model 450 snow thrower

[harleyizy]

hey guys, i have a model 450 snow thrower mounted on my 1541 cub cadet. i have noticed that it is out of level, leaning towards the left side. (from the drivers seat.) it is quite noticeable sitting on a level surface. the only thing i can think of is because it lifts from the right side. all frames are straight and it is set up according to the manual. does anyone else have a similiar setup and is yours the same? i may try moving the lift link on the left side up one hole to see if this will help level it up. any input would be appreciated.

 

[rcbe]

just a thought - are yer tire PSI's matched front and rear ?

 

[harleyizy]

yea. everything else seems level.

 

[Ian181]

I spoke with the local dealer today and he said that there really isn't an adjustment on those, and that most seem to have a tilt one way or the other. I was looking at mine yesterday and I noticed that the lower pivot tube assembly (see diagram at site below), where the rod goes through the square tubing, the tubing holes seem to be getting worn from years of use which allows some flex/play. You may want to check on yours and see if you see the same type of wear. I don't believe the rod needs replaced because it doesn't really show that much wear, just on the tubing holes. I was wondering if drilling and bushing the tubing holes to make the rod fit more snug, eliminating the play, would maybe help re-level it up to its original stance. On mine it leans more to the right so that when I lower the blower the right side is contacting the ground while the left side still has a 1/2" or more clearance. How bad of a difference is yours? Have you figured anything out?
Parts and Diagrams for Cub Cadet 451 45" Snowthrower

 

[Ian181]

Harleyizy,
Didn't realize your post was from 11/2011 but anyway I figured out how to level out the snowblower attachment. I took the side that was the lowest (drooping) and did the following:
1. Lower the snowblower to the ground so all the weight is off the snowblower and undercarriage.
2. Find the lift link on the side that droops. Part #22 (three holes at the bottom and slotted top)from:
Parts and Diagrams for Cub Cadet 451 45" Snowthrower
3. Detach it fron the undercarriage at both the top and bottom pins.
4. Install a rounded spacer on top of the top pin the slotted end the lift link fits over (a 1/8" thick spacer raised this side of my blower approx. 1/2")
5. Reinstall the lift link and check the level. Repeat with a thicker/thinner spacer if needed.
I just thought that you could also, in theory, take the side of the blower that's higher, file the opening in the lift link slot at the top and make it have a longer slotted opening, and thus let the higher side drop. This could be the better way to go since it would be permanent, and you wouldn't have any shins to worry about. You could also keep taking it off, filing some, and putting it back on until you got it perfectly level. If my spacer doesn't hold up i'll probably try that next. Wish i'd thought of that first, but it was getting late and I was happy just to get it leveled! Hope this helps somebody.

 

[JRJP56]

I try to get mine (451) as level as possible as well but find I want all the weight of the blower on the ground to get a good scrape on the driveway and adjust the side skids. I think you want the lift arm to drop far enough to give your blower the ability to follow any roll in the surface your scraping, unless it's gravel, just been my experience to date.