[snowmower]

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/bwiswell/Tractor/PowerLiftSnowblower.gif">

OK, here is my idea. Rather than using the lever to raise and lower the blower, I was hoping to use the actuator. In this picture, I could attach the actuator to the frame, and then add a bracket where the lift arm lever is. This should get me the up/down movement I need.

Problem is, because the blower needs some free play to float across the terrain, which I would not get from the actuator, how do I build in some slack at the bottom of the stroke?

Any advice and suggestions greatly appreciated.

SnowMower

 

[AlbanyBob]

Snowmower:

How about a spring loaded lift rod attached to the end of the actuator.

If you want I will take a picture of the one I use for my simplicity and then you can see if it will work for you.

Bob

 

[snowmower]

Yes please Bob.

SM

 

[guest2]

If you use a slot rather than a hole to mount either end of the actuator it should give you some float.

 

[snowmower]

I was considering a slot on the lever side, but would it have to follow the circumferance of the circle? Or should it be straight.

How do you think a slot would go over on the frame base side?

Keep 'em coming.

SnowMower

 

[guest2]

From your drawing, it looks like you would have more room for slot on the frame. The slot only needs to be the as wide as the diameter of the bolt and a few inches long depending on how much float you want.

 

[snowmower]

I'd be afraid that if the slot was in the front part of the frame, then the bracket on the lift arm might fall passed the middle. In other words, when I hit the actuator, it may push the blower down even further.

Hmm. Good advice though. Don't mean to poo poo all suggestions as they come in. Just hoping for some radical approach I have missed. BTW, my drawing is just theory. I know it is hard to get a feel for the setup, but any suggestion is a good suggestion. I'll try to get a pic if I can.

This is where is winch would actually be nice because you could get play in the cable.

SnowMower

 

[guest2]

snowmower
I was also thinking a winch would be easier in the sense that the play is built in. An actuator would take less space wouldn't it? An actuator also looks more high tech.

 

[snowmower]

What do you guys think of this idea? I put a shackle in (blue with red dot), like the kind you would have on a trailer suspension.

Here is how I think it will work.
Raise and Lower
<img src=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/bwiswell/Tractor/PowerLiftRaiseandLower.gif>

Free play once lowered.
<img src=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/bwiswell/Tractor/PowerLiftFreePlay.gif>

Anyone see anything that I have obviously missed? Any concerns, etc.

thanks again.
SnowMower

 

[snowmower]

What, no replies?! Don't you guys like my pictures?:monkey:

SnowMower

 

[Greg]

Can you make the pic a little more detailed on the frame/blower sides. Bit hard for me to "picture" your new setup working.

 

[Old_Nodaker]

Why not just use a piece of chain between the actuator and blade? How far does the actuator move?

 

[snowmower]

It's for a blower actually.

Problem is, I cannot use the JB mounting brackets with the snowblower mounted. And there is not enough room at the front of the tractor to attach an actuator. So I am trying to get this mounted somewhere out of the way.

I'll try to get yas a pic. Then, my strange engineering will reveal its genious.

SnowMower

 

[snowmower]

Actually, craftsman has a lift assist for the blowers using an actuator.

Found out when I picked up the latest winter attachments catalog. Will try to get a good pic of it when I (well, the wife) gets the new camera at Christmas. But is appears to run along the same lines at my train of thought.

Where the actuator would be going in on the same shaft as the lift lever and the support frame. Should be solid.

SnowMower

 

[Argee]

Originally posted by snowmower
Actually, craftsman has a lift assist for the blowers using an actuator.

Found out when I picked up the latest winter attachments catalog.
SnowMower

I was out on their site also...I could not find it either...are you referring to the sleeve hitch lift??

 

[snowmower]

Don't know if this helps at all. Sorry, the 'old' camera only 460 by 480.

This is with the blower raised (note lift bar on left)
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/bwiswell/Tractor/Jam165.jpg">

This is with the blower lowered
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/bwiswell/Tractor/Jam166.jpg">

And this is hard to see, but it is where I was planning to put the actuator.
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/bwiswell/Tractor/Jam168.jpg">

Will try to get better pics after Christmas.

SnowMower

 

[guest2]

Snowmower

I guess that's not a craftsman/agrifab blower. That is completely different than what sears sells here in the states. Are you sure the lift kit you are reffering to is for the blower you have rather than the agrifab unit?

 

[Argee]

That's definetly a different blower setup. I like the idea of the lift lever being farther back on that one..Get us some pics of the entire unit

 

[DGT6000_OWNER]

Didn't the old style electric lift assist for the Craftsman tractors lift both the sleeve hitch and the mower deck? If that is true, then you should be able to find one of those come up on eBay. Either that, or get in contact with Topdj as he has added an actuator to his mower deck lift, and last I knew, he still had some left over actuators for sale:merry:

 

[guest2]

The old style sears lift kit works through the tractor's main lift. I have it on my GT. The blower has its own arm because it doesn't tie into the tractor's main lift. It just pivots on its mounting brackets. The lift kit I have will raise/lower all sleeve hitch attachments, the mower deck and the front snow/dozer blade. The only disadvantage to this setup is you can only use one attachment at a time. Although I would not want the deck on when useing a dozer blade or a tiller, it would be nice to have both the blade and tiller on at the same time. I could do this easily enough by getting the newer sleeve hitch and adding the actuator kit for it. I chose a JBJr with actuators instead as I can use the bucket much the same as a dozer blade.