Snow Blower Chute Angle

[KennK]

I'm in the second winter with my WoodMaxx 60 inch PTO-driven snow blower with a John Deere 3320 tractor with chains on the R4 rear tires, and it is working exceptionally well. It has a manually adjusted chute angle, and I've messed around with a few different angles and struggle to get the big picture of what works best. A high angle (tip set high) seems to create a cloud of snow. A low angle (tip set low) seems to limit the distance thrown. I'm wondering if there is a "best" angle - maybe shoot (chute?) for a 45 degree angle? Maybe I should keep it as low as I can while throwing it the distance needed?

Can anyone give advice/experience on the physics of snow blower chute angle settings?

 

[oldnslo]

I struggled with the same problems of distance vs snow cloud dust storm and never did find an angle that worked in all conditions so finally broke down and installed 12 VDC linear actuator to replace mechanical adjustment. Depending on wind direction I can now adjust chute as needed.

 

[ruffdog]

I find that the angle that points downwind is best.

 

[Captain Dirty]

Semantic Police here. Chute angle is the horizontal angle the whole chute is pointed, e.g. left, right.
Deflector angle is the vertical angle the deflector at the tip of the chute is pointed, e.g. up, down.

ruffdog is technically correct, although the context of the original post implies deflector angle.

If you can arrange your snowblowing so you always discharge downwind, you may find a deflector setting that works acceptably well most of the time. If you have to blow upwind, a lower deflector angle may work better, which would require adjustment. That is why many, like oldnslo, go with an electrically or hydraulically activated chute deflector that allows adjustment for wind direction and snow composition (density) from the operator's seat.