Snowblower Chain routing, PUMA 54, Look right?

[Firefighter Kubota]

See attached... Is this the correct chain routing w the tensioner. Chain is stretched and I have new chain, but as the tensioner pushes the chain down to increase tension, its hitting the cut out for the chain to pass thru...

Its possible for the chain to go up over the tensioner, but most tensioners put pressure between the pulleys /gears and to go up and over would pull it away...

Unit was bought used and this was how it came.... Puma manual doesn't show routing

 

[Peter 315]

I would say over by the pic

 

[Patches]

Don't know about your Puma, but my Blizzard has the chain under the tensioner

 

[Reb954]

Yup, run it over the top of the tensioner sprocket.

 

[The Deerslayer]

I believe the pic is correct. I have a Puma 64 and will try and check tonight to let you know for sure.

 

[jonsstihl]

my puma 64 has the tensioner sprocket on top of the chain. looks like your dealer sold you a chain a few links too long. Unless there is something seriously wrong with either the little sprockets or the big sprocket or bearings.

I think the manual mentions the number of links required on the chain. I can check my manual tonight if you want.

I wouldn't want to put pressure on the chain away from the sprockets.

 

[Reb954]

Judging by the pictures, if you run a straight edge from the top of the drive sprocket to the top of the driven sprocket the chain will end up at the bottom of the slot. With that in mind, if you put the tension sprocket on top of the chain it will push the chain into the bottom of the slot. In this case, the tension sprocket needs to be under the chain which won't hurt a thing due to tension sprockets being put on the slack side of the chain versus the tension side of the chain.

With the tension sprocket under the chain, if the chain hits the top of the slot then your chain is probably stretched so you either need a new chain or need to remove a half link or full link.

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

I believe the pic is correct. I have a Puma 64 and will try and check tonight to let you know for sure.

Thank you

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

Judging by the pictures, if you run a straight edge from the top of the drive sprocket to the top of the driven sprocket the chain will end up at the bottom of the slot. With that in mind, if you put the tension sprocket on top of the chain it will push the chain into the bottom of the slot. In this case, the tension sprocket needs to be under the chain which won't hurt a thing due to tension sprockets being put on the slack side of the chain versus the tension side of the chain.

With the tension sprocket under the chain, if the chain hits the top of the slot then your chain is probably stretched so you either need a new chain or need to remove a half link or full link.

Makes sense...

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

my puma 64 has the tensioner sprocket on top of the chain. looks like your dealer sold you a chain a few links too long. Unless there is something seriously wrong with either the little sprockets or the big sprocket or bearings.

I think the manual mentions the number of links required on the chain. I can check my manual tonight if you want.

I wouldn't want to put pressure on the chain away from the sprockets.

Would appreciate that... Looks like a #50 chain and I have 40 links right now...

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

Running a straight edge there is more than enough clearance for the chain thru the slot and (it looks like) there is still plenty of room to slide the tensioner up so the chain is still under it...

I'm guessing this chain is completely stretched out...

Don't have the time to replace it today, but will update when I do...

But will wait to hear back from Deerslayer and Jonsstihl....

 

[The Deerslayer]

Thank you

Confirmed that it is positioned correctly and snapped a pic for reference.

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

Confirmed that it is positioned correctly and snapped a pic for reference. View attachment 532130

Thank you. It appears my chain is a wee bit too long...

 

[The Deerslayer]

Thank you. It appears my chain is a wee bit too long...

You bet, glad to help. Let us know how it goes after replacement. Bet you're looking forward to moving some of the white stuff.

 

[jonsstihl]

my manual doesn't say how many links but it says it is a #50 chain that should be 50 and 1/2 inches long. my links are approx .633" long so that would put it right around 80 links long.

hope that helps I would not run it with the tensioner sprocket under the chain but it does make sense that being on the slack side of the chain shouldn't cause much trouble in the short term.

 

[leonz]

Bonjour,

FirefighterKubota, Jonstihl wait up here; roller chain stretches over time and the rollers wear down at the same time.

In order to measure the new roller chain properly or for that matter any roller chain you need to count the spaces between the rollers on the old roller chain to obtain the correct length of NEW roller chain. The side links will stretch and the rollers will wear over time and this is the only correct way to measure the roller chain including the connecting link.

If you can afford a 10 foot box of #fifty chain you will have spare roller chain to use just in case and plan on having at least a half dozen connecting links for spares.

The tensioner is manually adjustable to maintain the proper tension on old chain over time by lowering it to keep the tensioner sprocket in contact with the rollers on each link on the old chain so keep that in mind.

You can use the old chain but I would invest in a small chain breaker and chain stretcher for #50 chain to be able to make a new one when the time comes.
NO, chisels and punches are not the way to break chain as you can really mangle up new chain and it will require you to buy more roller chain links and rollers as spares too-do not ask me how I know this.

I wish everyone would use H chain and sprockets as they are so much easier to make up and repair as each link has a master link and if the cotter holes are in line you are in fast city as you can use long thin cotter pins instead of the tiny ones they come with and can be lost quickly-been there done that.


The Reist single stage snow blowers have a rubber/coil spring torsion arm that hold tension on the roller chain in their single stage snow throwers.

 

[jonsstihl]

My dimensions were only meant as a ballpark to trouble shoot. I wasn't implying that he should cut the new chain to 80 links long. motorcycle guys usually always change the sprockets at the same time as the chain because they are a set. If the chain is badly worn out the sprockets must be worn too unless it was just adjusted too tight and it stretched.

If you put a new chain on badly worn sprockets it will not work well because the pitch of the new chain will not match the pitch of the old sprockets and the chain will want to skip off the teeth.

I'm not suggesting the OP replace the sprockets as well because this is a relatively low speed application and I don't believe it would make much difference.

I got my measurements by measuring the length between four rivets and dividing by 3 then dividing 50.5 inches by that measurement.

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

Thanks Jon and Leonz,

Seeing as I already have new chain, I'll use that... Not installing new sprockets (requires a complete disassembly) I understand sprockets may wear and will check the new chain laying on the sprockets, but I'm guessing this is the original chain, I won't blindly cut the new chain but compare to the manual as well as a test fit before breaking. but to Jons point, I counted 40 links (the outboard plate links) that'll match up to the 80 links per the manual based on length...

Thanks again for your help

 

[chim]

Manual says one of each of these:

Part# 190-00501 Chain #50 x 50 1/2" lg
Part# 26A50 Connecting link #50
Part# 59-50 Offset link #50

Manual:

http://solexcorp.com/manuals/Pronov...anglais/Manuals english/Puma/C870_06_2007.pdf

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

Manual says one of each of these:

Part# 190-00501 Chain #50 x 50 1/2" lg
Part# 26A50 Connecting link #50
Part# 59-50 Offset link #50

Manual:

http://solexcorp.com/manuals/Pronov...anglais/Manuals english/Puma/C870_06_2007.pdf

Not sure why an offset link is needed? Isn't one currently... I guess if I need to make up a half link but with the amount of play in there, I see no need