How to Snow Blow Your Driveway with Ease

Winter is just around the corner, and that means far too much snow for any one shoveler to deal with. Whether you’re clearing a long driveway of snow or keeping the sidewalk in front of your property nice and walkable, a snow blower is often the best solution to getting that white stuff out of the way. However, there’s a right way to use a snow blower and a wrong way — or at least, there’s a way to save time and effort!

At FMI Equipment, we want our customers to have all the know-how they need to take on any task. That’s why we’ve put together this short guide to help you utilize a snowblower. Read on for more information or head into our location in Spokane Valley, Washington.

Don’t Wait for the Snow to Stop

You might think to wait until it stops snowing to pull out the blower and get to work, but you need to think about how much your snowblower can actually handle. A single stage snowblower might not be able to handle the snow once it’s done piling up, either because it just can’t deal with the volume or otherwise inhibited and unable to toss the snow far enough away. So you’ll need to get out there and get ahead of the storm. 

Don’t let snow pile up for more than six inches before clearing it away, and always try to throw it as far as you can, especially if you have to clear the rest of the driveway as well. You won’t want to have to throw it all a second time. 

Plan Ahead

Proper snow blowing means getting it right the first time, so plan ahead to make sure you don’t have to do it again! Ask yourself where the snow seems to gather the most and where you might have to put in some extra effort. 

Figure out where you’ll be throwing the snow beforehand and determine if there are any obstacles that are going to get in your way that can be moved. If the snow is already coming down hard and you can’t see the definite line between your driveway and, let’s say, your yard, you need to get out there and mark it off so you’ll know where to stop and turn.

Dealing With Wind

High winds can complicate your snow blowing efforts. If you’re working on a windy day, start your work upwind and work your way downwind, moving up and down in straight lines. This will put the wind on your side and help you carry the powder to your designated throw area. Using this technique should help you to avoid powder getting constantly blown in your face!

Blow Safely

Keep your eyes peeled for harmful and hidden debris that may be lurking in or around the snow. Everything from an unfortunate newspaper, to rocks, or anything else that could get sucked into your snowblower and stick in the chute. This can be difficult during operation, so if you can take the time to scout out your driveway for possible offending objects beforehand. 

If you do accidently get something caught in your blower, simply turn off the engine and try to pry it loose — but not with your hands! If you can’t get the object out, it’s time to visit the professionals for some help.

Gravel

While no bit of gravel is going to be a problem, single stage snow blowers aren’t built to handle gravel safely. Gravel can damage the machine’s guts or else get ejected at terrifying velocity that can hurt you or damage your property. If you do have a gravel driveway to clear, you’ll want a two stage blower at the least and hopefully one with height adjustments to avoid picking up gravel with snow.

With a few of these tips, you’re ready to get out there and blow some snow! You might just have to wait for the season’s first flurries. If you need more snow blowing tips, or you’re just after a look at our selection of new and used snowblowers, head into FMI Equipment in Spokane Valley, Washington, where we proudly serve Spokane and our neighbors in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Stop by today and let our team of courteous experts show you the true meaning of customer satisfaction!