Snow Blowers Tricks

Learn to operate a snow blower properly for best results.

Snow blowers take the back work out of shoveling snow, but the process can take almost the same amount of time for beginners who don't know how to properly operate the equipment. Knowing a few tricks to operate a snow blower efficiently can cut the amount of time the job requires in half, and will yield better results.

Driveways

Unless you have an especially powerful snow blower, you will not be able to blow the snow all the way to the edge of your driveway from the opposite side, leaving a large pile of snow that is difficult for the machine to blow. It helps to start in the middle of the driveway, splitting it into two halves. Blow one half first, working from the middle to to edge of the driveway, then do the other half the same way. This will also make for a cleaner driveway surface when completed.

Sidewalks

When snow blowing sidewalks, use one edge to line up down the middle of the sidewalk. Since the average sidewalk is 36 inches wide and the average snow blower is 18 inches, if you snow blow with the edge in the center of the sidewalk, using the front of the snow blower as a guide, you should be able to blow the entire sidewalk in two passes. This will prevent the canal effect (When the sidewalk goes from full width to a small passage way because of improper snow blowing or shoveling), that happens when people cannot find the edge of the sidewalk anymore, and it keeps the sidewalk to regulation width.

Massive Snow

For deep snow (feet, rather than inches), it is much easier on the snow blower to tilt the front of the snow blower up and go over the top 4 to 6 inches of snow first. After you blow away the surface snow this way, you can blow the rest off conventionally. This will prevent severe wear and tear on your snow blower.

Not Ice, But Not Snow

Sometimes a layer of wet snow builds up under the fresher snow that is not frozen, but will not break up and let the snow blower blow it away. Engage the snow blower blade and drag the blower backwards, tipping the front slightly forwards. This will dig the blades into the snow and pull the wet snow out in chunks. This may take several attempts, but works well for taking up stubborn snow and keeps it from becoming frozen ice chunks.

References

• Snowblower Guide: Tricks For Removing Snow Easily Using Snow Throwers
• Snow Blower Tips: Snow Blowers

Resources

• Bob Vila: Snow Blower Safety Tips