Grassroots Snow Blower-sports!!!!

So, since it's winter and we have been getting pummeled with snow, I figured I'd start a thread about snow blowers.

I have this zombie-grinding beast of a snow blower sitting in my garage right now:

It's a circa 1984 Toro 826, and like the sign says, it was free. This is why:

See that curved rod above the rubber wheel? That is supposed to be connected to that red shaft that goes up to the shifter on the control panel. There is a roll pin in that rod, and that's where it got corroded and snapped.

This is that rod, but pulled off the machine. I assembled it the way it should be. The bottom part attaches to the thicker top part with the roll pin, and then that bolts into that shifter tube.

Here's the two pieces separated:

I checked out a few websites, and I can find that rod for like $70 shipped. I think that's a bit much for a stupid curved rod, so I'm looking for a GRM-style fix for this. I'm thinking that welding the bottom part to the top will solve this problem permanently. What do you guys think?

The only other issues with the machine is that it doesn't run and it needs tires. The fuel system needs to be cleaned out. It turns over and has compression. I'm going to check for spark tonight. Tires are easy, and my friend has a manual tire changer.

These old machines are usually better and more heavy duty than the new ones, so I'd rather sink the time into this one than pay $800+ for a new one that will last a couple years at best. Even if the motor's shot, the chassis is in great shape.

Any suggestions?

I had one of those years ago and it would throw the heaviest wet snow like nobody's business !! I think that inner "barrel" on the auger has something to do with it. Tires ? get it going first as long as they hold air. I do recall that the Toro was like dancing with a gorilla...
Good luck!

The tires are cracked apart, so they don't hold air. I'm planning on getting it running before the weekend. As long as it has spark, it should be good.

that hex shaped bit where the rubber wheel slides to determine speed needs to be able for that wheel to move easily (possibly how that bit got broken ?)

In reply to Chebbie_SB:

I'll make sure to get that moving freely. It did move with a little resistance.

And here I thought one of you fools had bolted a seat to a snowblower and gone racin.

In reply to mndsm:

Don't tempt me. If I can get this thing going, it has 3 speeds AND reverse!

SilverFleet wrote: These old machines are usually better and more heavy duty than the new ones, so I'd rather sink the time into this one than pay $800+ for a new one that will last a couple years at best.

6-7 years ago my dad bought an Ariens for $700. Hasn't skipped a beat and has needed a plug and an oil change every year for extra insurance.

I'd say his $700 has gone done well. and clearly has lasted more than the couple years you believe a new machine should last.

Our MTD beast lasted 8 years, but was massively problematic.

This is the third winter for our Husqvarna and the only problem we had was the HydroStat needed adjusting at the begining of the second season. And I just broke the pull cord the other day, so I'm using the 'lectric start, but I can't shut it off more the 50' from the house.

All those years in Canada, we never had a snowblower. Instead, my parents had me.

Sigh. Obviously, this makes me unsuitable for giving personal experience responses - but I don't see anything here that can't be fixed with a welder, and maybe a piece of metal rod and a drill.

Somewhere I have a photo of the back yard with my poor Miata cowering in a near-tunnel dug into the massive pile-o-snow. But you'll have to deal with this instead.

In reply to Ignorant:

Don't get me wrong, there are still companies out there that make good machines. Ariens and Toro are two that I know taht make quality machines, but you have to go to a real dealer to get the good ones, not a big box/home improvement store. I'm talking about the Home Depot/Lowes/Sears ones (like Troy Bilt, Yard Machines, etc.) that cost damn near close to $1,000 that I hear horror stories about all the time.

Oh, that and I just bought a house and I want to get something going as cheap as possible because I'm broke!

SilverFleet wrote: The tires are cracked apart, so they don't hold air.

Just a dumb thought... fill 'em with Great Stuff? Make a solid tire?

SilverFleet wrote: Oh, that and I just bought a house and I want to get something going as cheap as possible because I'm broke!

been there.. done that.

Lots of carb cleaner and that puppy will run. The float is probably stuck with varnish as well. Fun Fun.

In reply to Ignorant:

Got a can of Chem-Dip ready to go!

I would fill the tires with foam or slime (or tubes?) since I am a cheap bastard.

I would wager you would be just fine welding that rod in 1 piece, but make sure you can install it on the machine with it welded, or weld it in place. Would suck to weld it up and then find you can't put it back on.

Since that rod is probably just mild steel, its nothing a talented GRM-level hack coudlnt make with a piece of straight round stock, some washers, a drill press, and a torch/vice/anvil/hammer to bend it up. Your life is easy, you already have a template!

Pull the whole carb, disassemble it, dip it, blow it out and drop the $15 on a rebuild kit. Might as well get it running like new. Put new fuel line on it at the same time. Stupid E10 garbage eats up old rubber fuel lines like nobody's business.

If it has been sitting a while, replace the belts while you have it apart. Few things suck harder than blowing an old belt when you come home at 10PM at night, three-quarters cocked from happy hour, and have to finish up your driveway with a shovel since the parts stores are closed.

And I would much rather have a reconditioned old snow blower than anything new. For the few hours a year of use they get, they will literally last a lifetime with proper care. They don't build them like they used to. Just hauled a fancy new one for a friend of mine, it weighs literally half of what mine does and flexes and just looks and feels cheap. Mine was in the pole barn at my parents' house when they moved in, and they gave it to me when I got a house. Just cleaned it up, carb kit, oil change, new belts, and it was good to go.

Thats like the one my dad has.. Quite nice machine.

SilverFleet wrote: .......... I'm talking about the Home Depot/Lowes/Sears ones (like Troy Bilt, Yard Machines, etc.) that cost damn near close to $1,000 that I hear horror stories about all the time. Oh, that and I just bought a house and I want to get something going as cheap as possible because I'm broke!

Eight years ago I bought a Yardmachine w/10hp Tecumseh. I got it from a box store for $700 and sold the 3 y.o. MTD it replaced for $400. A two dollar spark plug and a oil change each fall has been the extent of the costs. It gets plenty of use, too. There are some great deals on C-list...at least in the Syracuse area. My sister just picked up a 8hp Deere for $200 from an old guy that hired someone to plow.

SilverFleet wrote: In reply to mndsm: Don't tempt me. If I can get this thing going, it has 3 speeds AND reverse!

I demand video.

I say foam the tires. Not like you are looking for feedback from them.

New tires make a world of difference in traction. My very old Sears I had to use chains. On my not as old MTD I do not. The biggest problem with snow blowers is lack of proper maintenance. When the snow melts, just put it away and hope it will work next winter. My MTD is 15 years old, engine runs fine. I replaced a couple of bearings, belts etc. Minor stuff.

Weld the rod, if you've got a welder. Bend a cheap straight rod to make your own if you don't.

New doesn't inherently mean junk, and old doesn't inherently mean gem.

foxtrapper wrote: New doesn't inherently mean junk, and old doesn't inherently mean gem.

Just as an interesting side point, this has been hashed out quite well on tractor forums.

Sure old tractors were made to last forever, but just because they last doesn't mean they can do as much as a new one. It also means that old ones are worthless..