Dang Snowblower
By webeishere
@webeishere (36313)
United States
December 17, 2008 2:17pm CST
Well with a long and wide driveway and lots of snow each winter season I need a snowblower to clear my driveway etc. Now I love it as it is usuallly quick to do as opposed to using a shovel and breaking my back with the hard work involved lifting and pushing etc that way. Now I have a small snowblower, a 21 inch clearing path is all. It does the job but..... The chute constantly gets plugged with snow a lot. I've tried WD40 inside the shoot as well as grease etc to help the snow slide out. But that works once in awhile. I also had a problem with the freezing artic like temps recently causing the chute to freeze in one position. So I had to bring it iondoors in my dining room to thaw it out till the chute would move. My garage is not insulated nor heated at all so that's the issue. So I had to smell gas and oil for an hour or so till I set it back into the garage all ready for the next round of snow due for 3 days, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday we are expected to get a lot more snow it seems. Do you have any solutions to ease the snow exiting from the chute? Anything you've done that works so I don't have to shave my hand inside unclogging it? This photo is of my driveway today after shoveling a couple inches by hand early this morning.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
4 people like this
8 responses
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
17 Dec 08
I know nothing about snow blowers but I do know that my father in law had a water pump outside to pump water from the river to his house for uses other than drinking or cooking and when we would get freezing weather he had a big heat light that he placed under a wooden box that was made to cover and protect the pump and he would turn the heat light on to keep the pump from freezing up. I am not sure if anything like that would work for you or not but just a thought.
3 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
17 Dec 08
I may have to get one of those huge lights that generate a lot of heat then.
It would work in just 5 mintes time or so I feel. Great idea,thanks.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~2 people like this
If you do try it and it works let me know please.
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
17 Dec 08
Hi grandpa bob....
The only thing I can think of is the WD40...so I'm not being any help to you...
Mother Nature is working against you....
If I think of anything in the meantime I'll let you know..
We shovel by hand....
If I think of anything in the meantime I'll let you know..
We shovel by hand....3 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
17 Dec 08
Yeah just the pitfalls of Minnesotan weather I guess.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~2 people like this
@guybrush (4658)
• Australia
17 Dec 08
Hahahaaha ... nope, GB - no snowblower problems here! It's funny to think of us all in different parts of the world with different seasons and weather conditions. We're busy with shadecloths and getting the lawns nice for summer. A bit of snow would be really lovely - we could enjoy our hot Christmas dinner without breaking into a sweat and then falling asleep!
2 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
17 Dec 08
What is a a "shadecloth"?
Is it a curtain etc or what?
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
2 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
18 Dec 08
Thanks for the explanation.
I added a comment on the photo as well.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
2 people like this
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
17 Dec 08
Hi GRANDPA BOB,
Your path look so pretty and the sun shining down looks lovley, looks like you are in for white Christmas and all we get is rain, shame.
Tamara
1 person likes this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
17 Dec 08
There are no temps in the 30's forecasted for a long time so this snow will be here more than likely until the spring thaw. I love it though.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
@hildas (3031)
•
17 Dec 08
I have never used a snowblower but I bet they will be popular here soon as we have had it bad with snow and ice this year. That blower really sounds like great fun to use though.
I cannot think of anyway really to stop the snowblower freezing over. Maybe you could spray some antifreeze inside it. It works for cars so it should work for a snowblower.
You have dome a great job clearing your drive. Now at least you can get in and out of it until the next blizzard comes along.
You have dome a great job clearing your drive. Now at least you can get in and out of it until the next blizzard comes along.2 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
17 Dec 08
What's really funny is this is an area that gets a lot of snow each year.
Yet people wait till the first snowstorm to rush out to get shovels, coats, gloves, snowblowers etc. They don't thinbk ahead. Many stores were sold out of these things this weekend due to demand from the late buyers etc. Antifreeze would melt the plastic chute I think or at least damage it somewaht. I always get in and out of the driveway. I make sure to shovel/blow the snow after a couple inches. Some days when we get a lot I may do the drive a few times to keep it clear and make it easier instead of trying to do it all at one time.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@hildas (3031)
•
17 Dec 08
I wonder if the store you bought it from would have any suggestions for you, They must be asked about this problem also, because it must be happening to others also. Its a pity the chute was not made of metal or you could of heated it with something. I wish you luck with it Bob. Let me know how you get on.
2 people like this
@smacksman (6053)
•
18 Dec 08
Nice piccy but I must say that your snow blower looks just like our wheelie bins! haha
On yachts we use silicone spray into aluminium mast tracks to ease the luff of the sail going up and down and nothing seems to stick to that. I don't know if you have chandlers where you live?
PTFE grease or spray is another non-stick substance but quite expensive in the UK.
For thawing out your machine try stowing it in your garage with a light bulb safely positioned under it and a dust sheet draped over it to contain the heat. A 60W tungston bulb or even a 40W bulb will be enough to keep it thawed and not cost a lot to run. Just make sure nothing can drop onto the bulb or your blower and everything else in the garage might get really hot! haha
Happy Christmas from smacksman
@ersmommy1 (12587)
• United States
3 Jan 09
We don't own a snow blower. Perhaps living in Missouri, it might be a good idea. My hubby just gets out there and shovels the drive. Gone are the days of kids going around looking for winter work shoveling snow.
