Make Your Snowblower Throw Farther and Never Clog Part 2. Impeller Kit On MTD Craftsman Snowblower.

#snowblower #impellerkit #DIY
MAKE YOUR SNOWBLOWER NEVER CLOG AND THROW FARTHER PART 2. Install A DIY Impeller Kit On A Craftsman MTD Snowblower. This whole job takes about a 90 minutes to do and gives you awesome results. Be the envy of all the neighbors and put your snow in your neighbor's yard. Thanks for watching! Like and subscribe!
CONTACT INFO:
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Instagram - Garagegearjb
WATCH THESE NEXT:
Turn The Cheapest Snowblower On Amazon Into A Beast! Install A DIY Impeller Kit with Test Results. • TURN THE CHEAPEST SNOW...
Watch Part 1 here:
• MAKE YOUR SNOWBLOWER T...
Impeller Kit installed on an older Ariens Snowblower.
Watch Part 3 here:
• Make Your Snowblower T...
Impeller Kit installed on a 2000 Ariens Snowblower.
Watch me throw snow with an impeller kit across the street and into my neighbor's yard below. Filmed on an iPhone a while back.
• WHERE TO PUT YOUR SNOW!
PRODUCT LINKS:
Nuts, Bolts, and Washers Link:
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Rubber Flap Link:
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Step Bit for easier drilling Link:
amzn.to/3c1tdEX
Corded Drill Link:
amzn.to/37OhUwx
Pittsburgh Tools 225 Piece Socket Set Link:
amzn.to/37S6tDW

[@tomtransport]

I did this about two winters ago. I have an MTD new in 1996. I Ground the heads of the bolts down somewhat then cut two small notches in the rubber. By grinding the heads down somewhat, that left more rubber pad. I had to cut the tongue off my shoot adaptor too but to keep a sealed seam I used a product called Shoe Goo. It's extremely strong and water proof after 24 hours of cure time. I put a bead on the cut off tongue area, installed the adaptor then put another bead on the exterior side. This made it snow and air tight. While this modification pays off overall it really improves the throw at the end of my drive and mail box where the plow pushes 3 feet deep 3 foot wide wet, salty, slushy, ice/snow. My neighbors are stopping 8 or more times to clean out their shoots while I just keep moving along. Nice video, good work.😀

[@GarageGear]

Awesome! Appreciate the positive feedback. Thanks for watching!

[@francisneal5108]

Sir! You are my new best friend. The snow thrower I 'picked' off a curb 15 yrs. ago gave up the ghost during an unusual December (8 inch) snow storm here in Southeast PA. I ordered a Power Smart from Home Depot and low and behold you made a fantastic vid showing everything I need to; unpack, assemble and break-in the same snow blower. What are the odds. Getting it delivered tomorrow. Also ordered your impeller kit off Amazon (rubber and bolts). Should be first project of '21. Thank you for your time and expertise.

[@GarageGear]

Glad you found this video helpful Francis! What are the odds huh? Pretty crazy! Thanks for checking out my channel!

[@miztrusa]

Jus got my kit from Amazon for like $20 and it's a good kit.... Real SS checked with a magnet and 3/8 hardware not 1/4". Got a 15 YO, 30" MTD that's still just a rock but has seen its days.... Got about 1/2" gap which can't be good but I'm gonna mod mine a little better by shaping and forming the metal strips and rubber to contour the entire paddle for a serious scoop n fling. Thanks for the great video. 😊

[@GarageGear]

You got it mike! Have fin installing them and let me know how they workout for you! Send that snow back to the clouds! 👍

[@BigDaddysGarage]

A yes on the traffic light parking sensor video! I have a traffic light in my garage as well. Would love to see how you did it!

[@GarageGear]

Flint Layfield hey Flint, thinking about doing a video on the traffic light. Definitely a cool but tricky project. A lot of electrical going on in that box below the light. I’ll see what I can do in the coming weeks. Glad someone noticed that lol!

[@2WildBengals]

Absolutely you are SO RIGHT! Been using Snow Blowers since I was 15 and I’m 68`now. Just 2 days ago, for te first time ever, I had a Frozen Impeller behind the Auger of my 2009 12HP (357CC) Bolens Premium. I started it up, and after the initial 2 or 3 minute warm up, it started Smoking and the smell of burning rubber was in the air. I shut it down and investigated, the impeller was packed with ice from behind after the last time it was used. We had a Major Dumping of Snow, 40 to 50 Centimeters in about 20 Hours, then a Freeze down to record lows Minus 5 Degrees FH plus a Wind Chill Factor. The 2nd day, I found out the hard way when I did red up the Impeller Blade by allowing the Sun to hit it enough to melt the ice, I ran it hearing a bit f a thumping noise.. about a half hour later, the Auger Belt let go. A Friend and I worked at it in his warm Factory to replace the Belt. A small Engine repair Shop here in Ajax Ontario Canada wanted here wanted between $40.00 to $160.00 Plus Taxes to replace it. My Friend and I did it for $25.00 Plus Taxes so $29.60 cents.the Heater idea I will start doing immediately and the Oil Spray, that’s a Great idea! Thank You very much for this, very much appreciate your Video. Well Done!!!

[@GarageGear]

Thank you very much Joe and thanks for sharing!

[@Richard-go7jr]

I'm glad you showed an MTD cuz I didn't I know about the bolt heads on the inside but the information's good cuz you got a good snowblower and steins thanks a lot

[@GarageGear]

Glad this video helped you out! Thanks for watching

[@karlshomeremodeling123]

Watching you use a coping saw in this video and then watching you use an osilating tool in the other, makes you think how did we survive without this amazing tool. Good job

[@GarageGear]

Haha right how did we survive? Thanks for watching Karl!

[@webchez69]

I love your videos. Ill pass on this. I can live with a stock machine. They have worked for centuries.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for watching

[@bobcornwell9073]

I did that modification to my Troy-Bilt 2410 just like everybody else that's done the modification, incredible Improvement and snow throwing

[@GarageGear]

Definitely worth doing! Thanks for watching Bob!

[@BenNawrath]

This is absolutely a great mod to make. I made flaps for my 24" cub cadet out of a replacement flap for a single stage blower. It also has the carriage bolt heads, but it's been working great for 5 years. I can almost pump water with it! Incidentally, I grew up with a guy who's dad was one of the head engineers at the Stanley plant in VT that made those utility knives. They ARE the best for sure! Also incidentally not far from Okemo, I saw the mug lol.

[@GarageGear]

Hey Ben! Definitely a great mod! Helps with all the heavy wet snow we get for sure! I’ve had that Stanley utility knife for a very long time. Pretty sure I paid a dollar for it at a flea market too! Great tool! Very cool you’re by okemo! I went there many years ago on a ski trip! Loved it! Thanks for watching Ben!

[@BenNawrath]

@@GarageGear what part of the country do you call home? I’m on Long Island now. Back in VT, we never had a snow blower. We had a guy plow the driveway, then I’d just shovel the walkway and around the garage or whatever. Here, the driveway isn’t remotely big enough to warrant a plow. In fact, I stuck with a 24” blower to just fit between cars easier! The REAL reason for it is the slush pile the plow leaves at the end of the driveway! That’s the back breaker. And where the slush is! That and the drifting we get! I saw Fred a couple years ago. He’s retired, but still asks me if I use all the tools he gave me over the years! Sure do!

[@BenNawrath]

@@GarageGear I also wanted to say, when I got my blower in 2015 I let my dad use it, it was the first time he’d ever used one in (then) almost 70 years haha!

[@GarageGear]

@@BenNawrath I’m in Buffalo NY! We get our fair share of plowed up snow at the end of the driveway! Thanks for sharing my friend!

[@BenNawrath]

@@GarageGear sharing is caring haha. My wife has a good friend in east aurora. They “only” got 5 feet of snow the other day lol. Thanks for replying to me. Got yourself a new subscriber. PS my snowblower fired up first try just now 👍🏼

[@robedmund9948]

To eliminate the noise and compensate for those bolts on the housing, use a wood rasp and cut out the section of the tire where it would hit the bolts. This allows your to further close the gap around the impeller housing for maximum clearing. Great solution to the chute housing.

[@GarageGear]

Great idea! Thanks for checking out my channel!

[@Velocity1118]

Or just replace the oem bolts with elevator bolts. @@GarageGear

[@PainterD54]

I always fit my belting tight against the housing, so it rubs against it all the way around. But, first I spray the entire housing down with silicone spray to make it good and slippery. Then start it up and let the rubber wear into the housing for 15 minutes. That way it won't overwork the motor or drive belts when you go to blow snow the first time.

[@GarageGear]

Good thinking David! Thanks for sharing!

[@woodlandburl6648]

Thanks!

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for watching!

[@rogervondach1238]

Well, you are right in regards to the impeller improvement, however, you are at least 20 years late. I made that very same thing for the first time back in 1979.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for watching!

[@kurtwise7356]

Self tapping screws work just as well and require half the work!

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing

[@f62darkstar]

just did this to my craftsman....I butted the rubber up to the housing.....made a hell of a noise and flung rubber out for about 20-30 minutes going past those bolts.....but it has quieted down....anxious for some snow now to try it out....thanks for the tips.

[@GarageGear]

You got it Lou! I think you’ll be very pleased once you get some snow! Have fun and thanks for being an awesome fan of the channel! 👍

[@billhendrickson5506]

Louie you could have used a small round file and helped the grooving of the rubbers ...

[@anthonytriolo3643]

This is better than the previous ,my is the same ,its a troy.You could see everything, you should have a head light they are cheap.

[@GarageGear]

anthony triolo thank you! I sold this snowblower back in December. That machine could throw it! Thanks for watching.

[@GraceEngineering]

I have found great results using Z Max engine oil additive both in my personal vehicles and in my Peterbuilt Cummins ISX15. I also use the Lucas oil stabilizer. The ISX takes a couple gallons each oil change. On a related note, the Lucas engine oil additive is not a good choice for a personal lubricant. Or so I'm told.

[@GarageGear]

Haha thanks for sharing!

[@searay45]

Hey JB your channel is awesome!! Wishing you tons of success. Did this great mod on an old 1980s made-to-die MTD and now doing it again on my 2015 model. But I’d really love to know how you rigged up that traffic light parking sensor/guide so cool I need that!! Thanks and cheers from Canada!

[@searay45]

Just found your traffic light video searching manually.. so cool! You may consider linking that vid in this vid’s description for some extra views! Cheers and thanks again!

[@GarageGear]

@@searay45 hey Searay! This is definitely an awesome mod to put on any two stage snowblower! It only makes the machine more efficient! Glad you found my traffic light video! Thanks for being a cool fan of the channel! 👍👍

[@steveperry1344]

my 40 yr old ariens needs this.

[@GarageGear]

You won’t regret doing it. Thanks for watching!

[@steveperry1344]

@@GarageGear the machine boggs down quickly when the snow turns to mush.

[@GarageGear]

@@steveperry1344 your machine will operate better with it! If it still bogs down give your carb a look. 👍

[@malisha1]

Great videos.

[@GarageGear]

M A thank you!

[@malisha1]

@@GarageGear haven't seen snow in NYC in a few years.

[@GarageGear]

It’s been an odd winter. Not supposed to get snow in Buffalo for another week or so.

[@malisha1]

@@GarageGear please do a snow blowing video. I did an impeller kit from a tire sidewall. Haven't used it yet. Been waiting 2 years to use it. Hopefully I'll get some snow this year

[@haroldsimard7263]

Personaly, i slow down the engine, during that time, i clean the snow with a brush and run inside my garage at slow on his power. finaly shut down the engine. no heater, no WD40. my garage is heated.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing

[@thomaslin1915]

Hello- thank you for the great instruction, where can you buy the rubber pads? thanks,

[@GarageGear]

The parts should be linked in the description below the video. Thanks for watching Thomas!

[@selador11]

@ ~ 12:20 I would remove those two screws, and move them outward. I believe the plastic housing can be drilled with new holes for those and will still work. This way, you not only eliminate the noise, you can move that rubber piece out to actually contact.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing sel!

[@goldenbear31]

Nice, but again...would like to see a before and after throw contest

[@GarageGear]

Be sure to check out my other videos linked in the description. See the one that’s called “ Turn the cheapest snowblower on amazon into a beast”. Thanks for checking out my channel!

[@walterseeba7639]

Did you consider replacing the blower chute tunnel bolts with countersunk ss bolts to eliminate the rub?

[@GarageGear]

Not at the time but that may not be a bad idea! Thanks for sharing! Thanks for watching!

[@ralphwhakinfus4661]

Just notch the flaps around those cap bolts you can cut that rubber with tin snips easier than a knife

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for the tips! Thanks for watching

[@madisonhomes1403]

You could make it a little less awkward marking the holes by holding the rubber below the impeller blade and just marking the rubber through the holes in the impeller. Whether marked from below or above, the holes would be in the same place.

[@GarageGear]

Good idea! Thanks for checking out my channel!

[@PainterD54]

On some or most blowers, you can't hold the piece of rubber below the impeller blade because there's usually some kind bracing behind it, so you can't do it that way. Also, be careful where you drill your holes because you will run into one of those braces if your not careful. I found that out the first time I did my first impeller blade.

[@billhendrickson5506]

I was going to suggest that also. But both ideas work ...

[@jafo68]

great video. could you use 1/4 inch rubber blocks for this also ?

[@GarageGear]

Usually thin wins! I would stick with some kind of flap. Can’t go wrong! Thanks for watching!

[@jafo68]

@@GarageGear Thanks for the information.

[@bottomfeeder12]

Do you use locking nuts or locking washers? Do you ver use products like anti seize or fluid film to help keep some of the rust at bay? I’ve heard of people using a certain kind of wax on their blowers as well.Thanks in advance.

[@GarageGear]

Hey fish I use lock nuts. I also use just about everything you mentioned! Take a peak at some more videos and you’ll see! 👍

[@tomfirzlaff3481]

Use the torex bolts from a toro paddle blower.

[@GarageGear]

Good tip! Thanks for checking out my channel!

[@mickeyscartruck9402]

Love your videos on Ariens snowblowers I am looking for video that shows the charger for an EFI snowblower I can't find it again

[@GarageGear]

Appreciate you mickey! I unfortunately don’t have any videos on efi!

[@mickeyscartruck9402]

@GarageGear I thought you did a video on a battery charger for an Ariens snowblower I was trying to find it again . I have an EFI Ariens . The video shows you connecting the charger it looks like a phone charger

[@GarageGear]

@@mickeyscartruck9402 hey mickey never did a video on a charger for an ariens. I did a battery powered snowblower review a while back. Perhaps that was it?

[@mickeyscartruck9402]

@@GarageGear Probably thanks for responding

[@GarageGear]

@@mickeyscartruck9402 you got it bud! Thanks for being a cool fan!

[@SFCRambo60]

It might be a little too late but to bad you didn't drill the holes a little closer to the outside edge so you could flip the rubber around to use the other end, unless they come loose and are chucked out.

[@GarageGear]

Hey SFC, the rubber paddles should be fine without a need to flip them and should hold tight for years. Thanks for reaching out!

[@pattayperformance]

Great video and great mod! Best bang for your buck for almost any machine. I do this to almost every machine that passes through my hand. I don’t recommend cutting that plastic piece as it is part of the chute and keeps it down. Now you added stress to the thin mounting tabs for the carriage bolts. Previous years there was a metal bracket underneath. That mourning piece you cut will hinder the throwing capability of the machine 🦅🇺🇸🤙🏻🔧

[@GarageGear]

Good tip. Thanks for sharing and for checking out my channel!

[@ranger178]

what would happen if you ground the bolt heads down a little, so they are flatter to make impellers closer

[@GarageGear]

That’s a good idea. I suppose you could get a dremel in there. Thanks for sharing!

[@mikecorrigan357]

Do you use a silicone spray on the auger, chute, and impeller prior to using the snowblower each time, especially in wet snow?

[@GarageGear]

Yes I do! I’ll spray everything down often throughout the season! Works well! Thanks for watching!

[@mikecorrigan357]

@@GarageGear This video for me is great info. especially knowing that I need to cut around the chute attachment. I have the exact snowblower and will install the kit in a few days. Hope we get some snow again in New Jersey.

[@GarageGear]

@@mikecorrigan357 Great! Let me know how it works for you! Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

[@jamiebuckley1769]

why didnt you grind off the bolt heads flush with the barrol and hold them straight and mig weld the studs back in. then you could have put the rubbers flush up against the barrol.?

[@GarageGear]

Good idea! No welder tho! Thanks for checking out my channel!

[@scott1738]

So what do you call that stuff back there around all those trees ?

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for watching

[@scott1738]

So what do you call all that white stuff back there around all those trees ?

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for watching

[@steveperry1344]

may i ask a question? my old ariens 8/24 but has a hard time starting and floods easily so i pull the plug spray in some starting fluid and it starts right up then runs fine all day and will start fine when it's warmed up. any ideas.

[@GarageGear]

Hey Steve! Those blowers most likely had a tecumseh engine on them which lots of people are fans of by I am not. Their carbs never seem to work quite right for me and their magnetos can be a pain to get to in some cases. My guess is the carb but is yours priming ok?

[@steveperry1344]

@@GarageGear so i believe it to be a tecumseh motor and i put a new carb on it about 10 years ago and i'm good about adding fuel conditioner to my fuel because it tends to sit and i drain the bowl after the season is over. i have to be careful when i prime it because it seems easy now to over due it and it floods with the gas dripping out the carb and then like i say put the starting fluid in the plug hole and it starts and runs fine. i cleaned the plug up good and it has a hot looking spark but maybe i should just get a new plug.

[@GarageGear]

@@steveperry1344 do you prime it at all now when you try to start it?

[@steveperry1344]

@@GarageGear yes i do prime it. it's that time of the year up here in massachusetts so i'll be pulling out and try to get it running up, put air in the tires etc before the snow flies. i also help out my elderly neighbor across the street who has a fairly new unit that her late husband got, so i'll get that ready also. thnx for the help.

[@puggs514]

does this help with the wet and heavy snow? my 24 craftsman chokes so bad in the wet and heavy

[@GarageGear]

This is the best part of this impeller kit! The heavier and wetter the snow is the farther it throws it! It prevents any from sticking inside the impeller housing! Thanks for watching!

[@puggs514]

Update: can confirm we got 3-4 inches of the wet and heavy this morning my little 208cc 24in craftsman went from clogging and barely throwing it 2 feet to now I have to be cautious of my neighbors driveway haha. Thank you for this!!!

[@GarageGear]

@@puggs514 haha awesome puggs! Watch out for their windows too lol! Thanks for being a cool fan!

[@claudbrown283]

I have one question. These impeller kit install been around for years and they work, why dont the manufactures dont just make the unit with less clearance ?

[@GarageGear]

Great question! I wonder the same thing. I guess there was a company a while back that did this . Thanks for watching!

[@claresmith7227]

There are legal issues and liabilities when shotgunning or like projectiles fly out of the machine all at once. The gap provides somewhat of an escape for some of the debris to fall down as a warning sound of a hazardous path. In some situations, the gap will allow impeller to spin when auger shear pins have sheared. Anyway machines go wrong, we find a way to make em work better or faster for the path ahead as all paths are not as smooth as we hope for. Good luck.

[@whitieinvermont]

I'm checking out this video also.

[@GarageGear]

This video could definitely help you out since yours is a craftsman too.

[@whitieinvermont]

@@GarageGear everything is back together. Ran it for about 10 minutes out of gas and added the oil so that it just needs gas and some snow now. Thanks for your time and videos JB. I appreciate your help with this. I did everything the way it should have been done thanks to your video. I will say that I was a little confused about the figure 8 cotter pin. I used needle nose pliers to pull down the bottom side where the pin goes and slid it back out. It's not really a cotter pin but a removable one that is better than the old ones.

[@GarageGear]

Whitie in Vermont every snowblower has its own little issues here and there. Once you get past those the impeller kit install is usually straight forward. You could buy a bunch of bags of ice, pile them up and try it out. Just an idea lol! Excited for next winter for ya!

[@whitieinvermont]

@@GarageGear all though I appreciate your enthusiasm I'm okay with waiting for winter to use it. I will never know what the before and after is because it's a brand new snowblower. My old one was surging and I had enough. I sold it at the end of winter for $150.

[@GarageGear]

Whitie in Vermont that’s not a bad deal. Trust me you’ll be much happier with the “after version” of this snowblower. You’ll be looking at your neighbor’s snowblower wondering why they aren’t throwing that far lol.

[@davidclayton6521]

Use an multi tool oscillating saw to cut the rubber

[@GarageGear]

Good thinking! Thanks for sharing!

[@popeyeandy959]

What, no Amazing Wife photobombing the video?

[@GarageGear]

Not this time! It’s been a while since she’s done that lol!

[@Armen567]

Where do you get the rubber from?

[@GarageGear]

Armen Drives those pieces are from an old conveyor belt. You could use an old mud flap or tire sidewalk to get the job done.

[@jasomkovac9115]

Paddle style thrower replacement blades

[@mr.mr.4356]

Where did you get that rubber from?

[@GarageGear]

I have pieces of rubber from an old conveyor. You could use the sidewalk of a tire or a mud flap too. Thanks for checking out my channel!

[@jasomkovac9115]

Mr.Mr. can use paddle style snow thrower replacement blades.

[@richp812003]

so the snow blower i have has 4 impellers. and they are plastic. there is a huge gap but none are broken. its a craftsman 22" is this still possible for the impeller upgrade.

[@GarageGear]

Good question! I would say yes but use a thinner piece of rubber on each. Rubber from a mud flap would probably work really well! Thanks for checking out my channel!

[@pattayperformance]

Def do it on all 4 impellers! Since it’s plastic very easy to do! I use mud flap from a semi truck and zero issues.

[@marciturner4980]

4:51 Why not just hold the rubber up to the the metal itself, trace the bumps on the rubber, cut out the traced lumps, and then not have to deal with the louder noise, etc? That's what I would have done.

[@GarageGear]

There’s multiple ways to do it I guess! Thanks for watching!

[@davidclayton6521]

Bet money the Ariens impeller is thicker

[@GarageGear]

I agree! Thanks for watching

[@christophresmerowski1824]

I bought the ceramic coating at Walmart.com for a fraction Amazon is charging..

[@GarageGear]

Good to know. Thanks for sharing and for checking out my channel!

[@jeffhassell129]

How did the ceramic coating. Work out I have a old ass troy bolt. 10hp 2 stage. Thrower. That gets. Clogged so I was thinking. About doing. Both impeller kit and ceramic coating

[@GarageGear]

@@jeffhassell129 if you did both you would have a fantastic machine!

[@jeffhassell129]

Now I'm gonna definitly. Do both

[@raftgyde]

It's called a coping saw.

[@GarageGear]

Had a brain fart when I was filming, and could not think of the name of it. Thanks for refreshing my memory.

[@williamstubbs9737]

can you say multitool?

[@GarageGear]

Good idea

[@osi2484]

When drilling be care full not to drill into left hand finger tips

[@GarageGear]

Thank you for looking out for me. I was careful and kept my fingers far enough away! 😀

[@HTH21]

Clean non offensive comment

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for watching

[@madisonhomes1403]

That's called a coping saw.

[@GarageGear]

Yeah I was drawing a blank when filming! Lol thanks for watching!

[@mcscheck2000]

where is the video of you actually moving snow with this upgrade???

[@GarageGear]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYOQn2mHepKbidk here’s the proof! Snow came late for us last year! Thanks for checking out my channel!

[@Slick1G3]

man your housing is in bad shape .your supposed to keep it shiney and wax it

[@GarageGear]

Well... I got it for free and sold it for $300. Not too concerned about it lol! Thanks for looking out for me though! 👍

[@frankcastle5294]

I know you folks mean well with these endless impeller paddle vids...but this is so wrong on so many fronts. I'm 70 now and have been working on these snowblowers since the late 60's. Here is what people seem to either disavow or simply don't comprehend: The impeller blades, whether 3 or 4 blade design, need an air-gap between the impeller housing the the blades. Typical air gap is approx 1/4 inch. The air-gap is designed in and necessary to mix housing air with the snow and push it out the chute with authority. When you damn near eliminate that gap you are adding a ton of unnecessary stress onto the impeller itself...impeller shaft...impeller drive belt. These paddle repair kits were originally designed as a stop-gap repair for impellers with heavily worn blades. Now they seem all the rage and are a huge mistake for a perfectly fine lightly worn snowblower such as yours.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing

[@jibbityjab2469]

Agree partially that the closer closed gap could over stress the impeller/shaft but let's not pretend that the manufacturers care one bit about close tolerances or the complete best performance when making them. They design these so they can mass produce them without worrying about factoring in impeller clearance tolerances, extracting near 100% snow throw, etc. They're not going to do intense checking with feeler gauges, etc. while pumping these out nor would they want to worry about rejections due to the blades being too close to the edges where they scrape, warranty claims due to the blades working harder, etc. - In short, they want to push out blowers that do at least a marginal or slightly better job of throwing snow without failure esp. during the warranty period. Unless I bought a high quality machine I would not attempt this though....it could cause the kind of damage you mention due to the substandard material/construction used today.

[@georgebailey7692]

If the factory thought this a good idea, they would have installed it at the factory.

[@GarageGear]

The question is did the factory even know about this? Thanks for watching!

[@georgebailey7692]

@@GarageGear Im sure they did and thought it a bad idea but, hey have fun.

[@GarageGear]

@@georgebailey7692 it’s been working great on my machine for over 8 years! Let me know if you give it a shot!

[@billmartin694]

You should cut pads exactly the same because that flywheel is balanced and your mis measurements will cause parts to fail prematurely because you threw it out of round.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing