Snow Blowers

This is our first review of a Hybrid snow blower and it also happens to be the first  from Honda which is also a first on this web site. We plan to review many more of the Honda machines this quarter, so stay tuned. Back to the  Honda hybrid snow blower model HS1336iAS.

Most snow blowers have a single four stroke engine that powers the auger which grinds the snow and breaks it up, the impeller which ejects or throws the snow into the air and also the drive train which moves your snow blower forward. Not so with the new Honda Hybrid Snow Blower HS1336iAS.

Electric Power

This Honda hybrid snow blower uses electricity to power two electric motors to propel the machine forward or backwards. The engine generates electricity and charges two on board batteries which in turn provides power to the electrical motors which rive the machine forward or backwards. It is a hybrid snow blower for this reason.

Aside from the fact this is one of the larger snow throwers, they claim that this machine will run quieter and smoother, be more efficient on fuel and contribute less pollution to the environment. It is controlled by an intelligent system that apparently delivers a 19% improvement in the fuel economy area.

We cannot support or detract from these claims since this is a brand new machine to the North American market and only time will tell as to it’s improvements and reliability. We did see prices of $7999, which is certainly up there for a snow thrower. Do you really need this hybrid technology in a snow blower? Also we wonder about all of the added technology and how long it will last under harsh conditions. Some snow blowers stand up very well, however you only know that once it has been tested by a North American winter.

Honda Hybrid Snow Blower HS1336iAS – Specifications:

• Drive by wire controls
• Intelligent technology controls motor speed, power output based on need
• Reversible 2-position skid shoes
• 24V DC starter
• Electronic indicators to track vital information for monitoring of all operating systems
• Heavy-duty, serrated augers to break ice and automatically lift in reverse when automatic or semi-automatic modes are engaged
• Convenient electric transport mode for relocating unit from garage or storage unit to work areas
• Electric starting via two heavy-duty batteries – offers a clean, no hassle solution for starting the engine
• 36″ clearing width, 23″ clearing height
• Discharges snow up to 62.3 ‘
• Clears up to 83.0 tons/hour
• Runs up to 2.2 hours per tank of gasoline
• Pedal-adjustable auger height
• Control panel designed for ease-of-use
• Front cover integrating tough and stable design
• Auto choke standard
• Rear cover integrated with tool box

Engine:

Powered by the intelligent, commercial-grade Honda iGX390 engine to offer motor-track operation

Transmission: Two parallel electric motors control the track drive forward and reverse  propulsion. Self-propelled, infinitely variable electric drive. Track drive  provides excellent  traction.

Warranty:

• 3 year residential / commercial warranty

Description of the Honda Hybrid Snow Blower HS1336iAS

Aside from this particular snow blower being a hybrid machine, it does come with a lot of features that may appeal to many buyers. These are listed above, however several notable features are the drive by wire approach which means it takes no more effort to steer this machine than pressing a button. It is also electric start, so no tugging on a pull chord and it clears 36 inches of snow width at a time.

This is a large powerful machine with excellent traction, clearing width and snow throwing distance of up to 62 feet, which is huge for this size of machine. If you have a large area, you will appreciate the speed at which you get the job done with this machine.

The information we read indicates that there are electronic indicators to keep you posted on various components. However they did not indicate what these were. We assume electrical generation, battery charging, engine speed, perhaps oil pressure, however we have no information on these areas.

This is a new machine to this market. W would really appreciate your comments from people who have purchased this machine. Having used a snow blower myself of a smaller size, I can appreciate how controlling this machine using buttons rather than leavers and manual strength will be a huge improvement.

For information about delivery methods for your snow blower,  accessories that you can purchase, safety rules to follow, proper operation and maintenance information, go to our page General Snow Blower Information, to read more about these topics.

General snow Blower information you need to know. We used to include this material with every post. Now we link to it to allow us to provide more information about specific snow blowers and snow throwers that are being reviewed. Please read this information for your own safety and information.

Delivery

Most customers will have to arrange for the delivery of their new snow blowers. They are far too big to take home in your car, so you will need a trailer, rent a van or arrange for delivery by the store that you are purchasing the snow blower from. There will be a charge for this service, but it will be the easiest way to arrange for your new snow blower to be delivered to your home. Some stores will rent their vans/trucks to you for a very low price for 2 hours for you to take your purchases home.

Accessories

Most snow blowers can be purchased with tire chains to provide extra traction in icy situations. In addition, snow shields are also a good idea if you want to protect yourself from windy conditions and snow being blown back at your face by the wind.

Safety & Operation

A snow blower is a powerful machine and should be treated with safety in mind. Carefully read all of the safety guidelines in the manual prior to operating the machine for the first time and follow these guidelines to ensure that both you and the machine do not have an accident.

Prior to starting your snowblower the first time each day, perform a quick walk around check of the machine to ensure there are no loose parts and no leaking fluids. Check the engine oil to ensure that it is at the correct level as specified by the manual. Top up if necessary. Fill the fuel tank while the engine is cold and prior to using the machine. If you do spill fuel, wait until it has fully evaporated prior to starting the engine. Never spill fuel on a hot engine to avoid fires. Always fill the fuel tank outdoors to avoid any possibility of vapors going into your house.

Finally never point the chute in the direction of people, buildings, or cars to avoid any possible damage and accidents. Sometimes chunks of ice can be thrown at high speed from the chute. If they hit something, it can cause a lot of damage.

General Snow Blower Information

Never work on your snow blower with the engine running

This seems like an obvious thing but people still do it and are hurt, sometimes badly, every year. Always turn it off before you do any maintenance, add fuel, check the oil, fix the chains on the tires, or clear the augers of snow.

Clearing Snow from the Augers – this is where lots of people are hurt every year. Before you try to clear snow that is plugging the augers, shut the engine off. This could avoid the sudden turning of the augers or the impeller. This could cause lots of damage to fingers, hands, and arms.

Use Snow Clearing Tool – This is the really important part. You have plugged the augers with snow, you have shut the machine off and now you are trying to clear the snow away. Never place your hands inside the augers to get at the snow. Use a broom handle if you have an old machine. Or the snow clearing tool that came with your newer machine to clear the snow. You can also purchase these tools from most stores as an extra. Or if you break yours or if you have an older machine which does not have one. This is the safe way to clear snow from around the augers and the impeller.

Sometimes the snow is so compacted, that as you clear it away, it allows the augers to turn. This is due to built-up tension in the pulley mechanism. Better to have a broom handle stuck in there than your hands!

Most new snow blowers come with a snow clearing tool which you can use for this purpose. Always use this tool and never use your hands. If you have an older machine, an old broom handle will do the trick as well.

Maintenance

Like all snow blowers or snow throwers, maintenance is important for your machine to operate at a peak level for many years. Change the engine oil regularly, check the belts for tightness, change the spark plug as required, and grease any spots outlined in the manual. If you need to leave the snow blower outside all year round, cover the machine with a proper cover to keep it looking new and avoid deterioration of the tires and metal components.

There never is any good time to get your snowblower repaired, but doing in the offseason is a lot better than waiting until the snow is blowing. In the summertime, most people are thinking about the beach. They are not thinking about repairing equipment. Yet this is the best time of the year to do all repairs simply because of the temperature. In addition, because mechanics are looking for work if they are not working on lawnmowers and other garden equipment. I personally have had made Snow Blower Repair in the cold of winter and it is not fun.

Snow Blower Repair

If for no other reason, you will have your snow blower in line for repairs before everyone else even thinks about it later in the fall.  As snow blowers age there all sorts of little problems that begin to manifest themselves. They need to repair work completed. It is not easy to take these machines to the mechanic. They are heavy and bulky. You really need a trailer or a truck to put them in to transport them from your home to the mechanic. If you can fix it yourself and do the maintenance you are ahead of the game.

Most people will take it to the neighborhood small engine mechanic. However, some will try their hand at doing their own repairs to save both money and time. Follow instructions regarding safety conditions covered in the manual.

I once had a chronic flat tire. This tire would hold air for about 3 days and then gradually go flat on me. I am not sure if it was a nail or just old age. it was a tubeless tire and I obviously needed to get it fixed. The snowblower was about 15 years old at the time. Of course, the rim was rusted onto the axle so there was no way it was going to come off. I really did not want to rent a trailer to load my snowblower on, in order to take it to the mechanic. I was pretty frustrated with this particular repair.

Well, I ended up going to the mechanic. I asked him what the easiest way was to get the tire off so that it could be repaired. Of course, the experts always know the easy ways. They can fix these problems in a moment. His answer was so simple and straightforward, that I could not believe my ears.

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It may seem like an odd time to talk about,  snow thrower maintenance, however, the spring or summer time is actually one of the best times to perform maintenance and implement any repairs that are needed on your snow thrower. The weather has warmed up and it is much more comfortable to work on your thrower than late in the fall when the snow is about to fall. Keeping an engine and all of its components operating smoothly does not take a lot of work or effort. Following the simple instructions in the manual is about all that is needed and only takes about an hour for the standard things that need to be done. If after checking, more serious repairs are needed, you can order the parts and schedule the repairs at your convenience.

Some areas in the mountains are still getting some snow so it may be too soon for them, but for the rest of Canada and the Northern US, is one of the best times to plan your maintenance.

Snow Thrower Maintenance

So what kind of maintenance should you be doing at this time of year. Well, there are two sets of activities that should be considered. First items such as oil changes, spark plug replacement, and greasing any fittings that have grease nipples should be under taken. These things are pretty straightforward and do not take a lot of time, but will pay you dividends over many years by keeping your engine and augers running smoothly for many years.

The second area that should be considered is any repairs. This is one of the reasons you should do this in the early summer. You have just finished using your snow thrower and you will be familiar with how it was running. Determine what parts you need now and order them. You can complete repairs in advance of any cold weather.

We had to replace several bushings one year.  I can only say that I wish I had done this in the summertime and not in November when it had started to get cold. It was not a difficult job, however, it was very cold on the hands and I did not have a place to keep warm while I made this repair.

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It is time for snow blower service. The winter season is over and before you put it away for the summer, why not do the annual maintenance now when it is warm and easy to work on it? We wrote a post on snow thrower service as well because frankly some people search for that term as well. You may want to read them both since they are slightly different. Bottom line is that you really should read your service manual for your snow blower before attempting any kind of service.

What Snow Blower Service Do I Need to Do

The service you will do will depend on the size of machine you own. Smaller machines will only need an oil change, the gasoline emptied out and any grease points greased. I also spray the blower housing with a fine oil to prevent rust during the summer. Even though the housing has rust resistant paint, it does get scratched and that’s were the rust begins.

Larger snow blowers will require more complex maintenance. You may need to change an air filter or an oil filter as well. A heavily used machine will need more servicing. You may need to change belts and you may need to adjust linkages that have become worn or stretched. Again follow the instructions in your service manual and practice safe maintenance when working around your machine.

A full Service Checkup may include:

• Oil change
• Spark plug change or adjustment
• Filter changes
• Linkage adjustments
• Tire pressure checks
• Empty the gasoline
• Carburetor adjustments

This may be more than many consumers want to take on themselves. For people in this situation, it is a good idea to find a reasonable small engine mechanic who will service your snow blower once per year to ensure that your machine is always ready to go.

A factor that prevents a lot of people from getting a snow blower serviced is that they are big and they are heavy. You really need a truck or a van or a trailer to move them. For people without access to these kinds of vehicles, it can be problematic for consumers to arrange for repairs. If they need to rent a truck, this is an additional cost that they will have to consider as part of their cost considerations.

Some people do not bother preferring to just purchase a new snow blower when the original breaks down.  This is not a very good economic approach to snow blower service when you consider that these machines can easily run over a $1000. You would be better to pay for snow removal service than purchase a new snow blower every couple of years.

How Long Should a Snow Blower Last with Good Service?

My own snow blower is now 24 years old and still going strong. I change the oil once per year, grease it at the same time and spray it with oil to prevent rusting. It is stored inside when not in use. I have had to replace two bushings and rebuild the carburetor which I did myself. There was also one flat tire which I also repaired by self. There is a trick to doing tires, since e it is unlikely that you will get the tire rim off when they are that old.  i wrote a post on that about repairing flat tires on snow blowers.

The engine runs great, starts every time easily and does not use any oil so I know that the engine is in good shape. Twenty four years is a long time compared to paying $300 a year for snow removal which comes to more than $7000 and that is a cheap price. some are more than twice that price. My snow blower is a Craftsman and probably cost me $500 when I purchased it. I might have spent a hundred dollars on it since I purchased it.

If this is not enough to convince you that regular snow blower service is well worth the effort then I do not know what is. Your comments are more than welcome and any suggestions regarding snow blower service is welcome. For lots more information about repairs and maintenance issues, click here.

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It is the time of year again when we put away our snow throwers or snow blower as some people might refer to them and get ready for the spring and summer. In fact in much of the US and Canada this year, 2012, spring came early and many people have not had to even start their snow throwers since Feb when the last snowstorm occurred. Some folks in the foothills and mountains have received a lot more snow than they wanted, however for the most part consumers in the midwest and the northeast have experienced a very mild winter. It’s time for Snow Thrower Service to ensure your machine is ready for the coming year.

Why would we talk about snow thrower service now especially when our snow throwers have hardly been used?  Well, it turns out there are some very good reasons to do your service on your snow thrower this year.

Snow Thrower Service

Here are just a couple of reasons to do it now vs. waiting until next fall when the first snowfall arrives:

• Old gas will clog your carb
• Old oil sludge will harm your engine
• Your engine should be started once every 3 or 4 months
• Service is a lot easier to do when it is warm compared to cold winter days
• Beat the rush to get snow thrower engines tuned up

Drain the Gasoline from the Fuel Tank

With gasoline sitting in your snow thrower’s gas tank and carburetor for a long period of time, the gasoline will deteriorate over time leaving a sticking coating on the engine parts and sometimes clogging the inlets of the carburetor. Left long enough and you will not even be able to start your engine even with a full tank of gasoline. if you have not used your snow thrower since Feb, it could be sitting for 8 to 10 months before it is used again.

At the very least drain the gasoline out of your snow throwers gasoline tank or just run the engine until all of the fuel is used up. This will avoid any chance of the fuel clogging the fuel lines and carburetor. Next season you fill the tank with nice clean and fresh gasoline and you are good to go with your engine. It should start easily once gasoline finds its way into the carburetor.

Change the Oil in the Engine

If you are doing an oil change yourself as part of the snow thrower service, follow the instructions in the service manual that came with your snow thrower. Otherwise, make arrangements for a small engine mechanic to service your throwers engine.

There is lots of debate about when you should change the oil in a small engine. Especially if it is not used often. Some people like to change the oil at the end of each season. While others will change the oil just before the season begins. Also, you may want to change the oil if you are a heavy user of your thrower. As a minimum change the oil once per year. Since all oil degrades over time and engine gasses will accelerate this deterioration.

Even if your oil in your engine looks fresh and clean. Maybe you have only used it a couple of times in the past year, change the oil. If you do it yourself the cost is only a couple of dollars and you are ensuring that your snow thrower’s engine will last for many years.

Snow Thrower Service – Lubricate All Moving Parts

The last thing you will want to do is to grease all points that require greasing. With fresh grease, you are protecting bearings, etc from exposure to the air and potentially rusting over the summer.

I like to spray the housing of the thrower with a fine oil to cover all parts that could rust. This is usually on the housing that has been scratched or bumped and exposed to the metal. Stopping rust from even starting will also make sure that it lasts a long time.

Even though spring and summer are calling, do this little chore now. Ensure that your snow thrower service is done now to prolong the life of your snow thrower.

There are lots of features to choose from when it comes to buying a snow blower and they are an expensive purchase so you will want to find the best snowblower for your money. We decided to write this post to help you make your decision and some thoughts to help you chose the right machine for your needs and for your money. This assumes of course that you actually want to clear your own driveway instead of having someone do it for you.

Find the Best Snowblower for Your Money

Basic decisions include:

• Gas or Electric
• Hand start or Electric start for gas models
• Single-stage or two-stage
• Snow clearance size
• Storage location

More Details

As you make decisions about the above, you will eliminate many snow blowers, leaving a group that you can choose from. At the same time selecting various features will also determine the price you will pay as well. Once you have settled on a particular feature and found the best price at various dealers in your area, you may want to reconsider some of the features that you felt you need. For example, a 30-inch machine will generally cost more than a 24-inch machine. Both will do an equally good job, but the 24-inch machine will take a little longer to clear the snow from your driveway.  This is a basic decision and it really comes down to time vs. how much money you want to spend on your new snowblower.

It is always a compromise between features and cost when it comes down to any buying decision. Some features are must-haves and this will help narrow down your selection. Other features may be nice to have and depending on the price you may or may not decide to purchase a snow blower with the particular feature you need. for example, my old snowblower which I have had for over 20 years has an electric starter. It also has a manual pull cord to start the engine. I think in the 20 years I have used the electric starter twice!

Check Reviews on the Snow Blowers

Next, you will need to confirm consumer reviews about the machines you are considering. This can be a really great way to find out what other people are thinking about the machines they purchased. Read all of the reviews to get a good perspective on both the comments, the machine you interested in, and also the dealer. Sometimes a great snowblower machine with a good reputation is hurt by poor service from a dealer.

Go With Name Brands

There is lot’s of opinion about this subject. My own is that you are better off going with a manufacturer that has been in the business for some time. They should know how to build and service a high-quality machine. If they have been building a particular model for some time, then they should have worked all of the kinks out of the design. Check the reviews to confirm the model you are interested in.

Deal with Firms that Provide Excellent Service

Hopefully, you will not need any service other than perhaps oil changes for some time with your new snowblower. But just ins case you need a warranty or general maintenance work, you are far better off to make your purchase from a company that you know will provide the support you need whenever you need repairs, parts, or maintenance. There is nothing more frustrating to need warranty work and the company you purchased your snow blower from is only selling them on a seasonal basis and provides no support at all for them.

You can also save money by splitting the cost of a snow blower with your neighbor or someone close by instead of each of you having to layout the cost of a snow blower. Just a thought. Make sure you are on good terms and also write out the agreements so that there is no chance of any misunderstanding later on!

Winter is almost over at the time of writing this post, at least for people living in the northern hemisphere. You may have decided that you have had enough of shoveling snow and are thinking of purchasing a snowblower for next season. Well, this could be the right time to make your purchase since all dealers are desperately trying to get rid of their inventory and will cut really good deals if you are ready to lay down some cash. It might just make sense to make your purchase now rather than wait for the new models and higher prices. But Selecting a SnowBlower can be confusing. There are so many details to consider.

Regardless of when you are planning to buy, we thought that these tips would help you when it comes time to make your selection. Also, refer to our previous post, find the best snow blower for your money,  to help make your decision. Here are a few ideas about making your selection.

• Lots of Snow
• Narrow vs. Wider Blowers
• Big Snow Clearing Areas really need Gas Machines
• Focus on the Basics you need and add Bonus Features
• How Much Physical Effort is Required

Selecting a SnowBlower

Lots of Snow

If you receive a lot of snow every year with deep snowdrifts, you really should consider a larger more powerful machine to use to clear the snow. deep drifts with heavy snow take more power and small machines, electric powered machines cannot deal with this demand.

The larger machines are dual-stage which means the augers break up the snow and then an impeller throws the snow out the chute. Single-stage machines utilize the augers to throw the snow and a single-stage machine cannot deal with lots of snow under these conditions.

Narrow vs. Wider Blowers

Large areas will take more time to clear. It just makes sense that if time is important or you do not want to be out in the cold any longer than you have to be, then a wider machine is the way to go. The width of snow blowers varies from 21 inches in width up to the really big machines for consumer use at 45 inches wide. A wide machine will take half the amount of time to clear the snow compared to a really small snowblower.

Remember that you have to store these machines when not in use. They really should be kept inside, which means you need space in your garage. Take this width requirement into account when you make your purchase. You might end up leaving your car outside so that you can put your snowblower inside!

Big Snow Clearing Areas really need Gas Machines

Electric machines are convenient. There is no gas to worry about. However, you do have an electric chord which you have to drag around and avoid as well from being caught up in the augers. They are great for small areas, small driveways, or the walkway in front of your home. However, if you are dealing with something larger or just do not want to be bothered with the chord, then a gas-powered snow blower is the way to go!

Focus on the Basics you need and add Bonus Features

Once you have the basic decisions out of the way, you can look at bonus features. For example headlights, tire chains, electric starters, and much more. The larger more expensive machines come with more features as standard as well and of course, cost more too.

How Much Physical Effort is Required

This is a really important item. Most people try to manhandle their snowblower and it is tough work. They weigh as much as 300 pounds or even more and it is difficult to move these machines.

The right way is to let the machine do the work for you. It may take a bit longer, but why strain your muscles. You have the controls at your finger tips to drive your machine and also to steer your snowblower. I usually drive with one hand and use the other hand to control the direction of the chute so that the snow goes in the right place. If I need to turn, you can easily do this with modern snow blowers by depressing the appropriate direction controllers. Of course, you can just manually swing the machine around. It is probably faster to do this. But it does take manual effort and some strength to move a 300-pound snowblower in a different direction.

Hopefully, these tips will help readers make decisions about Selecting a SnowBlower, whether you are taking advantage of the sales in the spring or picking one up in the fall before the winter season begins.

It is always a good idea to keep your snowblower tuned up and ready to go for the winter, but sometimes they just will not start and you need to know what to do before calling for expensive repairs. There are 4 or 5 steps to take with Snowblower Starter Problems before you raise the flag so to speak and call in someone to help. Of course, if you are handy then you can take it a lot further. But for now, we will settle for these simple steps to get your snowblower started.

• Check the Choke and Throttle
• Make sure there is Gasoline in the Tank
• Clean Your Spark Plugs
• Clean the Carburetor
• Change or Clean the Air and Fuel filters
• Call a Mechanic or a Good Friend

Trouble Shooting Snowblower Starter Problems

Check the Choke and Throttle

Most older snowblowers require the throttle to be on full and the choke also on, if you are starting the engine from a cold start. If the engine is already warm, you may not need the choke on at all.  If you are having trouble starting your snowblower always check these items first. Newer snow blowers may have an automatic choke and all you need to do is pull the starter cord or press the starter if you have an electric starter.  Follow the instructions for starting in various conditions if you are having trouble starting. Make sure you have gas in the gas tank and that the switch is actually turned on.

Make sure there is Gasoline in the Tank

You would be surprised at how many people forget to make sure that there is gasoline in the tank. If you are still having problems getting it started make sure there is fuel in the gas tank and that the valve under the tank is open to allow fuel to flow to the engine.

When you finish the winter season, all of the gasoline should be drained out of the fuel tank, and then the engine run until the gasoline in the system is burned off. This prevents the additives in the fuel from gumming up the choke and the carburetor. Many people do not do this and end up with carburetor problems. Always put clean fuel in your tank.

Clean Your Spark Plugs

As the engine gets older, the spark plugs will get dirty and corroded. This sometimes prevents the spark from occurring which means your engine is not going to start. Check the spark plug, clean off the plug, and re gap the plug.

Clean the Carburetor

If you have left old gas in the fuel tank you may end up having to clean the carburetor. This is relatively easy. However if you are unfamiliar with this step or do not have adequate instructions in your manual you may want to move to the next step first, just in case.  Carburetor rebuild kits are inexpensive and relatively easy to install. Follow the instructions in your manual for proper adjustment.

Change or Clean the Air and Fuel filters

The last step is to make sure that the air cleaner is clean. That lots of air is getting into the carburetor of the engine on your snowblower. The fuel filter if your snowblower has one, should also be clean. It should not be blocking the fuel from getting to the carburetor.

Call a Mechanic or a Good Friend

If none of these steps work, then you have to call a good friend who is handy with engines or you need to take your snow blower to a mechanic for a tune-up. Waiting until the fall to do this is going to mean that you have to get in line with everyone else who has the same problems. Summertime snowblower tuneups are a great time to get this little task done. And don’t forget to have the oil changed every year as well to ensure that your engine runs smooth and clean.

Our last post was about snow blower tire chains and we decided that we should also talk about garden tractor tire chains and why you might need them. When we talk about tire chains for a garden tractor, it is really because you plan to use the garden tractor in the wintertime to clear snow. Some people will use a blade on the front of the garden tractor. While others will mount a snowblower attachment on the front or the back of the garden tractor. The more weight you can place on the drive wheels ( the back wheels) of the garden tractor the better the traction is going to be.  Placing a blade on the front will not add any traction and it is not that heavy anyway.

Add a Snow Blower Attachment

Adding a snowblower attachment to the front of the garden tractor will actually take a little weight off the back wheels. You will really need to consider tire chains for your garden tractor. Mounting the snowblower attachment on the back is probably the best from a traction perspective. However, you will always have to be backing up when blowing snow. This means that you are always turned in your seat to make sure you are driving straight.

Either way, I think that if I had a garden tractor with a snow blower attachment on it, I would add tire chains to the wheels to gain that extra traction. A garden tractor is heavy. If you get it stuck you are not going to be able to manhandle it out of where ever it is stuck. All you will do is spin the wheels. This can happen sometimes even with tire chains on. But it will definitely occur when you do not have tire chains.  Invest in tire chains and make sure they are on whenever you are blowing snow. Regardless of whether it is icy or not.

Garden Tractor Tire Chains – Spinning Wheels on Icy Driveways

Consider this situation. You are blowing snow with your garden tractor on a flat driveway that is covered with ice. You hit a particularly solid drift of snow. All your wheels are going to do is slip on the ice. They will not drive the garden tractor forward. This is what you need if you are going to move that snowdrift.  The wheels will be spinning, but you will not be moving.

With tire chains on the garden tractor wheels, the chains will dig into the ice and provide traction so that the entire unit will move forward. This is a simple straightforward situation. Consider what would happen in a situation where your driveway is sloped.

Dangerous Situations

The tires or going to slip on the ice and you might even move sideways as well, which can be dangerous if you go off the main driveway.  Remember this is not something you can move or even with the help of another person. If you get stuck in some way you are going to need the help of another vehicle to pull you out. You can still get stuck while using tire chains. The probability of this occurring will be a lot less than if you do not have tire chains on the wheels. Most tire chains for garden tractors can be ordered from the dealer as an option. However, the best time to buy them is when you are still negotiating the price of the garden tractor. Maybe you can get them thrown on as part of the deal.

Let us know what you think about this post. Comments are welcome as long as they are well written and helpful to our readers. Well written comments will even be approved with a link back to your site. All other comments will be deleted since they do not help our readers nor do they help this site. So remember if you must leave a comment make sure it is on the subject of tire chains for garden tractors and helpful to our readers.