A snow blower lesson
Dear Editor:
To my fellow snow country folks: Now that it looks like winter has begun to settle in, I feel moved to pass on some annual advice. Twenty years ago this month I had a moment of brain-deadness and ended up turning off a snow blower with my left hand, and being flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where three surgeons spent 21 man-hours rebuilding my hand. I write to remind all of you snow blower operators this winter season to not repeat my stupidity!
Even with new designs and safety features on today’s machines (mine was 20 years old), blowers can still jam with wet snow or “yard” objects. Due to the potential kinetic energy stored in the engine compression and belt tension when jammed, the impellers in a blower can rotate slightly when a jammed or clogged machine is freed up.
There is very little clearance in the impeller housing. If your hand is the “freeing” agent, you can lose fingers or an entire hand. Never use your hand or foot to clear a clogged or jammed snow blower. Use a broom handle or long, stout stick — not a body part. All new blowers come with a plastic paddle used to clear jammed blowers. Some even advise removing the spark plug to release any engine compression before working on a machine.
Snow blowers, like many powered devices, are in and of themselves not dangerous. They do need to be respected and operated with care and attention. Fatigue, being in a hurry, distractions, objects left out in the snow, etc., are the real dangers. Hopefully you will remember my story every time you operate a snow blower and not create your own story. Have a safe winter season.
Barry Stromberger
Twisp
