I'm coming down the stretch on my blower conversion and I am waffling between skids or wheels (for gravel road/driveway).
I'm leaning towards skids. Seems fairly wide and long skids would work best. I'm thinking 3 1/2" wide and about 10" long, leading and trailing edges arched up. Cutting edge settings at 1" and 2" above gravel.
I've considered as wide as about 5" to achieve the most "float".
For you guys with blower skids, what width/length do you recommend? Do they gouge when turning? Anyone have straight skids that swivel?
Swivel skid idea: Mount the skid on a round shaft through a pipe attached to blower. Shaft is attached to the skid 1/3 from front of skid. Skid is angled about 5 degrees up towards front. Maybe skid would track somewhat through a turn like a wheel caster? What do you think?
For the wheelie guys, what diameter/width works for you? I was looking at some Surplus Center 5"dia x 2" wide wheels. I think they should swivel so they don't gouge the gravel when turning.
We get transitional snow here. Rarely get a hard freeze. Mostly rather wet snow, dumps of up to 12"-16", lasts a few weeks then often followed by by rain and melted away so the shoes will be left on all winter. Road is fairly thin layer (3"+/-) of 3/4" crushed slate w/fines over hard pack clay mixed with decades old road base. Drive is in good shape, flat, no ruts, good stable base and good drainage.