Snow blower extension plates

[Forest Road 594]

Hi guys

I looked at two single stage blowers over the summer. Both were rather beat up but I noticed that they were coming apart at the side welds. I assumed it was from the pulling of the extension plates. I ended up locating a really nice single stage. And immediately removed the plates. They're hanging up in the garage in case I ever get the desire to try them out.

I'm wondering how many long time WH guys have seen their snow blowers pulled apart by those plates. Or am I just being overly cautious.

Thanks

Kevin

[pfrederi 17,173]

I know what you are talking about. I have 3 blowers and two of them have been repaired. I haven't used the extension plates until this year. I will watch them closely. I have a feeling that it isn't the snowblowing but running into objects or trying to dig in to existing hard packed snow piles that has caused the damage....

[can whlvr 991]

i rebuilt a 1969 blower,i used the wings the first time i tried it,i put them on wrong and bent the s--t out of the sides,im surprised that it still works good

[Kelly 1,028]

Well from the factory they don't weld the side on very good to start, then if you hit any thing it breaks the small weld at the front top.

[scifi4all 6]

Last year I was trying, rather successfully, to cut through a lot of fresh deep snow 10"-18" or more, some of it drifted. We had quite a few heavy snow storms last year. On 6 diffeferent driveways, none of the family have snow removal equipment, plus they know I enjoy doing it.

Near the end of the season I noticed that I had cracks on both side of my single stage, at the welds. I never hit anything, I just kept pushing and throwing the snow. I had them rewelded. I agree the extensions cause the cracks, due to flexing of the plates, but without them my tractor tires would be packing down the snow. The tractor is a little wider than the blower.

In fact when I hooked up the blower this year I found two more stress cracks on the right and left sides, at the back, of the discharge chute base. How I or my welder missed them I do not know. Just going to have to weld 'em, paint 'em, and start blowing again next year. :thumbs: