When to Use a Snowblower? Use It like A Pro

Snowblowers are essential machines especially if you live in an area that experiences the four seasons. That is because it allows you to get most of the snow off your property. However, every model you come across is different, and you need to know how to handle one. If you use the snowblowers the wrong way, they will end up causing severe accidents. You could quickly blow stones and snowballs to bystanders, causing harm to people and things around you.

When to Use a Snowblower?

You should use a snowblower when you have a larger area to clean, and the snow level is at least 2 inches for a single stage snow blower. When you have a two stage or three stage the snow level needs to be higher with 3 to 4 inches. The minimum snow level also depends on the surface type, for gravel the level needs to be higher than a concrete driveway.

Snowblowing seems like a skill that you can learn within minutes. However, it would be best to understand the snowblower model you are using and the safety precautions to put in mind. That is the only way you are in a position of using it like a pro. A lot of individuals get injured throughout the year, and many snowblowers get destroyed. Understanding all the tactics of using snowblowers is essential.

Using this power tool should not be such a complicated thing to go through, and by understanding the different snowblower parts, it makes the snow removal procedure easy. Keep reading to know the efficient ways to stay safe and run this machine effectively.

When Should You Use A Snowblower?

When winter comes, one has to choose between the right time to use a shovel and the right time to utilize a snowblower. Shoveling involves utilizing a shovel to remove snow from your property. Most people prefer to use a shovel because it is easy to use. However, it might not be suitable in all scenarios, especially when you experience heavy snowfall and you have a fairly large space

That is where a snowblower comes in because it is an effective machine for your property. You typically push your machine on the snow, removing it from your patio or driveway. You can remove a lot of snow compared to when using a shovel. Again, the machine makes it possible to collect the snow without straining your muscles. All you need to do is push the machine and walk, which makes the activity fun.

It allows you to work for a while without needing a break. However, when you consider using a snowblower, know that the machine requires preparation and must go through proper maintenance. That is why you need to learn the best ways of using the machine before you start removing the snow.

How to Use Snowblowers like An Expert

The best ways to make the procedure smooth and ensure there are no complications when using these machines include:

1. Get Pre-Season Maintenance Services

See to it that everything is running as expected in your machine. Check the condition of the belt, change the oil, and make sure that all the snowblower parts are working. If there are any sandy or rusty places, they should be repainted.

The chute area should also be waxed to prevent clogging. Inspecting your machine helps in making sure that it is ready for the action once the job starts. However, if you notice that the machine seems badly damaged, look for snowblowers for sale. It helps you to find the right tool that can run per your expectations.

2. Prepare Your Snowblower

If you are using a gas-powered snowblower with an empty tank, it is the best time to fill it with fuel. Ensure that the gasoline is mixed with fuel stabilizer as that is the ideal way to protect your tank from oxidation. In case you store your machine with fuel, make sure that you remove it and add fresh fuel. The best method to know whether the fuel is stale or not is by looking for these signs:

• Start: If the snowblower is difficult to start
• Stall: In case your machine stalls
• Pinging sound: If the tool makes a pinging sound when you start running it

In case you are using an electric snowblower, you are not expected to carry out any preparation. That is because the only thing required from you is plugging it in for you to use it. However, you might want to check if the cord is still in excellent condition and whether the power outlet will help you access most of the areas around your property.

3. Ensure Your Property Is Ready

Your property needs to be ready, and that is why you should start by checking the driveway for stones and debris. Other things to think about are:

• Newspapers: You should also watch out for newspapers that might be buried halfway since they cause the snowblower to jam. It can also break the pins which get into the snowblower hence causing damage to some of its parts.
• Cords: Remove the extension cords, holiday light cords that might still be around, and other items that could harm the machine.
• Garden: Mark the path that leads the garden so that you do not accidentally affect the garden edges.
• Kids and pets: Ensure the kids and the pets are indoors because snowblowers can easily haul stones and debris at them, hence causing accidents.

No matter how reliable the machine is, effective snow removal is all dependent on the depth of the snow. That is why you should thoroughly examine the property to know the approach to use.

4. Take Small Bits of Snow at a Time

Whenever your property has a lot of snow, you will be tempted to take too much. However, if you crank up the speed and take large bits, it causes your machine to clog. It could also lead to a breakage of your machine’s drive belts. 

Also, if the snowblower chute is clogged, it leads to severe injuries, and that is why it is recommended you clear the snow bits by bits. That also allows you to throw snow farther and clear the space pretty quickly.

5. Cool Off Your Snowblower

In case you are using a gas-powered snowblower, and it runs out of gas, you might be tempted to fill it immediately. However, it is best to make sure that it cools off for a few minutes before you gas it up. At that time, the engine is hot, and you are standing right in front of the burning fuel tank, which could lead to severe accidents. Oil spillage could cause painful burn experiences, so letting your snowblower cool off a little bit.

Again, fires happen all the time in cases where you do not take the safety precautions provided by the manufacturer. So, leave your machine to cool before adding the fuel as it helps in avoiding such incidents. Use that opportunity to relax and take a cup of hot coffee to warm yourself.

6. Invest In Spare Parts

You have to buy spare parts for a snowblower whether it’s a cordless or a gas-powered blower. Having these items in stock is the best way to avoid a last-minute rush. Also, it helps to avoid spending a lot of money on spare parts since there is usually a price hike in winter. Find out which parts are more likely to need replacements and have a few pieces ready.

7. Take Advantage of the Sun

If your driveway gets the morning sun, then you should take advantage of that, and start removing the snow. That is because you will be in a position of getting the excess snow off as the sun helps loosen the snow, making it easier to blow

8. Clean the Snowblower After You Are Done With the Tasks

The right way to make sure that your auger and impeller do not harden is through cleaning the snowblower immediately after use. The buildup in your snowblowers might affect the functionality of your machine the next time you want to use it, so get rid of the snow using a long brush. Remove the spark plug and clean the inside as well the outside of the machine.

9. The Direction

You should ensure that the discharge chute is pointing in the right direction. Sometimes you might get lost in clearing the snow because it can be such a fun thing. However, be mindful of people and pets around you to avoid accidents. Check where the discharge chute is to ensure that nobody will get hurt in the process.

Conclusion

Every company ensures that any snowblowers on sale has a safety precaution manual. It is the ideal way to stay protected at all times and educate you on the measures to know. You want to keep everybody around the property and yourself safe. Therefore, when removing snow from your property, pause occasionally to check if there are any items on your path.

If you come across something that might get trapped in the machine, get rid of it. However, if it is too late and the item is already trapped, stop the machine and remove the item before continuing. Hopefully, the points above will be useful during the next snow removal task to work like a pro.