As you prepare for the winter season, it might be time to think about your equipment needs. If you live in New England and you’re expecting a lot of snow, you’d be wise to invest in a powerful machine such as a snowblower. No matter what type of areas you’re handling with your equipment, there are some important steps you can follow to make things easier. Read on to learn how to snow blow your driveway. Contact the team at West End Power Equipment in New Milford, Connecticut, If you’d like more information.
Start Early
Many people believe that it’s better to wait for the snow to stop falling to start working, but that’s not always the case. First, you want to consider how much your snowblower can handle. A single-stage model may not be able to tackle the giant pile of snow that has accumulated after it stops snowing outside. If you wait too long, your equipment may not be able to finish the job.
In many cases, it’ll be in your best interest to get ahead of the storm and start snow blowing sooner rather than later. As a general rule of thumb, you shouldn’t allow snow to pile up for more than six inches before you start clearing it. Always try to blow it as far away as possible so you don’t have to repeat the same area twice.
Plan Ahead
Speaking of which, if you’re doing the job right then you won’t have to do it more than once. Plan ahead and be sure you’re practicing the best snow blowing techniques. Consider where the snow gathers the most as well as the areas that will require a bit more effort.
Determine ahead of time where you plan to toss the snow. This will help you figure out if any obstacles need to be conquered in the process. If the snow is falling hard, you may have trouble seeing the definite line between your driveway and your yard. In these situations, you’ll want to go out and mark it off so you know where to stop and turn with your snowblower.
Managing Wind
It’s not uncommon to encounter windy conditions when you start snow blowing. If you know that it’s going to be windy, you’ll want to start working upwind and work your way down from there. The key is to move up and down in straight lines, which will put the wind on your side and help you carry the snow up to the designated throw area. This technique will prevent you from getting blasted in the face with snow!
Safety Concerns
There are some safety concerns to keep in mind when operating a snowblower. Always be on the lookout for hidden or harmful debris that may be lurking deep in the snow. Everything from a scrap of old newspaper to a pile of rocks could easily get sucked into your equipment and become stuck inside the chute. If possible, scout the area ahead of time for potential objects that need to be removed.
Tackling Gravel
While you might not think twice about a bit of gravel, some single-stage models aren’t equipped to safely handle gravel. In fact, it can damage your machine or get ejected at a dangerous velocity and injure someone or harm your property. If you have a gravel driveway to clear, it’s best to buy a two-stage snowblower. You’ll also want to seek out a model with height adjustments so you can avoid picking up gravel with snow.
If you’d like to learn more about the snowblowers we carry, give us a call or stop in and see us at West End Power Equipment! You’ll find us conveniently located in NewMilford and Danbury, Connecticut. Our team would be more than happy to help you choose the perfect model for your needs.