If you live in a place that has harsh winters then you must be familiar with using a snowblower to clear your driveway. Snowblowers are great pieces of equipment that allow us to clear our driveways and walkways without having to use a shovel. If you have a snowblower or are thinking of purchasing one, here are some things that you need to about.
Snow Blower Etiquette
If you have a snowblower, and also have neighbors, there are some additional rules you will have to follow when you clear out your driveway. When you are blowing snow off of your driveway to make sure you are not blowing it on the road as this may be against the law in your state. Also, make sure you avoid blowing snow into your neighbor’s driveway as this could really piss them off. If you do blow snow into your neighbor’s driveway the best thing you should do is explain the situation to them and apologize. They may be pretty mad so you may need to offer to clear their entire driveway for them. One other thing to think about is your neighbors that do not have snow blowers. If you have a snowblower and there is a really bad storm you may want to offer your neighbor the chance to use your blower. Your neighbor may also appreciate the gesture and offer to clear your driveway for letting them use the blower. Read more about the best snow blowers from bestofmachinery. Where you can get the best deals on reputable brands. After all, Snowblowers pay for themselves quickly making them a very good investment.
Snow Blowing Technique
When you are using your snowblower you will want to make sure you are using it in the most efficient way possible. After a big storm, you will want to start snow blowing from the opposite direction the wind is blowing. You will then want to make sure you are blowing the snow into the wind because if you blow snow against the wind it can lead to a big mess in your driveway. This mess may even require you to do your entire driveway all over again and that is not something you want to have to deal with.
Take the Proper Steps to Store your Snow Blower
Taking the time to properly store your snowblower during the summer months is an important step that you should take to make sure your machine will last you for a long time. When you store your snow blower you will want to make sure you drain the fuel from the fuel tank before you put it in storage. This will help protect the spark plugs in your machine and will also comply with safe storage practices.
This helpful article from Barkyard Workshop explains how to safely remove fuel from your snow blower and get it ready for summer storage, it also suggests leaving your snowblower running to help burn off the fuel before storing it. Taking the proper summer storage steps will ensure your blower will be good to go next winter.
Stay Safe when using a Snow Blower
Snow blowers may seem like pretty straight forward pieces of equipment but you must remember to exercise caution while using heavy machinery. A snow blower, if used incorrectly, can be a very hazardous piece of equipment. When you are using a snow blower you must always remember to keep your body parts away from the augers and snow chutes as these parts can cause significant injury. Also, you should make sure that your children are not playing outside while you are using the snowblower because it could blow sharp pieces of ice and other debris at them. If you have a gravel driveway you will want to take some extra care when it comes to blowing snow out of the snow chute. A snowblower can easily pick up rocks and launch them towards your home. If you practice these safe snow blower tips you will have no safety concerns to worry about when it comes time to blow out your driveway.
Having a snow blower can make your life a lot easier when it starts to snow in the winter but if you want to get the most out of your snow blower make sure you follow these simple yet helpful tips. If you have a snow blower already, you will be ready to take on the snow. If you do not have one yet but are thinking of getting one for the next round of winter make sure the one you purchase is from a good company because it will make all the difference when it comes to blowing snow out of your driveway.
Leave a Reply