealer, the scrapper bar was $47 to $66 so i made one out of $10 piece of strap and some old spray paint, I bought one foot or skid for $13 and rebuilt the other one, the belts I got both for the price JD wanted for 1 (at the local bearing dealer). I searched the net to find JD dealer that was the cheapest (as some parts you just cant get any where else) here is a link to that site..http://www.greenfarmparts.com/ if you find someone cheaper please let me know.
I figured my issue on not moving the snow far was due to all the bad bushings etc....now I am not sure (I should say i have not got it back together and we have not had any snow since i tore it down) that its going to throw the snow any better....I agree that the unit will go through anything and not bog down, but at best with dry snow it will only throw it @15' with the wind, if the snow is wet it wont hardly move it 4'.....
I have a large driveway....over 30' wide and 90' long i really need to move the snow all the way to one side and most of it to one end, needless to say it takes a LONG time to move all that snow several times. So what I really want to know is have you improved the preformance and if so HOW??????
My thought is if this thing aint gonna get it then i am going to buy a model that will before NEXT years snow.
Thanks for any insite and assistance you can muster.
Ken
