Improved angle control mod. for JD 47 front blower

[keeney]

I have one major complaint about my new JD 47" front mount snowblower - the disharge chute rotation angle is limited to about +/- 85 degrees. Often it is nice to be able to angle the chute slightly back, but this snow-blower didn't allow this.

I am not sure if the limitation is for safety, or just a lame design, but it is really annoying to me.

My opinion on the safety issue is that I think it is safer to have better control over the aim of the chute so I can aim it in the safest direction for the specific situation. Of course it should never be made to point straight back, but as long as it stays 30 degrees from straight back, it should be fine. Unlike a walk-behind snow-blower, the operator is always directly behind the blower in the seat of the tractor.

I decided to see if the mechanism could be modified to increase the angle.

As it turns out, it was rather simple:

(I didn't have the digital camera handy - maybe I can post some photos later in the week if anybody is interested).

1. Remove the four bolts holding the balck cover over the mechanism.

2. Detach the cables from the chute and then unthread them from the pulleys and their anchor holes and remove them completely from the assembly.

3. Remove the bolts holding the pulleys on each the end of the moving frame.

4. The pulleys are not centered on the bushings. (one side is up, the other is down in the stock assembly). I pressed the pulleys even further towards the one end of the bushings. This step could probably be skipped.

( 4a: The bushings on my brand-new pulleys were already frozen. It looks like the design was too snug to start with. I reamed them out slightly larger and applied liberal amounts of grease.)

5. Make a mark alongside and just inside the inside corner of the moving frame on the main housing betweens the moving frame and the cylinder when the cylinder is fully retracted.

6. Drill a 3/16 hole in the main housing at the mark (on the welded seam if necessary). This becomes the new anchor point for the cable - make sure the moving frame will not cover the hole when fully retracted. It might have been easier to just remove the two more bolts and slide the cylinder out of the way, but I was able to make the hole without removing it. Be careful not to scratch the cylinder shaft with the drill bit - that will eventually lead to damaged seals and leaking!

7. Drill another hole on the other side about an inch from the center pulley, also alongside the moving frame.

8. Reassemble the puleys with the pulley towrds the upper portion of the bushing.

9 Slide the cable through the holes from the underside of the top of the housing.

10. Wrap the cables:
- Around the bushing under the outer pulley.
- Around the center pulley.
- Around the outer pulley, this time in the pulley groove.
- Around the lower portion of the chute.
- Anchor at the closer cable anchor.

[ The cables on my unit were just barely long enough to reach. I suspect on some, it may be necessary to purchase some new longer pieces of cable and crimp on some end-anchors.]

11. The cable now makes three trips around the pulleys instead of two. Accordingly, the rotation angle of the chute is now increased by 50% to +/- 125 degrees or so (depends on how tightly you are able to string the cable).

12. Reassemble covers.

The cable will rub on itself slightly more, and will wear out quicker, but at $0.19 / foot for new cable at the hardware store, I would be happy to replace it every season if needed.

- Rick

 

[tbarber]

I have a model 47 on my JD 855 and the chute rotates 200 degrees total.
Tom

 

[keithcom]

Rick
I know it's a little late in the season for snow but I would be interested in pictures of this setup if it's not to much trouble.
I just happened to be compairing the JD blower to the NH blower this morning then found this post this afternoon.
Spout rotation was a concern.
We don't get snow like people living in the heavy snow belts but any blower that I get will sure get a workout when we do get snow.
I live on a four lane county road that is extra wide due to a center turn lane and extra wide shoulders so after the plows go by I have a LOT of deep (24-36") packed snow dumped between 6 to 8 feet into my driveway enterences. Makes it kinda hard to get in and out even with a 6" snowfall. To top it off one entrence is wide enough for two cars plus if we don't clear the area around the mail box the mailman won't deliver!
Takes me 3 to 4 times longer with the snow shovel to do that 6-8' section of just one enterence then it takes to clean the rest of the U shaped driveway, porchs, paths to the mail box and wood pile and the parking areas!
Got lucky this snow season as we didn't get much but we all knowt that's not going to last and I'm getting to old for that snow shovel crap!
So I'd like to know from everyone if you are happy with the construction and preformance of the 47? Is it built tough? How does it work on the heavy packed snow? Does it throw a good distance like 20 or 30 feet?
Some of the specs between the JD and NH were close which is expected for units of simular size. Did notice the JD unit showed a cutting height of 23 in. and 30 5/8 in. height to top of spout if it's not a misprint. 16 in. dia. auger and impeller, 400 lb. weight.
I think the JD 47 blower is basicly the same one that is used on the 400 series LG tractors but I could be wrong.
Got a rough price quote last year from my JD dealer of around $3500.00 including the attaching hardware, lift and driveshaft if I remember correctly.
The JD web site configurator did not list the 47 but the 59 showed $4,085.00. That included the attaching bracket, hydraulic lift, and drive shaft. Wasn't clear if that included hydraulic spout control or not.
I THINK the JD47 will handle what I have for it to do and last.
NH 716B 48 in. Two Stage Snow Blower for thr TC21/TC21D shows 270 deg. of chute rotation, a cutting hight of 32 in. (might work better in the deep stuff), 4 blade fan, 20 in. fan diameter, 6 in. fan width, 16 in. auger diameter and a RC# 50 chain. Weight 635 lbs. List price for blower, mount and drive components, hydraulic lift and spout control showed $4,891.00!!! I think the weight may include the mounting frame because the 3ph version shows 450 lbs.
The NH might be built a little heavier from the specs but I have never seen one so I'm not sure.
Haven't found any useful info on the Kubota's yet.
Thanks.
Keith

 

[keeney]

Keith,

I will try and take some pictures of the modifications.

I think the hyd spout rotation control is standard on the 47" JD snow thrower. They do offer an electric vertical angle control option, but I wouldn't waste money on that.

The 47" snowblower is the same as on the 400 series (same exact p/n), but there are some slight differences in the kit required to mount it on a 4100 series:

- The drive shaft is a different length
- There are extensions on the hyd lines so they reach the 4100 SCV connection locations.
- There are additional 3/16" thick plates added to the sides of the blower to beef them up for heavy duty use.
- it comes with a drift cutting bar on both sides.
- The lift and angle mount and front PTO stuff is all specific for the 4100.

I only seriously used the unit once this winter when we had some wind-formed drifts. The 4100 chugged some dark smoke at times, but the blower never slowed down when chewing through 2-foot deep drifts. Snow was moved a good distance, easily > 20 feet.

With the deeper drifts, you may have to cut along the edge of the drift, letting the snow fall down into the auger.

My price for a new unit was $1900 for the blower and the 4100 kit - I already had the front PTO drive shaft and angle / tilt quick mount for my front blade.

Most of the time, I find the front blade quicker and more comfortable to use for snow removal since the snow doesn't blow back in my face.

I have a buddy who has the single-stage JD snowblower on his 425. The chute angle system works the same and I think he implemented the modification with success as well

I have never used a 3-pt snowblower, but I think front-mount makes using it much more comfortable.

You should also consider the other features of the various tractors you are talking about that the snowblower would be connected to.

- Rick

 

[keithcom]

Rick
Thanks for the info, just the kind of feedback I need.
I'm still interested in the photos if it's not to much trouble.
Also saw your other post compairing snow removeal with the FEL, blower, front blade, and broom. Interesting observations.
Could dig my way out with the FEL and clear the rest with a rear blade. I also have a large parking lot at a family members house two doors down to clear also. That entrence also has a steep but short hill to add to my fun.
I don't think I want to do that much work going backwards with a rear blade but it might be worth a try before investing in a blower.
Another option, Curtis makes a boom mounted blade with hydraulic angle that will fit the JD 410 loader in 5' or 6' widths and they sell JD quick attach brackets.

http://www.curtiscabs.com/tractor_loader.html

I haven't decided on a tractor yet but I think something in the BX or class I size is all that i will need. A class II would be nice but $$$$$$.
I prefere the egronomics of the 4110 and I like a suspended MMM if a MMM is what I end up getting. The TC21D is nice, some of the specs appear a little better then the 4110 and vise-versa. TC21D's stock alternator output was 35 amps, 35 amp alternator is a $370.00 option on the 4110. I did demo both of them. Don't know about the FEL control mounted on the loader frame or the rocker pedal for hydro control on the TC21D. Got use to the JD Twin Touch pedals on my LT166. I did demo a TC33D and I liked it's rocker pedal and FEL control placment, wish the TC21D had setup like the TC33D.
The BX2200 is the clear price leader but I haven't demoed one yet, same concerns as the TC21D on the egronomics.
I don't weigh that much but I have a 34" inseem so leg room, pedal placement and clearing the steering wheel are high
on my comfort list and the 4110 seemed to fit me nicely.
As has been said over and over, after you get the right size tractor it comes down to whichs feels best and the dealer support when you are dealing with the big 3.
Well that's enough head scratch'n for tonight.
Thanks again for your feedback, it realy helps with the decision process when you can consult with owners who are interested in sharing their knowlege and experence.
Keith

 

[keeney]

OK, its almost 5 years later, and I finally get around to dragging the camera out and taking the cover off of the chute rotation mechanism on my JD 47 blower.

I was prompted by a buddy who had a broken cable on his blower and needed info on the cable routing through the pulleys.

The attached photo shows my modified setup, but has also been annotated to clarify the original and modified cable routing.

- Rick

 

[JDFANATIC]

My blower rotates at least 180 degrees. I'm not sure this was properly adjusted from the factory/dealer.

 

[rlcowder]

Do you have anymore info on the electic chute angle control? Where can I get one? My dealer hasn't heard of it.

 

[Rob-D]

My shute rotates about 200 degrees also. I set it up to the book when I got the blower.

Who said it's getting late in the year for snow!
Not around here it's not! I wish! It's 5 F now here too.

 

[kennyd]

Do you have anymore info on the electic chute angle control? Where can I get one? My dealer hasn't heard of it.

How handy are you?
You could put a LINEAR ACTUATOR on you chute to control the angle.