blowing snow today

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Donald

Donald

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Near the beach in Delaware
I went out today at noon to use the snow blower. We probably got around 12" in the Albany area. Normal, not fluffy, not heavy snow. My drive is close to 1000' long. My 36" Airens seemed to be rolling snow ahead of itself and it was only in 2nd gear. So a lot of snow to move.

A few days ago I found a small screw and washer loose on the drive and now I see a plate loose on my snow blower engine. But it runs fine and the governor is working.

Snow blowers do tend rattle stuff loose.

So all in all a good workout for me and the snow blower.
 
I would have broken out the Snow Cat with that much snow:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3250977/My_new_"tracks&qu#Post3250977
 
How long does it take to do your driveway? 4 passes I guess? ~10,000 sqft?
We have got dumped on this year and I'm thinking about getting a blower for clearing the pond as the atv can no longer get to the pond! Plus the banks push the ice into the water and create cracking problems.
 
Originally Posted By: satinsilver
I would have broken out the Snow Cat with that much snow:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3250977/My_new_"tracks&qu#Post3250977


The carb for the snow cat was sent out for rebuild. Snow cat is covered with snow. The place that is doing the rebuild (Tredwell) has a good reputation for older carbs, restoration of tractor carbs, etc. But the order of when the carb is rebuilt is when he gets to it.
 
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
How long does it take to do your driveway? 4 passes I guess? ~10,000 sqft?
We have got dumped on this year and I'm thinking about getting a blower for clearing the pond as the atv can no longer get to the pond! Plus the banks push the ice into the water and create cracking problems.


It took me about one hour to do 2 passes up and 2 down and some of the parking area. I still have some of my parking area to do when I get my Jeep out of it.
 
I'm pretty sure I need an auger belt. We had about 10" of wet heavy snow yesterday and the 5hp Craftsman snow blower was making perfect slush bricks clogging things up. This is the first time in 10 years for this machine to have this problem. I tried again this morning after shooting some silicone in the chute, auger, etc. and it did the same thing. I pulled the belt cover and adjusted the belt tensioner which is now almost to the end of its travel. I'll be visiting the local repair shop for two belts either tomorrow or Monday.
 
You're lucky your belts wear out. Mine snap dramatically!

Advance auto has them. You can bring your old one in and they put it on a stretcher and determine the length. WRITE THIS DOWN as the numbers wear off.

Then next time you can order online.
 
At Sears last night 3 people came in with snowblower issues.

1) A small belt was slipping and the owner did not know how to tighten anything. We did not have the right belt and I suggested he read the manual, there must be a way to tighten it up.

2) A small belt broke and the belt the guy needed was the only belt we had in stock. He lucked out.

3) A guy said when he pulled the lever for the auger nothing would happen but he would smell burning rubber. The machine was not even one year old and still under warranty. I showed him a plate on the bottom to remove to have a look. He was actually considering buying a new snowblower.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: eljefino
You're lucky your belts wear out. Mine snap dramatically!

Advance auto has them. You can bring your old one in and they put it on a stretcher and determine the length. WRITE THIS DOWN as the numbers wear off.

Then next time you can order online.


I never snapped a belt, but I did tear one to shreds sucking up a partially inflated buried soccer ball. What a PITA getting the remains of the ball out of the chute and auger.

I have the sizes of the belts written down, along with the part numbers from the actual belts used with this machine. I didn't have luck for some reason with automotive belts. I can get the two OEM belts shipped for $20 if the local guy doesn't have them, or if he's too pricey.
 
Originally Posted By: eljefino
You're lucky your belts wear out. Mine snap dramatically!

Advance auto has them. You can bring your old one in and they put it on a stretcher and determine the length. WRITE THIS DOWN as the numbers wear off.

Then next time you can order online.


If you're using auto belts, then that's your problem. The snowblower-specific ones are much more durable.
 
Donald, I was blowing up the town as well ... over by St. Peter's Hospital. My Ariens is a 921 Series Deluxe 28 ... that's a 28" path and a 250cc Model 150000 B&S engine (11.5 torque).

Took me about 3 hours total yesterday and today to do 5 city driveways and associated sidewalks (including removing snowplow mess late today).

Machine has just over 17 hours on it now and I just drained the oil for the 3rd time ... still lots of sparklies in it.
sick.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Bror Jace
Donald, I was blowing up the town as well ... over by St. Peter's Hospital. My Ariens is a 921 Series Deluxe 28 ... that's a 28" path and a 250cc Model 150000 B&S engine (11.5 torque).

Took me about 3 hours total yesterday and today to do 5 city driveways and associated sidewalks (including removing snowplow mess late today).

Machine has just over 17 hours on it now and I just drained the oil for the 3rd time ... still lots of sparklies in it.
sick.gif




I am amazed at the difference in snow between my town (New Lebanon) and Guilderland. Guilderland probably got 6" more than I did and I am even up on a small mountain.
 
OK, I'm in the city taking care of Mom and her neighbors ... you're out at the foot of the Birkshires. Yes, you guys usually get a lot more than we do. I used to live in Western Guilderland. Depending on the nature/size/direction of the storm, they really get dumped on.

36" Ariens ... they don't even make that size anymore, do they? I think the largest on the website is 30" The 28" I have works OK ... would like another 1-2 horsepower and the ability to run it up another 500-800 RPMs. It just seems to bog at times when (I think) it should keep going at speed.

Oh, and hand warmers. Dad's machine is almost identical AND has hand warmers.
wink.gif


I drained the oil (Pennzoil High Mileage 10W-40) after the last of yesterday's clean-up. Will refill with Yeti Blood later today.
 
These days, my snow blower leaves trail on the both sides of the bucket. It does not matter if I run the wheels faster or slower. Do the vertical edges of bucket wear out? I am not even sure if they are supposed to be sharp. That sounds rather dangerous.
 
I was fortunate that when I got home yesterday after clearing snow for the past two days my wife was clearing our 850' driveway.

Speaking of snow blowers, we are trying out a snow blower at work for consideration of purchasing....this is a 7500 ton per hour blower and the blower drive is direct drive (driveshaft) coupled the a Cummins QST30 1050 HP engine....it is a brute! Our normal snow blowers are 5000 tons per hour coupled to 650 HP Caterpillars. Plus, we blow snow at 20 MPH. I wish I could afford one of the large blowers..I could clear my drive easily with one pass and probably do my entire township in less than two hours....lol!
 
Originally Posted By: Bror Jace
OK, I'm in the city taking care of Mom and her neighbors ... you're out at the foot of the Birkshires. Yes, you guys usually get a lot more than we do. I used to live in Western Guilderland. Depending on the nature/size/direction of the storm, they really get dumped on.

36" Ariens ... they don't even make that size anymore, do they? I think the largest on the website is 30" The 28" I have works OK ... would like another 1-2 horsepower and the ability to run it up another 500-800 RPMs. It just seems to bog at times when (I think) it should keep going at speed.

Oh, and hand warmers. Dad's machine is almost identical AND has hand warmers.
wink.gif


I drained the oil (Pennzoil High Mileage 10W-40) after the last of yesterday's clean-up. Will refill with Yeti Blood later today.


Hand warmers are a must once you have them you never go without. My new Simplicity is a 30inch 13.5HP and is a very good combo wish I could have got it with a 28inch but no combo in that model electric deflector and chute are also very nice to have.
 
If you want a BMW, let me know. I can warn tell you about them
wink.gif


Originally Posted By: Fleetmon
yep, they are snow throwers....it's kind of like calling every automobile a car.....some of them are BMW's!
 
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