[pungo]

I finally got around to filling the gap where the auger pushes snow up the chute. The gap was about 1/2", now there is zero gap. I used 2 layers of thin baler belt with one shorter than the other for flex. I made them symmetrical so they can be reversed if they wear out. I used an aluminum plate to sandwich it all together using the original holes in the auger. I take no credit for this modification, it has been done for many years on many different blowers.

I've not had any snow to try it on but it can only be better now that the 1/2" gap has been eliminated.

I noticed a carriage bolt in the rear of the blower below the chute. I didn't know what this was for, maybe to hold of equalizer bar for transport. It was in the way of the rubber baler so I removed it. I sealed the hole with some thick clear stick-on mylar from both sides. See the last picture.

I got a new flagstone walkway put in the summer, and since my steel skids were worn out and needed to be replaced, I got the Robalon plastic skids. I'll give them a try and see how long they last. At least they won't scratch the flagstone.

Rubber Gap Filler

Plastic skids

I removed the carriage bolt that way in the square hole in the center of this pictures just above the pulley. What is the purpose of the bolt?

 

[HeyYou]

That bolt for one of the belt shields?

 

[Mike X485]

Nice job on the mods, hope that you get some snow soon. :fing32:

 

[pungo]

That bolt for one of the belt shields?

Thanks, I got the blower used and there was no shield installed.

 

[Cat385B]

On some JD blowers, the metal in the back of the housing is doubled up for wear. Both welded and bolted in with carriage bolts. I don't know if that was a factory approved fix or a common home repair.

I had a 37a that way, and a M0246 that had an extra piece of metal cut and formed in there.

 

[El Gringo Grande]

I have that bolt on my 38 blowers, and I'm interested in finding out what it is for, if anything. I just did the flapper mod too, and thought about removing the bolt, but I'm not sure if it has a purpose.

 

[KATT]

Here is the plate after 1 season on Rusty's #38 blower. ( it takes some abuse the blower doesn't have to)
It comes blitz black and was about $29 bucks.
It also uses 2 of the scraper bars bolt as well as the big one in the back. :howdy:
So now you know the rest of the story.

 

[El Gringo Grande]

Here is the plate after 1 season on Rusty's #38 blower. ( it takes some abuse the blower doesn't have to)
It comes blitz black and was about $29 bucks.
It also uses 2 of the scraper bars bolt as well as the big one in the back.

So now you know the rest of the story.

Thanks KATT. Exactly what I was looking for. I just looked it up on JD Parts and saw the plate. Hope it helped the OP too.

 

[pungo]

Here is the plate after 1 season on Rusty's #38 blower. ( it takes some abuse the blower doesn't have to)
It comes blitz black and was about $29 bucks.
It also uses 2 of the scraper bars bolt as well as the big one in the back. :howdy:
So now you know the rest of the story.

Thanks for clearing up what that bolt is for. My blower has seen many snows and that area shows zero wear. Maybe if dirt and or gravel were being pushed through it it would show some wear? I don't know how snow alone could wear that area out.

I looked it up to see what the part looked like, it's Part #15 here.

 

[MXZRXP]

flapper looks great!

I will be interested to see if you are as happy with the mod as I was/am...


.

 

[KATT]

Don't know the value, it came like this. Just wanted to answer the question.

I have only heard good things about the flapper over the years here @ MTF. :thThumbsU
I just haven't needed the extra boost on the #38 or the #42 in the applications they are used on.
Great video MX

 

[Jimbochap]

Mine throws the snow pretty far too...........Almost makes to the driveway of my neighbors house. :sidelaugh

 

[pungo]

Mine throws the snow pretty far too...........Almost makes to the driveway of my neighbors house. :sidelaugh

Is that with the flapper mod

 

[Jimbochap]

Is that with the flapper mod

Yup ! :thThumbsU

 

[pungo]

Still no snow yet, but here's a video before the flapper mod. It was a dry snow, which is rare for my area. Wet snow doesn't throw as far, so I'm hoping the flapper mod will make a big difference.