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Bought a model 412 snowblower for my 612 grasshopper. I got the quick connect mounting brackets and put them on and now have the snow blower attached. I have no operating manual or parts manual with it and am wonder if anyone knows where I can get a free download for it? I am wondering if I have everything set correctly such as it being level etc. Any tips anyone would like to share about using one would be much appreciated, this will be my first time using one. I did notice that I am going to need some weight for the back. I did bet some chains for it but have not put them on yet. The lever to move the shoot from left to right seems to be a reach from the seat and I find it very difficult to take my hands off the steering and do anything else without going off path, does anyone have a solution to this problem? The newer model grasshoppers seem to have the steering bars closer then my model 612 and one can hold both in one hand and keep on the fly while doing something else with the other hand. It would be nice to move the shoot while on the fly without having to come to a complete stop.

Thanks,

Mike

Send an email to Grass hopperuse their website their techs will set you up. You’ll need the serial numbers for both units

1mk2 said:

Bought a model 412 snowblower for my 612 grasshopper. I got the quick connect mounting brackets and put them on and now have the snow blower attached. I have no operating manual or parts manual with it and am wonder if anyone knows where I can get a free download for it? I am wondering if I have everything set correctly such as it being level etc. Any tips anyone would like to share about using one would be much appreciated, this will be my first time using one. I did notice that I am going to need some weight for the back. I did bet some chains for it but have not put them on yet.

Thanks,

Mike

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Thanks, would still be interested in tips anyone would like to share about using one. The lever to move the shoot from left to right seems to be a reach from the seat and I find it very difficult to take my hands off the steering and do anything else without going off path, does anyone have a solution to this problem? The newer model grasshoppers seem to have the steering bars closer then my model 612 and one can hold both in one hand and keep on the fly while doing something else with the other hand. It would be nice to move the shoot while on the fly without having to come to a complete stop.

Unless you buy the power lift & rotataor the only way to manage that is to stop & move it.
Something I did to blow slush and very wet snow was to modify the chute

Thanks, looks like you removed the top part of the chute and inserted another sheet of metal inside, did this help and what was the result without the top part of the chute off or are you just showing it with the top part off to show how you modified it? I haven't had a chance to look at mine much yet but was wondering if i could figure out some way to put an extension of the directon handle so it would be somewhere between my knees so I could move it with my knees and keep moving without stopping. Don't know if this would work.

Thanks for the info.

Mike

Take a closer look. The chute normally has a bend in the front where the vertices portion is bent in. I removed that and added angle to the outside instead, that allows more snow out so it doesn’t plug.

Take a closer look. The chute normally has a bend in the front where the verticle portion is bent in. I removed that and added angle to the outside instead, that allows more snow out so it doesn’t plug.

I always move the chute with my foot on the lever, works great for me. No need to modify anything.

What a dummy, I never thought of that. Do you use chains or just snow tread tires?

Thanks, do you use chains on your tires to snowblow?

Yes I do use chains, problem being is the chains don't clear the frame so I installed a set of wheel spacers. Grasshopper offers them but I was fortunate to have an old retired machinist just looking for a project, he turned a set down for me. Keep in mind you need the extended lugs which I was fortunate that my dealer had ordered the machine with. With 95% of the weight on the drive wheels when you have the blower lifted the thing will go anywhere. (I do not run my rear weight kit when I have the blower on)

Thanks so much for the info. I have the extended lugs but am not sure if I have the spacers or not. They may be already on because it looks like it is away from the frame enough for the chains but I have not put them on yet to see. I have a model 612 mower and when I lift the snowblower and drive forward it can sometimes lift up the back end so I will need some weight on the rear of mine. Thanks a lot for taking the time to tell me about yours, appreciate it.

Mike

1mk2 said:

What a dummy, I never thought of that. Do you use chains or just snow tread tires?

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I have pretty much the same setup (without the customized chute). I have chains on the "tractor tread" tires. I think the chains are just about necessary. I'm in Lancaster, PA - snow is often pretty wet and heavy. Maybe with light, fluffy snow the right tread would work. For me, running without chains are pretty much impossible.

Thanks, I think I have everything set and ready to go. I don't know how the person I bought the snowblower used it because it was way out of alignment but I have it adjusted and ready. I think I am going to need some weight for the rear end and have something in mind for it. Do you use weights for the rear?

1mk2 said:

Thanks, do you use chains on your tires to snowblow?

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once in a great while, usually no. when you lift the blower it has awesome traction. (if I'm stuck)

1mk2 said:

Thanks, I think I have everything set and ready to go. I don't know how the person I bought the snowblower used it because it was way out of alignment but I have it adjusted and ready. I think I am going to need some weight for the rear end and have something in mind for it. Do you use weights for the rear?

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I don't use any weights...but, I'm pretty new at this

I was just talking with a friend about adjusting the skid pads on his snow blower so I checked the manual about the recommendation. I had been running with the "blade" down solid on the pavement. The manual says to adjust the skid pads so that the blade barely skims the pavement with the raise/lower lever the whole way down. Then to actually clear snow, pull that leaver up 1 notch so that the black is about .125 above the pavement.

Since this thread was discussing general operation of the snowblower, I thought this might be useful.

BTW, I'm hoping we get a foot tomorrow evening

a foot in south Pa, translates to 2 feet here...........gonna be a lot of work!
I have the wheel kit and have it set just a bit off the asphalt.

I'd just like to see this thing rip through some snow We've had 2-3" at a time since I got it. Some super-heavy slop that clogged up a lot. I just want to feel like I didn't waste my money buying this thing.

I didn't know there was a wheel kit...I don't have that much to clear...think I'm good with it the way it is.

jerryshenk said:

I'd just like to see this thing rip through some snow We've had 2-3" at a time since I got it. Some super-heavy slop that clogged up a lot. I just want to feel like I didn't waste my money buying this thing.

I didn't know there was a wheel kit...I don't have that much to clear...think I'm good with it the way it is.

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I'd be just as happy if mine was just a neat garage ornament.:laughing:

jerryshenk said:

I was just talking with a friend about adjusting the skid pads on his snow blower so I checked the manual about the recommendation. I had been running with the "blade" down solid on the pavement. The manual says to adjust the skid pads so that the blade barely skims the pavement with the raise/lower lever the whole way down. Then to actually clear snow, pull that leaver up 1 notch so that the black is about .125 above the pavement.

Since this thread was discussing general operation of the snowblower, I thought this might be useful.

BTW, I'm hoping we get a foot tomorrow evening

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Thanks for the info Jerry. I have my Grasshopper in the repair shop, engine wasn't running strong. Hope they can find the problem, looks like I won't have mine for this snow but my brother has a cub with a blade we can use.

jerryshenk said:

I'd just like to see this thing rip through some snow We've had 2-3" at a time since I got it. Some super-heavy slop that clogged up a lot. I just want to feel like I didn't waste my money buying this thing.

I didn't know there was a wheel kit...I don't have that much to clear...think I'm good with it the way it is.

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If you follow my threads back to 11-25-2018, 06:38 PM ,ErnieN85 sent me a picture of a modification he made to his snowblower to throw more snow without getting clogged. Give it a look.

I did see Ernie's modification. I've thought about that but haven't done anything. Jamming hasn't been too much of a problem for me...definitely something to keep in mind.