HOW TO SNOWBLOW THE END OF A DRIVEWAY AFTER A SNOW STORM(Without Killing Your Snowblower)

[@GarageGear]

Here is a LINK to the SNOWBLOWER used in this video! Thank you everyone for supporting the channel! amzn.to/3Wkur4u

[@Silverface1987]

Good morning from Town of Tonawanda

[@GarageGear]

@@Silverface1987 awesome! GO BILLS!

[@jimf4342]

I have a 4 yr old areins and a1984 ford. Guess which one moves more snow. Yep, the old ford. Bigger wheels and auger. Only fault is the shoot doesn't adjust as far. Come down to Chautauqua County and we will show you some real snow

[@EliminatorPerformance]

One of the best tips for clearing the end of a snow packed driveway that I've learned is to do it as soon as possible. If you leave it over night, the packed, compressed snow can freeze (depending on temperatures) and then it's even worse the next day. Great video!

[@GarageGear]

Great Tip EP! Once it’s frozen life gets complicated! Thanks for watching my friend! 👍

[@lloydfox5752]

Also, do the end of the driveway first. That way, if the machine breaks or you run out of gas, the hard part is done.

[@GarageGear]

@@lloydfox5752 thanks for sharing Lloyd!

[@alansach8437]

@@lloydfox5752 Also, if YOU run out of gas!!

[@danandmaryannquigley962]

Snow squalls yes I’m a western New Yorker in a snow belt of the south towns and so fa with 6 feet in one event and the current blizzard I’m glad that I bought a snowblower last summer!

[@MailmanWilly79]

As a rural mail carrier I can't express enough how much clearing the street in front of your box is appreciated! Our trucks are rear wheel drive and getting stuck is EXTREMELY easy. Thanks for addressing this in your video!

[@GarageGear]

You got it HOWIE! Definitely dont mind helping you guys out! 👍

[@arpadkal]

Other advantage with clearing the street to the edge of the curbing is the plow drivers cannot intentionally (or not) rebury your driveway. Pretty sure the plow drivers locally to me get their jollies on 'widening' the road and reburying everyone. Other fun tip is use automobile wax or ceramic coating on the inside of the snow blower, chute and auger.

[@jamesnm21]

I doubt there'll be a usps in another 25 years.

[@arbiter1]

rural town i live in, if snow blocks mail box to much you get a nice little note telling you to clear it. Else you can come down to the post office to get your mail from now on til you do.

[@DEO777]

Make sure to tell your fellow mail carriers to NEVER give a homeowner a notice to clear the snow near the mailbox. The mailbox is US gov property and the street is government responsibility. Excessive taxes are already extorted for the purpose of keeping the streets clear. For any mail carrier to order home owners to remove approx. 3,150 pounds (35 pounds per cubic foot x 2ft x 15ft x3ft high) of packed ice and snow near the mailbox is an unreasonable request. Most people in the US are obese or overweight, risk of heart attack, elderly, disabled, weak female, beta male, poor, probably can't afford a snow thrower. So how are most people going to move 3,150 of snow? The money the homeowner could have spent on a snow thrower was instead extorted by your employer (US gov) and sent to Ukraine; $175 billion. So next time you get stuck, ask Ukraine to dig you out, but until then, mail carriers can take 2 steps to reach the mailbox.

[@tcbtcb]

Great content. Pro tip…always wait for the plow to go by, if not it will come by the minute you get inside. Pro tip #2 Never had anyone say I think I bought too big of a snow blower…Go Big!!

[@GarageGear]

Agree and agree! Thanks for sharing tc!

[@tombeyer375]

If you have time and are feelin' jiggy with it, start in the middle of the street and blow the whole street, so the plow doesn't have anything to push into your driveway! No, I rarely do it, but when there's a big storm and everything's closed, another crazy neighbor and I will blow out our short block!

[@GarageGear]

@@tombeyer375 you Tom are a snowmaritan! Thanks for sharing!

[@tombeyer375]

@Garage Gear My pleasure! Always fun to make others smile!

[@frankenberry9670]

Strangely enough I reclaimed my wheeled Ariens Pro 28 about 3 weeks ago. I had lent it to my sister who found it too big. The main things she had trouble with were: 1. Pull starting when she was too far from a power socket. The 405cc engine was too big for her; 2. Her drive way is fairly steep. That coupled with the fine balance of the Ariens caused the front end to rear up; 3. Traction on ice covered gravel was sometimes a challenge. She now has an Ariens Compact 24 Rapidtrak that seems to have hit the sweet spot. The 223cc engine is easier to start yet has very good capacity. The tracks give better traction with less front end rear up problems. The overall lighter weight is easier to maneuver. The autoturn helps make it easy to turn and the Rapidtrak gives you the option of "wheeled" mode. The smaller unit is a better fit for her. I plan to do the track conversion on the Pro 28 next spring. In the mean time I await enough snow to have some "real" fun. In reality the Pro 28 is more machine than I need, its just way too fun to not have.

[@micker9830]

Man I do NOT miss that lol. I moved from CT to southern SC, by the shore and I feel for you guys up there. Having to shovel my whole driveway by hand as a kid. I finally got a snowblower. when I got my house and still was a lot. Then after your all done, the snow plow comes by and fills in the end of the driveway again! I loved snow when I was young, but you can have it now. Best tip I can give is, move south!! Jan 15 and just went for a bike ride in 70 weather.

[@GarageGear]

Lol thanks for the tip!

[@devatwell334]

Oh dont worry i rather have snow than pythons,alligators and scorpions in my backyard

[@AAA-nq6bo]

Im a senior citizen with a heart condition, COPD, and emphysema so the physical challenge of clearing snow is strenuous to say the least and I’m the guy that clears our snow at our home in northern WI. We get snow effect off Lake Superior so deep snow is common. Our small town uses a road grader to move snow from the street and piles it up 3-4’ at the end of my 3 car driveway. My trick is small angle passes parallel to the street until I break through to the street. I can’t and don’t shovel nor can I fight the snow blower to force it through a pile of hard snow.

[@GarageGear]

@@AAA-nq6bo thanks for sharing AAA

[@LillyKC23]

Same strategy I use. When the driveway is cleared to the end of the street, I also sprinkle Ice Melt along the curb which seems to slow down new snow from turning into ice, making it easier to clear later on. I'm not very big, so I have a good snowblower that's powerful, but manageable. I also have to deal with Lake effect snow coming off of Lake Michigan. Fortunately my driveway isn't real long.

[@LoisLouise219]

Hi from akron ohio , I just wanted to say I was scrolling through KZbin and came across your video at 62 years old I want to say thank you for the respect.with the first couple statements you made in your video this statement in particular Hey Guy's and( Gals) . I watch a lot of KZbin videos on how to repair things because it's me and my disabled daughter and in this situation you say this twice most of the KZbinrs don't acknowledge women for say they just show you the how to video's.this is our first year of operating a snow blower that pull's itself and not shoveling due to we was blessed with it . Thank you for the confidence know I know we got this.

[@GarageGear]

Thank you for watching and being a fan of the channel! I think it’s important to address both males and females. By day, I’m a teacher and have made it a habit to address both daily this way. I welcome all to the channel and I’m glad you found it to be useful.

[@The_Mace]

ADDITIONAL TIP: Just as you're finishing your driveway, fake an injury, so your neighbors can't ask you to clear their driveways too. :)

[@GarageGear]

Hahahah Brilliant! I have a neighbor that refuses to buy a snowblower! Man is middle aged and think he can dig is way out of every storm. Takes him forever. Thanks for the great tip MACE! Merry Christmas to you and your family bud!

[@The_Mace]

@@GarageGear Same to you and yours, JB!

[@pgmurray76]

@@GarageGear That guy is me! Upper 40's. I used to dig on the railroad, so tis nothin'! (Though I am tired as hell later that day!)

[@SilentKnight43]

lol - best pro tip!

[@walterpen371]

Years ago I had two neighbours that wanted me to clear the three foot high snow. I just spent all morning and afternoon clearing mine and two other elderly neighbours. I yelled out ##### and go to hell. These two had and still have more money than you can have magine. Where's your lazy rich sons? Perfect timing as they still don't have snowblowers and we don't talk. ☮️

[@winnepeterson7740]

As a new snowblowing person, this was a great help to me. Also appreciate the cheery good humor. Thank you!!

[@GarageGear]

Glad this video helped you out Winnie! Thanks for watching 👍👍

[@edpowell5754]

I'm in South Buffalo. I've been snowblowing this way for years. My Ariens snowblower is about 16 years old and still running. ALWAYS change the oil n plug. They sell a plate behind the plastic housing above the drive plate to prevent snow from dripping in there, I made my own. I grease the auger and pull the wheels to grease the axcel. Share this insight about snowblowing as many don't understand it nor respect machinery (snowblower.) You've got a thumbs up from Pal.

[@GarageGear]

Awesome Ed! Thanks for being a cool local fan! Go bills!

[@barrybebenek8691]

Doing allot of the street on both sides of the driveway also is good for when a plow comes by again, as there’s less snow that’ll end up back in-front of your driveway. Sub’d. 🇨🇦👍🏼

[@GarageGear]

Good tip here Barry! Thanks for sharing!

[@PaganWizard]

I just found your channel, and subscribed quickly. I really appreciate the upgrades, and maintenance tips you show for snowblowers. I also appreciate people like you who do NOT shovel or blow snow out into the street. In just about every municipality, you can get a ticket for dumping on municipal property, and another ticket for creating hazardous driving conditions, both of which are quite expensive tickets. Most of the time it goes unnoticed, because nobody calls and complains about it, and often, the police just don't want to get out of their car in crappy weather.

[@GarageGear]

Welcome to the tribe pagan! Thanks for checking out the channel! 👍

[@SilentKnight43]

Soon as you said Buffalo I thought...yuppers...looks about right. We're here in Niagara and feel 'yer pain with the latest storm. My snowblower worked overtime last weekend as well - 2 hours to clear my driveway and sidewalk. It was brutal. Great channel - some really good tips! Cheers from Welland.

[@GarageGear]

Awesome that you’re close by silent knight! Everyone’s machines did overtime for sure! Thanks for watching! Go bills!

[@SilentKnight43]

@@GarageGear Go Ti-Cats! (CFLer here, lol)

[@KNKLHEAD]

Buffalonian (Williamsville) here! Great tips. I overworked my old reliable Ariens two-stager (and myself!) during Christmas blizzard. Should have gotten your tips earlier! Thank you. Key point, knock down the snow, versus wrestling machine into/under huge pile. Last year I bought an oversized Toro -- way too heavy. Bigger is not necessarily better. (Your unit is right-sized for two stager IMHO.) I returned the huge machine, preferred my old Ariens 5524. But I found if I use your "knock down" method, my single-stage Toro did quite well. I think single-stagers can be overlooked as pretty darn good (much lighter/maneuverable) solutions. Most snow fall is not blizzard 36". Bills Mafia would be wise to get out there a few times AS major snow is falling (like my Dad!) and one foot deep quick runs with single-stage *could* be optimal. Most snows are not over a few inches, even in Buffalo, at a time. Enjoyed the video! Go Bills!

[@GarageGear]

Hey KN! Getting out there a few times definitely helps! Thanks for sharing this Information! Thanks for being a cool local fan! 👍 go bills!

[@rickcstein]

In the southtowns it seems like every snowfall is 15 inches. Unfortunately I wrestled my Arians into the rocks yesterday. Hopefully no damage.

[@Rob-ob3sh]

Nice video Jake. Always need a shovel LoL. Somedays I will shovel the snow from the top of my garage area down 8 to 10 feet into a bigger pile on the days we only get 6 to 8 cm and push it all in from the sides to the middle and then blow it all. Saves me about 10 min of blow time and less gas used.

[@GarageGear]

Good tip my friend! Thanks for sharing!

[@stringlarson1247]

I live on one of the few hills in Chicago, so they salt the hell out of the street. When we get a heavy snow, I blow/shovel it all back into the street. There's way more salt than I want to spray onto my plants/etc. Sure, I get some nasty looks from some drivers, but, hey, it gets people to slow down and it melts pretty fast. Plus, I clear all of my neighbor's walks, approaches, and some driveways. The method you show here is what I started doing at age 10 when I all I had was a shovel. Growing up in the upper Midwest, I learned early on that if you get out early and often, you can avoid the (usually) inevitable freeze that tends to follow a heavy snowfall. Once that bank of slushy stuff sits for a few hours, it can become a solid ice wall. When we get one of those storms rolling in, eat a good meal,. take a nap, get out and shovel/clear, have a snack, take a nap, get up and lather, rinse, repeat. Much easier doing 5" 3x than waiting for it all to pass and having 12 - 20+ inches. Just some random experience from a old Swede geezer for anyone who is new(ish) to this part of the country. :) Besides, It's usually a) warmer when it's snowing and b) quieter out at 3am. Oh, and always salute the plow drivers.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing this string!

[@jsjs6751]

Is that even legal?

[@stringlarson1247]

@jsjs6751 what, pushing it back? Dunno. I live on a hill, and the city salts to fk out of it so anything the plows push is pretty salty and melts quickly when I spread it out. I just don't want all that salt on my native plants.

[@mikethorne1733]

The key to dealing with the end of the driveway is to take your time. What I do is when making the initial cut I release the throttle when it starts to bog down and let the auger do the work and just inch my way through it.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing Mike!

[@ttb1513]

Yeah, we had a really heavy, slushy wet snow today and I had to let the auger catch up like that many times, and not just at the end of the driveway. Rotating the chute back and forth, a bit jerky, helps to quickly dislodge slush buildup in the chute too. Most time consuming thing today was clearing a snapped tree from the driveway before I could snow blow. Maybe do a video on how to plow through tree trunks??! 😂

[@GarageGear]

@@ttb1513 that would be a good one lol! Thanks for sharing!

[@johnassal5838]

And break it up with a square mouth shovel or even cut a relief channel through with it first especially if it's dense and trying to freeze up.

[@pgmurray76]

@@johnassal5838 I wore out a thick, classic, aluminum shovel doing this. Well this and scraping the street until it was totally BLACK and the sun making water vapor.

[@donnawhite4621]

LOL. I just had to do this yesterday.( Upstate NY ). I could only take not even half of the snow in the front of the machine at the end of the driveway at low speed. Once I was down further where it was lighter, I was good to go.. thanx

[@GarageGear]

You got it Donna! Thanks for watching

[@johnfry2047]

Being a mail carrier, you are Absolutely right! We do appreciate clearing the approach to the mailbox!! It helps immensely!!

[@GarageGear]

Hey John! Thanks for all that you do my friend!

[@akshelby33]

Thank you! My driveway is 1/4 mile long and we got dumped on. I should have watched this before making the first pass. Hopefully it will go easier tomorrow. Having it in high was not kind on my back.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for watching ak!

[@J.R.F.23]

Another FEW TIPS & TRICKS: 1) Instead of using a shovel; run the snowblower parallel with the berm, shaving off 6-8 inches at a time. 2) Add a few 10lb weight kits to the cab; it helps keep the cab down. 3) In addition to giving access to your "Mail-Box", I recommend making sure: You give access to FIRE HYDRANTS, TELEPHONE POLES and WHERE THE POWER comes into your house... The Fire Dept & Utility Workers will appreciate you! We get a LOT of snow in New England... My Ariens Hydro Pro 28" with 420cc's has served me well (worth every penny).

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing JRF

[@sjsomething4936]

I also use the parallel plow method, I find it easier to pile the snow on the boulevard between street and sidewalk going this way. Many places with no sidewalks won’t have this problem.

[@jsjs6751]

Finally, someone who knows how to do it. 😊

[@jsjs6751]

Also, add better "cutters" on the sides. They should cut first, then push the show towards the middle of the screw on each side. They should be mounted half a foot in front of the screw.

[@raynorczyk5497]

i see u got the big boy out, no battery crap. 70 here in fl. Im sure the mailman loves you, im a retired mman and we would just pass up blocked boxes and sidewalks that were not shoveled ur the best

[@GarageGear]

ROCK ON RAY! I try to make life easy on my mailman. The plow pushes a lot of snow around my corner and in front of my house! Gotta help the guy out! No batteries making it through this mess. Thanks for watching my friend! Enjoy the sun!

[@raynorczyk5497]

@@GarageGear i hope that u r staying safe and warm up there. it went down to 28 here for the low a few days. come on down I have a xtra bedroom

[@GarageGear]

@@raynorczyk5497 all good here my friend! Appreciate your offer! 👍

[@johnwilcox4078]

Great advice from Buffalo, thanks! That big mound of plowed snow at the end of the driveway is the 500# gorilla out there. Sometimes i do it twice, before and after the city plow, makes things easier!

[@GarageGear]

That’s a good plan too! Awesome you’re from Buffalo too! Thanks for watching John!

[@Ariesphoenix1]

Bruh!! This is the second video about the snowblower & you just got a new subscriber!!! Thanks for the explanation, jokes & posting!! Looking forward to watching what else you have going on in the garage!!

[@GarageGear]

Awesome Aries! Got tons of snowblower content on here! You’re gonna be here a while lol! Thanks for watching and subscribing!

[@gwine9087]

I understand what you were saying about wind direction, and I take that into consideration, most times, but I prefer to throw the majority of the snow, at the end, in the direction that traffic moves, otherwise you are going to have a huge mound blocking your vision when you pull off the driveway.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for watching gwine

[@thomassciurba5323]

Rochester, NY here. You nailed it on cleaning the end of the driveway. Small bites at slow speed and don’t be scared to break it up with a shovel. After a good workout let that snowblower idle for a minute or two to cool off.

[@GarageGear]

💯agree Thomas! Go Bills!

[@csimet]

I live in Buffalo too (we are currently getting hammered again, as you probably know)... biggest tip I can give, as you did... keep a few cans of silicon spray handy. Spray the auger, auger compartment and chute before you use the blower. It also works well on your shovels. In a pinch, kitchen no-stick food spray (oil) also works.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing csi! Go bills!!!👍

[@rickeh100]

After finding your Chanel I made and installed an impeller kit. I was disappointed with the performance until I realized I had a broken shear pin! We had a bit of a snow storm…….real heart attack snow……very wet and sloppy. I cleaned a bunch of laneways for the neighbours. My goodness the wet snow flew like never before!! Thank You!

[@GarageGear]

Awesome Rick! Glad the kit worked out well for you! Thanks for watching!

[@sjsomething4936]

Another tip if there’s a fair amount of curb between your driveway and your neighbor’s - snowblow the pavement *on the street* (yes, the street itself) the direction the plow will come from for about 10 feet, then the next time the plow passes you’re likely to have little to no snow berm at the end of your driveway. I swear the plows in my area wait until I’m done (or so I think) to come by for another pass…

[@GarageGear]

Good tip thanks for sharing!

[@waynehigden]

There is always the clean up process that happens after the storm. I have been doing the “UP stream process” since the 70s. Once the storm is finished the municipalities send out the “BIg BOYS” to open up the streets to the curbs. By clearing your property to the curb that pile”Up Stream” that would end up in your driveway during that process is deposited in your extra wide area. Which allows you to get out of your driveway without driving over the hard clump of frozen snow the next morning. If your mailbox is located in that”Up Stream” area your letter carrier will be your friend when they show up to deposit your mail. Now I am 76 and still try to work “Smatter not Harder” even more. My 2004 Ariens w/the cast iron transfer case is still working with me each year. I wish you all good luck this winter.

[@Mskarin03]

Been doing this for years. 🤞

[@justiceprevail1552]

I have two snow blowers both 14 yrs old. I use my 8 hp to blow my driveway which is only 35 ft. long, and my 13 hp yardman for my backyard and my sons driveway. The night before a storm, I spray silicon on the impeller, housing and chute, it makes a big difference. My one complaint about the yardman is that the 1st speed is too fast for deep snow for the first pass so I usually toggle the forward drive on and off in order to give the auger time to handle the snow. Also, if your blower is not throwing the snow like it used to, it's usually because of the space between the impeller blades and the impeller housing. You can attach a piece of heavy belting to each of the impeller fins to close up the space, and watch that snow fly, and it also helps to prevent any clogging.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing justice!

[@stevelamby7658]

Good tips! An additional step I take is to make a full width pass INTO my lawn along the driveway sides when it gets about 6” or more. That leaves a little more room to shovel the smaller snowfalls.

[@GarageGear]

Great tip for extra room! Thanks for sharing!

[@winnepeterson7740]

Clever idea!

[@chadtellevik5479]

I just moved to a area with big snow. Getting close to buying a machine, but first I will be hanging out on this channel to get some tips. Excellent share. Thank you.

[@GarageGear]

It’s the place to be when you are for a machine! Plenty of tips to go around! Thanks for watching!

[@benson098123]

Get a honda 928 or 1332. with maintenance you will be good for 25 years or longer.

[@GarageGear]

@@benson098123 thanks for sharing

[@dwightl5863]

@@benson098123 I can vouch for a Honda. Using the techniques demonstrated, that I learned on my own and being raised on a farm in Minnesota, I had that machine 31 years and never sheared a shear pin. Going slow and taking partial cuts will get the job done much faster and easier.

[@robertknight4672]

I have an old craftsman snowblower that was built by Murray. They were actually kind enough to put a guide on the shifter notches telling you which speed is best for different types of snow. Nobody Does that anymore unfortunately.

[@GarageGear]

I know what you mean Robert! The new PowerSmart blowers don’t even tell you if you are in a reverse gear lol! Thanks for watching bud!

[@georgemartin5980]

I can’t stand the husqvarna that doesn’t have indicators or notches or anything for the gears. Just this crescendo symbol that doesn’t even line up with first gear.

[@TheScoundrel70]

I have an old snowblower, and the auger tunnel sides do not come as far forward as the auger itself. Less safe, I'm sure, but it really chews through drifts and banks. The wheels had weights already, and I filled the innertubes with antifreeze. But slow is absolutely correct. Parts dont break much if you operate the machine wisely. Side note, I found a Roofer's shovel to be unbeatable for breaking up frozen banks, and ice chunks. The weight and serrated edge are perfect for just letting it drop straight down rather than shovelling, or chopping.

[@GarageGear]

@@TheScoundrel70 thanks for sharing scoundrel

[@MikePhoTravelVlogs]

‼️‼️Thanks for the tips 💯💯. I never really went into battle with a strategic plan. Lol just went at it 😂 Didn’t think about all the damage I was doing to my snow blower. Just thought it was a machine that was built for anything in front of it. 🤦‍♂️ Now that I’m older I want to make sure I get the longevity of my equipments. Slowly learning the hard way. 💸 Thanks again!

[@GarageGear]

You got a plan now Michael! Thanks for watching!

[@rjtahhan9402]

Thanks. I watch your video's every winter I'm in Michigan near the St. Clair River. We don't get the snow you do. The most we ever get is 15 inches. But I bought an old Tekamah snow blower and your summerize video helped me tremendously.

[@GarageGear]

Awesome Rj! Glad these videos are helping you out! Thanks for being a cool fan!

[@WhitieInVermont]

Congratulations on going over 40,000 subscribers JB. After watching this video I'm heading out to snowblow the driveway. We only got about 6 inches in Vermont. Should be able to knock it out quickly. I will be slowly doing the end of the driveway. Thanks for the tip.

[@GarageGear]

ROCK ON WHITIE! That snow doesn’t stand a chance against you! Appreciate you bud! Now onto 50k! Have a good weekend my friend!

[@j.d.1488]

My kid has a snow blower. I did my whole 30' of sidewalk and entire back yard in the time he took to clear his drive way. Loved having a hot coffee watching that boy play looking from the window and toasty. Lol

[@GarageGear]

That’s the way to do it

[@191307music]

It also helps to shovel out into the the road 8 feet and down the street about 20 feet in the direction the plow will come from. This way you usually end up with a lot less snow at the end of your driveway, cause you’ve already done the work for the plow.

[@GarageGear]

Great tips! Thanks for sharing!

[@johnillig7281]

Thanks for the tip about the end of the driveway. We share the driveway with the neighbor, all cement, so I am usually the one out there trying to clear it. Also, being the Good Neighbor, I clear my sidewalk and the sidewalks on either side of us.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing!

[@TNels]

I always like to take the step of clearing the mail box a little further. I clear the road back to the curb along my entire property, helps with the banks creeping further and further into the road way, give that extra space for parking, and helps the plow driver know where his blade is when coming by.

[@GarageGear]

Great tips! Thanks for sharing! I know the mail carriers appreciate it.

[@JohnSandovalesq]

Been in Watertown since 2014 but this is only our third winter as homeowners and my Ariens has saved me a ton of work. I've learned some of the tips you mentioned by trial and error, and made sure to listen to the machine so I don't bog it down. Definitely smashing the subscribe button so I'll know what to do if my blower ever freaks out on me.

[@GarageGear]

You got it John! You guys get a lot of snow over there! Thanks for watching bud!

[@billylacharity3443]

If it is hard to break up the snow, you can even use a smaller spade shovel or a garden shovel (metal) and break smaller chunks at a time. It will take longer, but it is even easier on you.

[@GarageGear]

Right on Billy! Thanks for sharing!

[@ralphchristianson]

Excellent advice, great to get information that will extend the life of the snow blower.

[@GarageGear]

@@ralphchristianson thanks for watching Ralph!

[@tdz69]

Best thing you can do, if possible, is to do several shifts during the snowfall as opposed to waiting until it’s done. Of course it depends on the expected snowfall duration but whatever your able to do will make the overall removal easier.

[@GarageGear]

This is a great idea as well! Whatever makes the job easier. Thanks for watching!

[@pjfan173]

Exactly what I do when I can. I have a single stage toro, a regular size two car driveway.our neighbours are early 80’s, so I always try and get theirs done before they get out and try shovelling.

[@GarageGear]

@@pjfan173 thanks for sharing!

[@lptherapygroup6591]

@@pjfan173 now that's a great neighbor

[@bunnyniyori5209]

Really good content and advice. Fortunately I live on the 3rd attic floor of an old house. I do not own my home and I do not drive a car and I do not need the snow blower :)

[@GarageGear]

You never know. Thanks for watching!

[@williamarthurjr.909]

I also live in buffalo ny too I took your advice and bought my first snowblower

[@GarageGear]

ROCK ON William! Bet you’re loving that thing! Thanks for watching! GO BILLS!

[@shanew7361]

What'd you buy?

[@jimredner2649]

I am new to owning and operating a snowblower, so I can’t thank you enough for all your tips and demonstrations!

[@GarageGear]

Awesome! Glad it has helped you. Knowledge is power. You got it now!

[@jasminesoto7790]

I’m in Buffalo too and was having a horrible time clearing the end of my driveway, thanks for the advice to shift it into lower gear. I’m still trying to get my sidewalk done but I need a break today, will tackle it tomorrow.

[@GarageGear]

This snow is tough! Super heavy and dense! A workout for any machine! Thanks for sharing jasmine!

[@ddmorphballzz]

West seneca here this last storm sucked

[@jamesvandamme7786]

Wait a couple days and it will all start to melt.

[@GarageGear]

@@jamesvandamme7786 ha yeah I’m a week it’ll be gone! Thanks for watching

[@jptrainor]

No pre-shovelling for me. Point the beast, lean in, and push through. Then I marvel at the power of the beast and enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done that I didn't have to do manually.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing Jp

[@TimMacPA]

I've always found going out at least twice is so much easier. Also, I do my whole street frontage. Then there is so much less plow-packed snow to deal with.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for the awesome tip! Right on! Thanks for watching too!

[@stevekraushaar5985]

While that may work for some.... Here's what I do. First, spray the auger, inside of the chute and the whole auger housing (where the snow collects before the auger shoves it out the chute) with a non-stick spray. There are sprays available for this. I've actually heard of using vegetable spray but have never tried it. You can start anywhere you want but I usually start around the middle of the driveway. I go the LONG way along the length of the snow (width of the driveway). Gradually cut into the snow until you are taking about 1/3 to 1/2 the width of the snowblower . Use a lower gear. You may have to take a smaller width as you get to the middle (high point) of the snow. Usually no shoveling is required. You can do one half of your driveway at a time. Or, make a pass from the middle to one side and then come back and make a pass to the other side of the driveway. It's easier on the snowblower and your back!

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing steve

[@hobbyaddict9908]

In order to avoid high banks near the road, I usually cut a path out to the road then blow from the road in towards my house, throwing the snow away from the road area. This prevents high banks that reduce or completely cut visibility of oncoming vehicles. If I need to build banks near the road I do so on the side away from oncoming traffic, i.e., the right side facing the road. I can still see the oncoming vehicles when I pull out.

[@GarageGear]

Good tips! Thanks for sharing Hobby!

[@Mskarin03]

My driveway is an incline to the road. Hard to plow up that incline in low gear. After snow blowing the driveway, I also clear the area at each corner even though it’s my lawn. Otherwise, after several storms (or one big one) combined with the incline, my view of road traffic is obscured. I can’t see them and they can’t see me pulling out. Wish my neighbor would also do this. Our mail carriers won’t deliver if the area in front of mailbox & beyond isn’t cleared. Also need to clear a path for oil delivery even if it is over the lawn. Good tips.

[@FR-tb7xh]

All great advice, and how I do my 88’ of New England driveway! Have Craftsman 28” swath 9 hp machine, a;most 30 (?) years old, still going strong (thanks to maintenance). Something I also do is snowblow the fire hydrant across the street and down a bit when I’m done. After I do all that, if I’m not exhausted, I check with my neighbors to see if they need help. I’m female, nearly 70 years old and have a bad back, but still love the snow so much!

[@GarageGear]

@@FR-tb7xh that is awesome! Thank you for sharing FR!

[@DaddyBeanDaddyBean]

Good tips. Another thing that helps, especially when the snow is heavy & wet but temps have dropped well below freezing, is to periodically make sure the auger itself isn't getting clogged up with frozen snow. If it's really struggling to bite in, just pushing snow in front of it, this is probably what's going on.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing daddy bean!

[@campdalaoshu]

Potter County, PA - Hit that snow 12 inches at a time and it's easier. My Twp snowplow wall never gets that high when I move the snow 12 inches at a time. Snowvember 2014 gave us two and a half feet. Moving snow at 02:00 was worth it cutting the job in half. I don't have anything close to pavement, so I have to leave an inch behind.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing camp!

[@montefiveforty1]

Good luck to people with battery powered machines...

[@GarageGear]

Haha yeah they’re gonna need it getting through piles like this! Thanks for watching monte! 👍

[@shanew7361]

Can't teach stupid lol

[@BenNawrath]

They’ll get thru it, they just better have a couple spare batteries!

[@wildmanofthewynooch7028]

Cold weather is a killer for batteries

[@evanspader6762]

@@wildmanofthewynooch7028 having no power is a killer for batteries🤣

[@craigscott3133]

Our little community on Lake Erie provides a "service" of plowing the sidewalks. That's great, but it makes an extra wall at the end of the driveway. So this is a doubly handy video.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing craig!

[@jamesege1846]

Loved my Ariens.. was my back-up for the Kubota tractor with the midpoint PTO Blower. It was as you said an "ANIMAL"!! 100 foot drive way.. no problem. West Coast of Michigan but NOT Buffalo!

[@GarageGear]

You got a great line up of equipment my friend!

[@238839]

My 1974 Ariens will be 50 years old next year...and yes it still outperforms the newer other brand blowers!

[@GarageGear]

The golden years of snowblowing! Those machines are tough as hell! Thanks for sharing

[@37yearsofanythingisenough39]

The old blowers usually had Tecumseh engines which were designed for snowblowers. Tecumseh tech manuals often referred to various models as Snow King engines. The old models were heavier to really handle heavy plow truck snow. Nowadays corners are cut everywhere in blower production to decrease costs and increase profits.

[@johnnash9072]

I use a a long flat shovel for breaking up the snow and they work much better than snow shovels on packed snow and ice. For light snows (an inch or less) when the sun will be out soon, a couple of stripes showing asphalt is enough to make the rest melt. I usually do the perimeter and 2 more leaving 3 strips of snow. Lastly, during heavy snows, I snowblow the shoulder of the road on the oncoming traffic side and the plow drops less on the end of my driveway. The town drivers pull their wing back and slow down at my driveway because I always wave and back off the road when they come by in either direction. At least that's I was told by a driver I was talking with while waiting to get our covid shots, so we could keep our jobs.

[@GarageGear]

Good tips here John! Thanks for sharing!

[@carldooley9344]

Having a heated space that you can let your snowblower thaw between uses makes everything a LOT less stressful.

[@GarageGear]

You got it! Thanks for watching!

[@appleztooranges]

Do it with an ego 24” snowblower electric! So many people praising them. With a track Honda you can just ride right threw. I learned tracks won’t ride up like wheels. I owned both

[@tommak6516]

Do it with a gasoline snowblower that does not start. Wheels better than tracks for overall use, that is why you do not even see track walk behind snowblowers sold any longer.

[@appleztooranges]

@@tommak6516 only Hondas now! Only the best

[@GarageGear]

I’d be willing to give it a shot but my hopes are not high. Batteries just can’t hack it in cold weather and their power consistency is really only half what companies claim. For a few bucks less you can get a super powerful ariens. Jus’ sayin’! Lol! Thanks for watching bud!

[@appleztooranges]

@@GarageGear just sold my older Honda hs1332 tracks for $2650. Paid $895 for it. Tripled my profit. Trying to trade up towards the best Honda they make brand new

[@appleztooranges]

@@GarageGear no worries. I could get the most expensive ariens right now after selling my 10 year old Honda or get a brand new Honda. I think I’m going Honda haha

[@TomYankou]

Any tips on using snowblower on gravel driveway? I set glides as low as possible but I’m wondering if there’s a better hack. Toro 1028 Power Shift. Glides aren’t very big IMO.

[@GarageGear]

Hey Tom! I would check out armor skids. They glide nicely on all surfaces. I did some commentary on them in this video. THE OFFICIAL SNOWBLOWER PRESEASON CHECKLIST (Avoid Issues) kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6u8fnxnoZxoa7M thanks for watching!

[@jasonlarson9886]

We got whacked in Amherst this weekend. Great tips! You have a new sub. I’m curious to know if you have an opinion on top/best blowers. I have a 24” craftsman model.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for checking out the channel and being a new sub! Can’t go wrong with an Ariens. They have a variety of sizes and prices points that all work well. Go Bills!

[@JD022]

Good video, love my ariens. Getting ready for snow season here in upstate ny!

[@GarageGear]

Appreciate you JD! Thanks for watching

[@confessionsofahorsedoctor2837]

Tip - snow sled also useful in de-bulking evil EOD snow. Another tip - wear hi-viz when working at the road. Thanks for the vid.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing! 👍

[@Ladysman_217]

Is there a way to adjust the drive lever so its not so touchy? It engages in the first half inch of movement. I would like it better if it didn’t engage until it was almost pushed to the handlebar.

[@GarageGear]

Hey urrdone! Depending on the model you have there should be cable going down from the handle. On the cable you may see an adjustment bolt. You can untwist that bolt a few threads and that should lengthen the cable a little. Let me know if your cable has it . Thanks for watching!

[@-Cece]

I just subscribed today and this is the fourth video I am watching of Garage Gear. So happy to be here and luv the local WNY connection!

[@GarageGear]

ROCK ON! Welcome to the tribe! GO BILLS!!!

[@PainterD54]

After you guys getting nailed by that lakes effect storm, I figured you'd have some kind of tip to share. We got some here in Minnesota, but not near what you guys got. Keep'r throwin' and blowin'!

[@GarageGear]

Winter is just getting going David! My mind is always thinking about content! Thanks for watching my friend!

[@andyslawncareandoutdooradv]

Great video JB! Back when I only had my single stage snowblower I would use this same method more often then not at the end of the driveway. Now I own a single stage and a 2 stage snowblower so when the banks get high the 2 stage comes out!

[@GarageGear]

ROCK ON my friend! Having a second blower is helpful! Thanks for watching andy!

[@leadnsteel1428]

I still use single stage snowblowers. I put small screws into the end of the rubber and they act like studs.... A studded rubber paddle chews up the snow and ice like nothing. My single stage has 12" clearing height

[@GarageGear]

@@leadnsteel1428 thanks for sharing the tip!

[@StpBks]

I occasionally run the throttle at 1/4 to 1/2 to run the wheels a little slower on the hard to snowblow sections. The governor will nicely regulate torque thru the difficult areas and the slower travel makes the augers take smaller bites. Many times less is more.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing stp!

[@kmanwest9610]

I did mine that exact same way, then I got smart and sold the house and moved to a apt where someone else takes care of all maintenance ✌️

[@GarageGear]

Ha thanks for watching kman!

[@GeeWit]

30 years in SoBflo on Abbott Rd :: You've got a very good explainer for the burbs BUT in the city, there's a significant extra consideration. When the plow comes back to cut to the curb in the city, everything that was blown to the left potentially adds to what the plow redeposits in the driveway (or in the curbcuts) and everything blown to the right is plowed down the street and gone forever.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing Gee! Go BILLS!

[@majik1973]

Past few Maine winters haven't been enough to use my snowblower, but really hopeful to be able to use these tips this upcoming winter!

[@GarageGear]

@@majik1973 I have a feeling we’ll be plenty this season. 👍

[@CriaAndKiddFW]

I'm just south of Plattsburgh and have a long driveway in the country. This is my first season using a snowblower. Thanks for the video and not talking down to us ladies! Also, how do you all manage being in those close neighborhoods and "snow etiquette " between neighbors so close together? I just need to make sure the chickens aren't following me for snacks 😂

[@GarageGear]

@@CriaAndKiddFW hey cria! Would never talk down to the ladies here on KZbin! Ten percent of my subscribers are female so that’s roughly 10,000 women following the channel! We have enough room between our houses/properties to put the snow where we need to. Once in a while piles can get pretty high. I don’t know how they do it in the city of Buffalo where they have less than 10 feet between properties. Thank you for watching

[@TommyC713]

716 represent! Thanks for the tips.... I'll be heading out soon to try out my new Ariens on this lake affect. Go Bills!

[@GarageGear]

ROCK ON Tommy! GO BILLS!

[@greyone40]

I didn't get enough snowfall yesterday to get the snowblower out today. So I had to come here and watch you throw some.

[@GarageGear]

Plenty to see here my friend! And plenty more to come! Thanks for watching!

[@gasmanoav]

I always cut the bank down at the end of the driveway. See and be seen pulling out. I also have a fire hydrant in my front yard. I use my snowblower to clear access to that too. I take the bank away and 3 feet all around the hydrant. Also, if I don’t the city comes with a plow and tears up my front yard.

[@GarageGear]

Good thinking gas man! Thanks for watching!

[@tempusveritas8901]

Thanks But I need the" half bite" 420 cc approach my metal roof dumps rite onto most of my drive. So my whole drive is like that. First pass is stop and go. No fun! Keep up the good work I love your content! 45 miles south of you

[@GarageGear]

ROCK ON Tempus! Where are you located? Ellicottville?

[@tempusveritas8901]

@@GarageGear Dunkirk We get the same weather depending on the path of the Bands.

[@GarageGear]

@@tempusveritas8901 awesome my friend! Not far away at all! Yeah those bands can get us good.

[@flowergodroar]

Hello garage gear, I live at the west seneca/ south buffalo border.... by texs hots, I have a ariens mammoth 850. What are your thoughts on what I can do to stop snow clogs.

[@GarageGear]

Hey flowergod! Try an impeller kit. Here’s a video on how to do it. BEFORE YOU INSTALL AN IMPELLER KIT ON A SNOWBLOWER, WATCH THIS! kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6PEcnh6h7B0b7s thanks for being a cool local fan! Go BILLS!

[@SoleEpiphany]

Around here they use a lot of salt and brine so I tend to do the plow roll first as then the clean snow in the driveway cleans out any leftover salt etc left in the auger housing and chute etc. so less chance of rusting

[@GarageGear]

Good tip sole! Thanks for sharing

[@stevejohnson1321]

Instead of anti-stick spray, I applied expired linseed oil to the auger and chutes. I don't know how good that is for the steel, but it lasts a lot longer than silicon, used motor oil etc.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing steve!

[@andrewheinen9185]

I have an airens I bought about 5 years ago. Does the impeller kit really that good to have? Considering doing this. Now my blower only runs on choke because I left gas sit in it. I think I have a main jet clogged now.

[@GarageGear]

Andrew! You’ll wonder how you ever snowblowed without an impeller kit. Can’t go wrong for $30. I would give your carb a cleaning. I think your right about that jet.

[@PhilFry-gj6xq]

Great tips. I've used this method. My drive is uphill from the street level. Had to get a 3 stage x 30" machine.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for watching Phil!

[@masfishing1]

I dont know what an impeller is? But last winter bought my 1st snowblower, an Ariens 28" SHO says AX 306 cc 15 ft lbs. Seemed to go through our S Dakota snow but im not sure if it has an impeller etc

[@GarageGear]

Yes it has an impeller! It’s the fan shaped piece that throws the snow out.👍

[@PatrickFaricy]

You see.....if you had a Toro....you would not need to worry about hurting your friction disk, throwing a belt or breaking a shear pin. lol Enjoyed watching your video, great points.

[@GarageGear]

Hey Patrick thanks for watching the video! I’m a little confused by what you mean about toro though! Newer toros do not have shear pins but still use belts and friction discs.

[@PatrickFaricy]

@@GarageGear Sorry about that. I was trying to be funny, you know, if you had a Toro, you would not have to worry about any of the things you said in your video about hurting a snow blower, because you have a Toro. Ariens make great machines, as you prove in your video. Hang on to the one from the 70's, they don't make em like that anymore. And, you are correct, Toro's no longer have shear pins in the augers, they will shut off if you jam the augers up. I did this once, first snow the second season I had it, was blowing slushy snow over the lawn and the blower dug in and filled the augers and the shoot up with grass and mud.....it is the only time I have shut it down like that and it was a mess.

[@GarageGear]

@@PatrickFaricy oh wow! Thanks for sharing this information my friend! Don’t worry that 1971 ariens ain’t going nowhere! 👍

[@d53101]

I have an electric snowblower and use many of the techniques described in this video. They all work well.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing

[@markcarter822]

Another helpful tip that I do is try to blow the driveway before the plow comes. I live on the west side of the street and my driveway is on the south side of my lot and the plow comes down my street from north to south so before the plow comes I actually snowblow the street from my driveway to the north to my neighbors driveway, about 30-40 yards from a little more than the center of the street all the way to my curb. This helps drastically reduce the amout of snow that is pushed into my driveway from the snowplow.

[@GarageGear]

Good tip mark! Thanks for sharing!

[@moparman5941]

You can also go the width of the driveway using using 1/2 your auger. Use your shovel to break it down a bit. Go one direction then do a 180 and go the other way. Remember preparation always makes the job easier.

[@GarageGear]

Great tip, thanks for sharing!

[@ytfan83]

I always try and clean out as much snow off the street 'before' the driveway, to reduce what the City plow pushes in front it. In other words, I'll go double the 15' you mentioned for the USPS, so the plow 'cleans' itself of the big push it has in front of itself, before it actually gets to my apron.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing Mike!

[@golfnz34me]

This is the way

[@ryanbeckstead]

Hey bro, love your videos! Getting pumped to get out in the driveway with my new 28 Ariens. What are the black bars on the front of your machine that are sticking up? What is the purpose of these?

[@GarageGear]

@@ryanbeckstead hey Ryan those are drift cutters. I made those but you can purchase them for your snowblower. 👍thanks for being a cool fan!

[@jamessharier7529]

Great tips and video, I think I’ll put that kit on my blower next summer

[@GarageGear]

Got another video coming out on that this week

[@markcafebrown2883]

Excellent video JP. My wind does same thing blows west to east most days, but I’m about an hour south of Lake Ontario and 20 minutes north of Canandaigua Lake so sometimes the wind swirls south to North. Western NY certainly is a challenge. I’m just south east of Rochester NY. Thanks again buddy

[@GarageGear]

Appreciate the positive feedback Mark! You’re not too far away! Thanks for being a cool relatively local fan! 👍

[@Gmar69]

The only thing that I was concerned with in the beginning of the video is that you were throwing snow on your Toyota truck when parked on the street. What a recipe for nicks and dents from debris on the street. I'm glad that you finally moved it on the driveway. Good video.

[@GarageGear]

The taco is all good! Thanks for looking for out for me lol! 👍

[@Buc_Stops_Here]

You did exactly what I did last winter in Connecticut when we received 18 inches of snow, but the end of the driveway (1/10th of a mile long) which was about 30 inches deep. Fortunately, this year while Buffalo is getting a lot of snow, Connecticut so far has had two snowfalls of one inch each - a record low. Don't know how long this will last but I did take my snowblower out of storage and it is ready to go if I need it (silicon grease is a must!).

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing Sam! Definitely a weird winter for many!

[@w9awx1]

Exactly how my dad told me to do it decades ago. Old school never gets old.

[@GarageGear]

Works every time! 👍

[@davemason6501]

I agree with your suggestions. I've used them myself at times. One difference, I use a snowblower with tracks. This gives the option when the snow is deeper than what the chut will take, to use the tracks to ride up on the snow, but that depends on the density of the snow. Knocking down the snow is the best suggestion in this video, and the only way to deal with drifts and deep snow.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing

[@Sgtkode]

A cab is great to keep the wind and snow off my face. When I'm doing my driveway I start in the middle and go back and forth long way. This way I don't have to turn the chute. Lastly clear three feet around your nearest fire hydrant. The house you save may be your own.👍

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing sgt

[@davedarling2008]

Good stuff! I live in Cheektowaga, and was breaking my tail, this weekend, with my property, as well as my elderly neighbors. The first pass, down the driveway, is always the worst.

[@GarageGear]

It was a tough weekend for Buffalo! Thanks for being a cool local fan my friend! 👍