Last year I decided to add "paddles" to the Impeller of my MTD SnowBlower (Branded under White Outdoor Equipment) . . . . and I did so last Spring.
This post is just to provide a little information on how well they're working. This was on a 26" Two Stage SnowBlower driven by a 8½HP Tecumseh Engine.
I didn't initially take my Blower apart in order to install these paddles; instead, I bought a used Impeller off of eBay, and modified it before doing the installation (I still have my original Impeller intact).
For "paddles", I came up with my own design, using fiberglass reinforced rubber truck mudflaps, over ¼" thick. I also slotted them about ¾" so that if they wore down, they might be periodically advanced a little as they wear (maybe once per season).
This is what they looked like before being mounted on the Impeller:
(Blue at the bottom)
And here they are mounted on the Impeller that I bought for this purpose:
(Orange at the bottom)
I can now report that after a couple snowfalls this season, I am very pleased with the improved power these Paddles are providing; and they have cleaned out the barrel of all slush and the chute has never yet gotten clogged. It's behaving like a different machine.
Without exaggerating I think they are shooting my discharged snow about 25% further that I experienced before . . . . around 25 to 30' instead of the 15 to 22' I was getting when clearing the same areas around my farm. I think this is due to the paddles occupying the "fastest" moving portion of the Impeller's Blades when they fill in that space between the previous tips and the perimeter of the barrel being filled with snow by the Auger . . . . between ⅜" and ½"; the area where ice typically accumulates on these machines, and begins filling the chute.
Elsewhere on the internet, some people suggest that you can install "Paddles" by operating through the chute and using self-tapping screws . . . . without removing the Impeller. I don't think that method would have resulted in my being as pleased as I am. I know myself well enough to know that reaching down through the chute to measure and drill holes would have driven me nuts; just say'in !
So that's my story . . . . and I can now understand why the manufacturers don't offer this feature. It wouldn't be understood or appreciated by the general public, and would add significantly to the cost of the unit.
This post is just to provide a little information on how well they're working. This was on a 26" Two Stage SnowBlower driven by a 8½HP Tecumseh Engine.
I didn't initially take my Blower apart in order to install these paddles; instead, I bought a used Impeller off of eBay, and modified it before doing the installation (I still have my original Impeller intact).
For "paddles", I came up with my own design, using fiberglass reinforced rubber truck mudflaps, over ¼" thick. I also slotted them about ¾" so that if they wore down, they might be periodically advanced a little as they wear (maybe once per season).
This is what they looked like before being mounted on the Impeller:
(Blue at the bottom)
And here they are mounted on the Impeller that I bought for this purpose:
(Orange at the bottom)
I can now report that after a couple snowfalls this season, I am very pleased with the improved power these Paddles are providing; and they have cleaned out the barrel of all slush and the chute has never yet gotten clogged. It's behaving like a different machine.
Without exaggerating I think they are shooting my discharged snow about 25% further that I experienced before . . . . around 25 to 30' instead of the 15 to 22' I was getting when clearing the same areas around my farm. I think this is due to the paddles occupying the "fastest" moving portion of the Impeller's Blades when they fill in that space between the previous tips and the perimeter of the barrel being filled with snow by the Auger . . . . between ⅜" and ½"; the area where ice typically accumulates on these machines, and begins filling the chute.
Elsewhere on the internet, some people suggest that you can install "Paddles" by operating through the chute and using self-tapping screws . . . . without removing the Impeller. I don't think that method would have resulted in my being as pleased as I am. I know myself well enough to know that reaching down through the chute to measure and drill holes would have driven me nuts; just say'in !
So that's my story . . . . and I can now understand why the manufacturers don't offer this feature. It wouldn't be understood or appreciated by the general public, and would add significantly to the cost of the unit.
