Snowblower snowblowers and itty bitty things that jamb them

[woodchuckcanuck]

Has never happened to me but then again I've never lived on a gravel road until now. So what are your stories? Big and small rocks...wayward sticks...buried shovels...toboggans...hats...mitts...scarves...boots (preferably with no one in them!) What sort of damage or frustration do they stir up?

 

[Dmace]

The first year I had my snowblower I hit a large rock off the side of my gravel driveway that was hidden by 8" of new snow. Luckily it just snapped the shear bolt and the snowblower came with a pack of 4 extras. I changed it out and was back to work within 15 mins. I still have one of the shear bolts that came with it, so after 4 years I think I am doing pretty good not hitting stuff.

 

[barneyrb]

I always did wonder how big of a mess dog poo would make going through one of those things. Where I live we last had snow in 2001.

 

[DGS]

I always did wonder how big of a mess dog poo would make going through one of those things. Where I live we last had snow in 2001.

I have hit some and it flies spectacularly as it is frozen
My Walco eats it right up
Regards
DGS

 

[Tig]

Big rocks that kids roll around while looking for worms. I should have cleared them before it snowed.
Sticks that owners let their dogs drag out into the road. Hard to deal with that other than catching up with the dog walkers and asking them to be careful.
The local free newspapers and add bags that get thrown in the end of my lane each week. I guess I'll have to learn their schedule and be aware of when I should go dig for them first. One of these stalled my tractor when it jamed the fan. PTO shear bolt did not break. I think I'll repace the shear bolt with a weaker one this year.

 

[Scooby074]

If theres anything there that shouldnt be, i can guarantee the blower will find it!!!

Before we had our own, the neighbor would blow us out. Well, one storm he managed to find our well!! (even with the 24" sticking up above the driveway ) Didnt hurt the well casing, but broke the cap, plus bent some of his auger and i think he said it did a number on his gearbox too.

with our blower, ive found chains, large rocks ( blowers really dont like 6" shot rock) 2x4's and firewood. Firewood has to be the worst though. I always seem to find it in the strangest places.

A good tip for gravel driveways is to not blow the first storm unless you have to. Run your truck/car over your drive to pack the snow. This will build up a protective layer to keep you out of your gravel.

Unfortunately with our last few winters, we'd get a warm spell that would kill my protective layer, so id have to rebuild several times.

Also adjust your runners to give you some extra clearance between the scraper bar and the drive.

 

[Opti-Mist]

A good tip for gravel driveways is to not blow the first storm unless you have to. Run your truck/car over your drive to pack the snow. This will build up a protective layer to keep you out of your gravel.

Whether you blow or plow, this is very good advice. Also a good excuse to try out the snowmobile, ATV or whatever to pack down that first couple of snowfalls.

 

[FxdGrMind]

I've been thinking of a blower for this year too and in the back of my mind has been the same thoughts... what's going to jam/break/destroy this new toy?

Last year we had "Record" snow here in the Pacific North West. I live on Gravel drive and main access road, this summer my mower found most of the gravel deposited off the side from all the blading and FEL use last winter.... it's horrible on blades, but it didn't do too much damage.

However our road is quite steep and we can't realy leave a "Packed" base as it would turn to "ICE" as the temps here aren't consistently below freezing and with sun shining on the hill... would be a "Disaster" with our local drivers lack of knowledge and ability to drive in snow/ice.

With the rocks I know we have and what appears to be the only achilies heal of a blower (not flowing rocks well), I guess this thread has killed the idea of a blower for this guy. Guess I'll have to live with the FEL and rear blade.

Thanks for posting your question as the replies helped me.

 

[woodchuckcanuck]

A good tip for gravel driveways is to not blow the first storm unless you have to. Run your truck/car over your drive to pack the snow. This will build up a protective layer to keep you out of your gravel.

That good unless you have a sloped driveway.

 

[lungdoc]

That good unless you have a sloped driveway.

Unless your driveway is paved; or you are in a relatively warm or sunny location; I can't see how you are going to get down to bare driveway with a plow either. You'd have to try to set plow so low that you'd scrape all your gravel off. In cold conditions hard packed snow is actually quite grippy; it's when it's a bit above freezing that it's slippy. Our gravel drives (Muskoka area of Ontario, lots of snow) are snow covered year round. There's a few days when chains on the hills are advisable (esp. with 2WD but 2WD with chains is better than 4WD) for cars/trucks and I use them on tractor all winter. Highly recommend the diamond chains for cars - very easy to put on/off.