Was thinking about the s**wblower today, and thought back to another one I had at previous house. The little 2-3" metal skid shoes that come with most just don't get the job done....always catching on grass or cracks/bumps in driveway. Did a little snooping around and found out that there are plastic skids made to replace them. Much longer (10" approx), look to be made of Delrin or HDPE, both of which are pretty slippery. Most every review said they worked great, especially on grass or rough surface. WallyWorld had them even cheaper than Amazon, and free shipping to the house. Oh, and added bonus is that once they wear down some, you can flip them over and have a brand new surface. http://www.amazon.com/Arnold-Univer...=8-1&keywords=arnold+plastic+snowblower+skids
The non metal ones do less damage to those surfaces you want protected. We have a nice concrete driveway and sidewalks and there is no marks come spring from the metal skids/feet. Worth the money imho. I found them at the local menards.
Just be ready to replace them often. I prefer the double sided heat treated steel ones like what come on a Toro PowerMax but then again, my driveway is no beauty queen either. The real old-school ones that were a 6" x 1" x 1/4" or thicker strap welded to a bracket were pretty easy on driveways too but tended to ride up over packed snow easier.
IIRC I think I paid 10 dollars for mine year end close out. Money well spent went I have over 5k in concrete. You can flip them over too.
Mine came with the the steel skids attached and they worked well with my driveway/walk and doggie poop area. My wife did pick me up a pair of the non metallic skids but I have yet to use them. Things with the steel skids work well enough so I think I'll stick with what I got.
I've seen the plastic ones, but still have the stock metal ones that my ariens came with when I got it new 2 years ago. Then again, my driveway is like MasterMech 's and is no beauty queen.
