Flex Shaft Chute Rotator?

[JohninCT]

I know that most folks go for hydraulics or electric to make their chute rotator (and deflectors) more convenient to use from the seat. I was wondering if anyone has used flex shafts (something like this one)

Amazon.com: Eazypower 30167 40-Inch Flexible Drill Extension with 1/4-Inch Keyed Chuck: Home Improvement

or maybe one from an old string trimmer with hand cranks to operate their chute and deflector. For someone who doesn't have hyd remotes or wants to hook up electric motors and switches this looks like it could be an easy and relatively cheap way to make a manual remote actuator.

Opinions?

 

[JMynes]

So..... You're going to have a reversible cordless drill sitting in your lap?

 

[rbargeron]

It's a good theory - but the flex shaft needs to be much stronger than the one in the link. Here's a flex shaft sizing chart from Elliot-Stow. I'd want one with at least 1/2" core for turning a chute. By the time you buy a weather-sealed shaft and couple it at both ends you'll be in for about the same bucks as other ways of doing it.

 

[JohninCT]

So..... You're going to have a reversible cordless drill sitting in your lap?

I was thinking something like a hand crank near the seat. But, now that you mention the cordless drill...

 

[JohninCT]

It's a good theory - but the flex shaft needs to be much stronger than the one in the link. Here's a flex shaft sizing chart from Elliot-Stow. I'd want one with at least 1/2" core for turning a chute. By the time you buy a weather-sealed shaft and couple it at both ends you'll be in for about the same bucks as other ways of doing it.

I'm familiar with the valve actuator flex shafts like you posted. They are pretty rugged. I was thinking that turning a chute wouldn't take much force. You're probably right that the deflector mechanism would need to withstand the force of the shooting snow and so would need to be strong.

 

[rbargeron]

My only reference is the chute turner on my 3-pt back-up New Idea blower. The chute mounting is not very fancy and unless it's greased often it gets rusty and hard to turn. A light duty flex shaft would tie in a knot before turning that one. The snow load isn't very much.