Step 1: Tools you will needShow All ItemsCODED SERIAL: This string of numbers includes the year (1 digit), Julian date, Assembly line letter and Shift. Reference Service Bulletin 116. SHIFT SEQUENCE:The number of that specific machine within that serial number's run. Early machines had metal tags with stampedThese tags have tabs that are threaded through holes in the machine and bent to stay in place. If all you have left are 2 empty holes yours got lost along the way. Visit the family tree and begin to identify your machine or send some pictures and I will try to give you a model number for ordering parts. Later machines have stickers in the same location with the information. Many machines have decal designations such as ST826, this is not the model number in most cases, be sure to get the number from the tag. The exception seems to be FORD branded machines where I have seen the actual ST-826 tag. On the 2 stroke Snow Cannons the ID sticker can be found on one of the lower handle tubes.

Note to Montgomery Ward machine owners: The machines built by Gilson will have a GIL prefix on the model number. latter may have a TMO prefix, these were built by MTD, they can be found on my links page. Where can I get Documentation for my Gilson Snowblower? I have had the final Gilson snowblower microfiche illustrated parts list library digitized and offer copies in PDF format for your use. I have also accumulated a library of owner's manuals, factory service manuals, engine breakdowns and related documents. Documentation packages include all that I have available for your model. In order to help recover the cost of digitizing and retrieving your information there is a $10. All documents will come in PDF format which can be viewed on any computer with a free viewer you probably already have. The digitizing process captures minute detail including blemishes that do not appear on my projector but the information is preserved and accessible. If you would like to get a package of your machine here is the process:

1. View the sample diagram . This is the typical image quality. 2. Send me an e-mail message with your machine's model number. This is the number located on the Gilson ID tag. Do not use numbers that are on graphic decals like ST-826. 3. I will confirm that your model number is in my library and let you know what will be provided. 4. If I have your model I will send a PayPal invoice for $10. Used Furniture Stores In Kannapolis Nc 5. When the invoice is paid I will gather your files and send them by return email.How Much Does Mesquite Flooring Cost If your model number is not in my library, I can help identify a sister model that will provide you with the needed information. Acorn Shower HeadsThis is quite common with machines that were exported to Canada and Europe.

You may also contact LawnBoy, they have the Gilson archives and can sometimes supply reprints of the owner's manuals. Call LawnBoy Customer Support directly at 1-800-526-6937. Briggs & Stratton Manuals These are the genuine Briggs and Stratton manuals. They are concise and complete. and repairs are covered in excellent detail and fully illustrated. Use the frst 2 digits of your engines CODE number to determine the year of manufacture of your engine when selecting your manual. B&S Antique Engine Manual Briggs and Stratton Antique Repair Manual Covers out-of-production B&S engines from 1919 to 1981. was the B&S engine thoughout the Gilson era. This manual covers those engines built though 1981 that have conventional breaker point Late Model B&S L-Head engine manual Briggs and Stratton Small Engine Repair Manual For all L-Head (non-OHV) Single Cylinder engines manufactured after 1981. These will include engines with Magnetron Solid state ignition.

Click here to locate engine manuals for other series of Briggs & Stratton engines. These manuals offer well organized step by step procedures and tips on getting the job done. I learned from one of these decades ago and they are now available in printed book form as well as electronic media. These are actual manufacturers publications and include all of the required torque values and test specifications. Tecumseh engine owners Click here . Friction Drive & Gear Drive These terms refer to methods of controlling the traction system ofThere are 2 general styles used in different combinations by various manufacturers over the years. provide years of good service however with regular use some maintenance is inevitable on a friction system. FRICTION DRIVE systems by using a platter driven by the engine and a rubber tire that runs on the platter. The tire is connected to a drive train that will transmit power to the wheels. spring force and clever geometry allow this arrangement to transmit a

high amount of torque. This mechanism will also allow the tire to touch down on the platter at varying distances from the centerline. The further away from the center the tire is the faster the machineIf it moves across the center it will be driven in theLift the wheel from the platter andFor a friction drive system to change speeds two things have to happen, the wheel has to be lifted and then it has to slide to a new position where it is lowered. In Gilsons heyday many makes were using separate "Clutch" and "Shift" controls. called their friction drive system UniTrol (One Control). Gilson engineers devised a clever linkage that generated the two actions in a way that is transparent to theIf you have one, watch under the handle as you shift and you will see it working two separate control rods. Gilson single speed systems found on 4 and some 5hp models had one speed forward and one reverse. The wheel was friction wheel is hung

between to platters driven together. When positioned between the platters it is in neutral. If it contacts the front or back platter it will generate forward or reverse power. This design also allowed for it to be a UniTrol. GEAR DRIVE systems use a sealed gearbox to do the shiftingThese are frequently made by Tecumseh's PEERLESS group. They are very durable boxes that will generally outlast the machine. They also save the manufacturer of the machine a lot of time in engineering and construction since many critical functions are solve with the single part. For those reasons the price difference between a friction drive and a gear drive machine (Usually about $50.) was insignificant and was driven more by extra heft in the gear drive The earliest Gilsons were of the gear drive configurations using a single speed box (Forward and Reverse). The premium machines had a HI and LO speed selector built by Gilson that selected the speed for

both forward and reverse. The beauty of these machines is that the move at a good clip in both directions. This is in contrast with some machines (including some Gilsons) that were excruciatingly slow inThese machine shine in yards that require you to blow repeatedly in the same direction. My wheel won't come off This is a very common problem on these machines. preventable with proper maintenance. If you find that you cannot freewheel or remove the wheels after removing the click pins you should take action right away before the problem gets worse. The problem comes from the repeated reversal of the axle rotation. Every time the machine begins to move the click pin rocks slightly inWhen the pin rocks it peens the steel axle and eventually metal begins to rise. Eventually this steel forces against the inside diameter of the wheel hub forming an interference. The axle has some relief around the holes but if not checked periodically it will lock

Common rust can also be a culprit if the machine had excessive exposure to the elements. If you do not need to get the wheel off the best thing you can do is move the click pins to the outboard holes. Allow the interference or rust to drive the wheels. Keep the axle coated with penetrating oil. If it does break free you should be able to wind the wheel off, then you can dress the axle and maintain it over time. With the wheel off the problem will be obvious. Dress the pin hole with a file, halfAfterwards lay a stream of 30W oil on the axle and spin the wheel on coating the joint fully. Pin the wheel to theCheck this every year or two. If you need to force a wheel off work carefully. The rim by nature is hard to grip with a puller and is not strong enough to take a lotIf you can get one wheel off you may be able to remove enough parts to get the wheel onto a hydraulic press at a machine shop, parts store or equipment dealer.