Do you often ask yourself: how to make my snowblower throw snow farther?
It is a question most homeowners ask themselves whenever the snowy season arrives. They find themselves wishing that their snowblowers have stronger throwing power.
The first thing you should be aware of is the kind of snowblower you own. Most will provide a user’s manual that has all the necessary information on how it can throw snow to, which is based on its power, chute length, and machine type.
For instance, a single-stage snow blower can throw snow at a lesser distance, compared to two or three-stage one that can throw snow farther.
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How can you make your snowblower throw farther?
After heavy snowfalls and lands on your driveway or passageway, you want to clear it out immediately. You do not want it to remain and be an impediment to you and your family.
A snowblower will effectively work if it can throw snow away from the pathway you are trying to clear out. You do not want to make large snowbanks close by, which will become a nuisance and an eyesore for everyone involved.
Here are many ways to can do to make your snowblower throw snow farther, so not to make it become a pain in the neck:
Lubricating the chute in a snowblower
After constant usage, the snow in your snowblower will move slower than usual through the chute. The reason for this is snow can be abrasive, particularly if it has dirt, twigs, and stones mixed.
You can fix this by spreading cooking oil throughout the chute to lubricate it, which will allow the snow to slide through easily.
WD40 is the conventional method, but you will have to use it frequently so it can throw snow farther away.
Another better solution is liquid graphite spray, which you would not need to apply much since it will last longer. With it, you can apply it once a week rather than every other day with cooking oil.
Installing an impeller in a snowblower
An effective way to improve the performance of your snowblower is to install an impeller instead of buying another more powerful one.
An impeller is a type of fan that blows the snow within the chute so it can be thrown at a greater distance. For a two-stage snowblower, the impeller is located after the auger.
You can buy an impeller kit in any home improvement center or hardware store. It is also available on online shopping websites.
Installing it to the snowblower might be difficult, so you may have to call and ask for help from a mechanic to install it.
Impeller kits are effective because they can transform a one-stage snow blower into a two-stage one. You can also just replace a current impeller, to make things easier.
Before buying an impeller kit, you need to think about spending all this time and effort installing it instead of simply just getting a new snowblower.
If your snowblower already has a built-in impeller, you can upgrade it further by modifying it. There are modification kits available online, but you may need an expert to help you install them since they can get complicated.
There are two types of modification you can do: you can either make the impeller diameter become wider or add an impeller to a single-stage snowblower.
Maintaining the metal components in a snowblower
Like all machines, a snowblower needs regular maintenance to be effective in blowing snow off your driveway. If you practice it regularly, its performance will be topnotch all the time, which means it can blow off the snow at your preferred distance.
Snowblower maintenance requires oiling, cleaning, lubricating of the gear shaft, engine, and sparkplugs. And once some parts are worn out from use, replace them immediately.
Also, you have to protect your snowblower against rust since snow is abrasive by nature.
After fulfilling all these proper maintenance procedures, you will notice that snow will blast out of the chute quicker.
Are there any useful tips in effectively using your snowblower?
If you are struggling in using your snowblower and think you may not be doing it properly, you can follow these tips:
- You do not have to wait for the snow to stop falling, and you can begin your snow clearing process immediately. It would lessen the buildup once it halts. You can also clear broader spaces to steer clear from larger snowbanks.
- Take your time and do not be in a hurry in doing the snow-blowing task. It means you need to take a slower ground speed, which will enable it to blow lesser snow and throw in farther.
- If you are trying to clear a pathway, change the course of the chute to the direction of the wind so it can assist in carrying it further away. You can also adjust the chute to be in a raised position.
- Make sure to not damage the auger so remove any thing along the path like rocks, toys, etc. Make it a practice to remove all of these before the snow falls, so you would not have an easier time blowing the snow.
- Steadily increase its RPM (revolutions per minute), but you do not want to overdo it and overwork the engine. Take it nice and slow, and be watch out for potential clogs.
Are there any other useful things to keep in mind about snowblowers?
As mentioned above, there are proven ways to modify your snowblower to make it function better. However, there may come a time when its functionality cannot improve anymore. Thus, consider these other important factors that can be useful in the long run:
Applying rust protectant to a snowblower
If you are dealing with snow, it has the capability of getting stuck in various crevices in the snowblower, which will cause rust. It might not seem troublesome, but it will impact its performance in the long run.
Check on the chute if there is rust formation and if there is, apply a rust protectant to enable it in excellent condition in the snowy months ahead.
Replacing the entire snowblower
If you do not want to do the various modifications mentioned above to make your snowblower throw snow farther, you can just do away with it and buy a new one.
If you want to get a better-performing one, choose a two or three-stage snowblower, which has more blowing power. Both have built-in impellers that can make the snow flow out from the chute faster.
A two-stage snowblower will have the necessary power a regular household requires. However, if you prefer a stronger and heavy-duty machine, a three-stage snow blower is the best one.
Some of these models can throw snow fifty feet away.
FAQ or frequently asked questions about snowblowers
How far should a typical snowblower throw snow?
The distance of the snow to travel will depend on the type of snowblower you have. The best one to use for a regular homeowner is a two-stage one, which can throw snow from fifteen to twenty feet.
Which snowblower can throw the farthest?
A three-stage snowblower can throw the farthest snow. It has the power and capability to throw snow up to fifty to sixty feet.
How will you clean the snowblower after usage?
After using the snowblower in clearing up the snow on your driveway, let it run for a couple more minutes the keep the impeller and auger from freezing.
Once done, get a dry rag and wipe every portion of the snowblower inside and out to get rid of any remaining moisture and snow.
Does learning how to make my snowblower throw snow farther doable?
There are many easier methods to make your snowblower throw snow farther than usual, and most of them have to do with proper maintenance.
However, if you want to go the extra mile, you can enhance it further. This way, blowing snow away from your driveway would not be a hassle and will be a welcome chore to do. You can now look forward to the coming winter, not with a frown, but with a smile.
