how heavy is snow blower to lift with manual lift lever??

[Brockport Bill 1,660]

I've been considering getting a snow blower for many years for my 1989, 312-8 -- always just used my WH plow, plus a walk behind Ariens Blower -  the plow is manageable with a manual lift arm ( but requires some back muscles) but wanted advice how heavy is it to lift a blower with manual lift ??? or is it too heavy and is mostly best if only having a WH with power lift? Thanks all .

[Racinbob 11,045]

It's quite easy with the assist spring installed correctly. A bear without. 

[Racinbob 11,045]

#4629 Spring Toro Wheel Horse Tiller and Snow thrower - Wheel Horse Parts and More

[SPINJIM 1,981]

Single-stage blower is not too difficult to lift with the manual lift lever, but it will give you some exercise.   The 2-stage blower is MUCH heavier, and even if you use two lift-assist springs (one under the frame and one out front), it will wear you out.

    Jim

[squonk 41,039]

The biggest thing is to put the lift flag in the correct hole which is the hole closest to the rockshaft pivot shaft. Put it in the next hole out and it's like lifting 2 blowers at once

[Handy Don 12,163]

55 minutes ago, squonk said:

The biggest thing is to put the lift flag in the correct hole which is the hole closest to the rockshaft pivot shaft. Put it in the next hole out and it's like lifting 2 blowers at once

The closer you attach the flag to the rock shaft's shaft, the shorter the fore-aft throw and the lower the maximum lift height.

[squonk 41,039]

10 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

The closer you attach the flag to the rock shaft's shaft, the shorter the fore-aft throw and the lower the maximum lift height.

Yes. But that's the correct hole for the blower lift. I have seen broken rock shafts from using the wrong hole and stuffing a lifted blower into a snow bank.

 

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

41 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

The closer you attach the flag to the rock shaft's shaft, the shorter the fore-aft throw and the lower the maximum lift height.

 

29 minutes ago, squonk said:

Yes. But that's the correct hole for the blower lift. I have seen broken rock shafts from using the wrong hole and stuffing a lifted blower into a snow bank.

 

Remember if using the single stage throwers adding washers to the flag will increase lift height.

[Ed Kennell 38,028]

Everyone needs a hydro lift eventually .....It just takes some folks longer to realize the fact.

[Handy Don 12,163]

1 hour ago, squonk said:

Yes. But that's the correct hole for the blower lift. I have seen broken rock shafts from using the wrong hole and stuffing a lifted blower into a snow bank.

Absolutely correct to use the first or second hole out from the shaft. Just noting that the inner one gives more leverage but lifts less high.

 

But now you've gone ahead and made me curious about where the "weak link" is. What part of the rockshaft broke? 

 

[Brockport Bill 1,660]

Ed K's comment made me smile -- about needing hydro ??? My L4-5 lower lumbar reminds me that all the time when  I use plow

[squonk 41,039]

6 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Absolutely correct to use the first or second hole out from the shaft. Just noting that the inner one gives more leverage but lifts less high.

 

But now you've gone ahead and made me curious about where the "weak link" is. What part of the rockshaft broke? 

 

First hole is the correct spot. 2nd is not. It is for the generator.  Generator can be also put in hole 1 but the blower is not to be put in # 2

Part# 7 breaks .Outer shaft cracks at the slot for the key # 6

Edited March 4, 2021 by squonk

[Brockport Bill 1,660]

if you are in Waterloo you may know about snow !!!!!

[Brockport Bill 1,660]

to spin jim --- does a 2 stage actually attach to a 1989, 312-8? 

 

I was under impression only earlier model short or tall chute blowers went on 1989 models -- thought the 2 stage came later years -- I really don't know? 

[squonk 41,039]

I have an SS tall shoot. When I first installed it I put it in the 2nd hole with the spring and could barely lift it. In the correct hole I can lift it without the spring. What a difference! 

[Handy Don 12,163]

11 minutes ago, squonk said:

First hole is the correct spot. 2nd is not. It is for the generator.  Generator can be also put in hole 1 but the blower is not to be put in # 2

Part# 7 breaks .Outer shaft cracks at the slot for the key # 6

Aha! So the force tries to "unwrap" part #7 from the shaft! That'd be the start of a bad day, for sure.

Ya know I always interpreted that diagram as 1 or 2 for snow blower. Now I can see that the "or" just shouldn't be on the diagram--it adds confusion. 

 

I think I measured hole #1 as being 2.5" out from the centerline of the rockshaft and having about 2.5" fore-and-aft travel when used. Good engineering to use that small amount of travel to lift the snowblowers by 4-5"!

[squonk 41,039]

1 minute ago, Handy Don said:

Aha! So the force tries to "unwrap" part #7 from the shaft! That'd be the start of a bad day, for sure.

Ya know I always interpreted that diagram as 1 or 2 for snow blower. Now I can see that the "or" just shouldn't be on the diagram--it adds confusion. 

 

I think I measured hole #1 as being 2.5" out from the centerline of the rockshaft and having about 2.5" fore-and-aft travel when used. Good engineering to use that small amount of travel to lift the snowblowers by 4-5"!

I remember a few years ago here in the forum. There was a run on tractors with broken rockshafts. Haven't heard about any since. 

[Ed Kennell 38,028]

When I was still using a SS tall chute with manual lift, I had three garage door lift assist springs attached with a turnbuckle so I could fine tune the tension.  I actually kept it adjusted so the blower floated just off the pavement.    Usually as soon as it hit snow, it lowered and scraped or I could increase down pressure with the lift lever.     I have since switched to 48 and 54 inch plows with all hydro lifts.

[SPINJIM 1,981]

2 hours ago, Brockport Bill said:

to spin jim --- does a 2 stage actually attach to a 1989, 312-8? 

 

I was under impression only earlier model short or tall chute blowers went on 1989 models -- thought the 2 stage came later years -- I really don't know? 

 

Yep, I have a 2-stage blower on my 417-8 with an electric lift, and two lift assist springs.   I'd prefer a hydraulic lift, but I'm using my 418A for my plow blade.   I have to raise and lower that more often than the blower.

   Jim

[Brockport Bill 1,660]

 --- does a 2 stage actually attach to a 1989, 312-8? 

 

I was under impression only earlier model short or tall chute blowers went on 1989 models -- thought the 2 stage came later years -- I really don't know? 

[Brockport Bill 1,660]

when handy don and you guys are referring to holes  you say "first hole " do you mean the hole on the " end"  -- or the one closest to the shift lever shaft? From which end are you counting as number one ?

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,033]

13 minutes ago, Brockport Bill said:

 --- does a 2 stage actually attach to a 1989, 312-8? 

 

I was under impression only earlier model short or tall chute blowers went on 1989 models -- thought the 2 stage came later years -- I really don't know? 

For the first couple of years of 2-stage blowers Wheel Horse used units supplied by Ber-Vac. Then they produced their own.

They will all fit because the tractor chassis did not change.

Most 2-stage 44" models used on 16hp and 20hp tractors because anything smaller is not adequate and hydro or electric lift a necessity.

 

First hole is closest to the shaft.

 

Garry

[SylvanLakeWH 25,495]

4 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

Everyone needs a hydro lift eventually .....It just takes some folks longer to realize the fact.

I dunno...
Depends on whether you want arms like this...

 

 

[Brockport Bill 1,660]

understood - thanks -- yes, would seem the extra hp would be necessity

[Brockport Bill 1,660]

Sylvan lake - not Popeye arms anymore -- maybe sorta like that when I was wrestling in college - although, i do have spinach in my morning protein smoothie