We had our second snow of the season in MN this week. I haven't gotten my snow blower technique down yet. There is a pattern to doing the driveway along with a certain angle of the chute to minimize going over the same ground twice, reduce amount of time spent backing up, not scalping the grass at the edge of the driveway, avoid blowing snow into the open garage door, not getting snow blown back in your face by the wind, etc., etc. I haven't quite relearned all that from last year. Looks like I will have plenty of opportunities to practice this year though. Before all of you in warmer climates start feeling superior, there is probably some version of this in your area: places to avoid when the snowbirds show up (FL), parked car entry techniques for when its 115 degrees F outside (AZ), Fire ant avoidance (TX), coping strategies for when the entire landscape bursts into flame (CA)...I guess that is why a change of seasons is nice - keeps you on your toes.
First clean up of the season is most important. Clear enough to account for deceasing real estate with subsequent storms if you don’t busting up the ice banks is a major pain. There is an art to snow clearing. Gotta plan ahead and Be quick on the chute
Three weeks ago, it dipped to 20dF, I had to let my kitchen faucet drip lest it freeze. This morning , it was 54dF , before I left for work, I left my second floor windows open. When I got home this afternoon, it had warmed up enough that I closed the windows and turned on the AC. We got a lot rain this week. So, the grass had to be cut yesterday. the seasons change here monthly..... You gotta strategize
Yup - we're looking at our first major storm of the year here in Western Mass so in prep: Fire up the snowblower to give time for fixing if necessary. Did this a couple weeks ago and it fired right up. Dig out stock of replacement shear pins Fill gas can Walk the driveway and remove any sticks and larger rocks Move shovels from shed to garage Dig out snowblowing winter wear Footwear traction is always handy and what I use is motorcycle ice racing screws in the soles of some retired winter hiking boots. Just don't walk through the kitchen with them on....
Try to blow it the same direction the wind blows so you wont have to deal with it multiple times.And make your plow area as wide as possible..
Start in the middle work your way out with the chute aimed out. When you get to end turn come back on the same path you started. You will end up on the edges and everything blown away to the sides.
^^^This works unless it's windy. Then ya gotta go with the (air) flow. And if you've got a long straight driveway (as I do) and the wind is blowing parallel to the driveway, well then ya just pack a flask and deal cause it's gonna be a pain in the arse.
We ain't worried 'bout no snowblowers as we bring you a little ditty from the deep south to help Ya'll thru the winter. Maybe you'll sing the words while pushing that snowblower around. This is how we do winter down here, party on..........YEEEEEEEEE_HAAAAAAAA ! ! ! (CAUTION...................................ADULT CONTENT)........Keep volume down if the kiddies are around !
It's a 2 step process. Step one- throw out the snowblower. Step two- get a plow truck! Snow blowing is awful unless it's attached to a real tractor with a Cab.
I've been trying to convince the wife to let me buy a quad with a blade to plow the drive way. Her argument is that our driveway is only 20' long why do we need a quad to do that ?? I say but hunny its 40' wide and I'm a man and I need another toy to play with while the Riv is hibernating. So far no quad
If it's windy out I put on my snowmobile helmet, warm plus visibility plus if you slip on ice you don't hurt your head. I need a snowblower with 8hp and 30 ft lbs of torque so it doesn't bog when I go through the wet stuff at the road. On a side note I can say a skid steer is much better to plow with, it is small and turns on a dime and will push anything. Also a case 590 backhoe is too big, if you are not looking you could take out a bush and not even notice.
Problem with plowing is you need somewhere to push the snow and if it's a big snow year you can run out of room. Towards the end of a snowy winter a few years ago my plow guy said I'd either have to pay him to come Bobcat it or keep my fingers crossed and drive over what was left to come. My snowblower - actually, I think they are really named snow-throwers - throws it far enough into the yard I don't have to worry about running out of space. And I get some exercise Looks like I'll be getting another workout this morning after the forecast 1-3 inches of additional snow turned into over a foot!
1. Point chute towards neighbors yard 2. start unit 3. full throttle 4. engage auger 5. move forward Problem solved.
Pretty sure I never ever used a snow blower. Barley remember ever using a snow shovel and faintly recall that brush / scraper thing that cleans off the white stuff on the windows. Maybe its a mental block. I did grow up in Michigan
Pretty sure you’ll get more practice in soon according to the forecast. Where I’m at drifting after the snowfall is the bigger issue.
"Try" is the key word. Tough to do when the post nor'easter winds are constantly changing direction. Seems no matter which way you turn the chute, the wind changes and blows it back in your face.
...snow thrower cab made world of difference keeping away blown snow and wind chill. Hope I don't ever have to replace it, ones today are different design and look smaller...