Vintage Homelite snow blowers

[mowerman33]

Hello,I'm new to the forum and was hoping to find some info on this old beauty.I need to know how to route the drive belt.I found an owners maual but no help as far as technical info.Oh,and I'm also here for all the saw info.Been repairing saws for over 30 years.Thanks.

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[MCS]

Welcome the forum. We don't get many if any postings on snow blowers. Maybe someone has had some experience with them.

[jbsaws]

Is that a steel gas tank and steel control panel on the handlebars? That plus the blue color makes it look like something from the 60's or 70's to me.

I'd check to see what Sears was selling back then, you may find something similar.

I ran blowers like that from 1980 - 2000.

I'm guessing there are two belts, one for movement and one for blower? Is there a pair of idler wheels that push against the belts? Figure out how those idlers work and you should be able to figure out how to route those belts.

Remember: don't put your hand down the chute when it's running! ;D That may sound obvious, but a check of emergency rooms in snow country will tell you that not everyone remembers that.

[mowerman33]

It's an early 70's model. Yes metal gas tank The drive belt is long and has a twist and 90 turn.

[mowerman33]

Same as an Allis Chalmers 1600262 and Simplicity 990805

[jbsaws]

Gee, I wasn't even close! We've got a couple of old Homelite shops in the area, I'll check with them.

[mowerman33]

Thanks for your help.

[dancbx]

yup I have an old Simplicity, looks identical, I am pretty sure I have that info I can scan it and email to you if you like.

[mowerman33]

That would be great.I can't figure out the drive belt routing so hopefully there's a diagram or instructions.

[jbsaws]

Your post reminded me I was going to do some checking. I just talked to a guy here locally who knows where there are two of them, and, he's pretty sure he has a parts list for them. I'm going to see him Saturday. I'll let you know what I find out.

[mowerman33]

thanks for all the help so far.

[jbsaws]

You're welcome. I'll get you copies of whatever I get and I'll try to get some pictures of that belt routing.

[dancbx]

file one hope this helps.

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[dancbx]

file 2, these are pretty much the same but cool anyway....

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[mowerman33]

I want to thank everybody for your help and going out of your way for me.I should be able to figure things out now. I hope I can help others some how too.I have some saw manuals but they're not homelite. (S+++L)

[jbsaws]

I didn't get to go look at old Homelite snowblowers this weekend as I had planned. I've been home w/ 3 layers of clothes on, eating homemade chicken soup my wife made and trying to shake the nasty virus that's been kicking my butt since Friday. Went to the clinic yesterday to make sure I didn't have strep throat. Negative. Was told there are over 200 viruses that cause sore throat & other cold symptoms. Darn little buggers!

Anyhow, I'm still planning to see them and get copies of the parts list and any other documents I can. I'll get back to you.

[mowerman33]

I hope you get well soon.

[Max716]

Good evening everyone. I am new to this forum and have the same home lite simplicity snow blower (1970’s era, Blue and White) that is built like a “Tank”. Unfortunately my drive belt jumped off the pulleys and I can’t remember how the drive belt is routed. I do have a parts manual, however it does not have a routing diagram for the Drive Belt. I read thru the prior posts where another person was kind to post a diagram of the drive belt. However when I clicked on the “File” in the post, an error message appeared. If any one could please post a drive belt diagram it would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you for the Help!!

[sophi76]

Personally, I have had 3-4 used blowers over the years. Usually had issues when I needed them most. One the rewind broke twice when I was out of reach of a hundred foot extension cord. Bugger to drag back. Another ran and sounded great, bearing on the auger went out when we had two feet of wet snow. Belts eating up from rusty pulleys, oil consumption, levers or augers that didn't work right, or a wore out friction disk are a few things to look for. Not all used equipment is bad. I just haven't had good luck with them.

The last one broke the auger gears also. I always checked the oil in that gearbox where most don't.



I would look for an Ariens. For this I am searching on different websites

We bought three Ariens blowers in the 1970's for my family. Everybody has a big driveway, and these things work hard. All are still running strong. Routine maintenance only. The only repairs have been to replace the cutting bars that scrape on the pavement.

Even the friction discs and spark plugs are original. They are never stored outside. Weather is the number one killer of yard equipment.

Some have said that the newer big-box store Ariens machines are of poorer quality. Don't know. The older ones are great.

[w30bob]

Well....I bought an Ariens about 10 year ago and it's built like a tank. Can't speak for the latest and greatest, but I'd suspect that of what's available today they still make a decent machine. I also have messed with my Dad's Ariens from the mid-60's and that's in showroom condition, as I think he used it twice if my memory is right. I had to rebuild the auger gearbox for him, as it had a very slight leaking seal. But over 60+ years those little tiny drips added up and when he did fire it up a few years back he ran that gearbox dry without knowing it. Luckily I found all the parts NOS online, and she's good as new. Literally. I'll have to keep an eye out for other things Homelite, as I usually just consider them a chainsaw manufacturer. Interesting thread!

;O)
bob