Snow thrower from B165 onto 520H?

[Indianajohn 53]

I rescued a very rough B165 a couple of years ago from an old garage that was being torn down. I also got the snow thrower attachment that was sitting behind the garage. I’ve been searching the interwebs for a pic of a B165 with the thrower attachment on it, but so far no luck. Didn’t think they were that uncommon, but I guess I was wrong. It appears there must have been some type of mule drive/mounting bracket that went missing long ago. Anywho, from pics I’ve seen online it looks like the snow thrower is basically the same thing as the 42” used on most other WH tractors, just without the “wings, and with a different mounting bracket/idler assembly, and a shorter driveshaft. Considering how rough the B165 is and that I’m apparently missing the parts I would need to install it, I’m thinking the best move is to change it over to the 42” configuration and put on my 520H. Changing the driveshaft is easy enough, and I can build the rest if I can find dimensions or drawings. Can anybody think of any “gotchas” I’m not thinking of?

[Pullstart 62,812]

A B165 is a vertical shaft engine and the 520H is a horizontal.  Not seeing pictures, I can’t imagine how it would quickly interchange…

[Indianajohn 53]

I believe this is the 37” version, which became the 42” with the addition of the bolt on “wings”. The mounting bracket/idler assembly bolts on, just like the regular 42” version.

[Ed Kennell 38,049]

1 hour ago, Pullstart said:

I can’t imagine how it would quickly interchange…

 

                                    Good working blowers that would fit a 520 are everywhere and  sell for 2-300 bucks.

 

         Quite a bit of work to adapt the vertical engine driven blower to fit a horizontal shaft PTO drive.   But it can be done if you have time and are looking for a project.

[peter lena 8,589]

@Indianajohn  agree with @Ed Kennell  on the work , just not worth it , finding a  36x42  with wings , would be your best time / money payoff . you  might advertise the  blower you have , any recovered money , put toward  a  36x42 .  look for damage on auger of anything that you find , typical rusted drive chain and sprockets , general neglect . actually not that bad to rebuild , lots of reference here . good luck with your search , pete   

[wallfish 16,990]

 Fairly simple to adapt a new shaft on it to fit the horizontal configuration but you will need to build a new attaching bracket to fit the mule drive, idler belt tension pulleys, lift pin on the back of the housing, lift flag and lift bar.

Not that big of a project if you have all the scrap steel around to build it and the time to do it. Probably not worth it if you have buy everything but like Ed wrote. "it can be done if you have time and are looking for a project".

Just by your post it seems you have the skills and tools to do it so if you're up for the challenge I'm sure someone can get you some pics and dimensions. I don't have a single stage blower anymore to get them for ya.

N central Indiana should probably have a plentiful amount of available blowers to fit the 520.

 

[Indianajohn 53]

I guess at this juncture, it would probably be a good idea to talk about my background and why I do things the way I do. First off, I am retired now, but when I worked I was mostly in the maintenance field, particularly on the industrial side. You pretty much have to be a “Jack of all trades” when doing that for a living. I’ve even worked in a tool and die shop for a period of time, and have degrees in industrial maintenance and machine tool technology. I have compiled a fairly well equipped shop over the years, including mig, tig, and stick welders up to 380 amps, a plasma cutter, torch set, grinders, tube bender, lathe, and several tool chests full of assorted types of tools. Building things isn’t a big problem and I enjoy fabrication work. Over the past five years, I’ve run a small engine repair business out of my home shop, so access to parts at dealer cost isn’t an issue. BTW, that’s not a career choice I would recommend. Too many people don’t respect boundaries and don’t seem to understand the concept of business hours…..  Not a situation conducive to domestic tranquility. Anywho, as I said before, I am retired now and my wife is disabled. Social Security doesn’t exactly pay well, so I’d much rather build what I need than buy it. Can’t see spending two to three hundred on something when I can easily modify what I already have for $50 or so in material and a few hours of my time. I just need some dimensions or drawings on the mounting bracket and idler pivot. I mainly hoped someone could tell me if all those single stage throwers were basically the same thing or not. All the pics I’ve seen say yes, but I’m not an expert on Wheel Horse stuff.

[wallfish 16,990]

You'll be fine just fine with just modifying that one.

Even if you had to make your own mount guestimating the sizes from pics.

[Ed Kennell 38,049]

It is clear John.  With that introduction, you have the skills, equipment, time , and will to modify the blower.    I wish I still had a blower . I would be happy to make drawings and take pictures with scales in critical places.    If I can get access to a blower, I will do this if another member dosen't do it first.     Rest assured we can get the info you need.

 

The ideal situation is if you can find a junked blower to use the mounting frame, jack shaft with bearings and pulley, belt tensioner and pulleys,  lift rod and flag.

Edited February 25, 2022 by Ed Kennell

[squonk 41,041]

I put a Simplicity snow blower with a horizontal drive shaft like this:

 

Onto this vertical shaft 210-H

 

 

 

 

And it worked great for more than 10 years

 

 

[pfrederi 17,685]

Only pic I have at the moment with tape measure. Will get some more with measurements/pics tomorrow.

 

 

[pfrederi 17,685]

The 2 mounting bolts in second pic are 3.5" OC

 

The idler bracket pic 3 are 8" OC and the shaft it pivots on is 11"  you can see other end with washer an hare clip in pic 2

[Indianajohn 53]

Thanks! That’s exactly the type of info I need. I can now start making some drawings. The hardest part of all this will be figuring out the angle those mounting ams are bent to. Can you tell me what diameter rod that idler pivot is made from? Looks to be about 3/8”, but that’s just a guess. The mount rod looks to be 1/2” and the idler pivot is obviously smaller. It also looks like the spring arm is welded at 90 degrees to the idler arm. Is that correct? Thanks for your help!

[pfrederi 17,685]

Idler cross shaft is 1/2 diameter stock  The tachmatic cross rod is 5/8"  Idler arm is 1/4"  the spring arm is 6"  long but not 90 degrees.  I have to think some on the best way to measure that

 

The mounting  fame is 3/8 stock 1-1/2" wide.  I traced the bend (I have an old style non tachmatic mount) but the bend is the same.  Looks like 85 degrees to me (see pic).. Note the right frame rail is cut away some to clear the jack shaft bearing.

 

 

Edited February 26, 2022 by pfrederi

[Ed Kennell 38,049]

Paul, look at your protractor closely. I think you need to slide it up 3 lines so the zero is on  the bend point.   The angle is actually 80-81 degrees.

Edited February 26, 2022 by Ed Kennell

[pfrederi 17,685]

20 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

Paul, look at your protractor closely. I think you need to slide it up 3 lines so the zero is on  the bend point.   The angle is actually 80-81 degrees.

  Never was any good a geometry  good point.  Close to 81

Edited February 26, 2022 by pfrederi

[pfrederi 17,685]

Sine I just failed geometry how would be a way to measure the angle of the spring holder??  cants back towards the rear of the tractor

 

 

[Indianajohn 53]

Thanks! I knew that would be a relatively shallow angle. I was guessing 5-10 degrees, so if I bend to roughly 10, that should be close enough. A degree or so either way shouldn’t really matter, as 2 or 3 psi difference in the front tires would have about the same effect. The idler arm looks to be 1 1/2” stock as well, or is it 1 1/4”?

[pfrederi 17,685]

The idler arm is 1-1/2 (1/4 thick) Spring tensioner is 1-1/4 (1/4 thick) 6 inches long

[Indianajohn 53]

I don’t think the angle on the spring lever it too critical, as the spring length and stiffness will likely be the bigger factor. The length of the arm is likely more important to have enough leverage. I really appreciate you taking the time to give me all these dimensions. It will save me a lot of guesswork.

[pfrederi 17,685]

No problem happy to help. 

[Ed Kennell 38,049]

18 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

I just failed geometry how would be a way to measure the angle of the spring holder?

Naw, with that correction you get an A+.     I just put my protractor on your picture and measured 105/75 degrees.

[pfrederi 17,685]

14 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

Naw, with that correction you get an A+.     I just put my protractor on your picture and measured 105/75 degrees.

 

 

Tried for more accuracy put a square on the bracket to make sure my protractor was square and got the mark at the start the bend looks lie 81 degrees but since this isn't rocket science close enough???

 

 

[Indianajohn 53]

As Taryl would say, “It ain’t the Space Shuttle..”

[Indianajohn 53]

Okay, I took some time today to start drawing out some parts and looking some stuff up. I have the IPL for a 42” thrower and was able to cross the two idlers. Turns out I already have the flat idler in stock. Just have to get the V idler. I have yet to find a cross for the drive pulley on the jack shaft. I know it’s bigger than the one that’s on mine now.

Please take a look at my drawing and let me know if I have anything wrong. Some things I took a guess at, (anything with “?”). Any corrections or anything I’m missing, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I’m trying to be as accurate as I can….