Lift Assist Spring Specifications

[BPC23 18]

I've browsed this forum for only a couple days and I already love it for its vast amount of information! I'm preparing a post that I'll put into the "Introduction" Forum in a few days.

I just discovered that I'm missing the lift assist spring for my 06-42ST01 Snow Thrower and I'd like to get one similar to stock from a spring supplier, but I need a few cirtical dimensions. Will anyone please help by providing the dimensions?

Coil Outer Diameter

Wire Diameter

Over All Length (between hooks)

Maximum Extended Length (between hooks)

Spring Rate (pounds force per inches of stretch) if possible

[Raider 2]

Somewhere along the line I dug up this info, not 100% sure but the spring should be Toro part # 4629. It is 7-7/8" long, 1-1/2" dia. This would be the same spring as the pivot pin return spring on the 42" dozer blades.

I've tried some other springs with limited success but I think I'll try doubling up a short bungee or two next time I hook up the blower and see how that works.

[kajamo240 3]

Maybe its just me but my snowblower isnt all that heavy once its hooked up and connected to the correct hole on the lift lever... :notworthy:

[Raider 2]

No, but they aren't all that light either :notworthy:

[can whlvr 993]

if you have a tiller i think its the same spring,i used mine that way and it makes it a breeze to lift the blower now.

[sorekiwi 761]

I see why you want to find an alternative, I ordered one last week from my Toro dealer, and for some reason didnt check the price before I ordered it. It came in yesterday, somewhere around $30 Oh well.

I'm not home right now, I'll try to remember to get the dimensions for you tonight.

[sorekiwi 761]

Will anyone please help by providing the dimensions?

Coil Outer Diameter

Wire Diameter

Over All Length (between hooks)

Maximum Extended Length (between hooks)

Spring Rate (pounds force per inches of stretch) if possible

OK, here we go. Measured off a brand new Toro 4629 spring purchased for a great deal of money yesterday!

Coil Outer Diameter: 1.500"

Wire Diameter: .120"

Over All Length (between hooks): 7.500"

Maximum Extended Length (between hooks): Huh? This is governed by the tractor and blower you put it on (and what spacers you have on your lift flag).

Spring Rate (pounds force per inches of stretch) if possible Sorry, I dont have any way to measure this, I thought I had a fish weighing scale somewhere, but I havent seen it for a while (there's a good possibility its still hanging on the wall in my garage in Indiana!!). Lets just say it is frikkin' stiff!

Oh and there is 24 1/2 coils. The length of the coiled part of the spring is 5 1/2".

Hope this helps. Let us know if you find a viable alternative!

[pbradley68 1]

Mowerpart.com has the 4629 spring for $21.60 (plus shipping). The shipping isn't cheap if you're just ordering one part but it tends to be more reasonable if you order a few parts. I briefly checked Home Depot and Lowe's and didn't see one for less. I'm using the same one off of my tiller for now.

[sorekiwi 761]

Yeah, after I got home I checked a few online prices, and by the time you pay shipping its not any cheaper.

And I like to support my local dealer. He doesnt keep that much stuff on the shelf anymore, but he gets it in for me in 3 or 4 days.

Had I known this spring was going to be $30 I would've looked harder for an alternative, but at that stage I had never seen, let alone measured one.

I will say though, it makes a huge difference in the amount of effort required to lift the blower. As well as saving my arm, its got to help out the lift lever and the dash tower - I've seen enough cracks in those that it was worrying me a bit...

[Kelly 1,033]

I know they are bigger around but how about a hood spring off a older car or truck??? say 80's or older, think one of them would work??? I'll see if I have something I can try.

[sorekiwi 761]

I know they are bigger around but how about a hood spring off a older car or truck??? say 80's or older, think one of them would work???

I dont see why not Kelly. You could also put a bit of a bend in the eyebolt to gain a lttle more clearance if you needed to.

[wh500special 2,255]

And I like to support my local dealer.

:notworthy:

[BPC23 18]

Raider, sorekiwi,,, thanks for the measurements. I'll shop around and see what I can find for a comparable spring. I've gotta believe there's one available for $10 or less.

[sawhorse 0]

See if you can grab one of those backyard trampoline springs! It is exactly what

you need.

[pbradley68 1]

I'm getting 11 for $26.73 total (free shipping for 10 or more and the price drops from $2.99 to $2.43 each for 11-23) plus a free baseball cap I have a use for a few extra and I can always use 2 springs if 1 isn't enough.

http://www.trampoline-1.com/trampoline_spr...e=googleps&id=7

[can whlvr 993]

i have some trampoline springs and i was going to use 2 of them on my 2nd blower,just havnt got to it yet

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,323]

Mike

You wrote the assist spring used a Wire Diameter: .120"

Is that correct? Sounds light.

Garry

[Raider 2]

FWIW I just rigged up lift assist on my Raider with a short rubber bungee this week. I gave it a wrap around the footrest rod between the frame rails and hooked the ends on the lift flag eyebolt. It works pretty well so far.

[sorekiwi 761]

Mike<

You wrote the assist spring used a Wire Diameter: .120"

Is that correct? Sounds light.

Garry

Thats whats written on the piece of paper I used when I measured it...

and a quick math check of .240 X 24 1/2 turns gives 5.8 inches for the coiled bit which I measured as 5 1/2 so it seems like its right.

I've just come in from the cold so I'm not too interested in going and lying on my garage floor tonight, but I'll check it tomorrow if you want...

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,323]

I never though of figuring out that way - too hard. If the wire was .220" each wrap would add .220" to the length of the coil and x 24.5 = 5.39" + the width of the last wrap = 5.61". A quick look will tell you because .120" is less than 1/8" and .220 is a bit less than 1/4". Tomorrow would be great. Thanks

Garry

[sorekiwi 761]

I never though of figuring out that way - too hard. If the wire was .220" each wrap would add .220" to the length of the coil and x 24.5 = 5.39" + the width of the last wrap = 5.61". A quick look will tell you because .120" is less than 1/8" and .220 is a bit less than 1/4". Tomorrow would be great. Thanks

Garry

The coils arent perfect rings though, they wind onto each other so a full coil is 2 x the wire diameter (more or less). So 1 turn = .120 + .120 = .240. times 24 1/2 turns = 5.8 inches.

[sorekiwi 761]

Wire diameter is .120". Definately :notworthy:

[Rideawaysenior 25]

Definatley a nice addition to aid in lifting. Also will reduce the need to explain the reason why your left bicep is much larger then your right. :notworthy:

[Jesse James 0]

True Value or Ace sells a spring that is almost the same. Only difference I found is that it is shiny galvanized not the black coating. It is a porch swing spring or utility spring rated at 250lbs. I think mine was like 5 or 6 bucks.

[BPC23 18]

Ok, I'm slow, but I finally did it. I found a spring ($11) at Tractor Supply that mostly works, but it's 8" between the hooks. It would be nice to get more stretch out of it when the snow thrower is in the lowered position, but that won't happen with my current setup since the eye-bolt is bottomed against the bracket, but rest assured, I'll think of something.

It does add quite a bit of assist, which also reduces the weight on the skid shoes. This should make them last a bit longer.

Here's a picture with the snow thrower in the raised position.