[SulleyBear]

See those 5 bolts in the left side, top edge of the snow blower, lined right next to one another, aboce where the blower sits in the hitch. There are 4 together and one more. If you stand by the left front tire and look at the blower, you will see them, they are spare shear bolts for the auger shaft in the blower.

As far as the wire shaft holder, just bend it upwards some and move it out of the way, around to the side out of the hitch lift area, then swing it back to use it when you disconnect the blower.

Make sure to pull on the front coupling of the PTO shaft where it connects to the tractor so you KNOW it locked on. The collar should snap forward and lock it so it can't be pulled forward without pulling on the collar. Same thing with the long shaft under the tractor. Make sure they are locked as you DO NOT want them coming loose or off while in use.

As far as the gear box, post pictures of the gears and chain so we can see them. Plenty of 47" blowers still using the chain and gears. In fact, I have spare parts for those and I don't even own the blower any longer.......But if the gears are in decent shape and the chain is tight and runs without vibration, you don't have to replace it.

Regarding the 2 extra lines from the angling cylinder on the quik hitch, make sure you put caps on the ends and tuck them up and use a zip tie to keep them out of harms way. Its easy to snip the zip tie and release the lines should you need to. But protect the ends and keep the lines secured safely with the lines which are hooked to the tractor.

Here is the most important point of owning and using the blower. NEVER, and i mean NEVER aim the blower chute towards anyone or anything which can be damaged. The thrower will pick up ice chunks and rocks and throw them amazingly long distances. My neighbors son was blowing the snow at the front of the house and he damaged the stucco finish to the tune of about $3k and he knocked out a 2nd story window, which was also about as costly........Always aim the chute where it can't damage anything. Think of it like gun safety, never point it at anything which you shouldn't as it will be throwing snow 50' and suddenly the rock will come out and fly 100'................just how it goes...........

 

[SulleyBear]

One more small detail. Check your front tire pressure and set the tire pressure up near the limit indicated on the tire sidewall, as the snow blower will squat the front tires quite a bit when lifted. The tires can get soft in the extreme cold, where they typically lose a little pressure in very cold temps, it can wear the tires excessively with the weight on the front end.

Many tractor owners have both the blower and the blade and your quik tach hitch is already set up for the blade, with the angle cylinder. If you do have the blade and switch from the blower to the blade, make sure to keep an eye on the angle cylinder fittings which are 90 degrees, one on each end. The snow likes to pack into the hitch when in use and angling side to side. This snow turns to ice as its packed and it can damage the cylinder, the line fittings and the cylinder mount pins. If you are not going to use the plow, the snow build up in the hitch shouldn't be a concern as you won't be angling it from side to side as those who use plows often do.

Good luck with your new snow clearing equipment. I think it was wise to get everything on and try it and work out any kinks, as many wait until the snow is deep and then have the pressure of having to get the equipment mounted and running. You are ahead of the curve and that's a good thing.............