Snowblowing rules of thumb

[RjCorazza]

Tips on setting the scraper on a snowblower down in contact with the driveway or a small gap, and if so how small a gap ?

I set my edge with a 1/8" gap from the pavement.

 

[JJT]

Tips on setting the scraper on a snowblower down in contact with the driveway or a small gap, and if so how small a gap ?

I've always run mine with the lip about 1/2" above the ground. If I can slide a finger under the leading edge I'm good. Sometimes I'll go to no gap mid season, once there's a packed or ice base over the gravel drive.

 

[Gord Baker]

My ancient White (MTD) 10.5 HP 30" cut started first pull as usual. I run it dry of fuel in the Spring. If I need to do neighbours Gravel Laneway I have a pair of 6" x 1" x 1" with 45° cut on each end that I bolt to my existing skids. Awaiting more snow in Southern Ontario.

 

[yanmars]

Please keep that snow up there, lol

 

[Tony H]

We moved onto this property - 1982. For the following 25 to 30 years we got quite a bit of snow. I had a five foot - two stage blower. Ran it with my Ford 1700 - 4WD. It was mounted on the 3-point.

Did an excellent job - it was slow - my neck and shoulders would always be sore for 2 to 3 days after using the blower.

My mile long gravel driveway plus mailbox area plus yard would take four hours to clear.

In 2009 I bought my 2009 Kubota M6040. I purchased a HD Rhino rear blade. Clearing snow in the same areas now takes less than half the time. Because I don't have to look back all the time - my neck and shoulders are never sore.

I am a HAPPY camper.

So you don't get large snowfall that are hard to drive thru? Deep snows that flow over the blade?

 

[Tony H]

Defensive snow management. I also clear the upstream bank to my property line at an angle, about 75'. I'll also clear the snow out of the road if the plow has not gone through depending on how much is there. Really dislike needing to go back out after I've put my tractor away just to move what the plow pushed in.

The plow drivers here can be, well, pricks, but not to everyone. The guys that do my road tend to swing wide around my driveway because of the way I take care of it. They don't do this for some of my neighbors that push up big banks close to their driveway and road or across the road. I've seen them swing wide for me and then swing back in for the neighbor and push a 3 foot bank back across the end for them to move. It seems that if you make their life easier they will return the favor but if you make their life harder they will do the same.

On snow mornings, I'm out at 5am to beat the 6:00 Town guy. My driveway is at the end of the road. It used to be where the plow dumped before making a multi point turn to head out. So I beat him and plow down about 200'. I plow it across the road because that side has the ditch. The Towns plow empties before he gets to me. I'm happy, he's happy. If he hits my road a few times a day and beats me, he tends to keep it to one side so if I don't get there and have to get out. I can. All about mutual respect