2-stage snowblower chain issue

[ebinmaine 67,711]

On 12/21/2023 at 1:22 PM, HorseFixer said:

tensioner

 

Here's the tensioner I got in for the Two Stage Tall Chute we're sending to our friends.  

 

 

[c-series don 8,730]

I’ll bet @cleat would paint that before installation 😂😂

[ebinmaine 67,711]

13 minutes ago, c-series don said:

I’ll bet @cleat would paint that before installation 😂😂

And we'd all love to see the pics too!! 

[wallfish 17,020]

8 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

Here's the tensioner I got in for the Two Stage Tall Chute we're sending to our friends.  

That's the same I've had in there too. BUT, think it was 702Bill that mentioned about the teeth not being hardened. It did wear the tips but still had enough to keep rolling with the chain. There isn't much room in there and you can get a nicer larger 17 tooth with a good bearing but it would need to fit on the inside of the chain loop or it hits the other 2 sprockets. That takes away more teeth contact of the chain from the small drive sprocket, which is exactly where I was having issues with the chain lifting up and wearing the tips of the sprocket down. Even the centrifugal force of the chain spinning will try and lift it up. Then after a while the worn teeth would force the chain outward too until it pops the master link off.

Now, I firmly believe the majority of the problem was using that cheap chinese chain from TSC. It stretches and this was easily confirmed by holding a used one next to a new length of chain. The same amount of links on the used one was much longer than the same amount of links on a new piece. Plus the rollers were all loose and you could even see a space from the edges of the rollers to the side links. The chain looks like it was used to lift big trucks off the ground.

This year, going no tensioner at all and a good quality #40 chain installed tight enough that it doesn't appear to need a chain tensioner. Or, at least that's the plan going in. It's possible this one might stretch a little too which then doesn't leave anyway to adjust it tighter. The next step will be to "beef up" a little where the 90 deg gearbox mounts as I noticed it bent a little from the chain load and misaligned the sprockets a little. Again, I might be abusing mine a little more than most would as it gets loaded heavy in that wetter snow which keeps it from clogging as much. That 20hp Onan gets a grunting sometimes and especially so at the end of the driveway from the DOT plow piles. I'm not interested in having any additional seat time when it's freezing cold out there!!!!!  I need to get it done and the vehicles out so everyone can get to work on time. It's not bad when it can get done in the evenings or on weekends but those overnight storms during the week are a real pain. (Then we get to the job site only to find the customers still sleeping and nothing done with their driveways! LOL)

[Wayne0 465]

OK, I can see using a shorter chain instead of a tensioner. Not a bad idea. I have the chain and the tools, so I might do that! Wheel see. LOL

Edited December 23, 2023 by Wayne0

[Wayne0 465]

Some how I f**ed up. Ignore this.

Edited December 23, 2023 by Wayne0

[Wayne0 465]

Eric, if you can post pics as to how you installed the idler sprocket, we'd love to see it!

[ebinmaine 67,711]

13 minutes ago, Wayne0 said:

Eric, if you can post pics as to how you installed the idler sprocket, we'd love to see it!

Be happy to. 

 

I haven't had time to get back in there yet.  

 

Not sure how I'll set up the bracket. I have extra chain for a reroute if needed.  

 

[HorseFixer 2,012]

I have been doing some research and these guys have pretty good stuff, The go-cart guys use them

 

https://redboarchain.com/

Edited December 24, 2023 by HorseFixer

[ebinmaine 67,711]

On 12/23/2023 at 6:52 PM, Wayne0 said:

Eric, if you can post pics as to how you installed the idler sprocket, we'd love to see it!

 

Well folks here's what I inventerized.  

 

I decided to put the tension on the OUTSIDE of the chain.  

This will put more "wrap" on the small drive pulley. 

 

The final bracket has a 1" rise and a  ¾"  to 1" offset back towards the lower (larger) gear.  

 

 

 

 

Here was my first attempt. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a couple rounds of fitment I made a final piece. 

I moved the hole that keeps the idler. 

 

 

 

Some other in process pics.  

 

 

[Wayne0 465]

Thanks, Eric!

[Wayne0 465]

I ordered the same sprocket. Will post pics when done. I'm waiting for the parts before I pull the tractor in to replace a cracked PTO bell at the same time.