First test of my Snow Joe was a massive blizzard that dropped 20+ inches of snow with drifts well over 3ft. th-cam.com/users/postUgkxoHYZbq5g9fkcAtinlTqstNlje-UQkCHN This snow thrower is definitely not designed for this much snow but it powered through it. We did have to knock down taller drifts with a shovel and at times the chute was awkward because snow banks were much higher than it could throw, but still much easier than shoveling. The plus side of the small size is the maneuverability. Easy to lift up to walkways and works in tight spaces near cars. Highly recommend.Note: after assembling it started but did not turn. The belt wasn't in place. Easy fix.
I mounted 4" wheels in place of the front skid plates. It works fine. No gravel through machine. If you say a little gravel went through, then you are playing with Murphy's Law. One piece jamming in the blower blade can cause serious damage. Not to mention possibe projectiles. My machine as altered does leave about 2" on snow on the driveay. But that packs and makes it even safer for next use.
I've been using a wheeled 3090 blower for 9 years now on my 150' gravel driveway and haven't had any issues. I have a couple of large rocks (size of a football) starting to stick up out of the driveway and lots of unevenness but the blower just rolls right over everything. I keep the shaveplate set for about 1/2" off the ground and rarely have any gravel get pulled in.
lol geez i set mine about 2" high and still occasionally suck in some gravel and it makes me cringe! it really beats the shit outta the thrower and housing.
I've been looking for an explanation of skids, shaveplate and side lever settings (packed snow, normal, transport). Thanks!! Evidently, only track machines have this side lever?
Good Idea!!..I also have a gravel driveway, but with bigger stone.Picking up the stones could be a problem, especially when it is time to cut the grass!!..Thanks!!
Mars Man of Marvel I have a gravel drive way too and have to take the rocks back to the drive way every year. No more, get a power broom attachment for the grass weed eater and it takes no time to pick them up. I use to send the kids out with buckets and pick up the stones😂
I had those plastic skids on mine for my gravel driveway, but I found it didn't work so well for cleaning off my concrete apron and sidewalks. I decided to switch them for a couple of adjustable wheels off of a lawn mower. Now I can adjust the cutting edge down to clean off the concrete and move the blade up to clear the gravel in my driveway! Works well and never wears out!!
Wheels work great but not really needed with a tracked machine. The skids just prevent the scaper bar from digging in, worse case but with a tracked machine the user likely won't be riding the skids much
My new Ariens platinum 30 was rated for gravel but it isextremely hard to control and tough to hold the front down. Ariens says there is nothing wrong that is how the machine should handle. The new Ariens is junk compared to the good handling 35 year old sno thro it replaced.
I used a tracked snowblower on a gravel driveway for 22 years. I had essentially the same blower as you, with all of the same features. If the skid shoes are set properly, you should be able to run the blower in the "Normal" position without digging into your gravel. The "Transport" mode just lifts it higher so you can move it from one place to another easier.
Thanks for the input; I had tried it on the "normal" position, but it dug in a bit. It may have something to do with whether the gravel is icy or packed with snow. Obviously, if the gravel is iced over the blade probably has less of a tendency to dig in. In any event the track type wheels seem to be key, as you said and I would recommend this type on gravel driveways. Have a new video out "snowblower for a gravel driveway" - action film. Thanks
Royal Reynolds Just place something that's an inch or two thick under the scraper bar, and loosen and adjust your skid shoes so the blower rides at that height. This will leave a little snow in your drive, but keep the blower from digging in. The only time you want the cutting bar all the way down is when you are using it on a smooth paved drive.
That was a real bummer man All that and you never started the thing. Kind of a let down. I just assumed you didn't start it because the rocks would break your camera
First test of my Snow Joe was a massive blizzard that dropped 20+ inches of snow with drifts well over 3ft. th-cam.com/users/postUgkxoHYZbq5g9fkcAtinlTqstNlje-UQkCHN This snow thrower is definitely not designed for this much snow but it powered through it. We did have to knock down taller drifts with a shovel and at times the chute was awkward because snow banks were much higher than it could throw, but still much easier than shoveling. The plus side of the small size is the maneuverability. Easy to lift up to walkways and works in tight spaces near cars. Highly recommend.Note: after assembling it started but did not turn. The belt wasn't in place. Easy fix.
Good common sense video Roy. Quick and to the point. Well done, and thanks for posting.
Liked the video without even watching! Thank you for making this video! Indeed watched till the end.
I mounted 4" wheels in place of the front skid plates. It works fine. No gravel through machine.
If you say a little gravel went through, then you are playing with Murphy's Law. One piece jamming in the blower blade can cause serious damage. Not to mention possibe projectiles.
My machine as altered does leave about 2" on snow on the driveay. But that packs and makes it even safer for next use.
Thank you for the information! I’ve never used a snowblower before...looks like I’m going to have to take it up for my parents driveway.
I've been using a wheeled 3090 blower for 9 years now on my 150' gravel driveway and haven't had any issues. I have a couple of large rocks (size of a football) starting to stick up out of the driveway and lots of unevenness but the blower just rolls right over everything. I keep the shaveplate set for about 1/2" off the ground and rarely have any gravel get pulled in.
lol geez i set mine about 2" high and still occasionally suck in some gravel and it makes me cringe! it really beats the shit outta the thrower and housing.
I've been looking for an explanation of skids, shaveplate and side lever settings (packed snow, normal, transport). Thanks!! Evidently, only track machines have this side lever?
Good Idea!!..I also have a gravel driveway, but with bigger stone.Picking up the stones could be a problem, especially when it is time to cut the grass!!..Thanks!!
Mars Man of Marvel I have a gravel drive way too and have to take the rocks back to the drive way every year. No more, get a power broom attachment for the grass weed eater and it takes no time to pick them up. I use to send the kids out with buckets and pick up the stones😂
I had those plastic skids on mine for my gravel driveway, but I found it didn't work so well for cleaning off my concrete apron and sidewalks. I decided to switch them for a couple of adjustable wheels off of a lawn mower. Now I can adjust the cutting edge down to clean off the concrete and move the blade up to clear the gravel in my driveway! Works well and never wears out!!
Great idea. I never thought of wheels.
Wheels work great but not really needed with a tracked machine. The skids just prevent the scaper bar from digging in, worse case but with a tracked machine the user likely won't be riding the skids much
What a great idea, thanks.
My new Ariens platinum 30 was rated for gravel but it isextremely hard to control and tough to hold the front down. Ariens says there is nothing wrong that is how the machine should handle. The new Ariens is junk compared to the good handling 35 year old sno thro it replaced.
I used a tracked snowblower on a gravel driveway for 22 years. I had essentially the same blower as you, with all of the same features. If the skid shoes are set properly, you should be able to run the blower in the "Normal" position without digging into your gravel. The "Transport" mode just lifts it higher so you can move it from one place to another easier.
Thanks for the input; I had tried it on the "normal" position, but it dug in a bit. It may have something to do with whether the gravel is icy or packed with snow. Obviously, if the gravel is iced over the blade probably has less of a tendency to dig in. In any event the track type wheels seem to be key, as you said and I would recommend this type on gravel driveways. Have a new video out "snowblower for a gravel driveway" - action film. Thanks
Royal Reynolds Just place something that's an inch or two thick under the scraper bar, and loosen and adjust your skid shoes so the blower rides at that height. This will leave a little snow in your drive, but keep the blower from digging in. The only time you want the cutting bar all the way down is when you are using it on a smooth paved drive.
Buy Armor skids..best money spent on a snowblower
Thanks Roy.
I took out the neighbors picture window snowblowing my crushed asphalt driveway. 1 stone is all it takes... cost me 800.00. :(
Your Home Owner's insurance covers that. Seek reimbursement from your carrier.
he's using treads instead of wheels so you know he knows what he's talking about
NIce. What do you set the scraper blade at? How far between the ground and the scraper blade? About 3/4”?
Sorry for the delay. Yes, the scraper rides about 3/4 to an inch above the stone surface.
"ARMORskids" shoes would work much better on gravel than the plastic ones Ariens makes.
A Fan Video
th-cam.com/video/-75zi3dG-nE/w-d-xo.html
Works great for gravel driveways
Thanks
But if you use Transport then you have to snowblow frequently
hey Roy im in ny to perth ny
That was a real bummer man
All that and you never started the thing. Kind of a let down. I just assumed you didn't start it because the rocks would break your camera
Thanks for the comment, winter's over but I did start it; here's the youtube title:"snowblower for a gravel driveway"