Info needed on Pronovost 64" Puma

chim · Sep 1, 2014

I recently found a Pronovost that I want to clean up and paint for this coming winter. Disassembly looks like it should be fairly straight forward, but one thing I wanted to check is how the impellor is held on and make sure they didn't use a left hand bolt. Going by the size of the bolt head, I'd guess the impellor is splined and the bolt is standard thread. Could anyone out there tell me for certain? Thank you.

Dave M7040 · Sep 2, 2014

Try e-mailing them and ask for a pdf copy of their owners manual. Not their sales brochure.
I think you will find no unusual features like left hand bolts to hold on the impeller. It is only turning at pto speed which is 540 rpm.
I would suspect the impeller shaft has a key way. The owners manual will have a parts breakdown and you should be able to see if there is a key.
It might even state the bolt size holding on the impeller.
info@pronovost.qc.ca
Dave M7040

chim · Sep 2, 2014

Dave, I followed your suggestion except I made a phone call in lieu of an e-mail. They sent me a nicely detailed manual in PDF in less than 1/2 an hour! Thank you for that suggestion. I was surprised to see SAE-sized fasteners were used, and that they recommended grade 2 bolts (1/4-20) for shear bolts.

Next project now that the sidewalk is poured will be some mods and repainting for the blower.

Dave M7040 · Sep 3, 2014

Chim
They are a Quebec based company with a reputation for customer service. You have acquired a good product!
I am happy they responded so quickly for you.
The blower they make, which I could never afford, is one where the fan drum turns to blow snow sideways without using a chute.
The performance they get with this feature is stunning.
Keep your shear bolts tight for them to work properly. If you ever used a pair of worn out scissors to try and cut something this is what happens when you allow your equipment to operate with a loose shear bolt.
Dave M7040

chim · Sep 3, 2014

Dave, I saw videos of snowblowers like you described. Mine is a baby compared with them and uses a more conventional chute. A used farm equipment dealer about 1/2 hour away had it for sale. They deal mostly in larger equipment and didn't seem to have any great love for what they kept referring to as "that little snowblower".

I had them connect it to a tractor and rev it up to check for bad vibrations. It ran smoothly and they accepted the $1,400 I offered. It looks like it has a lot of life left but needs repainted. I've been gathering parts and pieces to make remote controls for the chute turn and tilt so I can stay in the cab. I'll post some pics when I get started on it. Again, thanks for your help. Here are 2 pics the seller used in his ad:

Dave M7040 · Sep 3, 2014

Looks like a good solid machine with only paint damage.
Copy other companies chute rotator designs is easy and inexpensive.
The remove valves are the expensive parts.
Dave M7040