Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Snow Blowing Suggestions?

[JCA]

Hi folks. First day with the new snow blower. Actually it's an old one, but it's new to me. Kubota Front mount on a little B7510, but that shouldn't make too much difference to my questions.

I guess the main question is--what are your strategies (other than a cozy heated cab) for keeping the powdery stuff from blowing back in your face? I've tried a few combinations of discharge chute angle and height, but so far haven't found anything that works really well.

Any thoughts?

Thanks
Jim

 

[beenthere]

Snowmobile helmet.

 

[TMcD_in_MI]

The simplest rule is to keep the wind at your back as much as you can, or directly from one side. Sometimes this means you can only blow going one direction and you have to come back before you make another pass. If you try to blow into the wind, you will get a snow bath. The wind will trump a snowblower every time.

My driveway runs north and south and I almost always blow toward the east so the usual west wind helps me. Also it's better to have the snow build up on the lee side of the driveway so it won't drift as deeply.

Hope this hasn't been too obvious.

Tom

 

[Freds]

Only snowblow on a windless day. Trade the snowthrower in on a blade. Get quicker rotating the chute. Don't throw it as high up in the air. Have your wife or girlfriend do it.
If all else fails, try to remember how much fun that used to be when you were a kid.
/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[PineRidge]

Don't spit or blow snow into the wind, either way it comes back to haunt you. And don't ask me how I know that. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[keeney]

Blow it downwards, a couple feet from the tractor. Works great for narrow driveways. For wider driveways, you may need to re-blow the the row to get it off the side.

 

[VT_Kioti]

There is no way you can keep from getting snow in your face, no matter how many different tricks you may try. However, You can keep it a minimum by setting the top angle as low as you can. The wetter the snow the less angle you an get away with. The dry snow is the one that will come back and get you. As PineRidge said keep the wind at your back as much as possible.
You will always come in looking like a snowman if the snow is dry and the wind is blowing, keep thinking about all those days in the summer when the sun is shining and that might help a little.
Happy winter tractoring /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Al

 

[JimMorrissey]

I have a large piece of plexiglass zip-tied to the outside of my my ROPs. The "glass" was measured and cut to size and has rounded corners. I gently drilled holes for the zip ties to fit though. It works excellent. Occasionally I have to get off and clear the screen with my glove. It is the most effective method for the money I have used. It's also an easy system to remove in the spring....just snip the ties and protect the glass for the summer. There is a variety of plexiglass like material available. Some are more $ than others.

 

[dbelisle]

I was going to say snowmobile helmet also.

Mine has a heated face shield to keep it from fogging up.
I made up an extra cord that plugs into a lighter outlet.
Or I will crack the visor a little if it isn't to cold.

With my 30 below coveralls, Artic boots , snowmobile gloves, and my heated helmet, it is a piece of cake.

Dave in NH

 

[srs]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
With my 30 below coveralls, Artic boots , snowmobile gloves, and my heated helmet, it is a piece of cake.Dave in NH )</font>

I think a heated cab is the way to go! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[GerardC]

Been wearing this for years. G

 

[Freds]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Been wearing this for years. )</font>
So you're saying to scare the snow away from your head???
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Grassgod]

My old blower is sitting in the corner of the garage collecting dust now.....I bought a plow blade for mine & it is sssooooo much nicer to move snow now! Faster too!

 

[dicker]

I agree with you. No more blowing snow for me. I use a JD 4310, FEL and a back blade. It's great not having to dodge the snow.

 

[keeney]

Same here - my blower is covered with dust. I have not used it since I figured out that the front blade is way more comfortable to use.

However, my front blade is also covered in dust. We have not had any snow here in Minneapolis area, MN yet!

 

[TMcD_in_MI]

Re: Blowing in the wind

Here's a pic taken when I was heading south, trying to blow snow east with a northeast wind blowing. I got away with it when I was going south, but coming back north I just said no, man. I would have been a snowman.

Tom