fine tuning a snow thower

[cod 122]

I have a single stage tall chute snow thrower and I've noticed that when the snow is real powdery, I get a plume of snow behind the bottom of the thrower.  I run it on a 418-A and I've tried going slower but it doesn't help much.  Although my driveway is paved, it's not perfectly flat from side to side, and I've set the scraper edge about 1/4" off the ground.  If the snow is "slightly more damp" there's no plume, so I'm looking for some ideas or suggestions.  Not sure if a "tough" plastic or rubber scraper would be worth fooling with as it may follow the contours of the driveway more readily.

 

Thanks

[ri702bill 11,074]

Can you lower the scraper edge a bit??

I see the exact same thing with mine. I move the vast majority of it with one tractor with the blower, then final cleanup with the plow tractor.

[pfrederi 19,628]

I got blow back yesterday first blower use in several years.  Mine has wheels so I lowered her a notch made it a bit better but still blow back..  I have gravel and uneven ground so I don't want to set it any lower .  Just go back with a plow to tidy up.

[WHX?? 54,099]

4 hours ago, cod said:

plume of snow behind the bottom of the thrower. 

Same here and I run the scraper on dead flat on blacktop. The auger carries snow around back to the front and throws it underneath instead of out the chute. Worse when it hits a uneven spot. Center of the auger is getting beat up and should be manicured. I bet installing rubber paddles would help

[wallfish 18,952]

8 hours ago, cod said:

 I've set the scraper edge about 1/4" off the ground

That would leave a 1/4" of snow right there plus any more that gets pushed underneath through that space from the auger. Finish up with a plow tractor. What's the issue with letting the scraper scrape it? 

 

[cod 122]

Thanks for the responses and I think I'll look into adjusting the scrapper edge so it's closer to the ground.  I do have another tractor with a plow and that is something I can pursue as well. Actually, the more I think about it, I suspect the asphalt will be fine even if the edge rubs here and there.

Sometimes an over active imagination, is not a good thing... 

 

 

[WHX?? 54,099]

5 hours ago, cod said:

asphalt will be fine even if the edge rubs here and there.

I worried about that too on a 12k blacktop job but so far in 6 years of asphalt with no issues. Maybe I am over worrying about the use of chains on it? 

I find that scraping right on it still leaves a thin cost of ice or snow but it doesn't take much sun on a warmer (above 15-20 deg.) to melt it off back to clear asphalt. 

It does wear down on the scraper quicker but I guess that's why you can flip or replace them. Lots of guys here make or use rubber or plastic scrapers. 

[wallfish 18,952]

I run the scraper all the way down, 2 link ice grip chains on the rear, #40 roller chains on the fronts and also scrape with plow blade. All on an expensive asphalt paved driveway 2 1/2 cars wide by about 120 ft long. Yes it may leave some little scratches in the surface but they are gone come spring time and become completely unnoticeable that they were ever there.

 

Don't aggressively spin the rears. Mostly unnecessary since the traction is always good

Don't keep driving if the fronts are sliding, Lift the blower or blade and it will instantly steer again.

Be mindful of the rear tires riding up high on snow piles like as that will tip the tractor and could dig the corner of the plow blade down into the driveway. 

[WHX?? 54,099]

3 hours ago, wallfish said:

unnoticeable that they were ever there.

.and needs a seal coating if they do. 

V bar chains 'Fish?