No, this one didn't come from a salvage yard like "The Junk Yard Dog" did. This one was a pick off of Craig's List, but actually, part of it did come from that same salvage yard. Read on.
While doing my usual cruising of Craig's List I ran across this up in Munising, which is on Lake Superior, a nice hour or so drive away, and home of Muldoon's, the makers of what I think are the best darn pasties to be found in the U.P. Weelllll, heck, time for a road trip! Get a pastie for lunch, grab a few to bring home, check out a couple of things, see some sights and take a look see at this snowblower.
Story told in the listing was that it was bought new in Wisconsin and has been in the family ever since. It was brought up to the U.P. by they original owner's son as a back up machine a few years ago, but it has hardly been used over the years.
The price was good to begin with, and after a little discussion with the seller, it got better, so it came home with me.
It's a Toro 1132, has an 11HP Briggs and Stratton and a 32" clearing width. The serial number makes it a 1980. It has separate clutches for each wheel that allow directional control by disengaging one wheel leaving the other to power through a turn which is a good thing because this thing is a tank. The owner's manual says it tips the scales at a tad over 300 pounds!
Since bringing it home I've replaced the belts, new spark plug, fuel line and filter. Fresh oil in the engine and gear case. General clean up and lube in places where the manual instructed. The carb needs a little attention, and unfortunately the electric start was toast, so I took it off. Amazingly it starts easy, and usually on the first pull.
There is one spring missing that is supposed to return it to neutral from reverse, and I have that on order since I don't want this thing to run me over if I happen to trip while backing up!
Now, here's the part where the salvage yard comes in. This thing has what is called a safety interlock system. There are two levers, one on either handle. The operator must keep at least one of these depressed while it is in gear and or the auger is running. Let go of both levers, and the engine shuts off. The original owner had bypassed this by removing one of the levers, and taping the other one up, essentially making the machine think it was depressed.
Anyway, when I acquired "The Junk Yard Dog" I remember seeing an old Toro snowblower sitting out there. I ran back out to the salvage yard and sure enough, it had that same system. The levers came home with me, got installed on the 1132, and the safety system has been made operational again.
So, here it is. I haven't thought of a name for this one yet.
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While doing my usual cruising of Craig's List I ran across this up in Munising, which is on Lake Superior, a nice hour or so drive away, and home of Muldoon's, the makers of what I think are the best darn pasties to be found in the U.P. Weelllll, heck, time for a road trip! Get a pastie for lunch, grab a few to bring home, check out a couple of things, see some sights and take a look see at this snowblower.
Story told in the listing was that it was bought new in Wisconsin and has been in the family ever since. It was brought up to the U.P. by they original owner's son as a back up machine a few years ago, but it has hardly been used over the years.
The price was good to begin with, and after a little discussion with the seller, it got better, so it came home with me.
It's a Toro 1132, has an 11HP Briggs and Stratton and a 32" clearing width. The serial number makes it a 1980. It has separate clutches for each wheel that allow directional control by disengaging one wheel leaving the other to power through a turn which is a good thing because this thing is a tank. The owner's manual says it tips the scales at a tad over 300 pounds!
Since bringing it home I've replaced the belts, new spark plug, fuel line and filter. Fresh oil in the engine and gear case. General clean up and lube in places where the manual instructed. The carb needs a little attention, and unfortunately the electric start was toast, so I took it off. Amazingly it starts easy, and usually on the first pull.
There is one spring missing that is supposed to return it to neutral from reverse, and I have that on order since I don't want this thing to run me over if I happen to trip while backing up!
Now, here's the part where the salvage yard comes in. This thing has what is called a safety interlock system. There are two levers, one on either handle. The operator must keep at least one of these depressed while it is in gear and or the auger is running. Let go of both levers, and the engine shuts off. The original owner had bypassed this by removing one of the levers, and taping the other one up, essentially making the machine think it was depressed.
Anyway, when I acquired "The Junk Yard Dog" I remember seeing an old Toro snowblower sitting out there. I ran back out to the salvage yard and sure enough, it had that same system. The levers came home with me, got installed on the 1132, and the safety system has been made operational again.
So, here it is. I haven't thought of a name for this one yet.
