Chute deflector operator for snow blower

[trrjohn]

I got tired of getting off and on the tractor to change the deflector on the snow blower chute. The rotation is hydraulically controlled.

I added a 12 volt linear actuator to control the chute deflector. The control switch is in the cab. Works great.

John

 

[WilliamBos]

I got tired of getting off and on the tractor to change the deflector on the snow blower chute. The rotation is hydraulically controlled.

I added a 12 volt linear actuator to control the chute deflector. The control switch is in the cab. Works great.

John

Nice!! Did you build your own chute rotator?? Pics please??

 

[Ductape]

Looks good! I put a hydraulic chute deflector on my blower, but the electric option was similar to your setup. Sure is nice not to have to keep getting out of the seat to adjust, isn't it?

 

[kennyd]

That's great! Can you post a link and/or the specs for the actuator you used?

 

[trrjohn]

I used the following for the linear actuator.

Bottom mounting Bracket is part number

Burden Sales Surplus Center Item Detail

Actuator is part number

Burden Sales Surplus Center Item Detail

I used a short piece of 2" x 2" x 3/16" channel to mount the actuator bracket to the chute and a 1/4" x 3" bolt to hold the top.

You also need some bolts, wire, a DPDT center off momentary toggle switch and a fuse in the supply wire to the toggle switch is always good protection.

 

[trrjohn]

A couple others - are building/have built - similar chute operators.

WFM: Snow Thrower chute deflector operator

 

[LFGENGLER]

Looks like you have this mounted to a JD Blower. JD makes a cable control that works great and allows for fast deflector adjustment. I have one mounted on my Kubota for 5 years and have never had a problem. The control cable fit a JD 485x series tractor and the blower that would fit this model

 

[GoodGuy]

John...
Could you please give more details on the Switch you use.
Thanks
Eric

 

[Minotbob]

I found these switches by Googling "DPDT center off momentary toggle switch"

http://shop.vetcosurplus.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=6971

 

[Bedlam]

Here is a search of Radio Shacks, and remember if you get them in the store there isn't shipping.
RadioShack.com

 

[WayneB]

This is a bit of over-kill, but if you do a bit of searching you might be able to find a used one (?). This link will show the Warn remote switch and wiring. I have a switch like this on my chute control and the nicest thing is it is weather tight and came with all of the mounting hardware which made installation quick and easy.

Amazon.com: Warn 64851 ATV Winch Mini-Rocker Switch: Automotive

This is the actual switch I used, all I had to do was remove the handle bar hardware and mounted the switch using the two holes provided.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ATV-Mini-Rocker-Winch-Switch-Handlebar-Remote-Control_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43984QQihZ012QQitemZ220356447846QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

 

[kennyd]

The Surplus Center also has some interesting switches...

Like this, but you would need to use relays...ATV Switch

And THIS...

 

[bobzap]

Geez Guys... This is the thread I have been waiting for! I'm planning on both the chute rotator and the deflector with the linear actuator. Hmm I saw a couple of 4 way joysticks that would turn and direct at the same time.

 

[Minotbob]

I would like to convert my Kubota Snowblower chute to electric operation. I think it would be pretty simple. Now the chute is operated by a hand crank that is mounted to the FEL Hyd control handle and extends down about 5 feet to the to of the blower. all I would have to do is remove the long hand crank and install a rotary actuator with limit switches and run the wires up to the Hyd control handle to a mom DPDT w/center off switch.

 

[JJZ 109]

OK, gentlemen of the tractor. The winch is now installed onto the snow blower.
The original method had the cable wound around the base of the chute a time or two and then connected to a tab on the chute by cable clamp. The other end of the cable was wound several times around a 3/4" or 1" round stock crank handle. I guess that somehow it formed a loop.
My question now is how to route the cable to make this work with the forward and reverse of the winch. I just did a quick test tonight as I don't have much time. Of course it will work when the spool is reeling in the cable, but what about when I reverse course and have the spool paying out? How can I route this so that the blower will turn left to right 180º?
Here's the new setup:

 

[kennyd]

You need to wrap the chute twice and then return the cable to the winch spool and attach it.

 

[JJZ 109]

You need to wrap the chute twice and then return the cable to the winch spool and attach it.

Will have to look it over closer when a clearer head prevails. As it stands now, there's one hole in the spool with a set screw which is holding the cable at one end.
But the hole does run clear through the spool. Maybe another stab at it tomorrow. Long day today and looks like a workday starting at 5 AM tomorrow. Bedtime for this cat soon!

 

[WilliamBos]

Nice Blower. Do you have more pics? We have the same one, but the 50" model.

OK, gentlemen of the tractor. The winch is now installed onto the snow blower.
The original method had the cable wound around the base of the chute a time or two and then connected to a tab on the chute by cable clamp. The other end of the cable was wound several times around a 3/4" or 1" round stock crank handle. I guess that somehow it formed a loop.
My question now is how to route the cable to make this work with the forward and reverse of the winch. I just did a quick test tonight as I don't have much time. Of course it will work when the spool is reeling in the cable, but what about when I reverse course and have the spool paying out? How can I route this so that the blower will turn left to right 180ｺ?
Here's the new setup:

 

[JJZ 109]

Will post some pics when I get it right. I had to add some spacers to bring the winch spool up to the level of the channel at chute base to keep cable from rubbing.
There's still something I'm overlooking somehow. I can't seem to keep enough tension on the cable to pull in both directions. When winch reverses I always have some slack and then after part of a revolution it will bind.

 

[jimmysisson]

Can you fit a stiff like 8" spring into one end or another to keep tension?
Jim