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

Is there a way to measure the rubber paddles for wear? I mean the performance drop-off over years is hard to judge.... I read somewhere about a pinky fitting into the gap being to much?
Is it a quantifiable measurement?
Thanks
Tony (My old blower, now next door at neighbors. I miss it)

The pinkie test sounds like a good test.  I'm not familiar with that rubber part, but you can check to see if they have slotted holes.  If they are, you can loosen the bolts and move them outward to close up the clearance against the bucket housing, then tighten the bolts.  You can go with the same paddle for another season or two. 

If not, I'd just replace with a new set of paddles (about $30) and scraper bar ($15).  These scraper bar and paddles should be replaced together since they wear out at about the same rate.