First Snow

For those readers in our southern climes, we just got our first good snow of the season.  Here in West Bend, we got 3 or 4 inches.  It was fairly fluffy this morning, but got heavy as the day warmed up.  Tomorrow we’re expecting the beginning of Snowmageddon.  A foot of snow, 20 mph winds, 5 degrees… good stuff.  In any case, I was able to us my new toy for the first time. 

Here’s the report… it was great.  What normally would have taken me well over an hour only took about 35 minutes.  I’m still getting used to maneuvering it and finding the most efficient routine, so I expect my time to improve.  Thanks to all of the commentors in this post.  Here are some lessons learned:

- I took Dad29’s advice and put some paste wax in the chute.  It made a difference when the snow got heavy. 

- I need to get the tire chains.  I was trying to avoid it because I didn’t want to beat up our driveway too bad, but I need them.  It wasn’t too bad to move around, but there were a couple of times I would have appreciated more grip.

- 19 horses throw snow a very long way.  My 6 HP Toro tosses the snow fairly well, but nothing like this. 

- As with any snow blowing, wind is key.  A canopy would be nice, but Cub Cadet doesn’t make one for my model.  I may have to search our an after-market one.  In any case, with proper attention to the wind, I stayed fairly dry.  I was only wearing jeans, but I’ll dress warmer when the Snowpocalypse hits. 

- I could probably use a bit more weight on it.  I think I’ll try to beef up another 30 or 40 mounds on pumpkin pies this winter. 

- With the 3 inches or so we had, I can go almost at full speed and it doesn’t bother the blower.  It does get a little slippery at that speed though, hence the need for chains. 

It was a good first run.  She’s cleaned up, gassed up, and ready for another round. 

UPDATE: I went and picked up the tire chains and put them on.  It only took 15 minutes or so.  It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.  Then I went and took off the couple of inches of snow that had fallen since this morning.  I also went and did the sidewalk in front of the four vacant lots down the street.  The owner of those lots doesn’t take care of the sidewalk and the kids use it to walk to and from school.  It only took me a few extra minutes, so I thought I would do my part for the neighborhood.  The chains were a huge help.  I didn’t have any issues with traction.  The only issue I am still having is with steering occasionally.  The front wheels don’t grip as much as I need the to sometimes.  Maybe I’ll see if I can add some more weight to them or perhaps deflate them a little. 

1. Y’all are just now getting snow? Hell, we got some last week here in Austin. Of course, it was only a few random flakes, and of course they all melted the instant they hit the ground, but hey, it was snow.

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 07, 2009 at 1742 hrs




2. Glad to see you’re up and running.  I only a dusting here in south suburban Milwaukee today, and we’re getting off “light” in Snowpocalypse 2009 as well (6-8” projected, but will be even heavier than what you’re getting).

   Posted by steveegg on December 07, 2009 at 1822 hrs




3. Chains are good.  Less problems than you may think on the driveway surface, too; but they are a pain in the nose to mount.

   Posted by dad29 on December 07, 2009 at 1844 hrs




4. Do you have any hints on how to do it, dad29?

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 07, 2009 at 1921 hrs




5. If they are like vehicle chains, lay one out, drive onto the center and pull the chin up and connect from the top, rinse and repeat on the other side

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 07, 2009 at 1928 hrs




6. You make me very glad to live in Texas, although if I re-read your post in July or August, I will surely be anxious to trade places with you because it will be 105 here.

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 07, 2009 at 2044 hrs




7. I have never seen Owen jump out of bed to take care of the driveway before today.

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 07, 2009 at 2100 hrs




8. Thhpt!  We got more than that on the outskirts of Las Vegas today.  http://lasvegasbadger.blogspot.com/2009/12/hey-it-snows -in-vegas.html

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 08, 2009 at 0038 hrs




9. A friend gave his wife a real big snow blower for Christmas last year.  He decked it out like a NASCAR with decals from Victoria’s Secret.

   Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 08, 2009 at 0054 hrs




10. If it were me I would look into weights.  You should be able to find the traditional weights that hang of the back of your rig on a bracket.  Also most lawn tractor companies make wheel weights that bolt directly on to the hub - I’d go with these.  I have seen them upto 50 lbs.  You should be able to add a weight to each tire.  Might be easier on your driveway and you can leave them on all winter.

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 08, 2009 at 0941 hrs




11. Do you have any hints on how to do it, dad29?

    Yah.  Have OWEN do it.

    Previous comment was correct:  lay the chains out on the garage floor, making certain that they are right-side up.  Also make certain that the ‘locking link’ of the chains will be on the OUTSIDE of the tire when you clamp them.  You’ll have to ‘work’ the chain up both the front and the back of the tire to get them to meet at the top for fastening.  (This part requires three hands…)

    Roll the tractor over the chains until the wheel is midway on the chain, then fasten the chain on the INSIDE of the wheel.  Not too tight; you have to get the OUTSIDE fastening done…

    Then cinch up the outside chain and lock up the link. 

    Once that’s done, go behind the machine and give the chain a pull, grabbing only one of the crossing-chains.  If you can pull that crossing-chain more than 1” or 2” away from the tire, re-tighten the chains, again making sure that you ‘work” the chains up the tire so that they are snug against the rubber all around.

    Should take only 20-30 minutes if it’s your first time.  By next year you’ll forget all this and it will take you 20-30 minutes again!

    Posted by dad29 on December 08, 2009 at 0952 hrs




12. I would also go with weights.  IF you don’t want to invest in wheel weights, just hang 30 or 40 lbs off the rear. 

    If you want some more practice, I just increased the size of my drive.  (100 ft drive, two cars wide, with a three car side facing garage….)  My tiny rubber bladed, single stages are going to get a workout.

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 08, 2009 at 1021 hrs




13. I have the wheel weights.  I think they are 42 lbs ea.  I think I may need a bit more.  We’ll see how she drives after I get the chains on.

    Posted by Owen on December 08, 2009 at 1026 hrs




14. I put on the chains and they work great!  Now I just have to teach Wendy how to use the walk-behind blower

    Posted by Owen on December 08, 2009 at 1453 hrs




15. Owen,
    Sounds like you would make a good NASCAR crew chief:

    “Were fixin’ to add a little weight to the front to get a bit more grip entering the turns. She was kinda loose. Need to get better at that. Might drop a 1/2 lb in air pressure as well. Wanted to take this time to thank Cub Cadet for all their support too.”

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 08, 2009 at 1646 hrs




16. I put on the chains and they work great!  Now I just have to teach Wendy how to use the walk-behind blower grin

    Um, no.

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 08, 2009 at 1742 hrs




17. I don’t know.  The only time I’ve ever seen the need for chains, wheel weights, and front wheel slippage is with a plow.  If you’re driving that hard with a thrower on the front, you’re doing something wrong…

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 08, 2009 at 2119 hrs




18. We have a pretty hilly lot.  I agree with you that on the level parts, they aren’t needed, but on the hills, it makes a world of difference.

    Posted by Owen on December 08, 2009 at 2122 hrs




19. You guys are really nice for people from southeastern Wisconsin, even if winter brings out your effete side.

    Our driveway in Wisconsin was 90 feet long and an incline.  We almost never used a blower at home.  We had a blade on a 6hp tractor with wheelweights, easily dismounted when unnecessary.

    I was expecting the Blizzard of 1978.

    Posted by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 09, 2009 at 2252 hrs