Colt Case Ingersoll Garden Tractors

What is your Snow caster throwing distance . I have seen pics of others that are throwing farther than mine and want to figure out why .
Mine right now .
powder .. Height about 8-10 feet / distance about 14 - 16 feet
wet .. Height about 6-7 feet / distance 8-10 feet
Thinking back to last year I am sure I was getting better results than I am right now .

What are you guys getting from your machines ???

David my SB48 doesn't throw snow great either.

Certainly doesn't throw snow like this:


Or this (P220 swapped)


Or this


Or this


Some people have added rubber paddles to the center of the snowcaster auger with AFAIK good results.

I "think" the case snowcaster auger distance to the housing is adjustable. I recall reading that the auger needs to be close to the housing to throw better. AFAIK my Ingersoll SB48 auger isn't adjustable.

I believe snowcasters had different sized pulleys over the years (6", 6.5"?) and they had two different chain drive sprockets, one had a few more teeth.

Engine RPMs are around 3600?

Belt/clutch is not slipping?

I’ve never really measured distance with a tape. But I’d say about the same yours Dave.
My John Deere has the same style thrower and it throws a bit better than the Case. Only difference in the two is Case has an 8” chute opening, and the John Deere has a 6” chute opening.

Noel

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 .

I did some research and found that the average tip speed is 3000 - 5000 feet per min. for most 2 stage walk behinds and tractor mount blowers these days. I did the math on my caster based on my numbers from before . Using 4000 fpm. as the target . I need 1260 and I was getting 835 rpm . Evan at 3000fpm. that would be 946 rpm . Evan getting the engine up 3600 rpm it would just get up to about 950 rpm and the 3000 fpm . I left the govenor stting at around 3100 rpm because with the low cc heads on it, it make 140psi compression and more power that the P220 in Frankie at a 100psi .

I run the Case 224 around 2700 rpm. Give and take some. Kohler K321 14 hp engine. When I first got it going it had a 5.5” pulley on the drive shaft to the drive sprocket. And it would basically kill the engine rpm almost dead when into lots of snow. Might throw 5’ straight ahead and hardly miss the thrower when throwing to the sides. Very light amount of snow, it then sorta worked. Soooo, I put a 7” pulley in place of the 5.5” pulley. Worked great. Could go through snow bank as high and wide as the blower, engine rpm would stay up and would just keep on chewing. But throwing the normal 10 to 15 feet. And that’s the blowers design trouble. Is my thinking. If the diameter of the auger was bigger. Then it may throw farther. But would have to be geared so the engine will not loose rpm. My Ford LGT tractors snowthower has a bigger diameter auger and it throws much better. But has a different chute than the original one.

There now. That’s a good ramble. Have not had a good one in a long time.

Noel

I can honestly say I have never measured the throwing distance of the caster on the 446. I know the rpm when I checked it was a little less than 3600. I have added rubber paddles to the center of the auger. Kept the chute diameter at 8” but added a foot to the height. I yhink the distance would change with the type of snow. I attached some pics that the took when I cleaned up the driveway the other day. Harry

That’s throwing good Harry.

Noel

MattA wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 8:45 pm David my SB48 doesn't throw snow great either.

Certainly doesn't throw snow like this:


Or this (P220 swapped)


Or this


Or this


Some people have added rubber paddles to the center of the snowcaster auger with AFAIK good results.

I "think" the case snowcaster auger distance to the housing is adjustable. I recall reading that the auger needs to be close to the housing to throw better. AFAIK my Ingersoll SB48 auger isn't adjustable.

I believe snowcasters had different sized pulleys over the years (6", 6.5"?) and they had two different chain drive sprockets, one had a few more teeth.

Engine RPMs are around 3600?

Belt/clutch is not slipping?

Matt, those youtube videos were terrific. I’m not sure whose GT’s they were but they threw the snow very far. Thanks for posting. Harry

About adjusting the auger distance to the housing; I don't think it was ever intended by CASE to improve throwing distance. I think it was intended to tighten the chain. But if you do tighten the chain the auger moves away from the housing and the performance is worse. Making the flapper mod by adding a rubber edge and reducing clearance is better than moving adjusting the distance.

Thirty years ago we use to have a lot of snow and all I had was a walk behind. Ever since I got my CASE tractor and snow blower, we haven't had much snow. Now my CASE isn't working, we got a lot of snow and all I have is a walk behind.

My auger is as tight to the back as can get . About an 1/8" gap . I use a plastic guide to take up the slack in the chain . We are getting some mild weather right now which is helping to settle the snow in the back yard . We have 2x4 welded protection fence for the birds and garden . So i can count the 4" squares down form the top to tell how much snow pack we have . Right now it has settle from just under 48" down to 36" .

This is the RPM / hour meter I bought . It is a little thing , but was less than $30 delivered taxes in . Works well and was simple to install . I checked the RPMs . Idle 1850 / Full throttle 3150 / Caster blowing heavy snow 3000. Not losing rpm at the engine . So I am going to try upping the jack shaft sprocket again 20 teeth .

DavidBarkey wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 4:32 pm image.png
This is the RPM / hour meter I bought . It is a little thing , but was less than $30 delivered taxes in . Works well and was simple to install . I checked the RPMs . Idle 1850 / Full throttle 3150 / Caster blowing heavy snow 3000. Not losing rpm at the engine . So I am going to try upping the jack shaft sprocket again 20 teeth .

Dave, I would suggest getting the no-load engine speed up to the recommended 3600 rpm. Just a small amount of load that drags the rpm down from there creates a dramatic decrease in the snowcaster performance. I don't know what horsepower you have available, but my primary snow removal tractor is 18 hp and I would not even consider going larger that the standard 16T sprocket as I often find the 18hp can't keep the rpms up even with that load. In my opinion, larger jackshaft sprockets are only beneficial on the 21-23hp models.

As you mention, you're not currently losing rpm at the engine, 150 is the standard governor droop.

Bob

DavidBarkey wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 4:32 pm image.png
This is the RPM / hour meter I bought . It is a little thing , but was less than $30 delivered taxes in . Works well and was simple to install . I checked the RPMs . Idle 1850 / Full throttle 3150 / Caster blowing heavy snow 3000. Not losing rpm at the engine . So I am going to try upping the jack shaft sprocket again 20 teeth .

They are a neat thing to have on a tractor. I’ve have one in my Ford LGT 165 for 20 years. Rpm, hours and flashes when you need to do and oil change and service at every 25 hours.

Be curious to see how it works at 20 tooth sprocket. She must have great hp.

Noel

myerslawnandgarden wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 8:40 pm

DavidBarkey wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 4:32 pm image.png
This is the RPM / hour meter I bought . It is a little thing , but was less than $30 delivered taxes in . Works well and was simple to install . I checked the RPMs . Idle 1850 / Full throttle 3150 / Caster blowing heavy snow 3000. Not losing rpm at the engine . So I am going to try upping the jack shaft sprocket again 20 teeth .

Dave, I would suggest getting the no-load engine speed up to the recommended 3600 rpm. Just a small amount of load that drags the rpm down from there creates a dramatic decrease in the snowcaster performance. I don't know what horsepower you have available, but my primary snow removal tractor is 18 hp and I would not even consider going larger that the standard 16T sprocket as I often find the 18hp can't keep the rpms up even with that load. In my opinion, larger jackshaft sprockets are only beneficial on the 21-23hp models.

As you mention, you're not currently losing rpm at the engine, 150 is the standard governor droop.

Bob

Bob always welcome and respect your input Bob , thanks . Here is what I have in it for hp to bring you up to speed .
This engine is a low hours BG genny engine (Emerald 4000 RV genny ) .I reworked and upped the governor RPM to 3100 . 3.250 bore x 3.00 stroke . with B43m heads Making 140 psi compression . New the compression is only 120 psi . I est. about 22 -23 hp and more torque than the 24 hp with the high compression heads . I really don't want to up the governor with the higher compression (engine longevity ) . With the stock pump and and the blower on it I have yet to lug this engine down at all .

I have an 18 tooth sprocket on it now . I have a 20 and 24 tooth on order (22 not available through this supplier ). I keep #40 bulk chain in stock in my shop .

propane1 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 25, 2025 4:21 am

DavidBarkey wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 4:32 pm image.png
This is the RPM / hour meter I bought . It is a little thing , but was less than $30 delivered taxes in . Works well and was simple to install . I checked the RPMs . Idle 1850 / Full throttle 3150 / Caster blowing heavy snow 3000. Not losing rpm at the engine . So I am going to try upping the jack shaft sprocket again 20 teeth .

They are a neat thing to have on a tractor. I’ve have one in my Ford LGT 165 for 20 years. Rpm, hours and flashes when you need to do and oil change and service at every 25 hours.

Be curious to see how it works at 20 tooth sprocket. She must have great hp.

Noel

Thats the Genny engine short block I reworked with the heads and stuff off the old 16hp . It make more power than the P220 in Frankie ! I would like to do another one but need a donner motor for all the peripherals.

DavidBarkey wrote: ↑Tue Feb 25, 2025 4:39 am

myerslawnandgarden wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 8:40 pm

DavidBarkey wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 4:32 pm image.png
This is the RPM / hour meter I bought . It is a little thing , but was less than $30 delivered taxes in . Works well and was simple to install . I checked the RPMs . Idle 1850 / Full throttle 3150 / Caster blowing heavy snow 3000. Not losing rpm at the engine . So I am going to try upping the jack shaft sprocket again 20 teeth .

Dave, I would suggest getting the no-load engine speed up to the recommended 3600 rpm. Just a small amount of load that drags the rpm down from there creates a dramatic decrease in the snowcaster performance. I don't know what horsepower you have available, but my primary snow removal tractor is 18 hp and I would not even consider going larger that the standard 16T sprocket as I often find the 18hp can't keep the rpms up even with that load. In my opinion, larger jackshaft sprockets are only beneficial on the 21-23hp models.

As you mention, you're not currently losing rpm at the engine, 150 is the standard governor droop.

Bob

Bob always welcome and respect your input Bob , thanks . Here is what I have in it for hp to bring you up to speed .
This engine is a low hours BG genny engine (Emerald 4000 RV genny ) .I reworked and upped the governor RPM to 3100 . 3.250 bore x 3.00 stroke . with B43m heads Making 140 psi compression . New the compression is only 120 psi . I est. about 22 -23 hp and more torque than the 24 hp with the high compression heads . I really don't want to up the governor with the higher compression (engine longevity ) . With the stock pump and and the blower on it I have yet to lug this engine down at all .

I have an 18 tooth sprocket on it now . I have a 20 and 24 tooth on order (22 not available through this supplier ). I keep #40 bulk chain in stock in my shop .

Dave,

That may work well for you then. As long as you have the horsepower and torque to maintain 3000 rpm, the larger sprockets should get the auger speed back where it belongs. You won't believe the difference.

Running a standard setup at 3000 rpm would be similar to having one of the early casters with the 6.5" jackshaft pulley. I used one one time and sai never again, it was nearly useless compared to the 6" pulley. Amazing what a small difference in auger speed makes in performance.

Bob

@myerslawnandgarden Bob I think I have an early one . My pulley is 6.5 " with the belt running at 6" dia. and running lower RpM , no wounder it won't throw that far .

Dave if your replacing the pulley, get one that can accept A and B size belts.

MattA wrote: ↑Tue Feb 25, 2025 10:33 pm Dave if your replacing the pulley, get one that can accept A and B size belts.

I am going to try the sprocket first and see how it is . New pulley means new belt size and buying more belts . I already have a couple of spares of the size that on it .

Got my parts in . Tomorrow I am going make up the 20 tooth sprocket and a 5" pulley for the Jack shaft . That will give me a Tip speed of 3642 fpm. . Thats in the range of the 3000 - 5000 fpm that is recommended. We will see how that does . It is a 35% increase over the 2695 fpm I am getting . I feel that is as fast as I can go before it is too fast and the snow will not feed into the auger due to the design of a single stage . This limitation , i beleave is why companies when to the 2 stage designs . We are suppose to get snow again Friday and into Saturday . So I will be testing it out , with reviews to follow .

Can’t wait for the results.

Noel

Well I got the sprocket and pulley swap done . More blowing than snowing . So have wait till the morning to see if we have enough to try it out.

The one time I wanted it to snow this year , all we got was a dusting . They got it to the north and to the south of us . Oh well there will be more . Not done this year yet .

Yes you will probably get more snow to try out your modifications. Just keep it up North I personally have had enough snow and ice in my area. Harry

At least ten years ago I had an idea to relocate the chute forward. I figured it would be better to shoot the snow forward instead of straight up and then redirect with chute. Of course that project ended up on the back burner.

If you don't do it someone else will.

https://youtu.be/zpZZZt9i-lM

That’s quite a snowthrower FUTZ.

Noel

Any snow to try out the modifications on the snow thrower Dave.

10C and rain here tomorrow. And above freezing until Sunday.

Noel

propane1 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 05, 2025 10:29 am Any snow to try out the modifications on the snow thrower Dave.

10C and rain here tomorrow. And above freezing until Sunday.

Noel

No snow yet , mild and rain . Snow pack has gone down about 20" from where it was at almost 4 foot .

Got some snow .Mostly drifting . Definatly a big improvement . No rpm loss at the engine going through the drifts . Still not enough snow to get reportable results .

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 .

DavidBarkey wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 5:57 am 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.

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 .

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.

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

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

DavidBarkey wrote: ↑Tue Jan 06, 2026 4:58 am @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