snow caster mods.

[Harry]

I picked up this chain lubricate from Walmart the other day and see how it works on the caster chain.

Keep the Peace
Harry

[Eugen]

That's what I used on the motorcycle many years Harry, great product! Sadly I can no longer find it locally.

[Harry]

I thought I had already posted this, but after looking in the thread I guess not!
I've been trying to change the stock chute profile for awhile now. I originally added to the height of the chute but then it didn't snow to try it out. A few weeks ago the snow came and I tried it. Definitely more distance throwing the snow but it was not accurate in where it went.
Next I added an electric motor to rotate the chute. After working the bugs out I'm satisfied with using it, which is far better than the crank was.
I changed the curve of the chute a bit to help in directing the snow better. I tried again the other day but the snow was very light and it just created a blizzard in front of the tractor.
I have a linear actuator to add to the chute deflector, but have not come up with a way to mount it so it doesn't bind the deflector. More back to the drawing board here.
I had the wife take some pic's with my phone a few days ago and needless to say they didn't capture the best view.
A few more adjustments and I think I'll be happy with the snow caster.
I must say that it is one powerful machine for throwing snow a good forty plus feet at full throttle. Most of the time I run at half throttle in low gear, about 2500 rpm and it does a good job. It even would eat slowly into the snow banks out front where the snow plows leave it.
I'll post some pics when it's completed and everyone will get the idea of the changes.

Keep the Peace
Harry

[Harry]

I'm waiting for some parts for my Winter Project 444, so the last few days I was busy finishing my snow caster chute modifications.
A little narrative about what I did over a period of time.
My first change was to cut the chute apart at the seam of the ring where it spins.
Then a took a piece of 16-gauge sheet metal and formed it into a U shape. The U-shaped piece was 24" long by the dimension of the curved piece of the chute bottom.
Welded the bottom of the U-shaped piece to the ring of the original chute.
Then welded the top of the U shape piece to the bottom of the original curved chute.
Tried it out in the snow and it gave better throwing distance, but also created a blizzard in front of the tractor.
Next, I cut a triangular notch out of the center of the U shaped piece on both sides.
This created more of a curve to the chute.
Tried it out and the distance of thrown snow was about the same but more of an even flow and less blizzard effect.
Then I added some sides to the chute to fill in the areas at the bottom of the chute.
This was the ticket to less blizzard effect.
I noticed the worm gear was getting full of snow and ice when I rotated the chute to the right.
I was thinking of creating a guard to protect the worm gear.
Jancoe a member here had a little shelf on the bottom of his chute, so I added a shelf.
Now there is hardly any snow to try it out but I think it will meet my expectations.
I hope everyone will understand my narrative. If not the pics should help in the explanation.
PS: I also in the process fine tuned the chute rotator and linear actuator of the chute deflector. Both appear to be working great!

Keep the Peace
Harry

[propane1]

Interesting. Thanks Harry.


Noel

[DavidBarkey]

THanks Harry and Jancoe . I will be incorporating what you guys have done in my caster as soon as I can bring it into the shop . It is currently frozen to the floor in the lean too off the back of the shop . That last melt and freeze left some flooding on the back wall I didn't realize until I went to move it .

Dave

[DavidBarkey]

Can not remember if anyone has addressed this or not . But Where the caster body and the chute base meet there is a sudden gap between the auger and the housing . In my mind this will reduce the effectiveness of the auger throwing paddle.

This is my solution . Still have to clean up the welds and install wiper, but should extend the throwing area a bit.

Dave

[Harry]

Can not remember if anyone has addressed this or not . But Where the caster body and the chute base meet there is a sudden gap between the auger and the housing . In my mind this will reduce the effectiveness of the auger throwing paddle.
20220320_141614.jpg20220320_154729.jpg
This is my solution . Still have to clean up the welds and install wiper, but should extend the throwing area a bit.

Dave

I saw this similar gap on my caster David when I was checking my wiper. I figured the paddle was always pushing the snow out and away from the gap, so I left it alone.

Keep the Peace
Harry

[Eugen]

I didn't think the gap hurt but certainly fixing it will not hurt either and it looks neater!

[DavidBarkey]

Can not remember if anyone has addressed this or not . But Where the caster body and the chute base meet there is a sudden gap between the auger and the housing . In my mind this will reduce the effectiveness of the auger throwing paddle.
20220320_141614.jpg20220320_154729.jpg
This is my solution . Still have to clean up the welds and install wiper, but should extend the throwing area a bit.

Dave

I saw this similar gap on my caster David when I was checking my wiper. I figured the paddle was always pushing the snow out and away from the gap, so I left it alone.

Keep the Peace
Harry

My thoughts are the snow is being thrown through centrifugal force and that force is still there at that point . Don't know if I am over thinking it yet . Hopefully i can get enough done to try it out before all the snows gone .

Dave