Snowblower skid shoes are an integral part of how the machine is going to work.
When you are looking to work through heavy snow using a snowblower, it’s not going to happen without appropriate friction.
This friction is going to be provided by the snowblower skid shoes. Otherwise, you are going to have a snowblower that gets stuck or refuses to push the snow out of the way.
One option that you are going to want to think about will be homemade snowblower skid shoes.
To make homemade snowblower skid shoes, it’s best to take measurements of the desired skid shoe, set a steel plate on top, and mark the holes for drilling. Once done, drill through the steel plate and attach it to the skid shoe using screws. File the plate down so it does not stick out from the sides.
This is a great way to upgrade the snowblower and make sure it has enough traction.
A lot of snowblower owners worry about their skid shoes but that is not going to be the case when you have homemade snowblower skid shoes.
Steps On How To Make Homemade Snowblower Skid Shoes
1. Take Measurements
Before you begin working on the steel plate that is in your possession, it’s important to take measurements.
Remember that each snowblower is going to be unique.
This means some are not going to do well and others are. This is essential when you are thinking about taking measurements.
You want to ensure the measurements are in line with what you require. This includes lining up the steel plate on top of the skid shoe to see how it is going to fit when you are done.
If you are not doing this, you are not going to make the right holes with your drill.
Take your time with this process and continue to double down on the measurements that you are taking to get things spot on.
2. Put A Plate On The Skid Shoe And Mark The Holes
When you are making homemade snowblower skid shoes, you are going to need some type of plate that will go on top.
This is going to be a robust plate that will act as the top layer.
The plate is going to be made of steel.
It is recommended to use steel but you can also use other materials such as aluminum depending on what is available nearby.
As soon as you have the material, you are then going to put the plate on top of the skid shoe. This is going to let you mark the holes where you are going to drill into the skid shoe as soon as you begin.
3. Drill Through The Plate And Fix It Onto The Skid Shoe
When you are dealing with homemade snowblower skid shoes, you will need to set the steel plate on top of the skid shoe.
This is where the plate is going to be set into place.
The goal here is to have the steel plate lined up with the skid shoe and then you are going to drill through it using a standard drill.
This is going to create a hole for the screws to go into.
You have to be diligent when it comes to working on the screws but you can use bolts to secure them into place.
4. File The Plate To Make It A Perfect Fit
The last step is going to be to look at how the steel plate sticks out from the sides.
It is not always going to be a seamless fit right off the bat and that is okay.
It is normal for this to happen and attaching the steel plate to the skid shoe is just one step. You are now going to have to think about filing it down from the sides.
This is how you are going to get the right fit.
You can use anything to file down the steel plate as long as it is even. Most people are going to have a grinder that is going to do this job.
Final Thoughts
Look at these steps on how to make homemade snowblower skid shoes as you figure out what works for your snowblower.
When making homemade snowblower skid shoes, it is best to start by measuring the length and width of the shoes. Next, put a steel plate on top and measure where the holes are going to be drilled. Now, drill the holes and secure the steel plate on top of the skid shoes using screws and bolts. Once done, file the sides of the steel plate using a grinder.
This is how you are going to get homemade snowblower skid shoes that will add value to the snowblower.
You are going to see the snowblower move better and it is going to do well in all types of snowy conditions.
The right snowblower traction is a must and it starts here.
