Changing gears for snowblowing

[Dave85zxt 0]

Hi Guys,

I just tried my recently rebuilt snowblower for the first time and found out that tractor is a little too fast in 1st gear. It does just fine with light snow but it can't handle 6"+ of the heavy stuff because the tractor is moving too fast. I don't like the idea of riding the "clutch" all the time because its just going to wear out the belt. Has anyone tried increasing the size of the rear drive pulley on the transmission to slow down the tractor? Its easy enough that I don't mind doing it twice per year (high speed for summer and low speed for winter).

Thanks,

Dave

[kpinnc 14,632]

Hey Dave,

Lots of people have played with pulley sizes to adjust ground speed. But, you won't have much room to work with before the rear of your belt guard will become an issue. Other than that (and additional belt length), it will be fine to put a larger pulley on the tranny.

Kevin

[Teddy da Bear 11]

I take it you have a manual tranny?

Why not put it in low 2nd gear? That should be

slow enough.

[kpinnc 14,632]

Why not put it in low 2nd gear? That should be slow enough.

856 tractors did not have low range.

Kevin

[htopjimmy26 3]

Does an 856 have ranges? :hide:

[htopjimmy26 3]

gotta love simultaneous replies :hide:

[WheelHorse_of_course 99]

Another approach would be to take a narrower swath after riding the clutch on the first pass.

[Teddy da Bear 11]

OOOPS!!! Am I bad?

Did not read his signature......

Sorry for the fauxpah.

[Dave85zxt 0]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I am not concerned with pulley interference with the belt guard. I have enough fabrication skills to take care of that. I wish I had a low range though. I don't suppose that any of the low range trannies would retrofit to an 856?

[rustbucket 4]

i know off hand that wheel horse made a speed reduction kit for theit machines and all it consisted of was a new belt guard a way larger tranny pully and double idler/tenssioner pullies under the bel guard. reason i know this is one of my rund noses has the kit already instaled and i have the paperwork on it laying around somewhere at hand.

[Teddy da Bear 11]

Now there is an idea!

Might be easier to swap trannys for winter than

just a pulley.

I might have heard of doing this before. Bolts

might not line up....just drill a couple extra holes

for alignment.

But someone more experienced will be able to

tell you if it is feasible for your specific model.

[kpinnc 14,632]

I don't suppose that any of the low range trannies would retrofit to an 856?

I have an 867, which is virtually identical to an 856 except for one thing- It has an 8 speed tranny...

It would be an easy fix. Just depends on how original you plan to keep your machine.

Good luck!

Kevin

[Rollerman 290]

You could put a slightly smaller pulley on the the engine for the drive only?

The one on the left of the pic came with a Lawn Ranger...not sure it's an OEM item, but I'm guessing a PO may have been expeirmenting?

You may want to check the back tires too.

Slightly smaller diameter or less air pressure may make a little differance.

[69DEZ 6]

By no means am I a blower expert. BUT I was having the same issue that you are describing. My first cut is in 1st gear. When it looks like the stream is slowing down I lift up the blower a little and let it catch up and continue my cut. 2nd pass half the blower with in 2nd gear. You have to keep a steady stream. If it's an interrupted cut it will clog. I know it doesn't make much sense, but I couldn't believe how well it worked. NIGHT AND DAY DIFFERENCE. 1st gear 2nd gear :horseplay: :horseplay: :horseplay: Also new belts make a big difference. Not bad for a VERT

[Dave85zxt 0]

I don't have lift control on the old 856. It would be a nice feature. Maybe I could reg something up.