How to snow blow wet snow.

[@jiml5274]

A driveway snow blowing tip that works well for me is to start at one end of the driveway, but in the MIDDLE (not all the way over to one side (like you would with a lawn mower)). That way I can point the discharge chute outward (over the lawn in my case) and then I make a clear row to the other end then I just turn the snow blower and head back to the other end, but overlapping by a couple of inches, the swath I just created. The benefit of this pattern allows me to do the entire driveway without hand cranking the chute direction at all between each pass. This pattern keeps widening the middle until the driveway is fully cleared. Chute remains in the same configuration and direction for the entire run. If you can, give it a try next time.

[@thatalaskaguy]

@@jiml5274 that only works if you have clear area on both sides to blow the snow onto. I don’t.

[@jiml5274]

@@thatalaskaguy Agreed, it is a method to save time and effort only if you have the freedom to send the snow to both sides. Have a safe winter.

[@pierreaucoin2480]

That’s the way I do it!

[@dasvtx]

Great video. Thanks for the canola oil tip. I live in coastal New England so snow is often wet and heavy and clogging is definitely an issue.

[@thatalaskaguy]

@@dasvtx Right on! It’s worked well for me. We’ve had a ton of wet, heavy snow the past two winters and the canola oil has been a big help in allowing me to snow blow my driveway.

[@imagetenrealestatephotogra7483]

Thank you. I wish I watched this prior to shoveling my entire driveway. 🥶

[@thatalaskaguy]

Right on! Glad you found it useful 👍😀

[@toddb930]

Did it help?

[@1notgilty]

Good tips. I'll try the Canola Oil on my auger and blower chute to prevent sticking and clogging. Thanks!

[@thatalaskaguy]

@@1notgilty it’s been working great for me! 😀👍

[@mjriegs2]

that blower is a beast...can"t imagine you using anything less than the 1132 up there in AK! Thanks for sharing!

[@thatalaskaguy]

It works really well and has blown a ton of snow over the years. I bought it used in ‘15 after I broke something in the transmission of my first 1132 after 13 years of use. I want to buy the version of it but Honda doesn’t have any of the 13 horse models available here in AK.

[@pennyschultz1195]

Exactly the info I was searching for, thank you! Temp @ 32 with wet & packing snow. Spray oil is genious! Not only do I have a wide driveway plus turnaround, also have to maintain paths to areas around the house. Hope other women find your info.

[@kencole6859]

Great video. great details. Thanks from Colorado!

[@thatalaskaguy]

Right on! I hope it helps, it’s been a huge benefit to me. 😄

[@appleztooranges]

That was me with car wax haha. Machine looks badass! Nice video

[@thatalaskaguy]

Thanks! I appreciated the idea and tried it. I even tried ski wax and melting it onto the auger. The canola oil has been working pretty well but will wear off with time. My 1132 is still working great!

[@FamGamTv]

Super helpful sir. I inherited my grandfathers cub cadet and I have this issue. Wet and Heavy, and she's plugging - Off to get some Canola oil! :)

[@thatalaskaguy]

@@FamGamTv Yay! I’ve had good luck using Canola oil. 😀👍

[@BillBuck1972]

Good tip, I will try on the next snow.

[@thatalaskaguy]

@@BillBuck1972 We got almost 3” of very wet snow that turned to slush with the heavy rain. I’ve had a number of guys writing in about trying to blow slush with their snow blower. It’s better to use something with a push blade to clear slush but the canola oil works well for sticky snow.

[@francoisroberge5882]

Does not look like wet snow to me. By wet I understand slush/snow.

[@thatalaskaguy]

@@francoisroberge5882 It’s sticky wet snow that clogs the auger. Slushy snow doesn’t cause issues with the auger. Slush can plug the impeller discharge chute if you keep turning the disengaging/reengaging the auger/impeller repeatedly while blowing slush.

[@josephjalbert3642]

Thanks. Great explanation and video

[@thatalaskaguy]

@@josephjalbert3642 Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@shanew7361]

I've tried tons of lubricants at the end of the day, but they don't last long, if at all. Nice Honda blower! I love Honda.

[@thatalaskaguy]

I’ve experienced the same thing. But without canola oil my blower would clog on the first pass. It all has to do with the temp and water content of the snow. There are times when the snow is so sticky that it’s a nightmare and you have to clean out the auger over and over again. If you are able to wait for the temp to go up or down that’s often the best thing as the blower will go right through it. Honda makes the best blowers for sure!

[@shanew7361]

@thatalaskaguy I'm debating between the Ariens PLATINUM 28 RAPIDTRAK SHO Model #921057 or the Honda HSS928ATD. I get wet slushy snow at times, too, and my current two stage Simplicity Snow Away 7 gets clogged and I'm tired of it. I did think about buying a single stage for the slushy heavy snow also. Any thoughts or recommendations?

[@thatalaskaguy]

@ I’ve never owned or used the Ariens snowblower you referenced. For my location I wouldn’t even consider it and would buy the HS928 every single time. But, I live in Valdez, Alaska where we average 300” of wet, maritime type snow per winter. If your location gets far less snow, you don’t have a huge area to clear and you don’t get wet, slushy snow that often than the Ariens will likely work fine. Blowing wet slush will clog up any blower but the 2-stage handle it better. The Honda 928 is an excellent blower, it’ll last you 20 years with basic maintenance and not abusing it by sucking up tons of rocks. The tracks on the Honda are superior and you can even walk them up steep ramps or stairs. Well run them up exterior staircases to clear sundecks. The Honda will last much longer than the Ariens and be more reliable and perform way better at throwing snow. But that comes at a higher price.

[@shanew7361]

@thatalaskaguy I agree, I'm meticulous and anal as hell about my toys buy once I cry once and love everything Honda i own. It's time to cash out some stocks in the old brokerage account, buddy 🤣🙌 I just wish the Honda had heated hand warmers and an LED light plus digital fuel and hour meter! Would you recommend the battery or non battery version?

[@thatalaskaguy]

@@shanew7361 I was going to write, that “buy once, cry once” saying as it definitely rings true in this case. Last spring I bought my very first brand new Honda blower, the 1332. I’ve been running used 1132 models the past 22 years and never wanted for electric start. I wanted a manual start 1332 model but all the dealer had was e-start models so that’s what I took home. I do use the e-start but it isn’t necessary and now I have yet another battery to maintain. But, if my wife or kids were to use my blower if I was away on a work trip they’d definitely have an easier time starting it with e-start. But if I had the option at the time I’d have got the manual start model just to save money. If your blower is stored outside in the cold then I’d say the e-start model is worth it. I’m always surprised by how much harder my 1132 is to pull over if I’ve left it outside all day after blowing snow in the early morning. It’s definitely harder to pull over cold than it is when sitting in my heated garage or when the engine is hot.

[@Rick1dat]

New England also, does get heavy on the coast, with wet snow. I'll try canola and everything else I have.

[@w9awx1]

Have you done the 2nd stage blower upgrade ? How about a ceramic coating inside the 1st stage and chute?

[@thatalaskaguy]

This blower is already a 2 stage model. For upgrades, if you are referring to adding rubber pieces to the impeller I have not. I believe if that mod was a good idea they’d come that way from the factory. It’s way too simple of a feature not to be included. I suspect there are downsides to that mod that are not shown in the videos promoting it. I like the canola oil because it is very inexpensive. Ceramic coating car wax is pretty spendy and I’m doubtful that it works any better than regular car wax.

[@Rassy649]

Just use dry lube, available at Canadian tires

[@thatalaskaguy]

I’m in Alaska

[@PATCsawyer]

I use the ceramic Turtle Wax spray in northern Michigan. Works great.

[@thatalaskaguy]

I tried car wax but it’s pretty expensive. I’ve found the canola oil works great and is much less expensive.

[@trinitytoo]

I keep my blower outside. Snow still sticks in both the chute and the augers if the snow is really sticky.

[@trinitytoo]

And the guys at Napa said most folk around here use the rust preventative spray. I put it on this fall (preventative)(horribly stinky) and the snow stuck worse than any other winter. I've tried veggie oil before (single ckat) but will try your technique next. Thanks!

[@thatalaskaguy]

⁠@@trinitytooI’ve tried all kinds of lubricants and canola oil worked the best. I also liked that it was biodegradable and didn’t leave a mess. I like storing my blower in my heated garage so it’s all thawed out and dry before using it again. The controls are way smoother and it just makes life easier on the blower. But, if storing it outside is the only option, try clearing as much snow and ice off of it before putting it away. That’ll help prevent things from becoming all frozen up and clean metal surfaces on the auger and impeller will have less chance of more fresh snow sticking to them.

[@trinitytoo]

@@thatalaskaguy I do clean it nicely after, although I must buy a better brush for getting behind the auger. And I learned to clean the wee drain hole under the auger. Once there must have been a thaw-freeze and the auger stuck - thank goodness for heat guns! Tips welcome - I'm figuring this out as I go along (like not leaving the machine on its nose while waiting for parts - that meant new belts). :(

[@toddb930]

Man, that Honda sure launches the snow!

[@trinitytoo]

@@toddb930 I am most envious. My (not Honda) snowblower was managing maybe 10 feet the last heavy snowfall so I was blowing the same snow twice!

[@CatholicFitness]

I bought some ceramic coating for cars. Gonna try it out this winter and see how it does.

[@thatalaskaguy]

@@CatholicFitness I looked into trying some stuff like that out but I didn’t like the cost. The cheapest/easiest/best thing I’ve found so far is canola oil out of a gallon jug I then put into a water spray/squirt type bottle to apply.

[@CatholicFitness]

Yeah I bought a cheap 20 dollar spray version. The others were expensive. We will see how it does. If a bottle lasts me a season and works, I’ll call it a win. Might try the impeller mod next season if it doesn’t.

[@iwejun]

Rain-X in the spray bottle or the aerosol and spray everything works great. Don’t wipe off it will dry quickly on its own.

[@thatalaskaguy]

I’ve never tried Rain-X. How long does it last before wearing off?

[@johnyakoobian2450]

Impeller kit will stop clogging.close the gap

[@thatalaskaguy]

@@johnyakoobian2450 the impeller is never the issue. My auger will get clogged with wet sticky snow unless I put canola oil on it. The only time I’ve ever clogged the impeller is when blowing wet slush. Blowers aren’t made for that and it’s much better to plow that stuff away with another piece of equipment.

[@Honest-sy6ys]

I use sunflower seed oil. It will blow any kind of snow every time.

[@brianpickering4596]

Can the canola oil trick work with single stage snow blowers? And, by the way thank you so much for taking the time to make this video and help others man.

[@thatalaskaguy]

No problem! I don’t see how it would hurt anything? The canola oil helps prevent heavy, wet snow from sticking.

[@brianpickering4596]

@ Okay. I appreciate you. I will give it a wirl. I hope you enjoy the rest of this Winter season coming up man. Be safe. 😎

[@rickjans664]

Teflon or Silicone spray works

[@smerchly]

And Pam cooking spray is very slick but all of these are expensive. Maybe mink oil or car wax or ski wax would work ? But the canola looks like my next option. Thanks for the demo.

[@arnokilianski7889]

Around here, they salt the roads and then plow that slop into my driveway apron. I'll try this trick.

[@thatalaskaguy]

Oh dang, that could turn into some tough snow to move!

[@Audio-apps]

Yes, I get two lanes of salted snow plus a sidewalk plowed into my drive. The “wet” snow in this video is nothing compared to that. Just yesterday my machine couldn’t do it at all. About a foot of thick slushy consistency, just add cherry or grape flavour! As I became resigned to hand bombing it, I had the epiphany of using my machine as a power assist shovel, a plow, no augurs. It actually cut down on the shoveling a fair bit. I might try to the canola idea in this video, it sure can’t hurt, and might help a wee bit.

[@thatalaskaguy]

@ it’s called a SNOW blower, not a slush thrower. What you are trying to do is different than blowing the WET snow (notice I didn’t say SLUSH?) in this video.

[@kranerwheatens]

Looks like you got plenty of snow. Maybe you could do a review on the Avalanche original 750 Pro snow removal roof rake. I have several to sell

[@thatalaskaguy]

@@kranerwheatens I’m not familiar with that product. Are you asking me to buy one to review?

[@kranerwheatens]

@thatalaskaguy must be the best kept secret in snow removal. LOL

[@thatalaskaguy]

@ I just looked it up. It’d never work in my location. Not a good design and looks very weak and fragile.

[@dave0267]

How do you deal with all the oil that goes on your garage floor and leaves a mark

[@thatalaskaguy]

@@dave0267 I have seen some minor staining onto the concrete floor in my garage. Now what I do is spray the blower auger and impeller down outside immediately before using it. I pull the blower out of my heated garage, start it up and let the auger and impeller spin slowly while spraying those parts down with canola oil. It’s been working out quite well that way and whatever drips off onto my asphalt apron never seems to build up over time being exposed to the elements.

[@josephjalbert3642]

where did you get the "zep professional sprayer" ? I used a different sprayer that came out in streams rather than a mist

[@thatalaskaguy]

@@josephjalbert3642 I bought it at Home Depot. But, it can’t shoot it out as a mist either. I kind of get a flattened stream and have to mess with the adjustment to get it to spread out a bit. The canola oil is thicker than water. Ideally if something could be added to reduce the viscosity of the canola oil, that’d be perfect but I’ve not even looked into what would be compatible and shelf stable.

[@stevenb5987]

Home Depot sells two kinds. They're in the cleaning aisle and the one is zep and it works really good. The other one is home Depot and I find it a little flimsy

[@ermannodangelo1062]

That’s one thing I didn’t try, will be going to Walmart for cheap oil. What is the yellow stuff in your chute?

[@thatalaskaguy]

Just yellow paint I had lying around from painting my skid steer bucket. The original paint was worn off to bare steel.

[@debrajpeck2158]

Great idea

[@thatalaskaguy]

Thanks! It’s not perfect but has made a dramatic improvement over using nothing.

[@CGB65]

That is exactly what canola oil should be used for. It is cheap, that is why so maany processed food companies make so called food with it.

[@thatalaskaguy]

I’ve had really good luck with it and like you said, it’s cheap! 😄

[@allanhopkins5928]

Did anyone try spraying snow shovels?

[@thatalaskaguy]

@@allanhopkins5928 Yes, I’ve done that for decades on the aluminum grain scoop shovels we used to use. But since durable, plastic shovels have come out, I’ve not found a need. As long as you don’t chip hard, icy snow or put too much leverage on them, the typical wooden handled plastic shovel from a hardware store lasts a long time.

[@PaulBooth-ve3qz]

How about going slow and take less of a cut always works for me

[@thatalaskaguy]

@@PaulBooth-ve3qz You were obviously blowing snow of a different consistency, snow/water equivalent and different temperature. I’m next to the ocean and often get wet, heavy sticky snow.

[@baratono]

Permatex silicone for the win here (UP of MI). Fluid Film actually made things much worse... 30 year old Ariens Pro with the big six-blade impeller. Never did clog much...

[@thatalaskaguy]

@@baratono silicone wears off way too quickly.

[@Netherflyfish]

Use that idea already here in New England. Great video. But that is not rainy wet slushy snow. dnow

[@thatalaskaguy]

It works really well! What I’m confused by is a number of recent comments about guys blowing slush. I never said it was slushy. I said it was sticky. Blowers don’t do well blowing slush. A guy should have a second piece of equipment with a blade or bucket to move and clear slush.

[@calgreg2569]

Some good old CANADIAN canola oil.. of Course it works excellently..

[@calgreg2569]

@ your just jealous..

[@palco22]

Remember, ... 32° makes for wet "sticky" snow or SNOWBALL FIGHT ! ! Ok ok, back to the video.

[@PaulBooth-ve3qz]

If it's 32 degrees it should'nt be sticky

[@thatalaskaguy]

@@PaulBooth-ve3qz yeah… I took the time to make a video showing the snow sticking in my blower and I’m making it all up. Gotcha.

[@PainterD54]

Your auger is all bent up. Why not straighten it so it works better? If you want it to throw farther and not plug up, just install an impeller kit. Problem solved.

[@thatalaskaguy]

I had broken the cross shaft in the original auger earlier that winter. I pulled the auger that is in the video out of another 1132 I had so I could keep up with clearing snow.

[@RyanMcKenna-u1q]

what is all that yellow paint for it looks just terrible how to ruin a Honda!

[@thatalaskaguy]

I’ll be sure to run right out and buy some black paint. All because the free yellow paint I had lying around bothers you so much.

[@charlesc.7249]

I have used WD40 for years