Finally got to use the NOS ST-323 Blower

[ri702bill 8,293]

All:

I picked up a NOS, never used 1963 32 inch snow blower for the 854 8 speed a couple of years ago. I had the old driveway replace in the spring, as the old one was too crowned to use anything on it for snow removal except my 1972 Ariens Sno thro. Had the time to do some necessary upgrades similar to the 1965 and later Wheel Horse snow blowers - added a second fixed idler sprocket with a new longer chain to improve the wrap on the auger sprocket - lengthened the lower chain guard too. Replaced the non floating drive shaft bearings with floating style and added a plastic "handle" to the chute crank. Replaced the Original WH drive belt with a new TSC Kevlar one.

Modified the Lift Flag to work with an assist spring. Overall, it performed well this last storm - traction was a problem as I removed the chains from the 854 and the C81 - will need to chain up before the next storm.

Bill

[peter lena 8,583]

ribill, its a wonder you got all that done without  chains, recommend you use a SPECIFIC CHAIN LUBRICANT , on your side auger chain drive and pay attention to adjustment , often neglected , I make a point of never letting it go dry , also lube up any related movement areas , having a NOS  unit , lets you know how its saposed to work , try to keep it in that happy zone , pete 

[ri702bill 8,293]

Pete:

 

I saw your earlier post about using a motorcycle chain lube. I used the Lucas Red & Tacky and coated both sides of the chain. I use the same stuff on the spur gears of the power feed for my milling machine.

Happy zone - it was not happy when I got it, the auger would not spin freely with the fixed mounted bearings on the drive shaft. Changed them to the floating style and now you can spin it by hand - chain drive and all - now that's the Happy zone!

Thanks - Bill

[peter lena 8,583]

bill, I too AM A LUCAS RED/ TACKY  FANATIC , LUBRIPLATE  makes the best chain lube, green can glad to hear you  ( my opinion ) when you said you can spin that auger drive by hand , that's what I do  also, with a lubrication and detail of all parts moving like they should , my 36x42  spins up with total ease. glad to hear you are enjoying it ,  I  will send you a lubriplate link  that i use for deck rustproofing , pete

[peter lena 8,583]

bill, I too AM A LUCAS RED/ TACKY  FANATIC , LUBRIPLATE  makes the best chain lube, green can glad to hear you  ( my opinion ) when you said you can spin that auger drive by hand , that's what I do  also, with a lubrication and detail of all parts moving like they should , my 36x42  spins up with total ease. glad to hear you are enjoying it ,  I  will send you a lubriplate link  that i use for deck rustproofing , pete

[peter lena 8,583]

bill, this is the lube and its application ,  pete

 

[ri702bill 8,293]

Thanks Pete For posting that again. I'll give it a try on one of the 36 inch rear discharge decks I bought from Tony (DocWheelHorse) a couple of years back.

I scraped the underside of my 36 inch gear drive deck in the spring then primed and  painted it - it held up well. I used a HF needle scaler tool for the heavy stuff - once you get the angle and hand pressure right that thing is amazing.

 

Bill