Questions about snowblower ski's, sleds or whatever you call them.

I just ordered a new walk behind snowblower and looking for recommendations on ski's.
At my shop we have some soso asphalt in front and gravel around the side and back. I'd like to get close on the pavement and stay above the gravel. If I have to pick one it will be stay above the gravel.
I'm thinking about making a cam or ? operated set of poly shoes that would have two operating heights.
Looking for ideas, suggestions or sympathy.

 

A cam to adjust height is a good idea...and I like to weld on oversized shoes for gravel

 

Length, width or both? Trying to give this thing a best shot at survival. Went through a bit of sticker shock. They sure increased on price since I last shopped.

 

Oversize shoes don’t have to be fancy. They just have to work. You can make them out of steel or plastic-y stuff. The cam idea is great.

 

Both.
Did you buy a new one? (snowblower)

 

I ordered one at my dealer. Ariens professional 28 420cc. Be in next week.
I have a ariens 1332 I bought 20+ years ago that has never seen snow. Unfortunately it's at the top of a pallet rack in a storage building that is so buried getting it out is hopeless.

 

These are the skids I have on my snowblower to prevent digging into the gravel driveway. I actually want to leave a layer of snow on top of the gravel to get packed down and frozen so the adjustable height is nice.

www.homedepot.com/pep/ARMORskids-Heavy-Duty-Snow-Blower-Skid-Shoes-Fits-3-in-and-1-in-Slot-Spacing-Set-of-2-ASE0310/300355057?cm_mmc=ecc-_-THD_ORDER_CONFIRMATION_BOSS_STH-_-V1_M1_CA-_-Product_URL&ecc_ord=WM91391981&em_id=372e3eb4a8d0f90c4b4116b34ccd45b3a5c3610d54674449e2d075cc610c223c

 

Drone inventory retrieval service?!

 

That looks interesting

 

I wish, I kinda wanted to try it out.
Has the powered chute rotation and on board battery start, handle heaters.
I got it in summer below cost from a suffering OPE dealer.

 

That's what I'm looking for, to keep most of the gravel in place.
This last wet snow we had I plowed and couldn't keep from bringing the gravel with.

 

My Honda came with 3 angle operated by foot, middle is level angle up/down 5 degrees works great

 

That sounds nice! Like a vacuum cleaner.
The Honda seems like a awesome machine however it was out of my price range. That and no dealers around.

 

Well maybe if you would've sold the one in storage......

 

Dad had one it was a beast!

edit, for some reason I think it was a 1336. I have a platinum 30 and would much prefer to have dad’s old machine!

 

It was offered in 36 but I have some gates to go through.
The county had some and after watching them I had to have one for myself.
The platinum is a nice machine for sure.
I went with the pro as I wanted the big engine because I have a long area with buildings on both sides and have no choice but to move it all forward.

 

Finally took some pics of the Armor Skids on the snowblower. I have mine set to leave about a 1/2 inch gap below the cutting blade and that allows the snowblower to ride over any bump or piece of gravel. Even with all the uneven ice in the driveway, the snowblower never stops (which is a win in my book...those jarring sudden stops hurt at my age). Early in the season, I like the height these give since I have a gravel driveway, and now going into mid-season I can glide over the rough ice and leave enough snow on top of the ice for traction. They are completely adjustable (height-wise), so those purists who need to clean right down to their nicely paved driveways can do so. If anyone looks into them, due to the length of these you will need to get spacers (which they sell) to clear any type of lip/flange your model snowblower has at the bottom. I used two spacers per side with my Ariens.

 

Hey now, nothing wrong with a clean driveway! I seem to remember pics of a skating rink a week or so ago!

I’m just busting chops, I’d love to have a long gravel driveway into the woods. Kinda jealous!

 

And I was just using some mild sarcasm as there are many times I wish I had a nice paved driveway.