Snow Thrower Chute Actuator

[Racinbob 12,351]

It was 3, maybe 4 springs agio when I made a road trip to pick up a tall chute snow thrower from another member here. With the winters we've been having I never really got to test it out. I'm not complaining though. I did throw some snow a couple times but not much and pretty fluffy. Well, it changed Friday and Saturday. We had about 10" of extremely wet and heavy slop come down. I always choose using the blade over the thrower and yesterday was no different. At least until I made or tried to make, a pass. I got about 30' outside the garage and it became a no-go with no place to push it to. Knowing how the wet slop doesn't like snowblowers I figured I'd give it a shot. I was quite surprised. I didn't think to take a picture but I just paced it off and it was easily tossing it 60-70 feet. The chute never even tried to plug up. I will say that it took every bit of poop the Kohler had in it. Even out by the road where the plows had left a hood height solid pile. An added plus was that it was so wet that it didn't want to cover me. 

 

 

Now, the real point of starting this thread. The directional changer dooby works fine. The manual lift is fine. But several times I had to get off the tractor to change the thingy at the top of the chute. I don't like that especially dressed like a mummy. As I was moving the snow I thought of several manual methods to adjust it from the seat. I didn't really like any of them. So I'm thinking how easy it would be to install something like this. 

 

Probably about a 6" stroke would do it. I know a lot of you guys have really dolled up their operation with all sorts of goodys so how about posting some of your creations so I can see how the smart guys did it. 

 

 

[squonk 44,806]

I always got good performance out of the tall shoot I had. And the wetter stuff doesn't blow all over you! 

[ri702bill 10,401]

What about something similar to the cable actuated mechanism to tip the Cap like on a newer Ariens Classic Snowblower?? (Chinsy piece of pressed tin that it is)

[Achto 30,073]

40 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

Ariens Classic Snowblower?? (Chinsy piece of pressed tin that it is

 

May seem that way but when compared to other new walk behinds, the Ariens has very little plastic. Really like my Ariens, would buy another one some day, if I ever have to.

[Achto 30,073]

2 hours ago, Racinbob said:

how about posting some of your creations so I can see how the smart guys did it.

 

I think @WHX?? has all the power toys on the 520 that he bought.

[ri702bill 10,401]

30 minutes ago, Achto said:

 

May seem that way but when compared to other new walk behinds, the Ariens has very little plastic. Really like my Ariens, would buy another one some day, if I ever have to.

I have almost identical 24" Ariens Sno-Thros at my 2 properties. 1976 units - one still has the H60, the other a newer HH70. Simple rugged machines. Safety features - none! They weigh about 300 lbs. each.

[wallfish 18,715]

Measure the distance on the chute handle to where you want to mount it in both all the way up and all the way down. That will give you the stroke you need for the actuator.

Mine is mounted to the side so it moves quicker 

 

[Racinbob 12,351]

That's the stuff I was looking for John. Right now I'm only looking to do the little top deflector. I measured from the top of the handle to a mounting point on the chute body and it looks like a 6" stroke would be spot on. But I'm wondering if I want to mount it lower and use a shorter stroke for quicker movement. 

[wallfish 18,715]

1 hour ago, Racinbob said:

That's the stuff I was looking for John. Right now I'm only looking to do the little top deflector. I measured from the top of the handle to a mounting point on the chute body and it looks like a 6" stroke would be spot on. But I'm wondering if I want to mount it lower and use a shorter stroke for quicker movement. 

That is a 4" stroke actuator so I guess it's 33.3% faster than mounting a 6" er on the back. Those small actuators seemed to all have the same travel speed.

You could still mount it on the back and add a small brace across that handle to still archive the same thing. 

Edited 14 hours ago by wallfish

[Handy Don 14,932]

I’d really consider getting a waterproof actuator. This is one that can handle more than splashes. This line has a range of forces/throws. 

https://www.electric-linear-actuators.com/products/2inch-50mm-waterproof-linear-actuator-ip67-low-noise-linear-actuator?variant=46780822290691

[ri702bill 10,401]

Unfortunately, the best mounting has the rod & seal facing upwards. Adding a cylindrical cover with a slot on the side - think inverted drinking glass - to the upper end where the joint attaches to the cap would help to keep moisture away from the seal. As usual, excellent work there John...

[wallfish 18,715]

A weather boot like this can be added pretty easy. This was just a quick search so I'm sure there something out there with a close fit depending upon the actuator used.

https://www.amazon.com/SCUARI-Automobile-Accessories-Dustproof-Silicone/dp/B0DXTHVGFT/ref=sr_1_26?

 

[Racinbob 12,351]

I appreciate the input guys. I just ordered an actuator. Specs are (converted to real numbers that won't offend our American made machines (or in my case, old ageitis). 6" stroke, speed 9/16", sec, 47 ft/lb. 30k cycles. It's IP54 rated which has some water resistance but I have a couple ideas how I might help that out. John, you posted that as I was typing. That's a good option. Power, as I'm thinking at this moment, will simply be plugged into this power point through a dpdt center off momentary switch magnetically mounted. 

 

 

[peter lena 9,529]

 @ri702bill  thats what i,m talkin about !  just the idea and look see on a blower chute  top deflector , can  easily  be put on to a  horse blower , paint it red  and it disappears. regularly  experiment with , other ideas , typically , horse anything  , is begging for  FUNCTIONAL DETAILING  . assembly  lines , don,t have time for that  , want to make a cable pull wake up ? SUPER LUBE  , hydraulic oil , and a spring to close assist  ?   why , every  lever  request  is assisted by that spring  , purests , YOU CAN,T DO THAT ! have that set up on all my cable starts .  now you have  a constant assist  to cable slide , also  lubricate , free up  , the base swing area  on that , also  base of  main chite , its simple / easy  to experiment with  .  only suggested this to you  , because I can see you are  obviousely  on your own " what if  "  phase ,  good for you  , pete 

 

[WHX?? 53,081]

17 hours ago, Achto said:

 

I think @WHX?? has all the power toys on the 520 that he bought.

Yep @dclarke put all the electric chute stuff on. Did a bang up job too. I'll see what I got for pics Bob. I always thought that the top actuator was a waste of time but I since changed my mind. It's very handy in certain situations. 

 

Just a pic of the control box Bob ...no detailed pics of the actuators but I can get some if you need. We got dumped on here and I'm sure I'll have it out again today. I have all the receipts on the actuators and where he bought them. 

Edited 32 minutes ago by WHX??