Snowblower Gear Oil

[Sequoiasoon]

I hear you. My dog has short legs so I'm blowing paths in the yard for her ''yard access''.

My back/side yard grass are a get at least 1 clear path with the snowblower for the same reason. Mine is getting older and if it makes it easier for him, all is well.

 

[JTK]

Thanks for the input.

My only experience with walk behind blowers is a wheeled/tired Ariens that I had before I bought the Kubota blower attachment. It was ok but two things annoyed me.

The handles were too low and it tended to ride up in deep snow instead or plowing through it. I don't have enough experience with these machines to know how to proceed and I started another thread in the OPE section of this forum that addressed that.

I'm sure you've test-fitted the Hondas at this point, but low handles has been a complaint of mine in regards to the Honda units I've used. It really makes a big difference. Either way, this can be an issue with any make/model walk-behind 2-stage snowblower, depending on it's specifics.

My favorite handle configuration by far is my old ~26/yr old MTD / Yardman machine like the one pictured below. I find these "D" shaped handles to be the most comfortable for me, but you can't really find them today. This machine is now the backup to my backup given it's age, but she still does her thing.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I'm sure you've test-fitted the Hondas at this point, but low handles has been a complaint of mine in regards to the Honda units I've used. It really makes a big difference. Either way, this can be an issue with any make/model walk-behind 2-stage snowblower, depending on it's specifics.

My favorite handle configuration by far is my old ~26/yr old MTD / Yardman machine like the one pictured below. I find these "D" shaped handles to be the most comfortable for me, but you can't really find them today. This machine is now the backup to my backup given it's age, but she still does her thing.

I had that exact model Yard-Man. It was a good machine, and yes handles were comfortable. I gave it to a friend when I picked up a newer Toro Power Max 828 LXE for a very cheap price at a lets sell the house divorce sale behind me. That a JD riding mower, thatcher and a couple other things.

Friend had that for a couple years and then very odd, the gas tank melted from some other issues by cylinder IIRC from what he said. He picked up new Ariens and the Yard-Man went away.

I did the 2 snow blower width path all around the side for the dog today, the the rest of driveway etc. Almost done and impeller stopped spinning but augers were working. There are 2 shear pins on the shaft for impeller, the one piece I got out was very rusty. No clue when the other disappeared. Of course I couldn't find my extra shear pins so off to Home Depot. I bought 6 different versions not knowing what size. I found a match in the ones I bought but locking spring clip type not nylon lock nut. I'll get the lock nut type still but these got me back in business to finish up.

 

[nbpt100]

I'm sure you've test-fitted the Hondas at this point, but low handles has been a complaint of mine in regards to the Honda units I've used. It really makes a big difference. Either way, this can be an issue with any make/model walk-behind 2-stage snowblower, depending on it's specifics.

My favorite handle configuration by far is my old ~26/yr old MTD / Yardman machine like the one pictured below. I find these "D" shaped handles to be the most comfortable for me, but you can't really find them today. This machine is now the backup to my backup given it's age, but she still does her thing.

Great snow blower when you add an impellar kit.. 8-26 or 9-26?

 

[JTK]

Great snow blower when you add an impellar kit.. 8-26 or 9-26?

My green/yellow yardman is an oddball 7hp, 24", with an OHV Tecumseh snow king and larger tires than the one in the pic. I actually did my own impeller kit on it years ago using some scrap pieces of rubber impeller out of an old Ariens single stage machine and some self tapping screws. Works great.

 

[MasterSolenoid]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I will probably just stick with the manual but I am definitely going to start changing it out annually.

If you change it annually, you'll think less about the (factory) viscosity.
And if you went 'thinner' and it started seeping out the seals, then what ?

 

[MasterSolenoid]

This machine is now the backup to my backup given it's age, but she still does her thing.

I have an Ariens 24" walk-behind.
My father bought it in 1977 .... YES .. 48 years ago.
I recently rebuilt it including a new engine.

This guy on YouTube has excellent videos on maintaining snow-throwers and I learned a lot from him.


Shows ALL his videos.
https://www.youtube.com/@GarageGear

 

[Snagglefoot]

80w90 is traditionally a conventional oil. 75w90 is traditionally a synthetic oil. I would try a 75w90. I’m thinking no one bothered to update the manual.

 

[Craig in Canada]

Probably not needed for you. I'm thinking of getting something like these rubber add on for my Toro 2 stage. The gap with the slushy snows we have does clog some or not throw that far.

For what it's worth - back before Amazon was really a thing, I installed a kit like that I ordered from 'some guy' on a power equipment forum to fit to my 1986 Toro 824 (#38080) that I was refurbishing back in the mid/late 2000s. That 824 had large impeller clearances from the factory and would clog on slush all the time since brand new (it was my dad's). Post-mod it out-threw everything in the neighbourhood, including brand new 13hp units. Still going well today with the kit intact, though I think the rubber flaps may have worn some.

If anyone reading doubts whether these kits make a difference, in my experience it was revolutionary.