# Any snow blower advice? (Maintenance, troubleshooting...)
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-snow-blower-advice-maintenance-troubleshooting/738103
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [November 20, 2015, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-snow-blower-advice-maintenance-troubleshooting/738103 "2015-11-20T18:32:20Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Bonaventure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonaventure)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2015, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-snow-blower-advice-maintenance-troubleshooting/738103/1 "2015-11-20T18:32:20Z")
After years of shoveling, my body has finally stopped cooperating. I recently purchased my first snow blower ever and wondered if anyone here had any advice for a snowblower newbie.
I’m already planning on using TruFuel gasoline instead of car gas so I don’t have to worry about mixing in stabilizers and because my area can go weeks or even a month between snow storms.
Any other advice?
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### Author:  [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2015, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-snow-blower-advice-maintenance-troubleshooting/738103/2 "2015-11-20T19:24:59Z")
When I purchased my only snowblower (paddle-type, not auger-type) I was advised to purchase an aerosol can of furniture WAX (not furniture "polish) to spray on the paddles, inside the mouth, and chute; in order to ensure that the snow won’t stick to those parts.
It seemed sound advise, and I did so. Only recall a few times having to clear the chute.
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### Author:  [@Bonaventure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonaventure)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2015, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-snow-blower-advice-maintenance-troubleshooting/738103/3 "2015-11-20T20:41:51Z")
> [@GrizzRich](#):
>
> When I purchased my only snowblower (paddle-type, not auger-type) I was advised to purchase an aerosol can of furniture WAX (not furniture "polish) to spray on the paddles, inside the mouth, and chute; in order to ensure that the snow won’t stick to those parts.
>
> It seemed sound advise, and I did so. Only recall a few times having to clear the chute.
Thank you. I had heard about using some sort of silicon lubricant spray but forgotten about it. I’m going to add it to the hardware store shopping list.
I used to have one of those paddle snowblowers when I was a kid. It was nice because it was so light but it really didn’t like anything bigger than a couple inches of snow.
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### Author:  [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2015, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-snow-blower-advice-maintenance-troubleshooting/738103/4 "2015-11-20T23:50:22Z")
Keep a good supply of shear pins and or bolts handy. Beware of mission creep, do one neighbor as a favor often turns into another and another etc.
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### Author:  [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)
#### Post date: [November 21, 2015, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-snow-blower-advice-maintenance-troubleshooting/738103/5 "2015-11-21T20:56:05Z")
Don’t buy an inexpensive, under-powered one, they’re more trouble than they’re worth. A good rule of thumb (IMO) for a gas snowblower is 7HP is the minimum for doing the kind of work they need to do efficiently. Even if your driveway/sidewalk is little, a shovel is easier in the long run than using an under-powered snowblower. And get one with an AC (i.e. extension cord) electric starter. Gas engines intrinsically don’t like to start in cold weather.
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### Author:  [@Bonaventure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonaventure)
#### Post date: [November 21, 2015, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-snow-blower-advice-maintenance-troubleshooting/738103/6 "2015-11-21T21:14:08Z")
Thanks, Hail Ants. I already purchased the snow blower, but fortunately I did opt for a ~7 horsepower (estimate since the manufacturer only measures engine in CCs) electric start blower. The electric start was a no-brainer for me; the whole reason I’m getting a blower is because of back problems, so I can’t be out there tugging on a pull cord.
Icerigger, thanks for the tip about pins and bolts. It comes with a couple extras but that should just make it easier to purchase the right extras. Next I have to figure out where in the machine they actually go.
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### Author:  [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)
#### Post date: [November 21, 2015, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-snow-blower-advice-maintenance-troubleshooting/738103/7 "2015-11-21T23:05:42Z")
> [@Bonaventure](#):
>
> Icerigger, thanks for the tip about pins and bolts. It comes with a couple extras but that should just make it easier to purchase the right extras. Next I have to figure out where in the machine they actually go.
[Here’s a photo showing where they typically go.](http://manuals.deere.com/cceomview/OMM144062_F0/Output/images/OMM144062_F064.jpg) The main auger ‘axle’ is actually a hollow tube with a shaft turning inside of it. The shear bolts go thru holes that line up in both so that the shaft inside turns the auger tube (and the blades). If you hit something with the auger the shear pins are ‘the weakest link’ and will break (or ‘shear off’) to prevent any other drive line component from being damaged. You’ll know if you’ve broken them if the auger will not spin when engaged.
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### Author:  [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2015, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-snow-blower-advice-maintenance-troubleshooting/738103/8 "2015-11-22T01:28:54Z")
> [@Bonaventure](#):
>
> Thanks, Hail Ants. I already purchased the snow blower, but fortunately I did opt for a ~7 horsepower (estimate since the manufacturer only measures engine in CCs) electric start blower. The electric start was a no-brainer for me; the whole reason I’m getting a blower is because of back problems, so I can’t be out there tugging on a pull cord.
>
> Icerigger, thanks for the tip about pins and bolts. It comes with a couple extras but that should just make it easier to purchase the right extras. Next I have to figure out where in the machine they actually go.
did you get differential steering? If you have back problems consider upgrading. A big snow blower can be a handful.
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### Author:  [@Bonaventure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonaventure)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2015, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-snow-blower-advice-maintenance-troubleshooting/738103/9 "2015-11-22T02:38:18Z")
> [@Magiver](#):
>
> did you get differential steering? If you have back problems consider upgrading. A big snow blower can be a handful.
Hmmm, I didn’t think of that. Unfortunately, looking online, it looks like models with power steering are several hundred dollars more. I guess I’ll have to see if I have any difficulty turning this thing. I kind of assumed the forward gears would do most of the work but I didn’t really think about turning. Which actually brings me to another question: how do you turn the snowblower after the first pass down the driveway? Just stick it in reverse and do a couple short passes to clear some turning room?
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### Author:  [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2015, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-snow-blower-advice-maintenance-troubleshooting/738103/10 "2015-11-22T03:22:58Z")
> [@Bonaventure](#):
>
> Hmmm, I didn’t think of that. Unfortunately, looking online, it looks like models with power steering are several hundred dollars more. I guess I’ll have to see if I have any difficulty turning this thing. I kind of assumed the forward gears would do most of the work but I didn’t really think about turning. Which actually brings me to another question: how do you turn the snowblower after the first pass down the driveway? Just stick it in reverse and do a couple short passes to clear some turning room?
It’s just like a lawnmower only bigger. If there’s a foot of snow then you have to muscle it around or do what you just said. Reverse it and cut to the side and repeat until you have space to turn. One thing you don’t want to do is uncouple the wheels. Then it’s just one wheel turning and now you’re fighting with it. Not even sure why that’s an option but I can pull a pin or bolt and one wheel is disconnected from the drive. I think it’s suppose to make it easier to turn without power but it was harder for me to get around.
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### Author:  [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2015, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-snow-blower-advice-maintenance-troubleshooting/738103/11 "2015-11-22T03:29:15Z")
I think you should have started this thread BEFORE you bought the snowblower!
But I am following this thread, because I am just not able to do the shoveling any longer. I want to buy a good one. And I figure, the more money I spend, the odds that we won’t get a decent snowfall worth firing it up increase dramatically.
And take heed on the advice from **Icerigger**. Neighbors can be tricky things to manage, especially with something like a snowblower.
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### Author:  [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2015, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-snow-blower-advice-maintenance-troubleshooting/738103/12 "2015-11-22T04:12:04Z")
> [@Icerigger](#):
>
> Keep a good supply of shear pins and or bolts handy. Beware of mission creep, do one neighbor as a favor often turns into another and another etc.
Very true about the bolts/pins.
Don’t run over pinecones, newspapers, squirrels or solid ice chunks. Don’t look any neighbors in the eye. 😉
Mine throws to the right better than to the left. I figure it has to do with the way the auger is spinning. Anyway, I start going right down the middle, do a 180 and come down the path I just cut, taking about a half-width on the right, doing the whole driveway in a counter-clockwise direction and never have to rotate the chute, and always throw the snow to the outside. The only thing I have to watch is that I don’t toss snow into the neighbor’s driveway on one side.
In very heavy snow, don’t let it pile up too high. Sometimes you gotta go out and do it twice or three times a night.
I always run the carb dry every time I shut it down. Never know if it will be the last time you use it.
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### Author:  [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2015, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-snow-blower-advice-maintenance-troubleshooting/738103/13 "2015-11-22T04:18:54Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#):
>
> I think you should have started this thread BEFORE you bought the snowblower!
>
> But I am following this thread, because I am just not able to do the shoveling any longer. I want to buy a good one. And I figure, the more money I spend, the odds that we won’t get a decent snowfall worth firing it up increase dramatically.
>
> And take heed on the advice from **Icerigger**. Neighbors can be tricky things to manage, especially with something like a snowblower.
If you’re getting ready to buy one then take heed of the handle position. At 5’ 7" I found them to be at an awkward position sticking straight back. My wrists get sore from using them.
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### Author:  [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2015, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-snow-blower-advice-maintenance-troubleshooting/738103/14 "2015-11-23T17:16:27Z")
> [@Magiver](#):
>
> If you’re getting ready to buy one then take heed of the handle position. At 5’ 7" I found them to be at an awkward position sticking straight back. My wrists get sore from using them.
Good tip.
I am over 6’, so I doubt this would affect me the same as you. However, I should look into handle height, and see what works best for me.
Quick, general question. What does “two-stage” refer to? Every snowblower I’ve looked at so far identify themselves as two-stage, but I am not sure what this means regarding snowblowers (and what is a one stage?)
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### Author:  [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2015, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-snow-blower-advice-maintenance-troubleshooting/738103/15 "2015-11-23T17:36:46Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#):
>
> Quick, general question. What does “two-stage” refer to? Every snowblower I’ve looked at so far identify themselves as two-stage, but I am not sure what this means regarding snowblowers (and what is a one stage?)
In a one stage the auger that clears the snow is the same one that powers it through the chute. In a two stage the front auger delivers the snow to a fan that throws it through the chute.
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### Author:  [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2015, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-snow-blower-advice-maintenance-troubleshooting/738103/16 "2015-11-23T17:43:08Z")
> [@Hail\_Ants](#):
>
> [Here’s a photo showing where they typically go.](http://manuals.deere.com/cceomview/OMM144062_F0/Output/images/OMM144062_F064.jpg) The main auger ‘axle’ is actually a hollow tube with a shaft turning inside of it. The shear bolts go thru holes that line up in both so that the shaft inside turns the auger tube (and the blades). If you hit something with the auger the shear pins are ‘the weakest link’ and will break (or ‘shear off’) to prevent any other drive line component from being damaged. You’ll know if you’ve broken them if the auger will not spin when engaged.
When my shear pin went it took a bit for me to notice as it was just one side. The snowblower was still pushing snow but it was pulling to one side. I recommend if it feels like it is pulling or if you are not getting the performance you think you should that you get someone to stand in front of the snowblower and check if the auger is moving. It took me much longer than it should have to notice the shear-pin had broken.:smack:
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### Author:  [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2015, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-snow-blower-advice-maintenance-troubleshooting/738103/17 "2015-11-23T23:44:19Z")
> [@Cyros](#):
>
> In a one stage the auger that clears the snow is the same one that powers it through the chute. In a two stage the front auger delivers the snow to a fan that throws it through the chute.
[A visual of one.](http://www.snowblowersatjacks.com/Images/Honda/HS928TAS/honda-HS928TAS-auger-lg.jpg) The same shaft that drives the fan that throws the snow also drives the front auger through a transfer case.
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### Author:  [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2015, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-snow-blower-advice-maintenance-troubleshooting/738103/18 "2015-11-24T00:57:14Z")
I bought a big one last year. [Ariens 28 inch](http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/1000/4c/4cf77909-70df-4161-9ab2-18cbf5c529fd_1000.jpg). It has the “upgraded” differential but it is still a handful to muscle around. It really throws the snow, to the point that I had to be careful not to throw all my snow into the neighbors driveway, 50+ feet away. I use 91 octane, ethanol free gas from [Country Mark](http://www.countrymark.com/countrymark/). No alcohol means that moisture doesn’t mix in with the gas so easily. That way if you have a long stretch between snow storms you don’t get a lot of moisture absorption in your fuel.
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### Author:  [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2015, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-snow-blower-advice-maintenance-troubleshooting/738103/19 "2015-11-24T03:15:54Z")
Here’s [the Country Mark 91 Octane](http://www.countrymark.com/countrymark/Fuels/PLUSGasoline/EthanolFree.aspx) gas I use in my snowblower and all my gas powered lawn equipment.
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### Author:  [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)
#### Post date: [November 24, 2015, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-snow-blower-advice-maintenance-troubleshooting/738103/20 "2015-11-24T05:32:21Z")
For what it would cost to buy & maintain a decent snowblower, I can hire one of the neighborhood kisd to shovel for the next 10 years. (And after that, I expect they’ll have put me into the nursing home…) Plus it gives them something useful to do.