Many people don’t realize there are two guards on either side of a snow blower’s intake that prevent the auger from coming into contact with the ground as it cuts through the snow. Accidental snow-blower fires have bee. You may be tempted to wait for the snowstorm to end before you begin snowblowing. Wearing boots or shoes without adequate tread can cause you to slip and slide all over the driveway as you attempt to push and turn it. We spoke to a snowblower expert to identify six common and surprising mistakes homeowners make with the handy tool. Blow snow efficiently by using one of two tried-and-true methods of snow blowing. Waiting for the snowfall to stop beforehand actually makes your snow -blowing. Large mounds of snow also take significantly longer to melt. This pattern will allow you to snowblow without having to change the direction of the chute. · a snow blower will save you a lot of work, but if youre not using yours correctly, it might not seem like it. Your snow blowerintake may have a width of 30 inches, but that doesn’t mean it’s capable of removing a 30-inch-wide swath of snow at all times. If a large amount of snow is expected to fall, take a pass or two while the sno. Instead, adjust the snow blower’schute for its maximum distance and throw the snow as far away from the drive. When faced with this type of snow, cut narrower swaths to prevent clogs. If you’re working on gr. Any gas spilled onto the hot engine as you’re refilling it can instantly ignite, causing burn injuries while damaging or destroying the snow blower. · but if your winter cleanup is still proving difficult, you might be falling for this common snow blower mistake. · avoid common snow blower mistakes like clogged chutes, poor maintenance, and low battery life to make snow removal faster and easier in the winter. A snow blower is a heavy piece of equipment that requires users to operate it from a sturdy base. These guards, called slide shoes, must be adjusted to suit the surface you’re working on. Failing to examine the area before you begin snow blowing can do major damage to the auger or belt, and it can destroy the forgotten and covered objects that have bee. Pay attention to the direction of the wind to ensure the snow isn’t being blown back onto the driveway as it exits the snow blower. If the snow blowerbecomes clogged, turn off the engine, and then use a broom handle or the chute clean out tool to remove chunks of snow from the tines. See full list on bobvila. com Snow blowers have an intake height that ranges from 10 to 20 inches. The shoes should be set 3 millimeters above the ground. Since the chute directs the snow as it exits the snow blower, many users figure out that they must change the direction of the chute with each pass to make sure it is blowing to the correct location. It only takes a few inches of snow to cover toys, dog chains, rocks, the daily newspaper, and other debris that may have been sitting in your driveway when the flakes started falling. Never immediately refill a snow blower with gas mid-job. If there’s no wind, begin by heading down to the middle of the driveway, then turn left and work in a circular fashion, moving outward in concentric circles. He shared common snow - blowing mistakes and what factors to consider when shopping for a machine to bring home. Never use your hands or feet to attempt to clean away clogged sn. · however, if you don’t use a snowblower correctly or neglect its maintenance, you could cause problems with the machine or increase the risk of injury while using it. Allowing the snow to build up too high will make it more difficult for you and the snow blowerto clear the snow. Here are some common mistakes to avoid. It goes without saying that the steel rotating tines that remove snow from your driveway have the potential to cause serious injury. Plus, we curated some snowblower styles worth considering for the upcoming. If you’re working on a slope, operating a snow blower without adequate footwear can be downright dangerous. This strategy creates a wall of snow along that can make clearing future snowfalls difficult. Many snow blower newbs make the mistake of throwing snow to the edge of the driveway. The snow blower’s enginebecomes very hot as it’s working, and the fuel tank sits on the top of the engine. Heavier wet snow can quickly clog a snow blower’s intake if you attempt to force it through the machine.