Snow caster throwing distance

[DavidBarkey]

Update on last springs upgrades in auger speed . The speed increase has helped alot with distance . The one down side is that the wet heavy snow won't go past the auger unless I low the rpm of the engine/ auger or ram it into the snow .Other wise it just pusses the snow . This I think is the one big advantage to a 2 stage . The slower rotating auger gatherer will feed wet snow into the fan better . I think that is why all manufacturers went to the 2 stage blowers .

[ssmewing]

I have a RPM guage coming for it . When I first built it and tested it. It was running 3100 rpm full throutle and I upped from 16 to 18 teeth on the drive sprocket . I have now audible rpm loss under load . There are visuable no signs of slippage on the belt , but have no way at this moment to check it under load .

Having an RPM loss is a good indication that your belt is doing its job.

[DavidBarkey]

The jack shaft pulley keeps wanting to walk off the shaft . Shaft and or pulley center is now worn and sloppy . I tried to drill and tap the end of the shaft for a 1/4 - 20 bolt to hold it on but the tap broke off when i was almost finished . working in the cold garage because I can't get anything in the shop right now didn't help. Frustated I carried the 110 mig up to the garage and welded the pulley to the end of the shaft so I could finish clearing snow . In the spring I will have to make a new shaft and go with a wedge lock pulley and bushing .

[Toolslinger]

Well that's no fun... Cold garage, is better than no garage, but only slightly. It's much easier to get frustrated in those conditions, and make a mistake, or bad choice...

I've been working on a generator in my uncles garage this winter, and it just was miserable until I put in 60000 btu of propane burner. Now, it's just not fun, but entirely tolerable...

Weld is likely your best choice on that fix anyway once you've got wobble. Hopefully it get's you through to the spring.

[DarrenMc]

Well, I did the rubber paddle upgrade on my 446BK Snow Caster about 20 years ago, I also went with the 6" pulley and 18 tooth sprocket on the jack-shaft. I am running the larger diameter - wide groove clutch pulley and a B79/5L820 belt (Jason Industrial - black/white/red label)

I was doing commercial snow removal for several years and the original spec belt might last 1 or 2 days. The current belt I easily got a full season out of it. (unless I did something stupid like swallowing a manhole cover- which has happened)

https://youtu.be/TDxhrHqcMRY?si=3Vu9hqNEHObvGymt

On the 130, I have 2 original - 2 stage CASE (made by Lambert) snow blowers for it. They work quite well.

https://youtu.be/ZwEDsLiESrw?si=w0JBJ6erBFtjrgVT

[DavidBarkey]

@DarrenMc Do you get a lot of snow down there ? The 130 is a nice liking old girl .

[DarrenMc]

@DarrenMc Do you get a lot of snow down there ? The 130 is a nice liking old girl .

Those videos were at my shops in Illinois. Here in NW Arkansas we do not get much snow, but when we do it is usually spectacular! People here make a mad dash for the stores and and stock up when there is snow in the forcast.And their ability to drive in non existent. Currently it is 13C and sunny with a high of 21 today, whereas you are in the low single digits with rain and snow in the forecast. In a way I am a bit jealous, right up until I realise you get massive quantities of lake effect snow.... Hard pass for me!

The 130 I restored 22 years ago right before I moved to Iraq for a few years. She is currently stored at my shop in Illinois