oldest snow thrower???

Gary r. voigt · Dec 21, 2011

Hello fellows, sorry if im in the wrong section but i did not know where to start...i own a few allis chalmers too...i bought a very old snowthrower and i just need more info on it...it is from the mid sixities or eariler...brand name is sensation and has a briggs on it...it is the oldest snow thrower i have ever seen...will post pics soon..i have tried google and youtube but nothing...any help would be appreciated..

thanks,
Gary

EX 450 Owner · Dec 21, 2011

Sensation was a mower company that used to build mowers and snow blowers in Ralston, Nebraska it was started by Howard Phelps who designed mower and snow blowers and had several patents

The Phelps family sold the company in the mid 1960 it went through several owners ending up being owned by Gilson Brothers of Wisconsin who was later acquired by Lawn boy who was later acquired by Toro.

Products were sold under the Sensation name until about 1980.

Google “Sensation Ralston Nebraska” and you will probably find some information.

Your snow blower was probably built in Ralston in the 1950’s.
There were a lot of Sensation mowers in our area in the 1950’s.

LJD · Dec 21, 2011

I've got a few a little older then the Sensations - made early 50s. Up to the late 70s, Sensation was popular with homeowner and pro landscapers. We sold them new. The mowers were known for their cast-aluminum decks instead of stamped steel.

Sensation started selling mowers mid 40s and their "Snow Blow" model snowblower came out in the mid 50s. Gilson bought then out in the early 80s and that was the end.

Howard Phelps started the company ca. 1942 in Ralston, Nebraska (I think).

DENNIS MIN · Dec 21, 2011

My Dad!!!

D.

Hope the humor came through.

Gary r. voigt · Dec 21, 2011

Hello again, both you fellows had very good advice, i finally made out the tag and yes it does say "sensation mower inc. ralston, ne. i was born in 1955 and your right it does look more like 1950's than 1960's...there was a contest about 5 years ago put out by techumsa and they were looking for the oldest running snowblower, some people would send there entry in and the machine would be 1970's...
i guess i have them beat, now i feel really old...
it is all realitive right...

thanks,
Gary

Gary r. voigt · Dec 21, 2011

good humor indeed...

Gary

Dan-IA · Dec 21, 2011

like this?
Sensation Mower Inc Ralston, NE Snowblower Model SM 16

Gary r. voigt · Dec 21, 2011

thats the one, i just had pulled this up before i got it from you...mine is a little older i believe, my whole shut from side to side like 140 degrees rather that just having a top deflector.....

Gary

DENNIS MIN · Dec 21, 2011

Awww,

Seems my humor is without audience, sans yourself.

D.

El Toro · Dec 21, 2011

I bought a snowblower in 1965 from an auction. It was called the Snow Mule. It had steel wheels and was self-propelled with a B&S engine.
It used a sprocket chain between the engine and blower. My neighbor sold WheelHorse tractors and his son had one. He told that blower I had wouldn't be any good. We had a big snow storm later on and I went over and blew off his driveway. I heard later his WheelHorse wasn't too good in the snow since it moved too fast. Hal

Gary r. voigt · Dec 21, 2011

Hello and thanks for your input...i guess you showed him!!! it turns out mine is a 1950...

thanks,
Gary

Bob Huntress · Dec 21, 2011

I keep checking back thinking someone will actually post a pic of their old school snow thrower. It would be intersted in seeing some of these pics, hint hint.

2x4 · Dec 21, 2011

I was thinking Neanderthal.

Gary r. voigt · Dec 21, 2011

i will get right on it...

thanks,
Gary

Brian in MI · Dec 26, 2011

It may not be as old as some of the others here but, Here is my Ford ST 726 it is a '72 or '73, but basically a Jacobsen Imperial

I got it from a friend who's Dad worked at Ford Tractor Engineering in Troy MI. It was used to clear side walks at Ford Tractor until the early 80's when it was shelved due to not starting. He got it in the mid 90's when Ford closed the Tractor division.

It did need some TLC, carb rebuild, new drive belt, new drive disc, new gas tank, rebuild auger drive gearbox, compkleat clean and re lube

Anonymous-0 · Dec 27, 2011

I have a sensation self-prpelled, Rotary snow-blower made in Ralston Nebr. The paper work is dated Aug 1st 1952. Model ISB with a 3 1/2 hp Kohler engine mod K90 with book dated April 1st 1952. I have owners manuel for both blower and engine. It also has the 2 1/2" Bulldozer Blade assembly. It has solid steel wheels and in good running shape. Like to know what it is worth and may be interested in selling.Have a lot of info on company also..Also have photos if interested. Thank You Duane

fld · Jan 23, 2012

I recently picked one of these up as a basket case. can"t find much on Internet could you send me as many closeup pics as you can? I would greatly appreactiate that
thanks

showcrop · Jan 23, 2012

(quoted from post at 22:48:23 12/26/11) It may not be as old as some of the others here but, Here is my Ford ST 726 it is a '72 or '73, but basically a Jacobsen Imperial

I got it from a friend who's Dad worked at Ford Tractor Engineering in Troy MI. It was used to clear side walks at Ford Tractor until the early 80's when it was shelved due to not starting. He got it in the mid 90's when Ford closed the Tractor division.

It did need some TLC, carb rebuild, new drive belt, new drive disc, new gas tank, rebuild auger drive gearbox, compkleat clean and re lube

<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee233/bduff007/Ford%20snow%20removal%20equipment/FordST726tire.jpg">

<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee233/bduff007/Ford%20snow%20removal%20equipment/FordST726Side.jpg">

<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee233/bduff007/Ford%20snow%20removal%20equipment/FordST726front.jpg">

Sure looks a lot like the Ariens that my father bought in the fall of 1967 when I left for college and it left only my 15 year old brother to clear the driveways.

Jodi Halweg · Mar 17, 2013

My dad has a Senstaion snowthrower that has a model of ISB on it along with steel wheels. He is looking for more information about it. He does not have an email address so if anyone has information for him, please email me and I will gladly pass his info along to you. Thanks!

Bret4207 · Mar 17, 2013

If you want old, I have a square chute Gravely. That's from the late 40's I think.

oldest snow thrower???

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

New User

Well-known Member

New User

Well-known Member

Similar threads