Snow Blowing 101

Running a snow blower seems like a skill you could master in two minutes. But we wondered: If it’s really that simple, why are there 6,000 blower-related injuries in the United States every year? And why do repair shops get overwhelmed after a big storm?

To get answers, we talked with experts at all the major manufacturers?as well as the guys who fix blowers. It turns out that operator error is the No. 1 cause of clogs and breakdowns, and improper clearing of clogs is the most common cause of injuries. The experts shared some great tips on how to avoid both. So even if you’re an experienced snow blower operator, read on.

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Don’t Wait for it to Stop Snowing

One common snow removal mistake people make is waiting for it to stop snowing. The truth is that you should start clearing the snow before it reaches 6 in. Sure, you’ll spend more time snow blowing, but your machine won’t have to work as hard, and it’ll throw the snow farther. That’ll reduce the height of the snowbanks flanking your driveway.

Throw Snow As Far As You Can

Avoid throwing snow only partway off the driveway and then throwing it a second time. That just creates a heavier load for the blower. There are four ways to get the maximum throw: Take smaller bites of snow, run the blower at full rpm but at a slower ground speed, adjust the chute diverter to its full raised position and blow with the wind.

Prepare Your Property Ready for Snow

You can make snow removal that much easier if you take some time to winterize your driveway and sidewalks. To start, inspect your property. Remove rocks, dog tie-out cables, extension cords, holiday light cords and garden hoses. Then stake out paths that run near gardens so you don’t accidentally suck up rocks and garden edging with your snowblower. Mark your walk and driveway perimeters by pounding in driveway markers. If the ground is already frozen, just drill a hole using a masonry bit and your battery-powered drill.

Watch Out for Half-Buried Newspapers

A frozen newspaper is the leading cause of machine jams. It can break shear pins or belts and damage expensive auger and impeller components. A fresh layer of snow over newspapers makes them hard to see, and they’re easy to forget. So protect your machine by scouting the area before you hit it.