Anybody ever replaced linear actuator on snowblower?

irvingj · Jan 14, 2019

OK, now I don't feel so bad... I had been thinking along the same lines, something ribbed like a shock cover, which led nowhere fast.

Simple solutions are great, aren't they! Thanks again.

cdaigle430 · Jan 16, 2019

irvingj said:
Mine's a GC2310 tractor with M-F 2360 front-mount blower, made by RAD Technologies in Canada, which I believe is the same as snow blowers for all M-F (and Kubota) SCUTs. It came with electric chute controls, which work well, but the deflector control --a linear actuator-- occasionally gets water inside it and then, of course, freezes up and refuses to budge.

I've taken it apart several times, dried it out, cleaned it, re-greased it --even made a new gasket for it-- and re-assembled it. That will work for a season and a half, maybe, before it gets more water in it and I have to repeat the process.

Yes, I can do it, but it is rather inconvenient, to say the least. Some time ago I contacted the manufacturer of the actuator (Emerson Electric, IIRC) and they don't make that any more, also said it was a special OEM configuration. I couldn't even get a gasket for it!

Just wondering if anyone else has had occasion to replace that and if so where they got it. I haven't tried M-F parts yet (I will), but I'm betting that would cost an arm and a leg.

If all else fails I'm sure I could find some sort of replacement, but was wondering if anyone else had any experience(s) with it.

Thanks--

View attachment 586776 View attachment 586777 View attachment 586778

Got mine from Woodmaxx.com.

irvingj · Jan 17, 2019

Hey, Daigle. Was that the $145 "chute deflector" as a part for their blower(s)? Any specs on that? 12 Volt Chute Deflector Handspike | Electric Snow Blower - WoodMaxx™

...Suppose they meant to say, "Requires 12VDC to work"? Looks to me like it already has an electric motor....

aczlan · Jan 17, 2019

Anyone looking for something similar might look at a power steering rack bellows such as: https://www.amazon.com/Pinion-Bellow-Boots-clamps-Steering/dp/B01K7YY0DQ

You will need to warm the end up with a heat gun enough to get it to fit over the end of the actuator, but it should work.

Aaron Z

CobyRupert · Jan 17, 2019

Good ideas here.

Would a weep hole help too?

irvingj · Jan 18, 2019

Great ideas! Should have posed the question years ago! That steering rack bellows looks very intriguing. Any idea what the diameters of the openings are?

Anyway, here's the finished product.... glued shut at the top, holes for the mounting screw to go through --don't believe any water will get in there-- and it operates great, collapsing very nicely when the chute deflector's lowered. Tested yesterday and it seems to work well. Cost: $0.00.

aczlan · Jan 18, 2019

irvingj said:
Great ideas! Should have posed the question years ago! That steering rack bellows looks very intriguing. Any idea what the diameters of the openings are?

Anyway, here's the finished product.... glued shut at the top, holes for the mounting screw to go through --don't believe any water will get in there-- and it operates great, collapsing very nicely when the chute deflector's lowered. Tested yesterday and it seems to work well. Cost: $0.00.

View attachment 587603

Probably 1/2"-3/4"

Aaron Z

Jaylegger · Jan 18, 2019

I tried one such boot a few years ago but the overall outside diameter of the bellows was far too wide therefore rubbed and continually caught up on the chute bolt and looked as if it would wear through quickly. I did find a boot dimensions chart somewhere that provided hundreds of boot dimensions based on make but can't find it now but it's out there somewhere.

I found these and will try to find one today locally and give it a try: Its a boat steering cable boot, the large end should fit well but the small end is only 3/8 inch but should easily be stretched after heating, my concern is the overall inside diameter of the bellows being too small to travel freely over the shaft.

cdaigle430 · Jan 18, 2019

irvingj said:
Hey, Daigle. Was that the $145 "chute deflector" as a part for their blower(s)? Any specs on that? 12 Volt Chute Deflector Handspike | Electric Snow Blower - WoodMaxx兌/url]

...Suppose they meant to say, "Requires 12VDC to work"? Looks to me like it already has an electric motor....

Sorry I don't have the specs but I know it works very well on mine. I will check the owners manual to see if it has anymore info.

irvingj · Jan 19, 2019

How 'bout some pics, Daigle? Jaylegger makes a good point about the collapsed boot possibly rubbing on the side of the chute. You ever have any issues with that?