QA36A on 82 Series (680) - Belt Help
 

Hello guys and gals. I have a 680 Hydro (based on the 82 series I believe). It came with a QA36A snow thrower. I am in the process of trying to get it installed and the belt is giving me trouble. I understand that it should take either a 28" or 30" belt, but I can't even get a 1/2" by 32" belt to fit. The physical connection of the thrower to the tractor was easy. I believe it was just as simple as guiding the blower into the quick detach receiver and bolting the right arm/strap on (I do have a QA36-42 owner's manual). I had to put the lift linkage on too, but it was a breeze. The belt is the issue. I have the tensioner that is on the side of the blower (left hand from cockpit view). I have it maxed out. The 4 bolts that move on the mounting plate are free and bottomed out on the adjustment slot. I can't figure out what I am missing. I know that ideally I should be using a 36B thrower, but the "A" came with the tractor along with a 30" belt. Any thoughts on what I am missing? I am thinking of ordering a couple belts: 33", 34" and possible 35" from McMaster, but I want to get your opinion. Thanks in advance for the help. Here are some pictures of my setup.

Belt too short:
http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/p...82409400_o.jpg

All the connections in place (I hope):
http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/p...78201725_o.jpg

http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/p...95683391_o.jpg

Adjustment cam (boys, I need to clean under there ;):
http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/p...95683501_o.jpg

Model Info (blower and tractor):
http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/p...78197575_o.jpg

http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/p...49868634_o.jpg

Thanks again.

First off,just trying to help,I can see you do not have the correct lift arms,they should have a bend to them.
The belt should be longer from your pics,is that the original pulley on the thrower?

Is this the arm I should use:
http://www.xtrememotorworks.com/Part...ift%20Arms.jpg

This arm kit is from Aaron at xtrememotorworks.com. Here is the desciption:

Snowblower Curved Top Lift Arms
Used when adding a QA snowblower to late model tractors so the chute doesn't hit the hood and also for 82 series tractors for more clearance on installation. UNPAINTED Replaces PN/ IH-548192 R1 and IH-79011 C1

I haven't noticed any issue lifting the blower up and hitting the front of the tractor, but I also haven't added on the 2nd piece of the chute. My main concern is still the belt. I haven't read anywhere online where someone was using a longer belt than 30". Doesn't mean I shouldn't, but I want to feel like I'm not alone.;)

Also, to my knowledge it still has the original pulley on it. I know I need to go to a 5/8" pulley, so while I'm at it I will go with a speed up pulley.

Correct belt is a IH-78056-C1 Belt (5/8" x 36-1/4"). If you don't believe those numbers, you can read them again here in post #4:

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=2878


You will need the wider pulley. No need to speed it up. It will throw far enough without. Just watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqK5r10xKBc


But not like a 450 blower will. Sorry, I don't have a video of the 450 in action. But I do have a pic...

Attachment 70197


So.... you need a longer belt. Quite a bit longer actually.

Those are the lift links you need. The ones from xtreme.

I think I'm using a 34" belt on my 782/QA42A. I have a speed up pulley on it although off the top of my head I don't recall what size now. I could dig up the details tomorrow if you were interested.

Thanks Jonathan! I found that belt at CC Specialties, but it didn't give the dimension. I know there may be no need to speed up the blower, but if I am going to have to replace the pulley anyway why not do what seems to be a popular/functional mod?

Thanks SS5150 - I ordered a cast iron 3.55" pulley with 3/4" center from McMaster last night. I would be interested to know what you are running, but don't sweat getting the details if its a bother.


Thanks All!!

I don't know how handy you are, but you can heat and bend the upper arms and add an inch or so to them and drill another hole.
It works for me, if ya need a pix, I take one and post it
but they look just like the ones in post #3 :beerchug:

Good idea George. I fancy myself as handy with a welder and torches, but I have yet to buy them. I work with welding equipment for a living, yet don't have any at home. Partially because I want the big boy ones and mostly because buying a house/working on it is strapping my cash flow. :Huh:

In order to get a QA36A to work on the 82 series tractors and newer, it needs to be a QA36B. The difference between the "A" version and the "B" version is:

1. 78055-C2 Pulley
2. 78056-C1 Belt
3. 79011-C1 Upper Arm (top link)

The Upper Arms are NLA from Cub Cadet. NOS or good used ones can still be found.

:IH Trusted Hand:

Thanks Roland!

You could build those upper arms easy enough with a welder and grinder... just sayin

Very true. I am going to try it without it. I can lift the blower up to "6" out of 8 on my lift bar. I threw the show chute extension on and it still cleared. The interference is definitely the arms hitting the frame, but I think I have plenty of lift to start. We shall see.

Thanks to all who have given me some pointers. I'll post up some pics of the thrower with the right belt and pulley as soon as my McMaster order comes in today.

So I finally pieced the blower all together. I ended up with a 34" 5L belt. It tightened up okay, but towards the bottom of the adjustment so I have a 33" on order as I expect the 34" belt to stretch a little once put under load and I may run out of adjustment.

I swapped the pulley out to a quality cast iron 3.5" 5L. I soaked the old stamped steel pulley for two days with PB Blaster and it still turned into a pretzel when using the 3 jaw puller to take it off, but it came.

I also took the opportunity to try improving the performance by fastening pieces of truck mudflap to the throwing portion of the auger to reduce/eliminate the gap of the auger to the drum/shell. This coupled with the speed up pulley should hopefully really throw some snow.

Added 260 lb of wheel weights (had them made out of 1.5" thick steel and I had a couple lifting weights too) to a Xtrememotorworks weight bar. I fixed the head/taillight wiring too (it was all jacked up).

Pics of the progress:

http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/p...521D2A4F5A.jpg

http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/p...85C78480A3.jpg

http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/p...079328BFAD.jpg

http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/p...f2487b3939.jpg

http://i420.photobucket.com/albums/p...D01E21191D.jpg

Looks like to me you need a longer lift rod....

Yes I do, but what I have will have to work for now. I've been ordering too many tractor parts and the wife is becoming suspicious. :biggrin2:

But those tractor parts get her out of the driveway:)