My homemade cab has kept me warm and dry. Because of arthritis (I am 70 years old) it is a little uncomfortable to crank the handle that controls the chute direction. I looked for affordable motors and switches. I found I could buy one for about $50.00 with taxes and shipping. I decided to look around my garage some more and came up with the following FREE solution.
I found an 18 volt electric drill - motor and battery in one unit. No wires.
I thought about how to connect the drill to the chute's control shaft. Pulleys and a small belt? Naw, too busy and probably trouble prone. Saw off the crank and use the shaft? Naw, in a pinch I may need that crank. I ended up with a simple solution. I shortened a 3/16" Allen wrench to fit inside the crank and used three small hose clamps to fasten it. I then chucked the drill onto the short end of the Allen wrench. That is it! No mounting bracket. No wiring or switches. The drill simply hangs there ready for use. Because of the engine heat routed into my soft cab I don't need gloves.
I know it isn't pretty, but it works and it did not co$t me anything. Plus, I am left-handed and can easily operate the trigger and reverse selector without taking my eyes off of the snow ahead. The photograph of the chuck/Allen key/clamps needs to be rotated, sorry.
~Lee
I found an 18 volt electric drill - motor and battery in one unit. No wires.
I thought about how to connect the drill to the chute's control shaft. Pulleys and a small belt? Naw, too busy and probably trouble prone. Saw off the crank and use the shaft? Naw, in a pinch I may need that crank. I ended up with a simple solution. I shortened a 3/16" Allen wrench to fit inside the crank and used three small hose clamps to fasten it. I then chucked the drill onto the short end of the Allen wrench. That is it! No mounting bracket. No wiring or switches. The drill simply hangs there ready for use. Because of the engine heat routed into my soft cab I don't need gloves.
I know it isn't pretty, but it works and it did not co$t me anything. Plus, I am left-handed and can easily operate the trigger and reverse selector without taking my eyes off of the snow ahead. The photograph of the chuck/Allen key/clamps needs to be rotated, sorry.
~Lee
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