3pt. snowblower paddles.

[scesnick]

I have a 64" Ber-Vac blower that I use to clear my 2.5 mile driveway/road that winds its way up over a mountain and we get PLENTY of snow to play in. The blower is an older model but works very well. But, after hours of use and machine gunning plenty of gravel, the clearance between the fan and the housing is becoming pretty great. This gap causes the blower to not want to throw snow very far.

I went to the local race car shop and got some lexan type plastic and used that to line the fan housing trying to close that gap a bit. This worked for a while but is getting pretty chewed up now.
So, I am looking to go a different route. I was thinking of removing the lexan lining and putting some rubber paddle extensions on the fan blades. Like this guy did.... HOW IT WORKS

I was wondering what you guys would use for the rubber paddle. I have access to very heavy duty Euclid rock truck tires. I was thinking of using a chunk of that tire but how would one cut this very thick piece of rubber?? each chunk would have to be pretty close to identical so the balance of the fan would not be disrupted. Or, other ideas? I'm all ears...

 

[easygo]

How about having a piece of sheet metal (1/16 or 3/32 may be) cut to the right width and have it roller to the diameter of the fan housing. Then you could just tack-weld it in place. It would last longer then the plastic and when worn out you could grind off the welds and replace it with a fresh piece. That is what I would try to do. Also the tips of the fan blades might be getting worn off too. You could put a thin weld along that too and then grind it flat.

 

[moship]

Lexan (polycarbonate) probably wasn't the best material choice as you've found. UHMWPE (Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene or sometimes shortened to UHMW) is very resistant to abrasion and has a very low coefficient of friction meaning stuff won't stick to it. You will also find that it can withstand impact and won't crack up like the Lexan probably did. It is a common material for wear surfaces and surfaces in contact with snow that require wear resistance and low friction. Example: snowmobile runners.

If you want to use rubber perhaps some heavy duty conveyor belt would work.

I've always considered lining the fan, housing and chute with UHMW sheet to reduce friction and improve wear resistance.

UHMW has a significantly different coefficient of thermal expansion compared to steel, so if dealing with longer lengths it may be necessary to provide a bit of clearance around attachment points so it can move with temperature. Example: If lining the chute

Good luck and let us know how your project works out.

 

[scesnick]

I think it would be easier to put the rubber tips on the fan blades. I ran the sheet metal Idea past my buddy who is a auto body/welder guy. It is do-able for sure.

It actually wasn't Lexan that I used. I'm not sure what it is called but it is the stuff that the dirt track racers use on the bottom of their cars. it is a VERY hard type of plastic but still a bit bendable.

 

[Craig Clayton]

I would suggest you drill the tips for metal fingers as you are on the right track. If you slot the metal add on finger then you can adjust for wear or clearances. The fingers have to be strong enough to handle stones that are going to be getting in there. My concern is if you make it too perfect then you might run into a stone problems.
I am happy when I turn the tractor off and have not broken any shear pins.
Craig Clayton

 

[MMagis]

Sounds like you may have used HDPE. It’s tough, but anything will wear down over time. Thin metal is going to do the same thing, though probably even faster. I work with sheets of HDPE every day, so I plan to use that for mine that has the same issue. But, I do like the rubber idea better. With rubber you could almost close the gap to zero, where as with plastic or metal you have to account for the shroud not being perfectly round. That being said, $30 for the kit isn’t bad. If I were to cut heavy rubber I would use a band saw, but drill holes won’t be much fun. You may have to burn them.

 

[leonz]

I have a 64" Ber-Vac blower that I use to clear my 2.5 mile driveway/road that winds its way up over a mountain and we get PLENTY of snow to play in. The blower is an older model but works very well. But, after hours of use and machine gunning plenty of gravel, the clearance between the fan and the housing is becoming pretty great. This gap causes the blower to not want to throw snow very far.

I went to the local race car shop and got some lexan type plastic and used that to line the fan housing trying to close that gap a bit. This worked for a while but is getting pretty chewed up now.
So, I am looking to go a different route. I was thinking of removing the lexan lining and putting some rubber paddle extensions on the fan blades. Like this guy did.... HOW IT WORKS

I was wondering what you guys would use for the rubber paddle. I have access to very heavy duty Euclid rock truck tires. I was thinking of using a chunk of that tire but how would one cut this very thick piece of rubber?? each chunk would have to be pretty close to identical so the balance of the fan would not be disrupted. Or, other ideas? I'm all ears...

Your snowblower impeller is not a high speed centrifuge so balance is not an issue especially with intermittant snow loading from the snowblowers cross auger.



The 24 plus ply tread and side wall rubber on these tires will never mount properly for the use to begin with, and if the tire is radial with wire reinforcement it will be a hopeless task.

Thick rubber sheeting is cut with a floor mounted vertical band saw typically to begin with as it is the only real way to cut it with no difficulty and to proper size.





Why do the work when Clarence has done it for you?????????????????????

The snow blower impeller kits from Clarence are $30USD and he has a very large number of happy customers and he offers a money back gaurantee.


The kit he provides has the sheet metal plates predrilled and ready to mount on your impeller and he also provides the nuts and bolts as well.

The rubber paddles sweepp the impeller drun and keep it clear and prevents the impeller drum from iceing up.

Your Brecomac may just need 2 of the kits for the impeller for the width of the paddles.

The mounts allow you to adjust the sweeping width of the paddles and you can always buy replacement rubbers from him.

 

[scesnick]

Leonz,
Yeah, Clarence is probably the way to go. But from the looks of his website I think he only offers the kit for the walk behind residential blowers. If he does offer a bigger version for 3pt. hitches I am gonna go that route for sure. I have an email into him now.

I was just thinking out loud in case he doesn't offer the big version.

 

[smiley]

Wow 2.5 miles!!!! Ithought my 350 ft driveway was long enough.

As already suggested, conveyor belts are very heavy duty and flat. A good source for scrap ones is gravel pits, quarrys, blacktop plants and construction companys as they are used on machines like wideners.

 

[scesnick]

Wow 2.5 miles!!!! Ithought my 350 ft driveway was long enough.
.

Yep, it's a long one. I share 1.5 miles of it with a coal company that is on the other side of the mountain. They usually plow that section but last year they shut down and I had to plow the whole thing. They picked a good winter to shut down. We had 22ft. of snow !

BTW- I just got an email from Clarence. he does sell the larger kits for 3pt. hitch blower. $40.00 and about $9.00 for shipping.
This sounde like the easiest and probably cheapest route to go.

 

[ihuntbear]

plastic and rocks ,gravel,branches don't mix.I'd go steel or nothing.Just my .02

 

[smiley]

A coal company should have lots of used conveyor belting and I hope that's a front mount blower. I'd hate to think of backing looking over my shoulder, 2.5 miles with snow blowing in my face

 

[scesnick]

A coal company should have lots of used conveyor belting and I hope that's a front mount blower. I'd hate to think of backing looking over my shoulder, 2.5 miles with snow blowing in my face

Nope , rear mount on my Kubota MX5100. It is a roomy cockpit so I just sit sideways in the seat. it really doesn't bother me.. I would much rather have a bab than a front mount blower.

 

[leonz]

Leonz,
Yeah, Clarence is probably the way to go. But from the looks of his website I think he only offers the kit for the walk behind residential blowers. If he does offer a bigger version for 3pt. hitches I am gonna go that route for sure. I have an email into him now.

I was just thinking out loud in case he doesn't offer the big version.

The kits will fit any size blower according to clarence and you may need two of them for the paddle width you have -not an issue as he is using nylock nuts and countersunk bolt heads to hold it in place.

I would be faster to remove the impeller and drill each paddle while its being held in a vice if you have a bench vice.

All thats needed is a prick punch and a vice grip to clamp the sheet metal to the paddle to drill the holes in the paddles.

Using conveyor belt is not good as it will flex and bend and you dont want that to happen with a snow blower and cuting slots in the belt pieces will prematurely tear the belt sections out.


If you can find used conveyor belt you need thick belt for the purpose and it can be instaled this way:


You need;

4 pieces of conveyor belt for each paddle 2 on the top and 2 on the back side of each paddle to strengthen the sandwich of belt.

2 pieces of 1/4 inch by 2 inch strap iron to secure the conveyor belt to each paddle cut to length.

2 or 3- 3/8 by 1-1/4-1/2 inch hex head cap screws and nylock nuts to secure the strap iron and belting to the individual paddles, flat washers to secure the flat stock securely to the paddles on both sides of the impeller paddles.

The allen bolts will avoid any issues with scraped knuckles as you will not have to hold a box end wrench where you can use a ratcheting box end wrench and nylock nuts.

 

[leonz]

Thats good to hear from Clarence, do you have a suicide knob or two to aid in steering the tractor and reducing strain on your hands?

Cant wait to see the pics if you can upload them:licking::drool:


Happy motoring:thumbsup:

 

[scesnick]

Thats good to hear from Clarence, do you have a suicide knob or two to aid in steering the tractor and reducing strain on your hands?

Cant wait to see the pics if you can upload them:licking::drool:


Happy motoring:thumbsup:

Nope, the Bota is power steering and can be steered with one finger.

 

[JohninCT]

Don't know if you have a Tractor Supply near by, but they sell this rubber baler belting that might work. I think it might be a tad too thin though

Replacement Baler Belting, 10 in. Wide-2 Ply-210# Nylon/ft.</li><li> - 1420017 | Tractor Supply Company

Replacement Baler Belting, 4 in. Wide-2 Ply-210# Nylon/ft.</li><li> - 1420009 | Tractor Supply Company

I might be inclined to try getting a horse stall mat and cutting it into pieces. It's tough stuff 3/4 inch thick. It's pretty easy to cut with a saber saw and a coarse wood blade.

Royal Mat Rubber Horse Stall Mat, 4 ft. x 6 ft. - 2219003 | Tractor Supply Company

 

[Jerry/MT]

I have a 64" Ber-Vac blower that I use to clear my 2.5 mile driveway/road that winds its way up over a mountain and we get PLENTY of snow to play in. The blower is an older model but works very well. But, after hours of use and machine gunning plenty of gravel, the clearance between the fan and the housing is becoming pretty great. This gap causes the blower to not want to throw snow very far.

I went to the local race car shop and got some lexan type plastic and used that to line the fan housing trying to close that gap a bit. This worked for a while but is getting pretty chewed up now.
So, I am looking to go a different route. I was thinking of removing the lexan lining and putting some rubber paddle extensions on the fan blades. Like this guy did.... HOW IT WORKS

I was wondering what you guys would use for the rubber paddle. I have access to very heavy duty Euclid rock truck tires. I was thinking of using a chunk of that tire but how would one cut this very thick piece of rubber?? each chunk would have to be pretty close to identical so the balance of the fan would not be disrupted. Or, other ideas? I'm all ears...

You know I am just not of fan of putting anything on a piece of high speed rotating machinery because it you don't do it right, it can hurt you or someone nearby. I guess that stems from the almost 35 years I spent as an aircraft propulsion engineer and from seeing the results of some uncontained failures of aircraft engine (which by the way are desgned to not have uncontained failures, and not always sucessfully! A recent example was on the Quantas Airbus A380 with RR Trent engines.)

The fan on a snow blower is probabaly the highest stressed part of the machine and if you don't keep it balanced, and start drilling, welding, or otherwise modifying it, you can do some things that can initiate cracks, add additional stresses, etc that cause it to fail in a catastrophic fashion. See if the manufacturer has a replacement fan available to replace the one you've worn out or look at modifying the static structure of the fan casing. That's a lot safer approach. The Lexan you used is a good safe way to deal with your problem. What's wrong with just replacing that when it wears out? if your going to be putting rocks and gravel through the machine and causing that kind of wear, put some skid shoes on the blower to keep it above the gravel in your drive to minimize these effects. But please don't start messing with the rotating machinery components. Respectfully, people that know what they are doing don't always get it right. What do you think your chances are?

Please play it safe.

 

[wdchyd]

Don't know if you have a Tractor Supply near by, but they sell this rubber baler belting that might work. I think it might be a tad too thin though

Replacement Baler Belting, 10 in. Wide-2 Ply-210# Nylon/ft.</li><li> - 1420017 | Tractor Supply Company

Replacement Baler Belting, 4 in. Wide-2 Ply-210# Nylon/ft.</li><li> - 1420009 | Tractor Supply Company

Just bought some for new "Doggy Doors"....I think it would be too whimpy for snowblower........

 

[scesnick]

Jerry/MT,.

I hear what your saying but the plastic lining in the housing just wears out too darn quick. I don't think the fan is moving fast enought o cause a major failure. From what I have read many many people have used this technics for years with no issues.
I would ultimately like to just replace the fan with a new one but my blower is an older model and to be honest I don't think Ber-Vac is evewn in business any longer.
I discussed the unbalance issue with the maker and he said he has never had an issue with it.

I do have feet on the blower but with 2.5 miles of uneven road it is next to impossible to not get gravel n the blower.