what's the reason for the hole in my 49 blower paddle ?

Well, first, let's believe that auger (heck, the whole front of the blower) was made for multiple applications. So, who knows? One application may have had a rubber flap stock!

Two holes will be twice as bad (or good) as one. I can't imagine an issue, but if there were, it would be easy to plug them with a bolt.

Cat385B said:

If you duct tape a harmonica over it, and then punch out the middle three holes, you get be first in the GT parade.

Click to expand...

Now I understand why you get paid the big bucks here. I'd have never thought of that!