Old Atlas Snow Blower

[59apachegail]

This past summer I found a little old Altas snow blower on CL. It ran, drove forward was small and in pretty good complete shape. I needed a small one because I don't have much storage. I brought it home and left it sit since then in anticipation of its first real use. I finally got to use it today.

This is what I know about it:
Atals
23" inch deck
4 hp briggs and stratton engine
Probably purchased from a drug store
I really don't know anything else about it other than it does its job.

Does anyone know anything about these? Where I can find a model number, manuals or maintenance info?

Thanks in Advance

 

[jakemac]

I don't know anything about those blowers, but check all over the motor for the Briggs numbers and you may be able to find a manual for the motor on their website.

As for the blower itself, try looking for a number stamped on the chassis. It may be on the side behind the wheel, or on the backside under the handle.

That little machine will be getting one heck of a workout tomorrow. I hope it doesn't have a nervous breakdown when it sees all the work it's going to have to do.

Nice job keeping it out of the scrap heap.

 

[dngrmse]

You said you used it today, how did it do?

 

[steed andersen]

I've resurected a few of them. It should be a 5 hp Briggs horizontal shaft engine with a gear reduction unit on the output shaft. A clutch mechanism on the gear reduction end of the shaft tends to go bad on these. There are NO parts for the clutch or anything else on this blower other than the engine itself. If the clutch goes you can make it direct drive but keep away from children and slow adults. They work very nice for a single stage blower and cut through deeper snow than they should. Nice find. P.S. Don't let snow build up inside the rewind housing. It can happen without notice and block airflow and kill your engine. Seen it happen a time or two in deep,blowing snow.

 

[59apachegail]

Thanks a lot guys, It is a tough little machine. I have a soft spot for the old stuff. I was cutting through about 6-12 inches no problems. I only started having issues where the snow was packed or higher than about 18". I was collecting it all in one area then sending it further out to another larger pile. Only issue I am seeing is the chain looks a little loose. I hit a rough patch where it started bucking looked like the chain was trying to jump teeth.

Steed,

What is the rewind housing? I think my machine might have had an engine transplant because it is the only one anywhere on Google I can find with a 4 hp.


Will post more numbers info soon.

Thanks agian

 

[fury9]

The rewind housing is where the pull rope goes

 

[59apachegail]

Thanks fury9,



I checked it out and found some numbers on it Model SN420A, B/S motor 100252 0319.
It was built in 1970 so it is a lot older than I thought. Attaching manual in case anyone needs it.

 

[59apachegail]

Just a quick update on this. I finally found a match and it looks exactly like mine. The match is a '76 model so I guess mine is original. I finally pulled the tank and cleaned it and the carb. Fired up on first pull great little machines.

 

[Techmaven]

I've resurected a few of them. It should be a 5 hp Briggs horizontal shaft engine with a gear reduction unit on the output shaft. A clutch mechanism on the gear reduction end of the shaft tends to go bad on these. There are NO parts for the clutch or anything else on this blower other than the engine itself. If the clutch goes you can make it direct drive but keep away from children and slow adults. They work very nice for a single stage blower and cut through deeper snow than they should. Nice find. P.S. Don't let snow build up inside the rewind housing. It can happen without notice and block airflow and kill your engine. Seen it happen a time or two in deep,blowing snow.

I have two of these and both are 4HP B&S with reduction. Never saw one with a 5hp engine.

 

[Khamm]

All
Saw your posts above, and it looks like you're the go to guys. What kind of fluid is in the transmission (gear reduction) on these models? I picked up one of these a year ago and want to give it a full service before it goes into the rough.

 

[gungatim]

I wonder if those were made by Toro? I have one identical except much older engine, gear reduction is similar, same tires, frame, etc. but it is marked Toro, not Atlas. trying to figure out the governor, guy that gave it to me had carb/governor off and didn't remember how it went together. think it's a Clinton or Tecumseh 4stroke motor...

 

[Khamm]

I found a post on a snowblower forum and a guy posted that the ATLAS Snowblower gear reducer took SAE 30 lubricant.

http://www.snowblowerforum.com/foru...21&i=8a05ce9e44231d4d07dca7b1d7db601decb834ee

 

[theoldwizard1]

The snow blower forum is the place to go !

This summer, you need to do some serious maintenance on the auger, impeller and drive. Disassemble, clean, lube.

Hint, buy some stainless steel lock nuts and bolts (eBay). You will likley break a few of the old ones, but never again !

 

[OhioFixIt]

1979 Atlas Snowblower

Hello to everyone & please allow me to begin my first time on Garage Journal by wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving 2016. To begin with, I'm currently off of work due to an OTJ injury from UPS & I'm working on my newfound hobby/income to keep up with finances but, more importantly to keep myself from going nuts. I've always been told that I'm mechanically inclined so, I'm beating the "learning curve" as I go. Recently, I picked up an Atlas 26" snowblower posted on CL (B&S 8hp powerplant stamping indicates a 07/27/1979 manufacture date) so, I'm assuming the machine itself may be in a close build neighborhood. For the price I got it for + the condition, there's no way this blower was going to the junk pile on my watch. The engine is still moderately strong & the blower itself is no slouch either, just needing some TLC. The problems lie within parts searching, old age & different manufacturer takeovers since original. Briggs & Stratton shows "no search items found" when running the numbers & for the life of me, I'm still unable to find any kind of stampings, metal tags and/or labels that would indicate info on the actual snowblower itself. I'm guessing the next step is to start removing red panels to access any/all frame locations. I'm far from being at the end of my rope on my search, just tired of knocking myself in the head. Any help is greatly appreciated, in advance.

 

[59apachegail]

Welcome! before you tear it apart the only ID plates I found I didn't need to take any thing apart to see them. You might get lucky finding parts but from old repair shops but I haven't found any specific to Atlas. Briggs&Stratton is still around but engine was put on a another brand snow blower. I know for sure the clutch is not made anymore. Info on Atlas for me has been very little or generic. Good Luck!

 

[s.welbaum]

Can anyone send me the diagram for the governor and throttle linkage for this

 

[OldSailor]

This past summer I found a little old Altas snow blower on CL. It ran, drove forward was small and in pretty good complete shape. I needed a small one because I don't have much storage. I brought it home and left it sit since then in anticipation of its first real use. I finally got to use it today.

This is what I know about it:
Atals
23" inch deck
4 hp briggs and stratton engine
Probably purchased from a drug store
I really don't know anything else about it other than it does its job.

Does anyone know anything about these? Where I can find a model number, manuals or maintenance info?

Thanks in Advance

I was given one of these exactly like this , and used it for the first time today. All i did was put in a new plug and used Sea Foam in the gas!! Runs pretty good for an old blower!! I'll be on here looking for info on parts as I continue using it.

 

[thehorse13]

When I was a kid, they sold Atlas snowblowers at the hardware store on main street. This of course was before big box stores and the invasion of Wally World.

Your machine was a big hit for working middle class folks with a a one car garage and a small driveway, which was the majority of homes in the area I grew up. As you've already discovered, it's a no frills get down to business tough little rig.

My dad bought one in the mid 70s and we used it through the late 90s. My brother took it when he bought a house and uses it to this day.

 

[Jazz1]

Since its working good now likely has plenty of life. Belts may be due but changing the oil and greasing for sure. Nice machine and no doubt serve you well. Beats shovelling anytime!

 

[j_nel_2003]

I just purchased an Atlas snowblower, has the briggs and stratton engine, number on engine is 13025, cant seem to find info for that though, can anyone help, it doesn't run, replaced the spark plug, oil and gas, nothing, the spark plug is dry, so is it a carburator issue? should I just try cleaning it? I am new to this stuff but for some reason it interests me so I figured this was a good starter for me, but the manual for the engine would help, because sadly I am not sure where the carburator is, hope to get some replies, seen this is an old post, but instead of starting a new one thought I would try and comment first

thanks

 

[59apachegail]

I just purchased an Atlas snowblower, has the briggs and stratton engine, number on engine is 13025, cant seem to find info for that though, can anyone help, it doesn't run, replaced the spark plug, oil and gas, nothing, the spark plug is dry, so is it a carburator issue? should I just try cleaning it? I am new to this stuff but for some reason it interests me so I figured this was a good starter for me, but the manual for the engine would help, because sadly I am not sure where the carburator is, hope to get some replies, seen this is an old post, but instead of starting a new one thought I would try and comment first

thanks

Congrats on your new hobby, these things are awesome. Scroll up I posted a manual. Make sure you have clean fresh oil, I used 5w30. My bet is a dry or dirty carburetor. If it is like mine was, the carburetor was opposite the exhaust under the flap cover. Rebuild a carb is pretty easy, YouTube is your friend. I watched a few videos till I found my carburetor then I watched it about 5x before attempting. Make sure you buy a quality rebuild kit. Before you do anything spend time getting familiar and watch some general maintenance video.

 

[lbaltz]

Since this thread has been resurrected I will pass along paperwork I received from a person who was giving one of these away free. It's in great shape and probably hasn't been run since before there was ethanol in gas. I made a video of the first start which I'll post to YouTube after I edit it. I did have to clean the points to get a spark so that involved some disassembly. It runs well but starts hard (one pull with starter fluid). I'm thinking the carb and fuel pick up tubes need to be cleaned.

Some Pics are here, but I can't upload the pdf of the manual as it's too large and I can't share a link to it as I need 5 posts first. If anyone needs it just reply here and I'll email it.

 

[thehorse13]

If this was mine, I would grab 3 dollars worth of gas line and a replacement gas tank off Amazon. Throw in a new plug, fresh oil and soak the carb in the gallon can of carb cleaner they sell at Napa...24 hours later it will run like new. Of course after you clean up the points.

Great little machine!

 

[lbaltz]

I already did the oil and plug and there's no actual gas line on this model. I will be cleaning the carb and tank though.
This carb picks up directly from the tank and I bet it also needs a new diaphragm to pump the fuel.
So when it runs great and I have two snow throwers, then what? I need to find like minded people (other than on this forum) interested in this old stuff!

 

[las73s]

I have two of these and both are 4HP B&S with reduction. Never saw one with a 5hp engine.

I have a 5hp one, I don't know what the model number is, it's probably a 1984 year because that's what the engine is. I am trying to find diagrams for the drive, the brackets and the springs and cables I don't think it's right because it doesn't work properly... Smoothly.

 

[las73s]

I have two of these and both are 4HP B&S with reduction. Never saw one with a 5hp engine.

I have a 5hp one, I don't know what the model number is, it's probably a 1984 year because that's what the engine is. I am trying to find diagrams for the drive, the brackets and the springs and cables I don't think it's right because it doesn't work properly... Smoothly