Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Snow Sticking on Augers

[Jerry/MT]

We had a 10 inch snowfall this morning and when I went out to blow the snow away, I had problems with the augers dealing with this snow. It was a wet snow and there was snow stuck on the flighting reducing the capacity of the machine. The augers have paint worn off of them and some rusty spots but have much more paint then rust. I was running the blower at design speed (540 pto rpm) in low reverse. What went through the blower was thrown far enough especially considering the fact that it was a wet snow.

When I got done , I tried cleaning the snow off the flighting and it was stuck pretty hard. I got a good portion of it off.

I'm new at operating a snow blower so I'm wondering if this is normal for wet snow or is there some maintenance issue with the augers that I need to pay attention to? Or is this just one of things that just "is"?

Thanks in advance.

 

[JerryK]

Wet snow can possibly stick on any surface, especially if the surface is below freezing. Normally, the metal surfaces on a blower get a pollished 'metal' look to them when the paint wears off [ like a well used plow or shovel ]. The rusty areas are just like a rusty shovel, dirt/snow will stick to it easily. I repaint inside the impeller area each spring, and store the blower inside, and never have had a rust problem on the rest of the unit.

 

[JerryK]

I used to have a neighbor that rubbed a block of ski/snowboard wax all over the inside of his single stage blower each fall. He swore by it, but I have never tried it. You could clean it up, give it a fresh coat of paint, and then try the wax if your problem continues. Might have just been a freak of nature thing, and not happen much anymore.

 

[leonz]

Its normal for wet snow to attach to self to metal surfaces that are not coated as the snow is attracted to the warm metal(created by simple friction of the auger, impeller, roller chain, and sprockets) and does not like to fall off as the auger and shell are heat sinks and it creates an icebox in teh snow caster.

if you can put the snow caster in a warm place and use wax that will make huge difference OR if you have a kerosene salamander space heater that will melt the snow off quickly and dry out the impeller drum quickly. Do you have drain holes in the impeller drum of your snow caster?

 

[lungdoc]

Fluid Film works well to prevent sticking, there are cheaper dedicated sprays (Snow Shooter is one I have used) that also prevent sticking.

 

[flyingcow]

Been snowblowing for quite a few yrs. Had 8ft and 9ft blowers. Wet snow will stick, but generally just run it and cleaned it up after. I've never had to put anything on a blower for a non-stick. As long as it throws it a decent distance i have been happy. Snow sticks, it's gonna happen.

 

[hawkeye08]

Get it cleaned up and use some spray PAM (cooking oil). There are other sprays made specifically for preventing snow sticking, but they cost more and your wife does not stock them in the pantry.

 

[rayclar]

If you have a hand spray pump a little diesle fule works too.

 

[rayclar]

If you have a hand spray pump a little diesel fuel works too.

 

[RWK in WI]

A few years ago I painted the inside of a unit with the graphite paint used on gravity grain wagons it worked very well with preventing sticking.

 

[leonz]

Get it cleaned up and use some spray PAM (cooking oil). There are other sprays made specifically for preventing snow sticking, but they cost more and your wife does not stock them in the pantry.

Its definetly a reason to go the the Samurai Club to pick up several of the large two can packs of cheap cooking spray when I go over monday to pick up my refund on the wrong snow chains that they sold me AND the Olive Garden for lunch.

 

[woodsy]

I've used the wide spray WD40 with very good success. The wide spray can makes coating the inside & outside of the bucket area quick and easy plus it repels moisture and prevents rusting.