snow thrower extensions

[cod 120]

Pleasantly surprised with the single stage snow thrower this winter as a first time user.  So far cleaning two driveways has been a breeze and as it's snowing now, I could be out later today.  That said, I'd like to increase the width of the thrower and I see that there are extensions you can buy but I was wondering if any of you had made your own and what you made them from.  I've got some 1/4" thick aluminum plate that I could use but as most of the extensions I see appear to be steel, I'm not sure if aluminum is a good choice, so any advice folks can offer would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks - Cod

[leeave96 487]

IMHO, aluminum would work, but a word of caution, steel and aluminum are different metals and you will have some galvanic corrosion unless you either paint the heck out of the surfaces or put some kind of mylar barrier between. If your out in the street where there is salt on the roads, it could be worse. The other thing is that aluminum may want to bend, but I'd say give it a try.

Good luck,

Bill

[doc724 925]

If I remember my high school chemistry, aluminum is higher in the galvanic series than steel (iron).  Therefore the aluminum will be the one to corrode.  So as Bill said, lots of paint.  Don't forget, the bolts and nuts where the two are attached are steel and the nooks and crannies between the bolt/nuts and the aluminum will trap the salt and moisture.  Of course with 1/4 inch thick aluminum, it will be a very long time before there is any real problem.

[Kelly 1,029]

What blower do you have? some early blowers are not set up for the ext. kits, then some only the side wings not the top ext. I have used sets if you want factory ones both side and top, send me a PM for more info

[snowmoose 1]

The other thing we find up here in the north is the need to add chains on the front wheels when you add the extensions, heavy snow or packed snow will pull you to the side.

 

 

 

 

Snowmoose, Montreal Canada