Does your snowblower scrape the ground when you use it to remove snow? Then you should try adjusting the height of the skid shoes.
Skid shoes or skids are the metallic or polymer plates attached to the base of your snowblower, and their heights are adjustable. However, if you don’t know how to adjust snowblower skids, there’s no need to fret. In this guide, I have described a simple process that you can follow for the purpose.
So, let’s dive right in!
How To Adjust Snowblower Skids
As I have already stated, the skid shoes are situated near the base of your snowblower. They are attached to the side panels of the auger housing, and there is one skid shoe on either side. Their primary function is to protect the auger housing, which contains the auger and the shave plate, from scraping against the ground too much.
That is why the height of these skids is fully adjustable so that you can adjust the height of the auger housing with relative ease. But there is a process you should follow to adjust skid shoes, which I have described below.
1. Raise The Auger Housing
First off, raise the auger housing slightly above the ground by placing a solid object below the shave plate. This will provide you with sufficient working space to adjust the snowblower skids. Make sure to put these objects only below the auger housing and not below the skid shoes, otherwise their height won’t be adjusted.
2. Loosen The Bolts On The Skid Shoes
The skid shoes are attached to the side panels of the auger housing using plastic or steel bolts. So, using a wrench or another suitable tool, remove or loosen the nuts on the skid shoe bolts to make them loose enough for adjustment. However, if you are removing the nuts, store them safely so that you don’t misplace them.
Some snowblower models may use screws instead of bolts to tighten the skids to the auger housing. In such a case, use a screwdriver to remove the screws and loosen the skid shoes.
3. Adjust The Skid Shoe Height And Tighten Them In Place
You will notice that the skid shoes have vertical, elongated screw holes. So, once the skids are loose enough, you can freely adjust their height using these screw holes.
When you have the desired height, hold the skid shoe in place, and reattach the bolt or the screw at that position. Do the same for the skid shoe on the other side of the auger housing.
Tips For Adjusting Snowblower Skids
Now that you know how to adjust the skids of a snowblower, here are some essential tips that you should keep in mind.
1. Ensure The Ground Is Level
Before you get started, make sure that the ground over which you will be making the adjustment is flat and relatively leveled. That way, it will be easier to adjust the skids on both sides, and the height for both skids will be uniform.
You should also make sure that the solid object to lift up the auger housing is flat and uniformly leveled as well. And if you are using two separate blocks for each side, both of them should have the same height.
2. Maintain A Suitable Gap Between Auger And Ground
If the auger and shave plate are too low, they will constantly scrape the ground, hitting rocks and gravel. As a result, they will either become damaged or wear away quickly. Keep this aspect in mind when adjusting the skids.
Make sure to maintain a suitable distance, optimally about ¼ inches, between the auger housing and the ground. To do that, you can use a ruler when adjusting the height of the skids.
Final Words
While it might not appear that way, adjusting the skids of a snowblower is pretty straightforward. And if you follow all my instructions, you will see that it takes at most half an hour.
In that regard, keep in mind the tips I have suggested to avoid any issues later on. The skids help protect the auger housing of your snowblower, so you should be careful when adjusting their heights.
And with that, I have reached the end of this brief guide. I’m sure that you can now adjust the snowblower skids on your own.
It is time for me to say goodbye for now. Until next time, folks!