Snowblowing with snowmobile helmet

[doxford jim]

Hi Guys,

Today I used the tractor for the first time this winter to blow snow with - pto blower, open station. The weather was perfect at around 20F and no wind at all !!!
I found it so much better today and it got me wondering about using a snowmobile helmet when blowing snow - I can see lots of benefits from it.
I have had to blow snow at 10F and windy conditions and it ain't fun.

Sooo, how many of you use a helmet to keep the elements at bay while blowing snow ? How bad is the misting of the face shield ?

It is the cold wind and the freezing snow around the head that gets me - even when bundled up. Thought the skidoo helmet would be a great help - your thoughts please.

Thanks

 

[oosik]

I have a big yard, mile long gravel driveway and mail box areas to clear. When I had a smaller tractor I had a blower. I never thought of wearing my motorcycle helmet. I wore a stocking hat and pulled the hood of my down parka over that. I believe if you have a full face helmet - blowing snow on the face shield from the outside and your breath condensing on the inside might be a real problem.

My full face MC helmet relies, to a great extent, on my going fast enough for the wind to keep the face shield cleared of condensing breath on the inside. Never rode the MC in a snow storm - and I never will.

And I now have a much bigger tractor and use a rear blade rather than a blower. Seemed that the blower always had blowing snow drifting back on me, no matter which way the chute was turned.

 

[MossRoad]

When I had a snow blower and it was windy, I'd use a full face ski knit mask (bank robber style) and ski goggles. Worked great. I used to wear that same combination when ice fishing in windy weather, too. :thumbsup:

 

[oosik]

I would think that MossRoad's suggestion is a far better answer to your situation. If you need additional warmth - get a jacket with a hood and pull that up and over the ski mask.

 

[RoyJackson]

When I used my snowblower with an open station tractor, I wore a "Mad Bomber" hat and ski goggles (tinted ones are the best and if you wear glasses, get goggles that are made for wearing glasses).
As far as helmets, there are a number of TBNer who do wear snowmobile gear (including the helmets) when clearing snow.

Unless you have a cab tractor (which I do now), getting covered with snow is an occasional certainty when using a snow blower.

 

[Ed of all trades]

I have a front blade and have been using a MC helmet for years. it works well for me but you do have to crack the visor open a little to clear the fog. Don't know how it would work with a blower. Goggles might work better, might pull out the off road helmet and goggles I had for the 4 wheeler and give it try this year, if we get any snow. Ed

 

[BigBoyToys]

Ski goggles tend to stay fairly clear. Works well with a Mountain Hardwear jacket. The hood closes up around your face and googles.

 

[lungdoc]

Snowmobile helmets are warmer and don't get wet. I used to use a full face helmet and leave visor up much of the time, putting it down when needed (going upwind). Many have a "breath deflector" nose shield that minimizes any fogging. Leave visor up after any physical exertion eg getting off to shovel etc. Keep any vents open. A snowmobile specific helmet will be better designed for this than a motorcycle one.

I now have luxury of a cab and front blower. One thing with new blower I only now realize is the value of powered deflection. Being able to keep the plume down most of the time keeps the blowing snow to a minimum. Had rotation but not deflection on the open station unit.

 

[sandalwood]

In the past motorcycle helmet with visor cracked open very slightly worked well, warm and no problems with visor steaming up.

 

[jaydee325]

Snowmobile helmet with heated visor eliminates fogging. I call the snowmobile helmet my poor mans cab!