Repurposing a snowblower engine

664 Views 12 Replies 8 Participants Last post by moose, 8 d ago

thomasritchuk

Discussion Starter · 15 d ago

So here's what I built with a used 11 HP B&S engine. I built it ..... well do I need a reason? Of course not. Just a project For something to do in my retirement years. Works pretty well. I replaced the 120V starter with a 12V one. So electric start and the battery also runs the winch to raise and lower. I 've cut quite a bit of wood, mostly softwood from my neighbors.Also milled some Ash from Emerald Ash Borer dead trees. It was an interesting project and I did learn from my ongoing mistakes as I am not a machinist or mechanic. 16" tires, 136" long band blade. I can cut up to 22" diameter logs . Of course I am limited to size of logs I can handle. I also built a log arch move the logs so I don't destroy my lawn. If I can build it anyone can.BTW I did manage to install an air filter.

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ELaw

· #2 · 15 d ago

Very cool!

When I was a kid, I had a 6 horse Tecumseh that used to live on the snowblower in the winter, and on minibikes and go-karts in the summer. That poor engine...

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d3500ram

· #3 · 15 d ago

^^-- that "swapping motors" reminds me of the set-up I recall as a kid...

Dad had a snowblower with a removable engine that would transfer to the reel mower in the summer.
I think there was some sort if idler pulley on one side that had to be released to loosen the belts; then there was a large handle/ wing-nut that had be unscrewed to remove the power plant, then move to other implement and repeat in reverse for install.
It was red in color and I think it might have been a Toro brand, but not positive on that.

With all the snowblower gear heads here I do not recall ever seeing a setup of which I describe.
If anyone has one (or pictures) I would love to see it.

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tabora

· #4 · 14 d ago

d3500ram said:
If anyone has one (or pictures) I would love to see it.

Are you thinking of the Toro Power Handle?

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d3500ram

· #5 · 14 d ago

Yep, that's it... tried putting some keywords in a search but nothing came back.
We had only the snowblower and the reel mower and definitely not the roto- tiller (we rented that from the garden center every spring.)

Tabs comes through again... thanks for the image my friend.... and a trip down memory lane!

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d3500ram

· #6 · 14 d ago (Edited)

Neat image... never knew of the other implements...

...wondering what this device is, seems as if it is some type of horizontal blade???
...looks sorta' dangerous:

On Edit: reading the fine print, it indicates it is an edger/ trimmer.

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tabora

· #7 · 14 d ago

d3500ram said:
wondering what this device is, seems as if it is some type of horizontal blade???

That's the Edger/Trimmer... There were more attachments, too.

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d3500ram

· #8 · 14 d ago

Awesome stuff, Thanks Tabs.

Y'all here on this site are a great bunch of folks. Kinda' tearing up bringing back the memories of my dad who was truly a renaissance man. He had this set-up (with only the two attachments) and I am sure he inherited it from a neighbor. Dad rarely bought anything new if he could acquire and repair it.

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Ballroomblitz

· #9 · 10 d ago

Interesting concept and product, thanks for sharing.

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Pagan Wizard

· #10 · 8 d ago

I want this guy for a neighbor. I need to see how this was built.

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Tinkerah

· #11 · 8 d ago

He's being awfully modest, he is absolutely a mechanic, also an engineer.

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moose

· #12 · 8 d ago

thomasritchuk said:
So here's what I built with a used 11 HP B&S engine. I built it ..... well do I need a reason? Of course not. Just a project For something to do in my retirement years. Works pretty well. I replaced the 120V starter with a 12V one. So electric start and the battery also runs the winch to raise and lower. I 've cut quite a bit of wood, mostly softwood from my neighbors.Also milled some Ash from Emerald Ash Borer dead trees. It was an interesting project and I did learn from my ongoing mistakes as I am not a machinist or mechanic. 16" tires, 136" long band blade. I can cut up to 22" diameter logs . Of course I am limited to size of logs I can handle. I also built a log arch move the logs so I don't destroy my lawn. If I can build it anyone can.BTW I did manage to install an air filter. View attachment 213450
View attachment 213448
View attachment 213449 View attachment 213448 View attachment 213449 View attachment 213450 View attachment 213448 View attachment 213449

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moose

· #13 · 8 d ago

great ingenuity with a great engine !!!

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