Thanks for the info, not looking to do much fab work. Not sure if the blower was made by MTD or Bercomac. I do know it is about 8 years old, and was sold with a Cub Cadet 2185. Is there an easy way to tell who made the blower? Is there any cross referance resources on the web about Snow thrower MFG's and what they will fit?

Well, i'd jump thru hoops tp buy the older Wheel-horse! That cub will never be the tractor the WH is. Somewhere, way back in time, the Cub was a good machine, but all i hear now about them is that they are just another MTD type machine, and they are going by the name, and their past prestige. I have a Model 1015. It still runs well, altho the mower deck is not in good shape, but you would have to know the people who had it before me to understand about the deck. Lack of care, and poor maintenance is the main problem. I was given a Toro-Wheel horse around five years ago. Didn't really need it, so i sold it to a neighbor. Last summer, he told me to take it home, so i did. And sold it again. Then i was given another one, which i fixed up, and now i use it around here for a cart hauler, and occasional mowing. The tractor is at least 15 years old, maybe more. Some of the recent CC's haven't been holding up very well-so think about it!

Credit reporting agency contera.com lists American Yard Products as an existing entity, and shows the same address as Husqvarna (172 Old Elloree Rd, Orangeburg SC 29115). Dun & Bradstreet does not list American Yard Products (or AYP). Does it or doesn't it aside, here's an accurate timeline of the company(ies) that is a newspaper report from about 4 years ago: Electrolux now Husqvarna (Times and Democrat, The (Orangeburg, SC) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Jun. 15--Orangeburg's largest employer, Electrolux Home Products, will officially see its name change to Husqvarna Home Products Inc. today. The name change is part of a company spin-off of its outdoor products subsidiary, Husqvarna AB, after fourth-quarter 2005 company net income fell by 37 percent. Beyond the company name change, there will be no significant impact on the 2,200-employee base at the Orangeburg plant, said Gregg Robinson, Orangeburg County Development Commission executive director. "They are constantly an impact on our community," Robinson said, noting the OCDC is always ready to work with Husqvarna to "add to the overall process" in order to ensure the company is a success. "They are this region's BMW." Electrolux decided to sell its outdoor products business and to focus on its indoor line of household appliances i The Orangeburg plant's name change is nothing new. The company began in the Orangeburg area in the early 1970s under the name of Roper Corp. In 1989, shortly after Roper was purchased by General Electric Co., the outdoor products unit was acquired by AB Electrolux and named American Yard Products. In 1997, by uniting three sister companies, American Yard Products, Frigidaire Co. and Poulan/Weed Eater, Frigidaire Home Products was formed. The year 2000 saw the plant undergo another name change when the Electrolux Group, the world's largest producer of products for kitchen, cleaning and outdoor use, signed an agreement to reacquire the trademark and company name Electrolux from Electrolux LLC, an American direct sales floor care products company. Beyond outdoor products, Electrolux is the world's leading producer of powered appliances for the kitchen such as refrigerators, washing machines, cookers and vacuum cleaners. Husqvarnas consumer products in North America are made at three other U.S. plants. There are two in Arkansas for portable equipment and one in Georgia for lawn mowers. The U.S. headquarters for Husqvarna is in Augusta, Ga.; its home office is in Jonkoping, Sweden. Husqvarna now owns the lawn and garden division of Electrolux with the US AYP (American Yard Products) name also using FHP model numbers for Frigidare Mowers. They manufacture tractors under several brand names such as Husqvarna, Craftsman and Poulan, Puolan Pro, Weedeater and Wizard for the now defunct Western Auto chain'

If the main problem seems to the mounting plate- can you design a better way? I've seen many garden tractors that had attachment plates re-designed for a particular purpose as well. People seem to like the Cub Z's that I talk to. Sounds like you do too. A garden tractor is a garden tractor and is suited better for somethings. That is your real question. Do you require a garden tractor or an easy to use mower?