Chain drive on front mount snowblower?

[Jim Morrell]

I went to the dealer the other day to get a master link for the drive chain on my 51" front mount snowblower. They said it was a special link from Kubota, some sort of O-Ring chain and you need the special master link from them. Well anyway after they told me the price for one master link and the look of shock and horror on my face we decided on another option. I bought a new #50 chain and 2 master links for the price of just one Kubota master link. I installed the new chain and it works just fine.
That being said, did I just set myself up for failure in the middle of a snow storm? Anyone else run into this problem and use #50 chain?

Thanks
Jim

 

[parkerbdlght]

No, just make sure you keep it lubed. The o-ring chain keeps debris from getting in. I have put normal chain on and never had any problems.

 

[Creig]

You may want to go to a sports shop that sells off road motorcycles and ask them for a good chain lube. Motocross style bikes use lubes that are specially formulated to lubricate while shedding water/dirt.

And while you're there, ask them for a price quote on o-ring chain. Again, I believe they use it on their bikes to prevent dirt/water from getting into the links. I would imagine the price there would probably be lower than from your Kubota dealer.

 

[art]

For the price of the link, I think you bought some mighty cheap chain! Do keep it lubed well!!!!!!!!

 

[rbargeron]

A front snow blower drive chain gets used very few hours in a year - and it's in a pretty friendly environment to boot - comparatively low abrasives load, and lots of lube water. Even if you never lube it at all, a new #50 chain will last many years. A squirt of oil on it now and then will make it last forever. O-ring chains are for places like sander bodies, grit collectors, dozer tracks etc. A box of #50 chain can often be had on eBay for very short money. I think you can safely forget all about it till around 2019.

 

[638]

A worn roller chain is really not likely to break. What it will do though is cause excessive wear on the sprockets. Chain is not that expensive, and is easily replaced. Sprockets are another thing.

 

[Willl]

A worn roller chain is really not likely to break. What it will do though is cause excessive wear on the sprockets. Chain is not that expensive, and is easily replaced. Sprockets are another thing.

What he said, and I'll add....

When your chain gets stretched to the point of wearing on your sprocket tips, it's too late.

Any new chain you install now WILL die an early death without new sprockets.

The point I'm trying to make here is if you don't want to end up replacing your sprockets, take care of your chains.
If you think they might be worn and/or stretched, replace them.

 

[638]

Probably so. Seems to me, back in the good old days, you could buy a sprocket with flame hardened teeth, and they would last longer. Don't know about how it is now.

 

[atgreene]

I buy my chain through Eastern Bearing. You can also use stainless chain if steel causes an issue with corrosion/rust. SS has slightly less strength, but will last longer.

Buying anything like bearings or roller chain through Kubota is a waste of hard earned money. Everything like that can be bought from industrial supply houses for 1/4 as much and last just as well.

 

[Jim Morrell]

No, just make sure you keep it lubed. The o-ring chain keeps debris from getting in. I have put normal chain on and never had any problems.

Thanks, so far so good with the chain... I've been using some bar and chain oil to keep her lubed up.

Jim