Snow Blowing Tips

 
One of the biggest complaints among winter-loathers is the need to clear your driveway every time it snows.  Snow blowing can help speed up the process, but only if you know what you’re doing.  Here are some tips that will make your winter a little more bearable:
 
START RIGHT AWAY

 
While it may seem smart to wait for the snow to pass before going outside, you’ll likely be spending more time in the long run.
 
Snow blowing isn’t all the time consuming when there’s just a few inches on the ground, but it could become a huge pain if there’s upwards of half a foot. Clear the snow as soon as possible, and you won’t have to worry about your blower clogging or getting stuck.
 
CUT DOWN THE MIDDLE

 
The easiest way to snow blow is to start in the middle of your driveway and work outward.
 
TAKE YOUR TIME

 
There’s no need to rush through the job, especially if there’s a lot of snow on the ground. If you move too quickly, you’re more likely to clog the blower, which, of course, will take them to unclog.
 
THROW IT FAR

 
Position your blower to allow if to throw the snow as far as possible. That way, you won’t have to worry about it falling back on the driveway and thus being forced to blow it a second time.
 
Remember not to throw snow in the direction of cars, houses, or other people.
 
DEALING WITH CLOGS

 
If your blower does end up getting clogged, do not rush to fix it.
 
Turn it off and allow it to cool off before making your move. When you’re ready, use a clearing stick or broom to clear the clogged snow.
 
Never ever use your hands or feet to get it out. Even if your engine is turned off, the augers can still rotate, putting you at serious risk of losing a finger or toe.
 
BUY COMMON REPLACEMENT PARTS AHEAD OF TIME

 
There’s nothing worse than having a shear pin break on you in the middle of a storm, and having nothing available to replace it with.  Always keep extra shear pins and belts on hand to prepare for the most unfortunate of circumstances.
 
WAIT TO REFILL GASS

 
If your blower runs out of fuel, you may be tempted to refill it right away. While this may be the most time-effective method, you’d likely be putting yourself at risk by doing so.  If you’re in the middle of blowing, you engine will still be hot, meaning you could create a fire if you try to refill too quickly.
 
In order to stay on the safe side, wait at least 10-15 minutes before re-filling your blower.
 
RUN THE BLOWER WHEN YOU’RE DONE

 
When the driveway is cleared, wait a few extra minutes to allow the blower to run for a bit longer. This will help it dry out and dispose of any snow that may have built up.