What motor for snowblower chute rotation?

[GPintheMitten]

I don't have hydraulic remotes right now. Maybe I'll add that later during my fel build. So in the meantime, I want to convert my manual chute rotator to electric.

I've read some of the threads about this. My question is, about what motor to use? I'll probably use a power window motor but I want one that will handle the job. Any advice on how to determine size of motor that will be a good fit?

My current setup uses the hand crank with a wire wrapped around the chute. So I'll probably just try to fab a connection directly from a modified crank to the motor shaft if I can manage that.

Suggestions appreciated (except for making it hydraulic).

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

You would be better off buying a small 12 volt winch to do the job.

 

[massey driver]

Take a quick look in my post about a new way for electric deflector on snowblower and you'll see that I use a small electric winch to turn my chute and it's using the old cable system.Larry

 

[mmurphy]

Massey driver, I like that.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Take a quick look in my post about a new way for electric deflector on snowblower and you'll see that I use a small electric winch to turn my chute and it's using the old cable system.Larry

I wondered if that was what you had for the chute rotation. I'll take another look at the pic. I might use the winch suggestion for the chute rotation.

Thanks LAWALLSTRACTOR, and massey driver.


P.S. I wasn't going to do the deflector automation but your idea is a good one. I might do that as well.

 

[Bedlam]

One idea I had but didn't try was to use a garage door spring (or appropriate one) to hold the chute to one side.Then use the winch single line to pull it the other way so it would be a simple setup and constant pull on it. I opted to try the windshield wiper motor first and have Had good luck with it for a few years. (mine is stored inside) So the ice and freezing doesn't seem to be a factor

 

[Hozen]

Why not just use a linear actuator? I can't imagine you'd need all that powerful of one to move your chute. Hook it up the same way the hydraulic version works only replace the cylinder with the linear actuator.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Thanks for all ideas. I'll keep checking back. Great forum.

Right now I'm favoring using the winch idea.

 

[Matt_Jr]

I too for linear actuator. To me, that would be the easiest to mount, avoiding gears and cables, just welding, or bolting up a couple brackets to mount it to. You'll just be limited to rotation. A window motor seems like the most compact, and with some cable would allow the most amount of rotation.

 

[JoelD]

Why not just use a linear actuator? I can't imagine you'd need all that powerful of one to move your chute. Hook it up the same way the hydraulic version works only replace the cylinder with the linear actuator.

Last time I checked linear actuators were fairly expensive, things could've changed though.

 

[kennyd]

The other problem I see with linear actuators (beside the very limited rotation you'd get from one) is that typically they are VERY slow-when the wind changes and the snow is blowing on you, you want that chute to turn NOW! The deflector is less critical and would be a good candidate for a linear actuator.

 

[EGo_SmAsH]

The other problem I see with linear actuators (beside the very limited rotation you'd get from one) is that typically they are VERY slow-when the wind changes and the snow is blowing on you, you want that chute to turn NOW! The deflector is less critical and would be a good candidate for a linear actuator.

I don't see how the rotation would be limited if you rig it up in the same manner as a hydraulic cylinder...its basically the same thing from a geometric standpoint. I have one on my blower chuteand the speed is no different from that of a hydraulic cylinder. On my first attempt i used a l/a that was rated at 120 lbs pushing power...it would turn the chute but it was slow and i could hold it back by grabbing it. In the end I used one with 500 lbs push and it works great.

 

[Hozen]

Last time I checked linear actuators were fairly expensive, things could've changed though.

No one said it was cheap... Looking around on surplus center, a 500lb L/A would be around 180-200 dollars. A similar hydraulic cylinder would be easily half that cost. Though, if you don't have remotes, buying a hydraulic cylinder would be a pretty poor choice. Just thought I'd throw out the option.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Thanks for all the advice guys but I now know what I'm going to do. I'm going with the winch motor for the chute rotation and possibly also the window power motor for deflector.

I'll post pics when I get it a going.

 

[Bedlam]

Here are a few links of interest. I can tell you that a linear for the deflecter works well for me yes a bit slow. but is straight forward to install.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/69619-electric-chute-rotator-3-pt.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...152158-snowblower-2750d-electric-options.html

this one wouldhttp://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/149071-electric-chute-motor-snowblower.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/134850-diy-electric-chute-rotator.html
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/28593-converted-my-snowblower-chute-electric.html
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/84958-12v-linear-actuators.html
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/157391-conversion-snowblower-shute-dc-powered.html
be of special interest using a motor,
New way for electric deflector on snowblower - TractorByNet.com

 

[lsenus]

Here's a link to a small tractor website that shows the spout rotator with the cable setup using a window motor:
Simplicity & Allis-Chalmers Garden Tractor Club, Inc. - Spout Rotator ??'s

 

[pat32rf]

I tried two different motors on mine. The first was too small when things iced up, the second (a Lucas starter motor) was too fast and tore things up. Finally found a hydraulic motor in the scrap heap, but failing that you can get a small winch for under $100....