A few months back, I was looking for help -- as I had just acquired a JD 400 and a #50 Snowblower/Snowthrower that was not working well.
I did quite a bit of research, and I could not find a diagram on how to run the chute cables. I limped through the winter, with about 60 degrees of chute movement (LAME!). However, now that it is not negative 20, I have taken some time to get the cables run correctly.
Fortunately, the pulley/cable configuration is very similar to some other JD units! (Folks with more experience than myself probably would have figgered this out sooner....)
But, anyway -- here are some instructions that I found on the John Deere Manuals site, that also basically apply to Model #50.
The great news, is that I now have about 170 degrees of chute rotation!
Replacing Right Cable
Replacing Left Cable
NOTE: For ease of assembly and proper cable routing, replace one cable at a time. Route right cable around snowblower first, then route left cable.
[*]Here is a diagram of both cables:
![Image]()
Finally, I will add that these directions are not quite perfect: my chute was about 60 degrees off, so I loosened the cables, fired-up the tractor and moved the actuator so that it was halfway extended. Then, I centered the chute (pointing forward), and cinched-up the cables.
I did quite a bit of research, and I could not find a diagram on how to run the chute cables. I limped through the winter, with about 60 degrees of chute movement (LAME!). However, now that it is not negative 20, I have taken some time to get the cables run correctly.
Fortunately, the pulley/cable configuration is very similar to some other JD units! (Folks with more experience than myself probably would have figgered this out sooner....)
But, anyway -- here are some instructions that I found on the John Deere Manuals site, that also basically apply to Model #50.
The great news, is that I now have about 170 degrees of chute rotation!
Replacing Right Cable
- Rotate discharge chute to the right (as viewed from machine seat) and verify that the hydraulic cylinder rod is retracted -- you may need to start the tractor up, to actuate the cylinder.
- Standing at rear of snowblower, put cable through hole (A), then loosen the bolt holding the right pulley (C), and place the end of the cable under the pulley's washer (re-tighten the pulley).
- Wrap cable around middle pulley (B), and around right pulley (C).
- Wrap cable counterclockwise around discharge chute and put it around threaded stud and behind washer and locknut (D).
- Here is a diagram of the right side cable:
![Image]()
Replacing Left Cable
NOTE: For ease of assembly and proper cable routing, replace one cable at a time. Route right cable around snowblower first, then route left cable.
- Keep the snowblower discharge chute rotated to the right (as viewed from machine seat).
- Standing at rear of snowblower, put cable through hole (A), then loosen the bolt holding the left outside pulley (C), and place the end of the cable under the pulley's washer (re-tighten the pulley).
- Wrap cable around middle pulley (B), and around left pulley (C).
- Wrap cable clockwise around discharge chute and put it around threaded stud and behind washer and locknut (D).
- Here is a diagram of the left side cable:
![Image]()
[*]Here is a diagram of both cables:
Finally, I will add that these directions are not quite perfect: my chute was about 60 degrees off, so I loosened the cables, fired-up the tractor and moved the actuator so that it was halfway extended. Then, I centered the chute (pointing forward), and cinched-up the cables.
