It’s a nice, cold, and snowy day but all you can think about is the snow piling up on your yard and driveway. Soon, it will get covered with a pile of heavy snow.
You know you have to use your snow blower now, but what if it clogs your top chute or the auger? How are you going to prevent it? These questions will linger in your mind as long as you can’t get rid of the hassle.
We understand your concerns, and so we have come prepared! You can easily prevent your snow blower from clogging in just six easy steps. Don’t be surprised; it truly works! We have done the research.
But before we get to it, don’t you want to know what’s causing the clogging of your snowblower chute?
What Causes Clogging of Snow Blower Chutes?
Before thinking of prevention, you need to know the cause of the snow blower chute clogging. It will give you a clear idea about avoiding things that contribute to chute clogging. So, let’s get to it!
1. Heavy, Wet, or Icy Snow
Snow is very tricky. You never know what type of snow you will get that day. Your snow blower chute will probably get clogged if the snow is too heavy, wet, or icy. These types of snow don’t allow smooth discharge of snow, making them stuck in the chute’s opening.
2. Machine Is Too Slow
Many people have the wrong idea about snow blowers. They think using a snow blower in a slow setting will clean more effectively.
However, they don’t know that it increases the odds of clogging the chute. Hence, it increases your workload.
The slower you work, the more time the snow has to freeze to the auger and the chute, leading to clogging.
3. Too Much Snow
Are you trying to clean a large amount of snow with your snow blower? Are you sure it can clean it?
Most people don’t really know the capacity of their snow blowers, and overuse leads to– you guessed it, chute clogging!
Take Deluxe 28 snow blower, for instance, which has a robust, 4-cycle engine, enough to clean the heavy, wet, and sticky snow.
On the other hand, the Power Smart PSS1210M snow blower doesn’t have the capacity to plow a massive pile of snow. So, if you try plowing with it, you will face many difficulties.
6 Simple Steps to Prevent a Clogged Snow Blower Chute
Chute clogging due to snow is very common in winter. Even with the best snowblower, you can find yourself with a clogged chute. Do you know why?
It is because many people don’t take any preventive measures to avoid getting their snow blower chutes clogged!
Nonetheless, we want you to be prepared for the winter while not working harder but smarter. Let us guide you through six simple steps below to prevent the clogging of your snow blower chute and auger:
Step 1: Use a Non-stick Snow Blower Spray
Non-stick snow blower sprays are just perfect for snow blowers. It makes the surface slippery and prevents dirt, snow, and even grass from sticking to your snow blower. It works just like cooking spray! All you need to do is spray it generously in the chute and the auger.
It’s also hassle-free because these specialized sprays need occasional re-applications.
Pro Tip: If you can’t find a non-stick snow blower spray, you can use cooking spray or lubricant degreaser as an alternative. They’ll also get the work done wonderfully.
Step 2: Work Fast
This is the only time working fast will get your job done nicely. In winter, snow will quickly freeze to anything. That’s why fast movements are preferred.
The fast movement of your snowblower will give the snow no time to freeze to the chute or the auger. Hence, reducing the chances of snow getting clogged in the chute.
Pro Tip: If your snow blower is not moving fast, understand the sign. It’s time for a new one! Research and check out your options available in the market.
Step 3: Inspect for Mechanical Issues
You are not ready to invest in a new snow blower because you know your snow blower was fast-moving. We get it! Then you may want to check if it has any mechanical problems.
We know investing in a new snow blower that you will only use 9 to 10 times a year seems impractical. The best thing you can do now is taking your snow blower to a professional for a complete service and tune-up.
Step 4: Remove Extrinsic Objects from Your Path
Finally, after much effort, your driveway is free from snow. But snow blowers shouldn’t be that hard to control. Have you found out why it was? Oh! It was just yesterday’s newspaper.
This is a common thing that can clog up your chute and auger. Any foreign objects, such as your kids’ toys, newspaper, debris, empty bottles, etc., can clog your snow blower chute.
How will you know if there is anything under the snow?
That’s easy! Clean up everything before it starts to snow. Watch the weather reports to get news about snow, then quickly check outside if anything is lying around your yard or driveway.
Step 5: Don’t Wait Till the Last Minute
After a heavy snowfall, you notice heavy snow is covering your driveway. You try to use your snowblower to clean the snow, but it’s getting stuck. Now, you are stuck with a clogged chute.
To avoid situations like this, don’t wait till the last minute. After 30 to 40 minutes of snowing, put on your coat and get out there. It’s time to plow the snow.
Yes, you will feel cold. But on the bright side, your driveway will remain free from snow, and your snowblower won’t have clogging issues later.
Step 6: Don’t Overload the Snow Blower
Another way to avoid a clogged chute is to stop overloading your snow blower with snow. If you notice your snow blower cannot take the snow load, go little by little.
Stroll with your snow blower and plow narrow strips of paths. Nonetheless, remember to keep the discharge unit turning at high speed to avoid clogging.
Also, point the chute in a different direction to avoid spraying people, animals, or other objects with snow.
How to Unclog a Snow Blower?
If your snowblower still got clogged even after taking all the preventive measures, we have ways to unclog it. Let’s go through the below tips:
- The first rule of unclogging your snow blower is not to use your HANDS OR FEET. It can result in serious injuries. Instead, use a cleaning tool that is sometimes provided with the snow blower or a broom handle to remove any dirt or debris.
- Always turn off your snow blower before unclogging or cleaning it. You may think it will just take a second, but a lot can happen in that second. So, be careful!
- After turning off your snow blower, wait a minute or two before you start unclogging the auger or the chute.
- Usually, your snow blower will come with a cleaning tool. The snow blower will also have a place to keep it. So, you must use the cleaning tool.
- When you first slide out some snow, the moving gears may turn slightly. Don’t put your hands or any cloth inside it to clean. It may get stuck. Use a broom handle if you have lost your snow blower cleaning tool. They are usually narrow and long and do the trick just fine.
In Conclusion
If you follow all the steps we provided to prevent chute clogging of snow blowers, you will just be fine. You will actually be increasing its lifetime.
Taking good care of a snow blower is essential, and so is using it properly. Study your snow blower’s manual. You’ll learn many interesting things. Moreover, isn’t it better to know more?
If you are looking for a new snow blower, it’s better to invest in the best ones because they will last you a lifetime with proper care.