Snowblower clogged up in wet snow
suckowe
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 12 Maine |
2002-01-14 34565
Well, it rained for half the day then decided to turn to snow and dump a sloppy wet 5" ontop of the wet slush. I started out blowing with no pboblems, got about 100', then all of the sudden no snow was coming out the top. I thought for sure I clipped a shear pin or something so I got off to take a look and noticed the chute was full of HARD packed ice/snow for about 1' up the chute! I poked it out with a big tanker bar and started at it again, it clogged up in no time. I had to finish the job with the bucket, not a happy camper.
The 5' Ford715A blower is a little rusted inside the chute. I wonder if maybe sandblasting it and painting the chute would help the snow flow better? Anyone got any ideas? Thanks.........Big Ed
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Snowblower clogged up in wet snow
DennisCTB
Join Date: Nov 1998 Posts: 2707 NorthWest NJ Pics |
2002-01-14 34566
Slush is hard to deal with in my experience. But a rusty blower compounds things. Mine does not have any rust that would cause a problem, and I spray the auger and chute thoroughly with Silicone spray when its dry before any use with wet snow, and this seems to definitley make things better. Nonetheless a broom handle sometimes is needed, but this is only for the worst possible storm like you mentioned.
In your case I think a coat of paint is your starting point. ....
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Snowblower clogged up in wet snow
TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley |
2002-01-15 34587
My blower does pretty well with slush. Most times it does clog is when I stop and clutch the PTO before the blower clears. Seems like as long as the snow keeps moving it doesn't clog, but start up the fan with a blower full of snow and I'm almost to have to go for the broom handle.
I've heard the spray helps but I've never needed it. Slowing the ground speed also should help. I keep the deflector fairly open, and that should reduce clogging as well.
Most slushy times, I simply resort to using the loader if possible. The loader works better for up to 6' or so of very wet snow. When I do this I float the lift with the bucket curled back quite a bit. I just want to scoop off the drive a bit rather than taking it down to the gravel. If I slick it off and it freezes, then I've got a skating rink for the rest of the winter. Freezing rain on top of a fresh plowed drive followed by a freeze is even worse. Leaving some slush tends to leave a roughened surface when it finally does freeze. It much better than the skating rinks I’d end up before learning a lesson or two. Our first year here ice on the drive was so bad that I started joking about borrowing an ice auger so I could put a hole in the drive and practice ice fishing.
....
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Snowblower clogged up in wet snow
suckowe
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 12 Maine |
2002-01-15 34588
Thanks for the silicon spray tip, sounds like a quick fix before starting up the tractor if I encounter conditions like that again. I'll be riping apart the entire blower this spring for a ground up restoration, so the paint will have to wait until then. Hopefully this is the last of the wet snow until the end of the season----------
I went back out last night to even the score with the snow. I was grinding up all that icey crap and throwing it everywhere! Until I got a big chunk of solid ice wedged into the fan blade (goodbye shear bolt!)--------Thanks again, Big Ed ....
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Snowblower clogged up in wet snow
Clarence
Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 4 McLouth KS |
2002-02-02 35223
Most of the older snowblowers and some of the newer ones have a gap between the impeller blades and the housing ¼” to ½” this is mainly used to allow objects to pass through and also to keep the blades from freezing to the housing. Some of these gaps are enlarged by wear or just a poor design (too large). This kit will work on most dual stage snowblowers and on some of the larger single stage snowblowers, it consists of rubber paddles that bolt on to the impeller blades therefore sealing between the blades and the housing. If the snow slips past the impeller blades it has time to accumulate and then tries to discharge it in large amounts resulting in a plugged chute or poor discharge. By creating this seal all the snow Is discharged and nothing accumulates in the housing, the snow is discharged evenly resulting in it being broken up, and also increases the leverage by lengthening the impeller blade. ....
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