Archive through September 06, 2005

[hlinden]

Digger,

Thanks for getting back about the decals. CC Specialties has them so will pick up a set.

 

[bjames]

Would you mind sharing your knowledge about the Sheaffer Oil's "demonstration" or a link.

I would like to know more.

 

[dheidemann]

Gentlemen (and Ladies);
OK, I'm a lurker. I admit it, and admitting it is the first step in recovery......right?
But finally, I have a question or two. I am the proud owner of a 1450 with a QA-42 snowthrower and at this point of the year either am very forward thinking, or just have too much time on my hands, but I have torn down my thrower to clean repaint and lubricate it. I have only had it through one Buffalo, NY winter season and did not tear it down last year. Soooooo.
The PO did several modifications to this unit and without the manual (I know BTFM, BTFM, BTFM!!)I'm not quite sure what was original. Question one: Two teeth a broken off the right angle gear box driven side gear. They are not adjacent, so how much should I worry? Replace it? Don't worry? I appreciate any advice.
Question two: That right angle gear box was filled with grease, but did not appear to be engaging much with the meshing gears. Was grease filled the original intent or a PO modification? Would a 1/4 or 1/2 filled gear oil bath be better?
Question three: I know there was a quite lengthy discussion on reduction of belt pulley size for this snowthrower about nine months ago, but a search of the archive did not provide immediate gratification (must be the keywords I'm trying). The blower currently has a 4.5 inch OD X 3/4" pulley. Without raising anyone's ire, what size would anyone recommend?

 

[digger]

Daniel H,
IMHO,
Replace the broken gears, you won't regret it if you get into hard crusty or heavy wet snow.

Personally, I go with about 75% grease and 25% 90 weight in all my gear boxes. It seems to creep up and around the gears much better.

The QA42 should have a 4 1/4" pulley on it.
I reduced mine to 3" OD and went from this,

TO THIS!

 

[bmcmeen]

Matt G. -

You're not calling Cap'n Kirk a (gasp!) liar are ya?

Ah, to be young and full of that "nothing can stop me and I'm smarter than adults" teen spirit

BTW, their website reads suspiciously close to all those PTFE additive sites. You sure it's made from soybeans and not snakes?

 

[mgonitzke]

Bill J.-

Sure I'll share!

I was already using their oil in everything when I saw it at a trade show. The salesman has a roller bearing grinder (electric motor with some kind of honing tool on it). First he takes a roller from a bearing and sticks it in the machine and pushes it onto the spinning tool. It squeals and jams the electric motor within a second or two. He then shows you the gouges in the bearing. Next he fills a cup attached to the side of the machine with Mobil 1 (or any oil of your choice), which bathes the tool and bearing in oil. He turns it on, presses hard, and the bearing squeaks, smokes, and the motor stalls (and scratches the bearing as if it were dry). Then he cleans all of that off and squirts some of their oil onto it. He turns the machine on and no matter how hard he presses it will not smoke, squeal, or stall the motor. He then wipes off all of the oil and starts it again. Still no smoke, noise, etc. Then he gets out a propane torch and burns it off and turns it on again, with no effect on the lubricating effect of the product. Then he shows you that the scratches left when the Mobil 1 was used have been polished off during the usage of their product.

That's why I would NEVER use Mobil 1.

Here is Schaeffer's website: http://www.schaefferoil.com/

 

[bmcmeen]

Ah, trade show/state fair hucksterism claims another victim. Now I'm CONVINCED of the Slick 50-ishness of the whole thing...

Geez, didn't they teach you ANYTHING about the scientific method in school?

 

[mgonitzke]

Bryan-

You calling my dad a liar too? He also swears by the stuff. And the oil in question in not made of soybeans, it's a semi-synthetic molybdenum-based oil.

Mobil 1 may be good, but this seems to be better. (please read previous post)

Under edit: Believe what you want, but this stuff is not the crap that you are implying that it is. How can you say something is bad if you have never used it?

(Message edited by mgonitzke on September 09, 2005)

 

[bmcmeen]

Matt G. -

Nope, but then I don't think your dad is an engineer that deals with engines every day, is he?

Note that in Mr. Kirk's post, while in his employment at a well known small engine manufacturer, they ran actual endurance testing in actual engines. Not by making a bearing squeal for a couple minutes in a carnival atmosphere. Big difference if you ask me.

Anecdotal evidence doesn't prove a thing. But hey, it's your money, they're your engines.

 

[mgonitzke]

If I had a bunch of small engines I didn't care about I could just fill one with Mobil 1 and one with this, run them, drain both, run them again, and see which one blows first. And repeat several times, just to make sure the result is consistent. (Yes I DID learn about the scientific method)

Under edit:

And did one of those engines happen to be filled with one of Schaeffer's products?


<blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!><font size=1>quote:</font>

Not by making a bearing squeal for a couple minutes in a carnival atmosphere.<!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote>

That's kind of a stereotype. Not every trade show display is BS, you know. (Not sure why this turned out so big)

(Message edited by mgonitzke on September 09, 2005)

 

[bmcmeen]

You'll have to ask Mr. Kirk himself.

Companies that rely on side-show antics generally don't like to be included in independent or manufacturer studies...

Personally, I wonder how Royal Purple would do in a Kohler...

 

[mgonitzke]

Just adding fuel to the fire, but royal purple's website explains their products, and is pushing the same features as Schaeffer's for the same reasons. Do you think they are lying too?

Also, royal purple has only existed since the 80's according to the website, whereas Schaeffer's has been around for 160 years, according to their website. I don't see how the company could have survived for 160 years if they have been marketing bad products all this time.

 

[pswarfle]

If my attatchment works, here is a pic of my 72 that I recently finished. I took it completly apart with the exception of the pedestal and steering column. It is a rattle can paint job. I am currrently running a 12hp and chose the 23x10.50 ags for plowing the garden and I may try some pulling, not to mention I like the wide tires with the round fenders.

 

[bmcmeen]

Matt G. -

Yes, but Royal Purple has been tested and approved by Saleen - it's the only thing my friend in Atlanta will use in her car...

Mobil 1 has been tested and approved by other vehicle manufacturers.

Has Schaeffer even bothered to be tested and approved by ANY manufacturer? I would think that it would be in their best marketing interest to do so, cuz being around since 1839 doesn't mean a hill of beans. It may to those in the ag biz, not to us "city slickers."

 

[pswarfle]

Another pic of my 72.

 

[bmcmeen]

Paul W. -

Hate to ask, but how didja get a hold of William DeTurck's camera?

Looks great - even rattle cans can give a good finish with proper surface prep.

 

[mgonitzke]

I'd put forth some effort into finding that out if you cared about the answer.....

In their product listing, they meet/exceed many manufacturer's specs.

 

[bmcmeen]

So they say.

As they say in Missou-rah - SHOW ME an independent (of Schaeffer's interests) study.

I'm not a lemming, it's gonna take a LOT to get ME to jump off that cliff

This is starting to sound a lot like noni juice and goji juice will cure everything you have, aspartame's gonna kill ya, etc...

 

[mgonitzke]

click here:

http://www.schaefferoil.com/news/archive/petty1.html

Not an independent study, but the best I can do this time of the night.....

And they are ISO 9002 certified.

Not that any of that'll satisfy you...

 

[bbaker]

I have used Schaeffer's oil as well. In several different running things. It's good oil IMO.
I am not sure it's the best thing out there but I have had very good luck with it.

I had a V6 S-10 truck a few years ago that I rebuilt the engine in. After 80,000 miles the valve covers started to leak a little(problem of the 2.8L engine) and it developed a vaccuum leak at the back of the intake. While I had the intake, and valve covers off, I noticed the engine was as clean inside as when I had put it together. I also took a couple rockers arms off just for curiosity and found no wear to them. (I put new ones on during the rebuild)

All that may not amount to a hill of beans but I ran that truck hard, and changed oil every 7-10k miles. In another words I kind of abused it. I was impressed maybe other synthetic oils are just as good though?

I just bought a new truck, and after it gets broke in a little I will most likely be putting Schaeffer oil in it as well.


Paul, that's a nice looking 72 you got there! I really like the round fenders with the ags!