Essential SnowJoe 80V Snow Blower Mods

[@InternetDude]

#1 you MUST replace that chute switch with this one amzn.to/2OreJ6y

[@BenjaminDBloom]

Thanks for this link. Just replaced mine and it's so much better now!

[@jonasjeffery702]

i guess im asking the wrong place but does someone know of a trick to get back into an Instagram account..? I was stupid forgot the account password. I would love any assistance you can give me!

[@deangeloty5124]

@Jonas Jeffery instablaster =)

[@MikeCaskey]

I think the batteries are the weak link on these things. Do you have a recommended battery pack? Or do you think there's a way we could adapt the Ryobi 40 volt batteries to it?

[@InternetDude]

@@MikeCaskey I'm sure if you were handy electrically you could probably make that work. You'd need to figure out the volts and such of each pack.

[@albertsemelmann838]

Excellent video. I have had the same machine for about three years, and I like it very much. I have already modified the switch to rotate the chute, and the blue safety button, in ways similar to how it is shown in the video. My next modification will be to tape up the gap in the upper end of the chute, and to use silicon spray as you describe. Thanks for the great advice.

[@InternetDude]

Great to hear!

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

Your tips should be sent to this manufacturer so that they can improve their product.

[@InternetDude]

I agree! This one is the second version and it already includes a number of improvements over the first version. I should email a link them a link to this video.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

InternetDude It would be amazing if they actually listened to you!

[@CJ_Wolesz]

The newest model has left and right arrow buttons on the main button panel to control the chute.

[@InternetDude]

@@CJ_Wolesz whoa I took a look on their website, that is an absolutely awful place to move that controls to. Being able to keep your hand on the handle bar while operating makes a lot more sense.

[@j-paulthivi1053]

the chute sould be 6 inches higher as the Ariens gas snow blower

[@wrenchdoozer]

One modification I did to my John Deere riding snowblower (44") was to drill holes along the back of the chute and rivet a piece of aluminum inside the chute. That way if you have a gravel driveway the aluminum takes the punishment instead of the plastic chute cracking (and costing $300 to replace). If you don't have a gravel driveway you don't need to do this.

[@InternetDude]

$300 for a plastic chute? Wowzers. Yep that should help immensely. I do have some gravel but it is so well packed down and I have the skid shoes set up a little so it does pick up rocks but not very many overall.

[@wrenchdoozer]

​@@InternetDude Its a combination of two things: 1) they only sell the chute with all of the wires and controlling rods as a kit and 2) it is John Deere so its overpriced

[@Andy-im3kj]

I appreciate the tip! I have a gravel driveway and I've had to improvise and adapt to it so much and little tips like this helps!

[@wrenchdoozer]

I like the silicone spray idea. Definitely going to try that one.

[@rascalwind]

You could use a heat gun to warm up the shute deflector to tighten the tolerance on the sides of the discharge deflector.

[@InternetDude]

Thanks for the tip

[@randomrazr]

very nice mods. simple and not difficult. gonna try th e switch. not the best snow blower around, but first gen products never are the greatest, but not bad for something battery powered

[@InternetDude]

Yeah it’s not what I would call perfect but it is the best two stage electric on the market to my knowledge. Hopefully there will be an even better one in a few years to replace this. I figured I should buy one to support the company and it’s not gas powered and noisy. I’ve only used it once or twice this winter so far.

[@lescobrandon3047]

Best most useful video I have ever seen on KZbin. Thanks so much. I ordered everything but the silicone spray since I already have two spray cans of it.. One more thing: any ideas of installing tire chains or alternates?

[@InternetDude]

Thanks! I don't feel tire chains are necessary because if the main auger takes in too much snow too fast the unit stops to protect itself. If the tires slip a bit that should help prevent that, essentially it will slow down the unit a bit.

[@mas3ymd]

Great video! All of these are incredibly useful.

[@InternetDude]

👍

[@jeffluce540]

I have a friend that has one of these and loved it when it works. The last time he used it it just stopped working. Any suggestions on why it would do that?

[@InternetDude]

I'm not sure, mine hasn't done that. I would say check the owners manual to see if it has suggestions.

[@josecandelario284]

Great tips! Thank you! I purchased one at the end of 2020. One question: Do you get any vibrations/shakiness/stalling from the blades while operating? I can only guessed I pushed it too hard during our last snow storm here in New England-Rhode Island.

[@InternetDude]

Yes. If the snow load is too much it will stop turning and I will have to push the switches back down. That is by design. Personally I don't think it should be so sensitive but that's how it's designed. Some vibration and shaking that is normal for all snowblowers, these are not precision balanced machines. I see they have a newer 100 volt version, I would very much like to try it out.

[@josecandelario284]

@@InternetDude Thank you very much for the fast Response!

[@mstgermain]

I removed the chute motor and now turn it by hand. This is much faster and never stuck with ice like before... After 4 years of use my batteries need replacement. It's really expensive,so people have to think about it before buying it...

[@InternetDude]

Hi I do find the chute motor iced up sometimes. Do you just turn it by hand then? My batteries don’t last as long as they used to, I priced out new ones and thought I’d be better off buying a gas one instead. I didn’t buy a gas one yet but I am seriously considering it!!

[@cameranmanner4701]

The washer idea to bypass the safety is good way to stop the annoying issue with trying to dig your thumb into the button just to start the thrower and can get frustrating when you constantly have to stop and start in some cases. I was thinking to avoid the bypass safety can you not adhere something on the face of the button so it sticks out further and would make depressing the button far easier with gloves. The design flaw is the button flushed with the opening to engage the motor. I have a feeling when testing the unit the engineers did not wear gloves.

[@InternetDude]

That could be... I see they have replaced this with a 100 volt model. I have not seen it in person yet but I'd like to check it out and see what they have improved (or not improved) on the new model!

[@cameranmanner4701]

@@InternetDude whats interesting about the 100 v model are the batteries... most power tools use a universal motor meaning they will run on ac or dc. having a 100v dc battery could technically make a mitre saw portable. I only have a 40V battery for my lawn tools. 40v is too low to get the saws to work at full capacity. Works okay on a drill. Though I could not justify a 100v snow thrower as my driveway is small. Would still love to see a review.

[@InternetDude]

That’s a good point. Tools run at 110-120 V AC at home and also usually run up to 240V.

[@garykellerman3615]

I jst got one from my neighbor he said it was working bt it turns on won't get goin what should i trouble shoot first?

[@InternetDude]

I would check the batteries, make sure they are charged and good

[@marty3060]

Thanks for your video, just got my Snow Joe yesterday. Now waiting for snow, a few of question.... #1 it would be nice if you made a video showing how you took of the chute switch off and if the new switch ( you show from Amazon) just plugs back in or do you have to doing some wiring. #2 you seem more mechanical minded than me and skilled, it would also be helpful, the first time you take the time to lubricate the auger if you made a video showing the steps and what type lubrication you use. #3 the skids you show from Amazon, did you have to do any modification to make them fit ? I'll keep checking for your idea's.... keep up the video's and Thanks for your help...

[@InternetDude]

Thanks for the feedback. I probably won't make a video showing just the switch removal but all you need to do is put.a small flat blade screwdriver in the top edge between the switch and handle bar and pry the switch out, then do the same for the bottom. There are 6 wires on the back of the switch, pull them off one at a time and plug them into the same spot on the new switch and then it pushes back into place. I can't see #3 of your comment but I will keep that in mind as I plan on doing another review showing the performance of the unit with a possible bit of a review as well.

[@thestylesworld]

Thanks for the tutorial. Do you know how to fix if chute is not turning ?

[@InternetDude]

Mine freezes up sometimes. You gotta wait for it to melt.

[@yokaicustoms]

Any idea when we can expect the full review? I was looking at the Toro 1800 video you did and that was pretty impressive but wanted to see what you upgraded to following that. Whatever I get will be my first snowblower purchase. I like the idea or corded electric and have an outlet in the garage that would be perfect for this but I'm worried the Toro won't cut the mustard in pretty bad/deep/heavy conditions. Looks like some great mods you made to this.

[@InternetDude]

Hi, I'm not sure how soon I'll get to the review video. The Toro is amazing, I still really like it. My main reason for upgrading to the cordless model was because I owned 3 properties last year so I needed the portability without power. If you can easily reach everywhere to clear with a long extension cord the Toro 1800 is a very fine choice. If the snow is really deep you will need to do two passes, one on the top and then one at the bottom. That involves holding the snowblower and pushing it, so it's more effortful. The downside of the SnowJoe is it's heavier so it's harder to move from one property to another (takes 2 people to load/unload) and it bogs down and stops when it gets into too heavy/wet/deep of snow. For softer snow it will power through quite well. The SnowJoe 80V also is self propelled which I like as I'm not getting any younger LOL Let me know if you have any more specific questions and I'll do my best to help you decide.

[@pytorchcrackhead1149]

Please make a review of it

[@larrygauthier9876]

I clicked on the link for the switch but what was sent was a non-momentary switch. It does not spring back to the center off position like the one in the video. Any thoughts?

[@InternetDude]

Hmm I looked and it doesn’t appear to be a momentary switch! I guess look on Amazon & eBay for a momentary version. I don’t have a part # or anything for the one I have.

[@InternetDude]

Try www.ebay.com/itm/323281019524

[@larrygauthier9876]

@@InternetDude Thanks, Placed the order today.

[@CommunityToursAustralia]

Wow u got snow ..in here summer starts in 2 weeks

[@InternetDude]

heh heh we have snow here but not that much, that footage was from earlier in the year (last winter).

[@TheMidnightsky52]

Mine stopped working the other day, all it does is hummmm, any idea's? I checked the belts and they are fine.

[@InternetDude]

Which part doesn't work? Moving forward or the main auger? Or both? Make sure the batteries are both fully charged and try again. I did have one problem when the inside auger that throws the snow upward got jammed, but it made a bad grinding kind of noise.

[@tylerrockefeller4615]

Every time I look at electric snowblowers or snow throwers snow Joe has a new model/sub model.

[@InternetDude]

Ha ha yes they have had a few different versions, I think a new one every year! They have a 100 volt one last I saw.

[@HDK8305]

Can you move this blower freely without power?

[@InternetDude]

Yes it "freewheels" with only a tiny bit of resistance/friction.

[@wrenchdoozer]

One suggestion, stock up on shear pins/bolts. Relatively cheap and you will eventually need them.

[@InternetDude]

It came with an extra pair. The motor turns off the auger if it detects too much resistance so I don’t think I’ll need them. Typical gas units aren’t smart enough to be able to do that.

[@wrenchdoozer]

@@InternetDude True. I keep several on hand as there is one for the left auger, one for the right auger and a couple for the impeller. lol

[@ChrisNYPilot]

It seems like everyone who has one of these machines cuts the video when the unit gets to deeper snow. How about some deep snow videos?

[@InternetDude]

I have another video on this unit in action I think but it does cut out in deep or really wet heavy snow. You just have to restart. It can be annoying but it's easier than shovelling.

[@Neotype33]

why not use car weather stripping and just open the handle and disable the safety switch? The weather strip for cars would block more, and you are disabling the switch anyway so why not do it right. Those washer fall out and you throw it on a 2nd pass you might hit someone or something you don't want to hit.

[@InternetDude]

Where would the car weatherstrip go? I didn't want to permanently disable the safety switch because when I go to sell it down the road I want to easily return it to stock condition. The washers haven't ever fallen out while I've been using it. I have thrown up rocks from the ground many times, this thing isn't super powerful so I've never damaged anything throwing up rocks. Thanks for watching.

[@Neotype33]

@@InternetDude goes in the gap between the shoot and the adjustable flap that directs the snow. Press it around the back side.

[@InternetDude]

That sounds like a great idea!

[@Neotype33]

@@InternetDude just get a thin strip, just enough to fill the gap, also they make ones that have metal teeth and a rubber gasket seal. The metal would bite better in the plastic and hold on better.

[@canadianteslamartin9221]

What is this 'snow' you talk of? PS, mowed my lawn 3 days ago.

[@InternetDude]

What's a lawn? You mean that stuff on the ground that's green for one month a year each summer? LOL

[@steven3379]

A small clamp would be way better than the washers.

[@InternetDude]

That is another option, so far the washer solution seems to be holding up very well.

[@offgridwanabe]

Need better batteries they don't last

[@InternetDude]

I tend to agree, I could use a second set of batteries to get the whole job done.