Can you use a snowblower to remove snow from grass? This is a common question many homeowners ask when buying a new snowblower. Of course, investing in a snowblower is an excellent idea for clearing driveways, parking lots, and paths from heavy snowfall. In addition, blowing snow long distances removes the back-breaking work of shoveling heavy snow. But what about clearing snow from your lawn without damaging it? Do you risk damaging grass by using a snow removal machine?
You can remove a layer of snow from grass using a snowblower. There are some precautions to take when doing so, though. Some snowblower models get rid of snow from grass without damaging the lawn. However, the wrong type of snowblower on a lawn could end up destroying your lush turf grass.
Do you want to find the definitive answer about how to use a snowblower for grass removal? If so, please continue reading. This article contains top tips on removing your lawn from deep snow. You will also get some handy advice on preparing your lawn for winter.
What Type of Snowblower Is Best for Blowing Snow off Grass?
The best type of snowblower for snow removal from grass has adjustable skid shoes. Snowblowers with skid shoes allow you to adjust the height of the auger and scraper bar so they don’t connect with the turf grass. Therefore if protecting grass and snow removal is important, buy a snowblower with skids.
Which snowblower with skids is the best choice to blow snow off the grass without harming the lawn? Here are some details about the different types of snowblowers with skids.
Skid shoes made from metal for Snowblower
Snowblowers with metal skid shoes are typically the cheapest. They also last the longest. Although metal skid shoes are ideal for use on flat and uneven surfaces, they can damage wooden decking and painted or varnished surfaces. Therefore, snowblowers with metal skids are fine for lawns but not for wooden patio areas.
Composite skids on a Snowblower
Snowblowers with skid shoes made from composite materials better protect lawns and wooden surfaces when clearing snow. The composite skids are non-abrasive and will not tear up turf-grass or damage painted wooden surfaces.
Snowblowers with Roller skids
If clearing snow from lawns without damaging the grass is important, avoid buying a snow blower with roller skids. The roller skid shoes are ideal for maneuvering or transporting heavy snow blowers. However, they won’t protect lawns from damage when clearing snow from your yard.
Stage One vs. Stage Two Snow Blower? Which is Best for Grass and Snow Removal?
Which type of snow blower should you choose to clear snow off grass? The most crucial aspect of protecting grass during snow removal is to attach skids to the snow blower. However, choosing between a stage-one snow blower and a stage-two model can be tricky.
Stage one snow blowers for clearing snow off grass: Pros
A stage one snowblower uses a metal auger to lift snow from surfaces. However, they are not the best choice for snow removal from lawns because the blade connects with the ground. Even though it may have skids, there is still a risk of lawn damage.
What can happen to your lawn is that the corkscrew-shaped blade — auger — can churn up turf grass. Unfortunately, this makes a single-stage snow blower unsuitable for gravel driveways or clearing snow from slopes, flower beds, or other uneven, soft surfaces.
In addition, because there is no snow-throwing impeller, it has a limited snow-throwing capacity. Therefore, it’s unsuitable for clearing heavy, wet snow.
Stage two snowblowers for grass and snow removal: Pros
Stage two snowblowers are best for clearing snow off grass because of the auger height and placement. The metal blade doesn’t connect with the ground like grassy surfaces or loose gravel. Instead, it sucks up the snow and throws it several feet away.
A two-stage snowblower also has additional advantages. For example, the auger action makes it perfect for snow clearing on uneven surfaces, steep inclines, paved gravel, or grassy surfaces. Also, it has a better snow-clearing depth than a single-stage snowblower.
Other pros of a two-stage snowblower with skids are that they typically have self-propelling wheels, wide snow-clearing capacity, and are suitable for large areas.
However, most homeowners realize that a two-stage or three-stage snowblower is too large for a typical residential yard. Therefore, they look for good-quality single-stage snowblowers with attachable skid shoes.
Which Snow Blower Is Best for Grass? An Electric Snow Blower or Gas Snow Blower?
Choosing between using an electric snow blower or a gas snow blower on your lawn depends on several factors. Generally, electric snow blowers are best for clearing residential yards that have lawns. This is because they are more affordable, smaller, and suitable for occasional use.
However, it’s vital to remember that when choosing a snowblower to clear snow off grass, you should choose an electric two-stage blower. Although this type of model is more expensive, it won’t churn up your turf-grass when getting rid of snow.
Advantages of Buying an Electric Snowblower if you have a Lawn?
- First, they are easier to start in cold weather
- There is no pull cord to bother about.
- They are better for the environment because there are no emissions or fuel to deal with.
Disadvantages of an Electric Snowblower for Residential Yards?
- The primary consideration is the length of the electric cord. The extension cord must be long enough to allow you to clear all areas of your yard.
What about a gas-powered snowblower for clearing snow off lawns?
Gas snowblowers are best for larger residential or commercial properties. Two-stage blowers are ideal for removing snow from any surface, paved, gravel, dirt, or grass.
However, there are a few reasons why they are not ideal for use on residential properties. First, a gas two-stage snow blower is large and noisy. Also, they cost significantly more than electric models. And although the range is only limited by the fuel tank, they are not environmentally friendly.
How to Prepare Your Lawn Before Winter Arrives
Preparing your lawn before the arrival of winter is the best way to protect it. But did you know that the removal of snow from grass and lawns in winter isn’t always necessary?
An advantage of snow cover is that it acts as lawn insulation, protecting the delicate grass from harsh winter conditions like frost, ice, and freezing winds.
4 Tips about how to Care for your Lawn During Winter.
1/ Remove leaves after fall
Using a leaf blower or rake to remove leaves in late Autumn is vital. Although leaves decompose and are a good fertilizer, a blanket of autumn leaves smothers the turf grass. This prevents vital sunlight from getting to grass blades and bare patches from appearing.
2/ Aerate lawns to improve soil health
Aerate the grass by using a garden fork to give the roots a little air and increase drainage. Then plug the holes with some horticultural grit or sand to keep them open. Aerating your lawn can also help improve water retention and increase oxygen and nutrient content in the soil.
3/ Treat bare patches of lawn before winter arrives
Before winter, you should treat bare patches of grass caused by summer weather, outdoor activities, pests, or weeds. You can treat bare turf-grass patches of grass by reseeding or applying an appropriate lawn-repair fertilizer.
4/ Lawn fertilizer before winter is essential
To help your lawn survive winter, you should use a lawn fertilizer in the fall. Providing vital nutrients to your lawn helps it through the cold weather, ready to start growing the following spring. In addition, by feeding your lawn in the fall, you can ensure that it will be strong enough to withstand the harsh winter conditions.
Safety Precautions When Using a Snowblower to Remove Snow From Grass
What should you do if you want to safely remove significant amounts of snow from your lawn without damaging the grass? The first step is to ensure that the auger doesn’t contact the ground. Otherwise, you will do more harm than good.
However, safety is vitally important when clearing snow off grass, gravel, or uncleared sidewalks. For example, the blower can shoot stones and debris up the discharge chute tens of feet from the area. Also, several inches of snow may hide where a sidewalk or lawn ends and a flower bed starts.
Top tips on using a suitable snow blower or snow plow to remove snow from lawns.
1/ Remove debris from lawns before snowfall
Before you experience snowfall in winter, you should prepare the lawn by giving the appropriate treatment. However, to ensure that snow removal from a lawn doesn’t damage the grass, it’s a good idea to remove any debris from it. For example, if the spinning auger catches on large twigs, it could damage the turf-grass.
It is also advisable to ensure all sprinkler systems, hoses, and extension cords are removed from the grassy area. For example, draining hoses from water means they won’t burst and flood your lawn when snow and ice melt.
You can also protect lawn equipment and avoid costly repairs by ensuring no stones, rocks, or large twigs are lurking under the blanket of snow on the lawn.
2/ Use driveway markers to mark the area
Use markers to avoid causing unnecessary yard damage when clearing snow off the grass. This way, you can see the edge of garden beds and lawns. You can also use the markers to highlight permanent garden features.
Although a blanket of snow can protect lawns, it also hides your lawn, driveway, paths, and garden beds.
3/ Ensure skid shoes are correctly adjusted
If you want to protect your lawn from snowblower damage, ensure the skid shoes and scraper bar are set to the correct height and secured properly.
Remember that safety is paramount. Therefore, never put your hands near the auger of a snow blower unless you are certain that all safety precautions have been followed. Also, never try to clear clogged snow from the chute or auger housing without unplugging the machine first. Snow blowers are very dangerous machines when used without caution.
4/ Clear snow from lawns at a slow speed
When clearing areas of snow from your yard, remember that slow and steady wins the race. Avoid rushing the job; otherwise, you could damage your lawn. It’s also a good idea to clear small areas of the yard at a time. This way, you can achieve the best results from your snow blower.
Although a two-stage machine is ideal for clearing snow, you must work methodically and slowly. Trying to clear too much heavy snow from grass at once can make the auger clog and damage an expensive machine.
Using a Snowblower to Remove Snow From Grass — In Conclusion
If you’re looking to clear snow from your lawn, then the best types of snowblowers have skids to protect turf-grass and uneven surfaces. Typically, a snow blower with a two-stage system and adjustable skids is ideal for all types of terrains. However, if you decide that a single-stage blower is best, ensure you can attach skid shoes before Remove Snow From Grass.
Of course, if keeping lawns free from snow during winter is essential, you can look at buying a lawn mower snow blower combo.