ptfe sheeting for blower chute gasket

[peter lena 8,588]

ptfe is rated the same as teflon , https://www.homedepot.com/p/Classic-Cuisine-16-in-Non-Stick-Reusable-BBQ-Grill-Mat-2-Pack-82-30X40/206694328  found this on H/D  , made a simple , SIZE TO SIZE GASKET TO MATCH UP TO BLOWER CHUTE BASE , also use a silicone lube or SUPER LUBE ON THAT , for a free  easy moving chute. these would be in the GRILLING SECTION  , or related . only a matter of drawing a marker on the sheet , with chute on top as guide . just an idea that i use , you do not have to do this , its not in the book , keep things moving easily , if you want to , pete

[ri702bill 8,294]

Pete:

Much better price than other sites - except - NOT in stock.(guess they figure grilling season is over - not!)

Their delivery can sometimes take up to 3 weeks - had to wait that long for an extended reach hedge trimmer. They do not ship to your local store unless their truck is FULL.

Bill

[JoeM 7,871]

that is a pretty good idea. 

 

I know we used a lot of UHMW at work in chute liners and guide rails. 

UHMW (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) 

UHMW will outwear all other materials, including metals, nylons, urethanes, and fluoroplastics.

 

A 1/2" x 4" can be had for less then $40 and thought it would be good on a plow edge. ??

[peter lena 8,588]

@JoeM bought mine at a local cycle / atv shop . good plow edge , especially on a smooth sealed driveway . pete

[peter lena 8,588]

@ri702bill  obviously look on line as well as local , another thing you could try is the roll up snow slides , lots of those dollar stores have a good seasonal stock . btw if you do this chute upgrade , take the time to LUBRICATE ANY AND ALL MOVEMENT AREAS . especially lube the drive belt spring tension area , just behind snow blower, often neglected ,and solid rust , if its free to follow the spring it drives better , less belt bounce , also chain lube the auger drive chain . pete

[ri702bill 8,294]

@peter lena

UHMW is wonderful stuff except it has horrible thermal qualities. It expands and contracts to unacceptable levels when sliding friction is applied continually over a long period of time, then ceased for the same.

We used UHMW strips about 1/4" thick x 2 inches wide and about 6 foot long for lower conveyor belt return guides an a 40 foot assembly machine once - they were bolted down with flat head screws every 18" or so. Looked great when installed - after about 4 hours of running they looked like a miniature white Lock Ness Monster - they had bowed due to expansion between the fixed bolts by about  1-1/2" !! Had to redo them using fixed bolts only at the lead end and low head shoulder bolts in lons countersunk slots for the rest with a 6" gap between guides.

The snowblower idea should work just fine - cycling will be only occasional.

Bill

[pfrederi 17,681]

On 11/23/2021 at 8:26 AM, peter lena said:

ptfe is rated the same as teflon , https://www.homedepot.com/p/Classic-Cuisine-16-in-Non-Stick-Reusable-BBQ-Grill-Mat-2-Pack-82-30X40/206694328  found this on H/D  , made a simple , SIZE TO SIZE GASKET TO MATCH UP TO BLOWER CHUTE BASE , also use a silicone lube or SUPER LUBE ON THAT , for a free  easy moving chute. these would be in the GRILLING SECTION  , or related . only a matter of drawing a marker on the sheet , with chute on top as guide . just an idea that i use , you do not have to do this , its not in the book , keep things moving easily , if you want to , pete

 

 

With a single stage in my situation I do NOT want the chute to move too easily.  I live on an open windy hill so I do not try to blow the snow 30' in the air most the time the chute is angled down as far a possible and at a right angle to the impeller....just get the snow out of the driveway.  in that position the force of the discharge tries to force the chute to straight ahead I have to frequently turn it back or even hold the handle...

[peter lena 8,588]

@pfrederi what ever works for you is good , only referenced it , because most of the blower set, ups I  have seen , are in terrible shape and barely function , rusted and broken is a brag point . have a good  turkey day , or what ever you like to eat , pete

[ri702bill 8,294]

No issue with the OLD 1970's Ariens 24" walk behinds I have - just take up another 1/4 turn on the hook latch on the crank mechanism to add a whisker more drag. I think I'll also be OK on the 1st generation unit I have for the 854. Belt drive, not cable on the chute rotator.

Bill

[wallfish 16,986]

Good idea. Mine seems to have a couple of sticky spots as it turns. Not a big deal as I use electric chute controls but might as well try it. I also want to try lining the inside of the chute with it too as I do like to shoot it 30 ft in the air and as far away as possible. Snow melt tends to run over the driveway to get down hill and it leaves an ice patch so the less up hill the better. Not to mention showing off when the neighbor is out there with a shovel. LoL The nasty sticky slushy crap at the end of the driveway from the DOT piles tends to always try and clog the chute too. Most of the time it doesn't choke it all the way off but it has clogged quite a few times too.

[peter lena 8,588]

@wallfish can relate to slushy  clogging snow ,  usually wait to see  how its building up , wet and slushy is more common to me , quickly get after that with the plow , but have both a single stage on the other horse , or a walker blower , if it stays dry . another thing I do is to plow with the sun angle. clear out the hedge shade area , that does not get sun , to the other side of the driveway that gets sun most of the day . to quickly melt down the drain . also regularly touch it up to make gains on it , good seat time , love plowing snow , pete  

[wallfish 16,986]

The big 2 stage will typically blow wet heavy snow but it can stick to the chute right where it hits and can build up. Keeping that area slick should help. The snow blower spray stuff helps but it can wear off that spot pretty quick

[R Scheer 502]

You mean something like this?  I put it in temporarily just to see if the concept worked, it's not the neatest install.

 

Results the heavy wet snow left by the city snow plow can still plug the chute, but it doesn't freeze to the chute.  If you can go through some not so wet snow afterwards it will push the plug out.  On ordinary wet snow it seems to blow without getting clogged at all.  I do spray some Rust check behind the former super slider just to help prevent any rusting issues.  The upper portion of the chute I just spray with a dry wax.

 

Overall I'm happy with it, but will probably redo the install and clean it up a bit next spring.

[wallfish 16,986]

1 hour ago, R Scheer said:

You mean something like this?

Yup! That's it