QA-36 Rebuild

[coakes00]

I was going to wait until I had the whole thing together before sharing it, but I had some free time today so I figured why not start posting some of the pictures now.

I bought the snow thrower about a year ago from a guy near Redwood Falls Minnesota in a packaged deal. The thrower hadn't seen action for a few years and had been sitting in the back of the shed. I brought it home, not know much about it, greased every zerk I could find, and used it about 5 or 6 times last winter before taking it off for summer mowing. I could tell there were some issues with it but it worked well enough to save my back for the time being. Well since the weather here in Nebraska is starting to change, I figured it was time to take a look at and get it back into full operation.

The big issue I noticed to spark the rebuild was that the drive shaft was seized up and was wearing away at the chain tensioner bracket.




After ordering new bearings all around, I figured that if I'm in the mess, I might as well repaint and bring the whole unit up to date. After some new needle bearings and shims, the chain tensioner was fixed.



After taking the gearbox out, I quickly noticed that it was very much time for an overhaul. The keys on both bevel gears was about halfway sheared off so after a wash in the parts wash, bearings, and new keys it is back in operation. The previous owner also misplaced the set screw and key in the output shaft and just rammed a bolt in the hole to FUBR up the shaft. After some work with a file, it was back into a usable shape. I also drilled in a grease zerk so I could grease the gearbox without taking off the cover.

[coakes00]

The old wear edge was shot, so after visiting a neighbor with a welding business, he came up with a new, longer lasting solution using c-channel and bar stock. It also does a great job at pulling the cutting edge back to straight.




The same neighbor also has some 1/8 sheet that I bought to fabricate up some extensions to make the QA36 into more of a QA42.


Spent some time with an anvil and hammer to straighten out the auger, fix some dents in the shell, and cover all bare metal with primer.




After degreasing all parts and washing them clean, everything got a coat of paint. This brings me to its current state with is mid paint. Hoping to get it finished up and reassembled this weekend but who knows with the holiday.

[EricR]

Nice job on the thrower, I have a QA36A and a CW36 on my things to do!!!!!

[ccguy]

Beautiful, thorough work.

[Dirty Steve]

I like it. Nice job!

[finsruskw]

All that nice new shiny paint!!
That rig should really pitch the white chit!!
I know my BB36 on the O sure does a fine job.

[coakes00]

I've been giving the paint lots of extra time to cure since the shop isn't heated all the time. Figured it has been a week since the last coat so I started on reassembly last night. Hoping to get it done, tires mounted and loaded, and maintenance done on the 127 before what looks to be a bad storm coming next week.

[Tom4981]

Looks very professional, great job.

[coakes00]

Well now it's finished, just need some snow to test it out.

Everything turns so much easier and quieter now. The new chain really helps make it move smooth. Had a real PITA trying to get the driveshaft back on the sub shafts. They were tough to get off especially since one didn't have a key and set screw but everything is squared away now. I keep hoping for snow to see how the new HD ware edge and wings will work.

Looking to order some standard International decals to dress it up but might not until I put it away for the year. Does anyone know of a place to get the safety decal that goes on the front? Not a big deal but it would make it look more complete.

[mjsoldcub]

nice blower, good work....like the extensions