Better snowblower shoes?

Submitted by overdoing_it t3_11sseso in newhampshire

I have an Ariens snowblower with the included shoes attached and set at max height. Gravel driveway, like sandy gravel. With this latest storn the ground was not frozen under the snow and the shoes kept digging into the driveway and the snowblower started to shoot out gravel. I kept having to stop and lean on the handles to keep it riding high enough not to catch driveway.

So I'm thinking this could be avoided with larger shoes that won't dig in and sink. Like dinner plates or something. Or just some that let me add even more clearance, I think mine max out at 4 inches. Does such a thing exist or are there any other tricks to avoid it happening?

This is usually not an issue and it works fine on frozen ground or an existing layer of ice, but more storms like this are a possibility in this year and the future. I'm considering paving the driveway but not sure how soon I can do it, it'll cost a lot since it's 175' long and widens to 40' at the house end.

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jkjeeper06 t1_jcf9ys7 wrote

I drive over my gravel driveway for the first few storms to pack it down to ice, then snowblow. I also have welded metal to the skids to be wider and more like skis so they don't dig in as much. I've also seen people mount wheels on for the first few storms to scrape off the top but leave enough for ice

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DeerFlyHater t1_jcfa51t wrote

My snowblower digs up the dirt and gravel because it is uneven. Yesterday, I was surprised I didn't break a shear pin. This is even with the scraper set up at 3/4".

I have the armor skids from snowblower skids on my Ariens Platinum 30 SHO. Mounted with the wide tip forward, the skids won't dig in. You'll need the spacers to bring it out over the hump on the side of the blower bucket. The ordering page isn't the best, so you'll have to figure out which model matches your blower.

https://snowblowerskids.com/

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akmjolnir t1_jcg8low wrote

I hated snowblowing after the latest storm... multiple jams and a broken shear-pin. If you wait a couple days it'll all be melted.

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invenio78 t1_jchpscp wrote

Pave the driveway. It will make this much easier not to mention it will look much better. No more driving in mud, problems with snow blowing, uneven gravel, etc... It will also increase the value of your home so it's not a complete waist.

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NewPhoenix77 t1_jci4eol wrote

Here’s an idea if you are handy. Make some skids out of some plywood. You can always remove them when the ground is frozen. I’ve used this method to clear out a grass area for the dog. Basically like skis. Leaves about a half inch of snow, but doesn’t catch on the soft ground.

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Peanut-Donut t1_jci7jkq wrote

Rotate the shoes so your scoop is angled up or level. (Lower the rear more than the front)

I have a gravel driveway and that was the only solution.

You leave about 1/2 inch of snow

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overdoing_it OP t1_jct85va wrote

Replying to DeerFlyHater (#2,243,465)

I want these.

Do you know what hole spacing and length you got? I measured with a ruler and the centers of the bolts installed right now are exactly 3 inches apart but the listing for my model ST1336DLE says 2.75".

I know some generic replacement skid shoes from Lowes fit so it's probably the same for most or all Ariens models.

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