Snowblower Conversion of snowblower shute to DC powered control

[Charles Billings]

This is the first day of deer season in Vermont, and it is raining. But, the first snow storm is likely to occur soon. I now have electrified my 3-point hitch, 74" Buhler Allied snowblower. At least for now, I am retaining the hand crank, but I may do a more elegant modification in the future (another reason to justify buying a metal lathe and mill). This setup is not original--you can find similar setups and other arrangements by searching chute articles on TBN. The attached pictures have some captions, which should explain the process. There is a fair amount of lag when switching swivel directions, but overall things operate as smoothly as and more rapidly than using the hand crank. The bulk of the expense in this setup lies in the actuator (Firgelli Automations, 6" Stroke 150lb Force Linear Actuator FA-150-S-12 for $120) and the winch (1500 lb force Master Lock 2955A Portable ATV Winch for $70). The winch comes with a hand held controller. You can order a rocker switch from Firgelli with the actuator, or as I did, get a second controller like the one that came with the Master Lock winch. For the cost, compared to a hydraulic setup for more than $1,000, I believe that this simple setup is a bargain. I can probably wait for the first snow storm to try it, but when it comes I will be glad that I can just push a couple of buttons to direct the snow to a proper destination.

 

[Bedlam]

Looks great,I also wondered if the linear actuators could be used horizontally to make the rotation. I don't think Ive seen anyone use one for the spin.And the green connector i see there tats a few bucks?
Even a little lag will be better than the hand crank..

 

[Charles Billings]

Bedlam, I can see how maybe two linear actuators would work, but the cost of the RV winch was substantially less. The green electrical connector is an Anderson SB50, used for 10 and 12 size wires. I think I purchased 6 sets of these on E-bay for approximately $2.50 each. Yes, a little lag is better than the hand crank, and I am confident that if someone wanted to spend a little more time they could eliminate most of the lag.

 

[Bedlam]

sounds like you got lucky on the connectors..I was looking and thinking , I like to keep things simple. but what it you could mount a sprocket somehow on the winch and a different size sprocket on the shaft and a bike chain.I wouldn't change how you have it now. just an idea.
Is the lag do to the winches slow gears?
Wow the connectors, I just ebay searched, I guess they aren't to much. I was thinking they were close to 60 dollars but must have been new from some site I had found.
I have my shute deflector set up the same way, used a electric hosp. bed gear set with a auto blower motor to run it . it goes smooth so I think you'll like that setup.
Look forward to the snow now...

 

[Charles Billings]

Bedlam, Yes, I like the idea of connecting things with sprockets and a chain. That is one of the things I intend to do when I get my lathe and mill. The winch itself is very smooth, and plenty qucik enought. The lag in my current setup is due to the slack in the cable, and the time it takes to retention the cable when rotation is reversed.

 

[Bedlam]

would it be possible to attach the end of the winch spool itself to the end to the rotating shaft? That would eliminate part of the cable slack.

 

[Charles Billings]

Yes, Bedlam, it should help to eliminate the hand crank from the equation. That arragngement requires a platform for mounting the winch that is approximately at the same elevation as the chute rotator, but that shouldn't be too hard to build and attach.

 

[jjmarotz]

Nice setup!!!

If I may ask... Where did you find the actuator for that price?? Thanks.

 

[Charles Billings]

JJMarotz, You will find it at Standard Speed - Linear Actuators, Linear Motors, Micro motors, Electric Motors If that doesn't work for some reason, just Google Firgelli Automations and look for 150 LB Force linear actuators.

 

[Danno1]

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Is that actuator waterproof?


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