Question about snowthrower, before I pull a boner!

[fredhargis]

Last Friday's snow was quite a bit more wet than normal. After going down my drive and getting about 2/3's of the way back my thrower's chute completely clogged. I hadn't caught any icy slush, it was just the wet snow had packed it closed. I was close enough to done to just finish up with the FEL (throwers a 3PH model). I then pulled it in the garage, cleaned the chute and removed what I guess is a rock guard. Then went out and cleared the drive to the barn, about the same distance as before, with no clogs or problems. So, I'm thinking about either just leaving the guard off, or at least pulling the fingers off of it. In the pics you see a photo of the guard laying on my assembly table. Then another photo of it mounted on the chute, showing how the fingers project into the chute....which is in my simple mind, at least part of the reason the chute had clogged. The blower is a Kubota B2789 if that's useful...so before I amputate or straighten the fingers (or worse) what think?

 

[IslandTractor]

Most snowblowers don't have these guards (not sure if it is to keep rocks from being thrown or more likely to keep fingers from being inserted to clear clogs).

I would think that a guard like this would make clogs much more likely unless you are blowing very fluffy snow. Certainly with wet snow it would cause the blower to clog.

Clearly these guards are not necessary for operation. I would imagine they were installed at the behest of some corporate or insurace company legal opinion.

If it were my blower that guard would never be reinstalled. I never ever clear any snowblower clog with the engine running. Adherance to that sort of standard operating proceedure should make this guard unnecessary.

 

[Pipestone Kid]

I agree with every thing Island Tractor said. In addition, I can just see a rock hitting that thing and bouncing back to the auger or fan and really jamming it up. (or busting) I'm guessing it was put there so you don't throw rocks at your neighbors, but, hey, we do that anyhow.

 

[kennyd]

I vote to leave it-but straighten the fingers. It looks like it gives the chute some (well, very little) rigidity since it bolted from one side to the other.

 

[gdh]

I am not sure, but I think that guard is to pulverize large chunks of frozen snow and ice as the impeller launches them out of the shoot. In other words, it is to make the flying ice, and frozen snow into smaller pieces.....???????????

 

[RoyJackson]

I am not sure, but I think that guard is to pulverize large chunks of frozen snow and ice as the impeller launches them out of the shoot. In other words, it is to make the flying ice, and frozen snow into smaller pieces.....???????????

I would think the augers would do that before it got into the chute, wouldn't you?

 

[herringchoker]

I tend to agree with IslandTractor. If you really want to keep it on there, can you straighten the tines and mount it on the outside of the chute? Myself, I would find another use for it (never throw anything away!) and rely on common sense when clearing the chute.
What's next, a cage in front of the auger? :confused2:

 

[devildog1]

Gee I had one just like that on my BX23 front mounted snow blower, never had an issue. You may not either after this last snow storm, I would either leave it on or if you take it off, Save it! As herringchoker said, you never know.
DevilDog

 

[gerard]

It's an idiot guard to prevent people from sticking things down the chute to clear clogs and hurting themselves. Serves no useful purpose if you're not an idiot and don't plan on jamming your hand dow the chute while the pto is still engaged. Take it off and stick it on a shelf in case you ever sell it.

 

[PineScent]

It's there to help prevent anyone from reaching into the chute and coming in contact with the impeller with their hands. It probably does blow snow better without the part. However, we as humans work much better with all our parts (hands and fingers) intact. So never use your hands or feet to free a clogged chute. Always turn off engine before clearing a clog. And remember that you can still easily loose fingers working on augers and impellers even though the engine is not running. (Pinch points) Carry a sturdy stick with you on the tractor to help free clogs if needed. You should keep the removed part incase you ever want to sell the blower.