Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Everyone should check their alignments on the machines.I dropped the skids down 1/4 inch on the fly during the storm because it was bouncing.When I was wiping the blower down I noticed the scraper bar was crooked.This also caused it to pull to the right when I was operating it.Readjusted and it is fine now.

Hey Mints,Your post just made me think I should raise my scraper a bit.My augers are about 1/2 inck off the deck and I adjusted the bar to the floor.Maybe I should raise it about 1/8 of an inch.The right of way is going on 100 years old.

These are the the new skid shoes I had made, have the scraper bar set 1/8" off the ground been out in two storms approx. 5" each time blowing over smooth sidewalks and they seam to want to ride up on the snow and leave between 1 and 2 inches of snow. I have too go over the same area several times and it's still not doing a good job. Last year I didn't have this problem with the old shoes, is there anything I can do besides lowering the scraper bar to the pavement (pics taken on pavement) I do a lot of pavement...And we're getting another 4 to 8 inches today.

Robert

Cajunblue,

I'm having exactly the same problem as you are with the ski type skids I made and haven't been able to adequately clear my driveway. Because I have gravel I need to leave at least 3/4" of clearance. I have ordered a new set of the stock skids. I think they will have less tendency to ride up on the snow. I made the other skids because I thought the stock skids would tend to dig into the gravel. I'll just need to experiment. Once there is a frozen base, I don't think there will be a problem with the stock skids.

Jonathan

CJ and Jonathon,

I have "Skis" also, but do not have your problem. When I welded mine, I welded them at a slight angle, so they ride on the outer edge on hard surfaces.

Fred

How about fabricating another set only half as wide as the current ones?

Cajunblu, Lowering you scraper may help a little, however the front angle and width appear to be what is going to make it ride up regardless. You mentioned that you are usually blowing 4-5 inches on smooth pavement. If you are not concerned about gravel digging you may want to try much narrower skids (more surface area x constant weight=less force downward/square inch) (that is why snowshoes keep people up on top of the snow) If you are doing the blowing as a contractor, a single stage in 4"-5" would be a lot easier than 2-3 passes with a two stage. Hope this helps, Walt

Jubol,

I recall you mentioning welding the skids at an angle, but mine aren't. Maybe should have done that. Yesterday we had 4-5" and I adjusted the skids to 1/2". I picked up a bit of gravel in only one spot; EOD. I think the snow, sleet, and freezing rain from the previous storm created a base. The irony here is that I shouldn't have gravel on the drive in the first place. I had ordered "crusher run" which packs down nicely almost like concrete. The gravel was spread while I was at work. I could have had it scraped up, I suppose, but I think I will be ordering a load of crusher run in the spring to put on top of it.

Jonathan

Jonathon,

With a good base of gravel down for a year. Then crush/ run again over top of the gravel should work out very well for you!!

Fred