snowblower edge change???

theoshin · Dec 3, 2007

my driveway has 6 or 7 spots where the concrete and asphalt are offset after freezing. i usually broom my driveway which keeps most of it clean to the surface all winter. problem is that when more that 4 inches of snow falls prior to using the broom i am forced to use the snowblower. hitting the offsets makes quite a racket and can not be good for the machine as the snowblower edge is metal. i slow down signficantly to protect the machine but it is often hard to see the ground when the wind is blowing. any opinions on switching out to a softer edge such as one of the plastics? can this be done? i am sure if i did not scrape the drive to get it clean it would not be as big of an issue but i try to keep the snow off as it turns to ice later in the year. that pusher looks really nice but too much $$$ for how much i would use it. also prefer to not have to drive on the lawns to push the snow vs the blower.

thx
ts

Spudgunner · Dec 3, 2007

I've theorized that one could make a "soft edge" out of one of those "rubber" stall mat pads. They are quite tough (have to survive shod horses) and I presently use one as a bottom bed liner for my pickup. I bought mine at a "Ranch and Home" type of store. Basically, I think if I just cut a 4"-5" wide strip from the end of the mat and then drill the strip to fit the blower it might make a decent alternative to the steel for certain applications. If you bought longer bolts one could sandwich the piece of mat between the steel of the blower housing and the steel edge; leaving only an inch or so exposed.

Interesting theories, but I have not yet tried any of them.

dylan · Dec 5, 2007

There are several options that i can think of.

Raise your shoes so the blower is just off the ground.

Weld on (i will post pics in a couple of days) shoe on the front edges of the blower. These will help it ride up over obstacles before the cutting edge hits. I did it and it works well.

Install a poly urethane cutting edge. I did this as well. i used 1" urethane for the cutting edge and routered out a 1/4" groove in it so i could use metal plate as a continous washer. It worked ok but did not clean nearing as well as the steel edge. I will post a picture of that when i find it.

Dylan

GitchiGummi · Dec 6, 2007

Thanks for the welcome and replies in the Snow Pusher thread from those who replied to my questions a few weeks back. Sorry to take if off topic slightly. In regards to this, I have heard of guys making an edge out of Oak or other hard wood with the idea of damaging their driveway less. I can't that you would hit any softer with poly or wood unless a lot of the energy of impact goes into destroying your edge. I like the floating foot idea.

theoshin · Dec 6, 2007

dylan said:
There are several options that i can think of.

Raise your shoes so the blower is just off the ground.

Weld on (i will post pics in a couple of days) shoe on the front edges of the blower. These will help it ride up over obstacles before the cutting edge hits. I did it and it works well.

That is an interesting option - i think i am going to take the blower down to my dads shop to have one of the metal fabricators take a look. those guys can build just about anything out of metal. maybe i will also get one of the engineers involved too.

thx
ts

dsb5610 · Dec 6, 2007

ts,

If you get something fabricated can you post some pics? I would like something on mine where I could put it in float and the cutting edge would be a couple of inches off the surface for use on gravel. The factory skids just sink. Any areas I need cleared to the surface I can switch to the bucket or box scraper.

dsb