The Buzz Newsletter

August 2004

 

 

Page 9

Dadant Bee Blower Re-power

Here is another of the many ideas I have borrowed from Allen Dick. If you need to re-power your Dadant Bee Blower, the Honda GC i35 4hp engine is an excellent choice. The base bolts right up. You need to fabricate two small pieces to secure the engine to the blower housing. We used 1/8" flat stock and bent it in a vice but you could use angle iron. The carrying handle must also be relocated. I cut off the old one and welded it to a piece of 3/16 x 1" angle iron and secured it to two of the bolts that hold the top of the blower housing together.

While the engine requires two mounting brackets, the design is simple and easy to fabricate.

The photos are reprinted from Allen Dick’s website diary entry for September 15 2003 at www.honeybeeworld.com

The original Tecumseh engine and the 4 hp Honda are in the same price range(about $200). I bought mine at Northern Hydraulics in Des Moines. I have two blowers-one with each type of engine. I didn't notice much difference in the noise level when I ran them in the shop but now, after having listened to both of them run all day, I can definitely say that the Honda is a lot quieter. The Honda rope starter has a more horizontal pull to it. This is nice for us because we have it mounted on the truck. We can start it without having to climb up on the truck.
The only irritating thing I have found with the Honda is the all the throttle control is in the final 1/8" of movement. When I first tried to start it, I couldn't get it to go. I finally played with it long enough that I saw there was no throttle movement until right at the end of the throw. As soon as I positioned the lever correctly, it took right off.

A close-up of the engine mounting bracket.

 

 

The re-powered bee blower shows the Honda engine makes a great fit.

 

 

I strongly recommend the Honda engine as an alternative. The boys refer to it as the good blower.

Submitted by Phil Ebert