Nobody likes going out to clear the driveway in the middle of a blizzard, even if you have a top-of-the-line fleet of Husqvarna snow removal equipment standing by. Between driving winds and treacherous ice, it can almost be enough to drive anyone back inside.
Husqvarna snow throwers can cut down on the time you have to spend in that so-called "winter wonderland," but knowing how best to use your thrower can help, too. With these five tips, you'll be back indoors and beside the fireplace again before you know it.
1. Use fresh fuel
The first snow storm of the year is usually a doozy, and you'll want your snow thrower prepared to handle the challenge. However, if there's still fuel left in the tank from last winter, you'll want to flush all of it out and replace it with fresh gas.
"Left over fuel doesn't have the active ingredients your snow thrower needs."
Most commercial grades of gasoline have shelf-lives of less than a month or two. This means that fuel left over from a year ago doesn't have the active ingredients your snow thrower needs to power through compacted snow and ice. You can add products like stabilizers to try and jumpstart the engine, but for the sake of your snow thrower's long-term health, you're much better off draining the entire tank and refilling it with fresh gas.
2. Slow and steady
When you're out in the cold, it's natural to want to go as fast as you can so you can go back inside. However, the faster you go, the more chances you'll force too much snow at once into your thrower's augur chamber. If this happens, you'll have to shut down your thrower, clear the blockage with a tool since using your hands is incredibly dangerous, and only then get back to work.
If you're new to snow throwers, turning might pose a bit of a challenge, but taking your time is the best bet here, too. As you approach your turn, disengage the augur. If you have a single stage thrower like the Husqvarna ST111, turn it like a lawn mower. If you have a two-stage model with power steering like the Husqvarna ST230P, come to a complete stop and let the machine take over.
3. Check for debris
Taking your time while clearing snow also gives you a chance to scan your yard for any large debris that might be hidden from view. Snow can easily snap branches from nearby trees, and careless plows have been known to chew up chunks of asphalt from the roads and throw it onto yards.
You also shouldn't attempt to clear blocks of ice larger than your snow thrower. While they are designed to slice up packed snow and ice, forcing half a glacier into your thrower will likely snap the auger, leaving you with a potentially expensive repair on your cold hands.
It's a poor craftsman who blames his tools, but only top-of-the-line equipment is built with the quality necessary to break through snow drifts taller than you. Check out Husqvarna's line of snow throwers today and use these tips to get the most out of your new machine – before the next big storm hits.