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Another model 49 restoration in SW Wisconsin

3K views 21 replies 7 participants last post by  GreenGabby 
#1 ·
Finished up my model 49 with hydraulic chute rotator restoration over the weekend. Put it away in storage until I need it. Today I went to storage locker and brought out my "test model 49" to restore.

A little history:
  • I purchased a parts model 49 that ingested a foreign object and took out the gear box. Unit had a tall chute and shell was not rotted out.
  • Used the tall chute to finish up the first 49 restoration.
  • My "test 49" has been used the last 4-5 years for snow duty and is the unit I used to test paddles and other features to improve performance
  • The snow thrower worked well even with a rotted shell
  • Now combining two to make one good snow thrower.
Work already in progress or completed:
  • Mounting frame from parts unit was cleaned up and painted.
  • Parts unit was missing lift cylinder so I took one out of inventory and painted.
  • Gearbox from my "test 49" will not work on parts unit frame. "Test 49" is an early unit with 3 mounting hole gearbox so gearbox rebuild is in process.
  • Shell has been stripped down and taken to sandblaster for clean then will be painted.
Today I stripped down the "test 49" to get parts I need to complete restoration
  • Idler brackets and spring were missing from parts unit so will need them for restoration
  • Need protective shield that covers the gearbox disk.
  • Auger on parts unit was severely damaged so will use the auger from test 49 for the restoration. Auger has paddles installed
  • Parts unit did not have skid shoes so will use from test 49. Skid shoes on test 49 had been modified with wider and thick skid plates.
The auger will need new bearings and locking collars. Gear box is getting new inner bearings and gears. I damaged the drive shim removing it so will be replaced with new. Chute will get acrylic/teflon cutting board shims installed to snug up fit. Gearbox will be filled with fresh oil. Beyond that original parts will be reused.

Tall chutes are hard to find. I will gladly listen to any recommendations on how to build or retrofit other manufacturer chute. I have two short chutes so would be willing to cut one up to build a custom chute.

I had intended to install 36T sprocket to see what that does to performance but I don't really need it. That is an open issue yet.

Photos are the finished 49 with tall chute and random photos of my test 49.
 

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#3 ·
I have taken two model 49 shells to welder/painter for service. One shell will have replaced rotted shell. The other is having cracks welded. Both are getting sandblasted and will be painted for final assembly. Waiting for call that parts are ready for pickup.
 
#4 ·
Too bad it's outsourced. I would have loved to seen how it was repaired in a step by step fashion. I have a 49 in very similar condition (inside shell is rotted out even worse than yours) - haha.
Looking forward to your build once you get it back.
 
#5 ·
I am very disappointed with these people. The parts have been sandblasted for 2 weeks but are sitting in the welding shop now. Deck and one shell need pinholes brazed before they are painted. The other shell needs rotten metal cut out and replaced. I have no idea when I will get these parts back. I know they are the last parts I will take to this shop.

Dennis is a retired welder from Deere & Co. and does extremely good work. I saw a blade he repaired that someone grounded off the cutting edge because they did not use skid shoes. Wear was ground up into the mounting hardware. He cut off the bottom and welded in a new mount area and drilled new mounting holes. On the front you couldn't tell where the weld seam was. Just wish he would get going on my parts. I need to get some projects out of the garage. I can hardly move around in there.

I will post photos of parts when I get them back.

Gabby
 
#6 ·
Sorry to hear this Gabby. I can imagine your disappointment.
And I totally relate to your comment about barely enough room to move around.
I need a pole barn in the worst way and it seems like every time I think it's about to happen, something else comes up and delays it.
But hey, I'm Blessed to have what I have and if I have to shuffle things around every time I need to work, I guess it's better than not having anything to work on at all. Keep the faith Gabby, it'll happen. And when it's done, you'll probably be glad that it took a little extra time if that's what it takes to get it done right.

Be well and a Merry Christmas to you and yours.
 
#7 ·
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I really want to get the mower deck and snow thrower projects complete. Mower deck goes on 318 in storage ... Snow Thrower will go up for sale. That needs to be on sale now and not in April.

Laurie and I return your Seasons Greetings. Stay warm over there.
 
#8 ·
Sorry members I haven't been keeping this post updated.

Quick update on work completed.
  • The auger has paddles installed from original snow thrower; just cleaned up and repainted. Auger will have new bearings and locking collars installed
  • Chute rotate mechanism and skidshoes have been cleaned, repainted. and ready for reassembly.
  • Cutting edges from both of these ST's are not reusable. I kept cutting edge from another rebuild that had one worn edge and I will be using that edge on this rebuild. It is cleaned, repainted, and ready for installation.
  • Most items on mounting frame are repainted and reassembled.
  • Having a problem with reassembly of gearbox. I had to replace both gears, bearings, and seals. Short shaft on output side fits together well but on the long shaft the distance between the snap rings come up short. Looking for a narrower seal to make assembly possible.
  • Have decided to add 34/36T sprocket depending on what is available locally. Theisen's has a 36T sprocket and 1" ID hub available in store. There is a post by a fellow member who ran into problem with OD of new hub being too large and had to machined down. Trying to avoid that.
  • Will probably replace chain at same time.
  • Need to spend some time designing a tall chute. In the meantime short chute will probably be installed to get project completed.
  • The fingerprints in wet paint on disk shield will be sanded and repainted.
Parts have been picked up from sandblaster/welder.
  • Older ST shell needed some brazing work to fill pitted holes. No much weld repair needed.
  • The rotted area on the older shell was cut out and a patch panel welded in. Cost for this repair was about $125.
  • The newer shell needed cracked corners welded up as well as areas around the chute.
One set of snow thrower parts and the mower deck with cover have been delivered to powder coat shop. Four weeks is estimated completion time. The 2nd set of snow thrower parts will be take to auto body shop for paint along with sheet metal parts from 216 rebuild. I also plan to take in 3-4 hoods from my tractors for paint.

216 rebuild thread ... 1979 John Deere 216 restoration

Gabby
 

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#9 · (Edited)
Last night I picked up the parts that were powder coated. Mower deck went together quite easily. Only thing I had to go out and buy was the blade mounting hardware.

I have two more parts for the power flow I am going to take in for powder coating. Other than that mower deck is complete and ready to install on tractor. The 318 this deck will be mounted on is also getting a paint job.

Edit: Just remembered I did not torque the spindle pulley hardware. Need to do that in the morning.
 

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#10 ·
The 49 snow thrower is fighting me. I am combining parts from two different snow throwers to give me a complete, restored attachment.
  1. The parts should be interchangeable between the two but the gear boxes are different.
  2. Shell, rotor, bearings, driveshaft & tube, sprockets & chain, and pulley & idler arrangement are all common.
  3. Gearbox and components are different (3 bolt mount vs 4 bolt)
  4. Mounting frame is different based on which gearbox I end up using.

Using rebuilt 4 bolt gearbox. But something is causing a bind. I ran out of energy and will have at it again tomorrow. If issue cannot be resolved I will switch mount and gearbox to the 3 bolt arrangement. Those parts worked well as my "test 49 snow thrower".

Nut & bolt inventory needs restocking so intend to make a Theisen's run in the morning to replenish hardware. Also plan to take sprocket and chain with to match with a 34/36 tooth sprocket and new chain.

I had the short chute powder coated so will not be making a tall chute at this time.

Need to take chain guard, shell doubler plate, chute rotator mechanism & bracket, and some hardware in for powder coat. Hope to have ST completed by next weekend.

I'm not sure what is going to happen with this model 49 when complete. Original thought was to put it up for sale. I am currently restoring a JD 216 I had planned to give to oldest son. I now plan to keep the 216 and give him my 316K. He will get a restored 48" mower deck and this model 49 if he wants it. He has no use for a tractor mounted snow thrower/blower. His driveway is 14 - 16 foot long at most and he has no sidewalk. OK, sidewalk between house and garage is 10 - 12 foot. I am giving him 1st choice if he want the snow thrower.:dunno:

He needs to clean his garage so these are stored inside or all will go up for sale.
 

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#11 ·
The mower deck project is completed and reinstalled on tractor. Snow blower only has a couple of small items to complete.
  • I had a problem during reassembly that older auger would not fit in newer shell. The mistake was mine. I installed a bearing/collar in reversed order. I did however switch shells so all the original components went back on this restoration.
  • I did install a 36T sprocket and new chain to validate this modification on a model 49
  • New sprocket hub was thicker than original. Had to machine 5/16" off the hub face.
  • Chain cover install with 2nd drift cutter bar.
  • Chute installation needs to be completed.
    • Need to cut a teflon ring to place between chute bottom flange and shell mounting ring. Previous restorations I did not do this because teflon strip around the outside of the shell chute provided a better fit. On this restoration however there is not room for strip in this location.
    • Cable needs to be installed.
  • During sandblast in prep for powder coating there were some holes blown thru rusty area. This area needs to be sanded and paint touch up.
 

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#12 ·
Very nice restoration Gabby. Enjoying the pics.
 
#14 ·
To close this thread the model 49 was completed and sold with mower deck on the 318 shown at beginning of this thread. The new owner was made aware of the rusted area on the snow thrower and said it was not a problem and he would take care of it. Tractor, mower, and snow thrower were all repainted and sold as a package.
 
#15 ·
Thanks for the update, nicely done! I'm in the process of repainting my #50 blower, although not as thorough of a restoration as yours. No sand-blasting but plenty of sanding paint and rust with flap wheel discs and D/A sanders followed up with rattle can primer and paint. Luckily mine seems to be in good shape, it amazes me how efficiently everything rotates just by hand from the PTO driveshaft...

I have some questions: Can you tell me about the Teflon you used? Is that what your chute rotates on? I have an extra chute that I plan on doubling to extend the height, was that your plan?
 
#16 ·
The teflon/vinyl I use is cutting board material your wife would use in the kitchen. Should be available any store that sells kitchen ware. I get it at Farm & Fleet. Which is a general purpose dept store.

I have found it works better to wrap the vinyl round the vertical part of the chute to shim up the looseness rather cut a ring to go around the base. You can test both.

This was supposed to be my last model 49 restoration but working on one now to mount on a 140 H3 tractor. I will be starting a new thread shortly.
 
#18 ·

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#19 ·
Thanks. How did you attach it to the vertical part of the shell? So the cute is still rotating metal on metal at the base? Sorry, bear with me, I'm a visual learner.

About the rubber flapper mod, Is it mounted to the trailing edge or leading edge of the auger flap?
 
#20 ·
On some snow throwers teflon on the base was to thick and caused binding between shell and chute. It also did not do a good job of reducing the chute wobble when attached to shell. The teflon is not attached to anything between vertical components of shell and chute. I tried two pieces of teflon but again they caused binding so only used one piece. Just so you are aware most of the snow blowers I used this on had model 50 chute rotators installed.

I have always put the rubber flaps on the leading edge.

I apologize for the slow response ... Gabby
 
#22 ·
I have quit using tractor mounted snow throwers/blowers. I have a cement driveway and a walk behind 826 worked perfectly for me last winter. I restored a 1032 which I should have kept but couldn't turn down the offer. My 826 needs same restoration I did to the 1032. I put flaps on the 1032 two-stage and want to see how they work on the 826.

Currently have another 49 tore apart so I can say I have a 49. It is being saved to use on my 140 H3. Besides the 49 I think I have four 37A's for my 112 SF and 216. Also have a 30 for 112 RF and two smaller ones for 70/80 tractors. Really need to lower my asking price to get rid of all these. Snow throwers are simple restorations but expensive if you pay for sandblasting and powder coating.

Gabby
 
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