Cattywompus Sweeper Chain won't stay on 1994

[dbreeze911 13]

So my sweeper chain won't stay on. It comes off at the tensioner, which appears to be missing a bushing or something. You may be able to see from the photo that there is a space btwn the tensioner and the bit that holds the tensioner spring. This bit gets a little catywompus by maybe a few degrees. It also moves freely about 3/16 in between the tensioner and the sweeper body. Does anyone have an exploded version of this assembly or an idea about what to do about it. Really appreciate it. ty

[The Freightliner Guy 1,327]

Welcome to the forum I wish you a good experience and luck with your project and I think @gwest_ca might just have the thing you need 

 

Kollin

[dbreeze911 13]

Thank you Freightliner. I'm also new to Wheel horse. I recently bought a 312-8. I'm getting an enjoyable and sometimes fretful deep dive into small engine repair and the workings of the Wheel horse. So far, I've spent more hours under it rather than operating it. Looking forward to the plow and tiller working smoothly. First the sweeper.

[953 nut 55,120]

1 hour ago, dbreeze911 said:

sweeper chain won't stay on. It comes off at the tensioner, which appears to be missing a bushing or something.

Do you have any information on the sweeper itself? Who made it, perhaps a model number? We don't have a manual for a sweeper in our files section. They and many other implements were not made by Wheel Horse but were sold by dealers. Did it come mounted to the 312-8?

[dbreeze911 13]

I'll look for any identifying info on it may have tomorrow. This is it. I believe from the 94Wheelhorse Catalog.

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,036]

Found 1993-1994 supplied by Ohio Steel in the attachment charts,

Toro model 79920

PAL model number P7-38LS01/WH38

Description 38" SWEEPER, MEDIUM DUTY

 

In 1993-1998 there was another supplied by Ohio Steel

Toro model 79905

PAL model number P7-36OS01/136

Description 36" HEAVY DUTY SWEEPER

 

That is all I can find

[Pullstart 62,812]

4 hours ago, dbreeze911 said:

312-8. ……. plow and tiller

You’re gonna love this setup for the tiller and plow!  If traction is ever an issue, weight, weights, fluid filled tires and maybe tire chains will be the biggest helpers!  And more weight!

[953 nut 55,120]

Perhaps the manufacturer can provide some better information.      https://ohiosteel.com/parts-store/

[dbreeze911 13]

Thanks gwest_ca for looking this up. I'm sure it's useful. I'm such a newb though that I'm not able to match those numbers with a diagram to ID the missing part or troubleshoot. Still digging.

 

@Pullstart; I'm hoping to get her up to power to till and push dirt in time to put in some garlic. I was hoping to use my grass clippings in the mulch layer, but I've already spent too much time on the sweeper the rain season caught up with me. Times running out to see if the tiller or plow work.

 

IMowsforthree's advice gave me a clean gear box and really helped with the low power issue. Replacing the Carb with an Isavetractors carb and working on governor today. Then onto filling Ag Tires with antifreeze and continue troubleshooting the sweeper.

 

[peter lena 8,589]

@dbreeze911  that trans drain is right under that  plug picture , there is an allen plug right there , feel / look around for it, often packed with dirt , jack up front end to enhance drainage , change shift boot ,  your sweeper picture shows a drive chain off angle to the sprocket  , thats your problem point , getting a diagram picture of that will let you find a cure . straight alignment and maybe  another chain idler will help you out , have to see what you are dealing with . pete   

[dbreeze911 13]

gtn @953 nut I called they said their sweepers never had a chain. This may not be an Ohio Steel sweeper. It does have a serial number. 9091. Perty useless w/o the model I know.

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,036]

It should be a simple mechanism. Post some pictures of it so we can see what you are dealing with.

[TonyToro Jr. 1,408]

 to  !!

[dbreeze911 13]

9 hours ago, peter lena said:

drive chain off angle to the sprocket  , thats your problem point , getting a diagram picture of that will let you find a cure . straight alignment and maybe  another chain idler will help you out

 

Getting a diagram has been difficult without the OEM. I'll look into similar chain idlers. But even that is a needle in a haystack without the model. The leaves are falling. Guess I'll be raking.

[dbreeze911 13]

18 hours ago, gwest_ca said:

It should be a simple mechanism. Post some pictures of it so we can see what you are dealing with.

 

@gwest_ca Just saw your note. I can't get a good shot. Are these helpful? ty I believe the mal function is in the light colored tensioner roller assembly. The way it attaches (see original photo) isn't stable. It sort of rocks slightly and sticks itself for a second on the shaft it rotates on then the chain comes off 

 ty I don't feel so alone. I'm very appreciative.

[Jayzauto 89]

Good, ow how about a pic with the chain on??

 

Maybe a video of the chain flying off??

 

Any little clue helps

 

Thanx, Jay

[953 nut 55,120]

1 hour ago, dbreeze911 said:

I believe the mal function is in the light colored tensioner roller assembly. The way it attaches (see original photo) isn't stable. It sort of rocks slightly and sticks itself for a second on the shaft it rotates on then the chain comes off 

I wonder if the axle that your tensioner rides on is worn down on one side. If it is a shoulder bolt like most mower decks ride on you could probably find a replacement at a good hardware store. They com in all sorts of sizes and configurations.

 

[peter lena 8,589]

@dbreeze911  that entire set up has been destroying itself for quite a while . another very important thing is your access / viewing of how it work's , can you elevate it , even on a couple of milk crates , so you can roller stool around it ? done that on my snow blower , mower decks , plow quadrant . lets you see where the problem is , those idler pulleys are available at tractor supply , just get same size / type . those large sprockets also look worn. look at detail function first , lubricate as you go , to enhance movement / function . personally love recovering a neglected attachment . making improvements / changes as I  go . another vital thing is lubrication , lucas RED GREASE , also made by  cnc is made for tough areas . just put the chain back on and see how its saposed to move . not as over whelming as you think . when secured , lubricated , aligned , it should move with smooth  total ease . get us a  frontal angle picture to see what you have , thanks pete 

[lynnmor 7,302]

35 minutes ago, peter lena said:

@dbreeze911  that entire set up has been destroying itself for quite a while.  get us a  frontal angle picture to see what you have

 

Yes, but clean it properly before taking the picture.  I suspect that the chain and sprockets are spent. 

[Lee1977 6,649]

Check your bearings or bushings on those shafts too.. If they are worn and the shaft moves around the chain won't stay on.

[dbreeze911 13]

Ok, y'all. I'm on it. Lot's to check out. gtk parts may be at Tractor Supply. I'll report back how it goes. We've got a sunny, warm day ahead of us so I'll be weeding my seasonal creek which is suddenly 8" deep an full of what looks like burdock and mint.

 

[dbreeze911 13]

No bearings or bushings on the chain tension idler. You may be able to see the play and slop though. The chain started droping immediately after hitting a hole in pasture. Uh oh. The 30 second vid is 70mb. only 15mb is permitted. Here's a pic instead. For clarity; The idler fits on the union you see in the background. The sprocket shaft inserts into that union. the idler doesn't fit on the sprocket shaft by design.