Smilin: As Bay has recommended running the Ethanol based fuel out of the carb after addition of Stabil will be your best bet to reduce gumming of the fuel circuits within the Tec Carb . MMO or Lucas or any other premium fuel additive during the winter season will ensure further trouble free fuel delivery . Note: The occasional sputter during idle is the norm with this engine as you have identifed . One other thing is proper oil grade for your temps . If you have servere (colder temps) I would recommend multi grade oil not straight SAE30 . Hard starting and valve train wear can be increased due to lubicity decrease within higher vicosity oils in cold temps. Bay: Let me know when you hear further on the New Tec Engines Arrival :)

RE: Old Toro Snow Hound 20' Snowthrowers - Need help To: Larry T. Eastern I have an older Lambert and the skids were worn out also, not to mention needed some other tender loving care like carb overhaul, chain, tune-up, and a valve grind. The valves were in decent shape except for some pitting on the valve faces probably from sitting most of its life I think. The skids can be rebuilt, I bought some flat weld stock and bent it to the same curves and welded it to each ajustable support. If I wear them out again I can repeat same procedure. They look normal and just like they were made to order, beacuse it's not likely you'll find them anywhere. As far as the metal box, it seems it could also be fabricated as I don't see anyway of getting that either? D. W.

grandm1, True, the only blade that will allow manual angling from the cab is the 48", part BM19415. It is not designed specifically for the GT235, it will fit just about every late model Deere garden tractor through GX series. But you need to note that while the blade that fits the GT series will also fit the older 240/325 series, the blade that was made specifically for the 240/325 and family (BM18130)will NOT fit the GT series due to clearance issues on the GT undercarriage. Here are some pictures to clear things up. First, I must mention that the really big difference between the 42/44" and 48" blades are the 42" just mounts to the front frame of the tractor, then has two braces which attach to the mid-frame to provide additional support. It pivots on the front frame mount. The braces are just there to prevent the front tractor frame from bending. The 48" blade has its own frame, like a snowblower. It mounts to the same point mid frame, and unlike the 42", it pivots on those mid-frame mounts. This is certainly a more rugged design, and the blade is less likely to ride up on ice due to the pivot being further back. To use the 48 blade, you need to get the front lift kit for the GT series, which uses the front section of the tractor's frame to mount a jackshaft which will lift the front part of the 48" blade's frame via a tie-rod clamped to the deck lift handle. This is the same lift setup used with the 42" snowblower. This is the front lift kit: (you will not need parts 1,2,3, your tractor already has that D-hole incorporated in the frame. Hopefully I haven't confused you. Now that I've shed light on the two bracing systems: if you find a 48" blade for sale online (used), and it has a straight frame, it is made for the 240/265/325 tractors. It will not work with your GT tractor. See pic: You need this frame: This frame (the bent one) will work with any of the tractors. The two holes in the back near the J-hooks are for the 240/265/325 tractors. The GT series use the front holes (as shown) with the front lift kit). All these diagrams are on the JD parts catalog, linked below. Go to "Equipment Search" and type in "Blade" then scroll down to the 42, 44, 46, 48 front blade and click on "sectional index" to see the breakdowns. Do you have a foot or hand lift? If you have a hand lift, that other blade I mentioned will work with the right mounting parts. I mounted my GT's 42" blade to my old 111H before I found one online specifically for it which included the braces and rear frame weights (for $50). The 42 inchers are all compatible, like I said, you just need to buy the proper braces and mounting hardware. You'll still need to buy the blade angle kit from Deere. That's something like $180 new. You might find a 48 blade for sale which has it mounted, but it's unlikely. I've been looking for one for my Dad for about a year and only saw one, which went for the retail price when you count shipping. If you have any more questions, ask. I've spent quite a bit of time researching compatibility of the GT series, and it's paid off, having found a like-new 42" blade for my GT225 for $100, and a pair of new-in-box 42" snowblowers for both my GT225 and my GT262 for a total of $300 (plus $50 in gas to have my brother pick them up). In both cases, the sellers didn't think they'd fit my tractors. In both cases, they did. Here is a link that might be useful: jd parts

They work great for sidewalks with a throw of at least 6 feet in wet snow. But you're right, they are an interesting piece of antiquity. I am working on an old Jacobson snow blower, 2 stroke, right now and after cleaning the carb, it started right up and ran smoothly. Very simple device. Seems to have only one forward speed controlled only by one throw lever. If it's adjustable, I can't see it.