The Three Snow Blower Mistakes Everyone Makes (And How to Fix Them)
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Winter in New Jersey isn’t exactly gentle. Storms roll in fast, the snow stacks up quickly, and by the time you’re halfway down the driveway, it feels like the clouds are laughing at you. But here’s a secret: most of the frustration people have with their snow blower comes down to three simple — and super common — mistakes.
Clean these up and you’ll get a smoother pass, a cleaner driveway, and a machine that performs the way it was built to. Let’s dig in.
First - Going Too Fast
This is hands-down, the most common issue we see. When you push your snow blower like you’re late for work, two things happen:
• The auger can’t process the snow fast enough
• The blower rides up and leaves a trail behind you
Your blower is designed to work at a controlled pace — one that feeds snow evenly into the auger and lets the chute throw it cleanly.
The Fix:
• Walk at a smooth, moderate pace Let the machine pull itself forward — don’t force it
• Overlap your passes by a few inches for a clean finish
It’ll feel slower at first… until you realize you never have to redo the same strip twice.
Second - Aiming the Chute the Wrong Way
If you’ve ever been blasted in the face by your own snow stream, congratulations — you’re officially part of the club.
A poorly aimed chute is the fastest way to:
• Blow snow back onto the area you just cleared
• Dump snow directly into the wind
• Load your neighbor’s driveway (which they definitely notice)
The Fix: Turn the chute away from the wind
• Keep it angled slightly upward for maximum throw
• Redirect as you move to avoid blowing into obstacles (cars, walkways, shrubs)
• A good chute angle makes you look like you actually know what you’re doing — and your driveway will show it.
Third - Letting Wet Snow Clog the Auger
Wet, heavy snow is basically concrete with an attitude. When it packs into the auger, your blower loses power and you’re suddenly pushing a 200-lb lawn ornament. Clogs happen to everyone — but letting them build up? That’s the real mistake.
The Fix:
• Stop the blower completely
• Disengage all controls
• Use a clean-out tool (never your hands!)
• Clear the packed snow from the chute and auger
• Restart and go slower on the next pass
A few 10-second resets are better than wrestling a clogged auger for 20 minutes.
CONSIDER THIS! Prevent the Problem Before It Starts
A few quick prep moves will turn you into a certified, “Driveway Whisperer”:
• Spray the auger housing with silicone lubricant
• Use fresh, stabilized fuel
• Check your shear pins before the storm
• Inflate tires for proper traction
If Your Machine Still Isn’t Cooperating… it might be time for a tune-up. Our technicians at Power Place can:
• Replace worn belts Sharpen and balance auger components
• Address hard starts or low power
• Perform a full winter service check
• Schedule service here: HERE
