My Snowblower Modifications

[Dyer retired]

(Snow melts, water runs down into the sleeve at the base of the chute and re-freezes, preventing the chute from rotating.) It happened once to me and the bar that the cable pulleys are mounted on bent like a pretzel. (I never did get it fully straightened - see pic. ) Standard procedure ever since is to give the chute a good shake before starting out to break up any ice and make sure it's not frozen up.

My neighbor just bought a Pronovost blower and it is a very heavy duty built rig. I've never read about this being a problem for anyone, but does the exposed drive chain to the auger ever cause a problem with snow or ice buildup? Just curious? Dyer, retired

 

[6sunset6]

I have one for 12 years now. The only problem I had was the 1/4 bolt shear pin in the drive shaft kept shearing. Sticks I drilled it out and put in a 5/16. Have not replace it since 12 years ago. I know this is a big no no.

 

[PILOON]

The Shutz blower is actually a rebranded Bervac that is made in Drummondville Quebec, (or perhaps one of Bervac's brand names).
I have the same unit!

 

[Ductape]

My neighbor just bought a Pronovost blower and it is a very heavy duty built rig. I've never read about this being a problem for anyone, but does the exposed drive chain to the auger ever cause a problem with snow or ice buildup? Just curious? Dyer, retired

I used to have a BWM brand rear blower that had an exposed chain/sprocket running inside one end of the housing to turn the auger. I NEVER had any issue whatsoever with snow or ice buildup on the chain or sprocket.

 

[Dyer retired]

I used to have a BWM brand rear blower that had an exposed chain/sprocket running inside one end of the housing to turn the auger. I NEVER had any issue whatsoever with snow or ice buildup on the chain or sprocket.

I didn't think they presented any problems and the more blowers I see, the more I see that the marjority are set up that way. I think my BX2750 is in the minority with the centered gear box controlling the auger. Someone mentioned in another post that they would never get a snowblower set up like mine, but never said why? I haven't any problems with mine beyond the typically expected things....shear bolts, etc. Dyer, retired

 

[herringchoker]

My neighbor just bought a Pronovost blower and it is a very heavy duty built rig. I've never read about this being a problem for anyone, but does the exposed drive chain to the auger ever cause a problem with snow or ice buildup? Just curious? Dyer, retired

No, like the others, that has never been a problem.

 

[PILOON]

I didn't think they presented any problems and the more blowers I see, the more I see that the marjority are set up that way. I think my BX2750 is in the minority with the centered gear box controlling the auger. Someone mentioned in another post that they would never get a snowblower set up like mine, but never said why? I haven't any problems with mine beyond the typically expected things....shear bolts, etc. Dyer, retired

I'll give you the why!

I blew my centered gear box and they wanted $800. for a replacement box.
All the other 'exposed' chain systems are just that- inexpensive chains and sprockets!

In my area the 'center box' types are considered light duty blowers.

Around here Puma and Pronovost rule and are used by all the contractors.

Mind you all that being said, I am still running a 'central box' type mainly due to the purchase cost (paid $400.) but then I only maintain my 3 drives and kinda 'baby' it as I know its limitations.
It also has a rather small 3 bladed 16" blower so it is not hard on small CUT's.

 

[Dyer retired]

I'll give you the why!

PILOON,

I'd say that's a pretty good "why!" I hadn't heard of anyone blowing out the gearbox before, but recognize that my unit is a lighter duty rig. I've had trouble with my wings being flexed out (picked up a few big rocks in the past) and causing trouble with the end bearings on the auger shaft. I've now fixed that. My neighbor's (JayBrad) Pronovost is very heavy duty compared to mine and I noticed the next model of blower up from my BX2750 is heavier gauged metal too. I thought that I saw on TBN that Pronovost used to make the blowers for Kubota, but not sure if that's accurate? When I bought my tractor, it was sitting in the showroom with that blower on it and I really didn't know what comparisons to make, so I went with it. I have been well served for the last 5 years by it and hope it holds up. I'm doing a better job of maintaining it too, so that should help with longevity. Dyer, retired

 

[PILOON]

Dyer
Not hard to blow the gearbox if you catch a 4" stone or as I did pick up an old scrap sngine starter that you should not ever left hanging oround.
Basically anything that is bigger than the space between th inner blade and the gearbox that gets jammed in there (even a chunk of hard ice) could blow the box open or at best bend the auger blade support leg over.
Both my inner auger supports are bent from ice chunks!
Stones and scrap metal you can and should clear away before winter but chunks of ice (and the occasional stones) plowed into your entrance by the city plow you have no control over.

 

[Dyer retired]

Dyer
Not hard to blow the gearbox if you catch a 4" stone or as I did pick up an old scrap sngine starter that you should not ever left hanging oround.
Basically anything that is bigger than the space between th inner blade and the gearbox that gets jammed in there (even a chunk of hard ice) could blow the box open or at best bend the auger blade support leg over.
Both my inner auger supports are bent from ice chunks!
Stones and scrap metal you can and should clear away before winter but chunks of ice (and the occasional stones) plowed into your entrance by the city plow you have no control over.

I caught a major rock last winter that somehow got by the auger and made it to the fan. It sheared both auger pins, broke the fan shaft shear pin and bent one of the fan blades out to where it was catching on the fan housing and wouldn't turn. That little escapade required the dealer to pick it up and do the work, which turned out to pretty easy for them in the shop. I got out of that incident without damage to the gearbox and felt lucky about it. The town had done ditch work at the end of my driveway in the Fall and I was blowing snow too far off the edge of the driveway. I don't worry about the ditch so much, now that I've learned that lesson. Dyer, retired