Snow 47" or 54" Snow blower skid modifications

[eepete]

I can't wait to test the idea. Mounting on the rear was more difficult. I agree that busting an existing hard drift would be rough. But it was about $100 to try this out (as soon as it snows here), and it lets me adjust for the state of my gravel driveway when the snow hit, and then I can swing the jacks up if I get on pavement where I want to use the bottom blade. I probably would still have the blower shoes on set for about 1/2" of clearance so the wear on the units blade would be non existent and to reduce eating gravel that might be on a paved surface.

One nice thing about this approach is the that the wheels are just before the bottom blade. A rear mount may not protect the blower as much if there is a sharp bump in the road. Of course, nothing helps you if you hit a "gravel mound".

I suspect this hack will show if the concept of a user-adustable height mechanism is a win or not. If it is, but the jacks are either not heavy duty enough or the side mount causes too much interference then it will be worth the extra effort (welding, fabrication all stuff I would contract out) to rear mount something. Snow blowing on gravel just plain sucks.

I'd also like a "middle shoe" on a blower for when you're on the crown of a driveway or if the driveway had ruts in it and you're too far out. If I ever went the fabrication route I'd look into this idea.

If my little 318 had a 3rd SCV then a hydraulic skid height would be the cats meow.

Pete

 

[fud]

Tig - I've tried your idea of hovering, but with the condition of the terrain where I blow snow it just results in a series of gouges and piles. I envy the flat conditions where you are! I would be interested in seeing the Buhler design though, if you could share some pictures.

Pete - keep us posted on the results of your test runs!

Fud

 

[kgriffis]

Get a 6' By 6' plate and weld it to the shoes. Heat and bend them to fit the same contours in the front. It will float of the top of the gravel.

 

[beenthere]

Get a 6' By 6' plate and weld it to the shoes

Meaning 6 inches, I presume.

I'd look at a pair of support wheels just behind the leading edge of the blower to let it ride on.

 

[doxford jim]

Stop bragging

 

[jgayman]

I have a 54" blower and while cleaning the neighborhood driveways I need to switch between gravel and pavement. I had the same issue with the original shoes digging into my gravel driveway. I tried enlarging the shoes but it didn't help at all.



So last season I tried a pair of larger skids from SnowBlowerSkids | Replacement parts for your snowblower



These have worked much better than the stock skids. I drew a reference mark on the side of my blower housing to mark the position of the shoes for gravel and paved driveways. I carry a set of wrenches in my toolbox and it only take a few minutes to make the change.

 

[Al 2]

As has been mentioned, hydraulic operated skids would be nice. The trailer jack should be a good option but might be better with a skid on the bottom like on a plow instead of a wheel.
Al