Snow Blower

The driveway from the house to the highway is too long to hand shovel but to short to own an plow.  For years I hired neighbors to come and plow the drive when it snowed.  This worked great until their plows broke down and I became snow bound.  

In the later winter of 2021, the neighbor's plow broke down and he was unable to get parts because of COVID shut down and shortages.  It was time to consider an alternative to my late winter snow bound dilemma and visit the Cub Cadet dealer.

The Cub Cadet dealer did not have many options left since it was at the end of the season and he was also experiencing same COVID delivery problems.  I chose a 3 stage 28" blower with front shoes for gravel and had it delivered.  

I really had not planned on replacing the plow with a blower but more of a backup with the plow was broken down and snow removal in areas where it was never plowed but shoveled (paths to shed, propane tank, compost bin and back deck).  I found the snow blower fun to operate and it was done when I needed that it has replaced having the neighbor coming to plow.  

Cub Cadet 28" 3X Snow Blower

The blower features 120 v electric start with adjustable steel chute, power steering and heated grips.  The 10 hp engine is easy to start when using the 120 V starter.  The fuel tank is 5 quarts and recommend oil changes is every 25 hours.   

Using the blower.

Cub Cadet propaganda indicates the "3-Stage models cut through tough packed snow and ice like no other machine available today. The 3X's unique high-speed Induction Accelerator draws snow through the system, creating an effortless forward motion. No backups. No ride ups. No spill over. This 3X technology easily cuts through deep snowfall up to 50% faster than 2-Stage snow blowers. 

Ideal snowfall range: 6 in. to 16 in and surfaces : smooth and gravel surfaces, flat to slight slope.  

Clear snow faster: new 3X induction accelerator moves snow up to 50% faster than 2X snow throwers.  Throws snow up to 40 ft.

You're covered winter after winter with a premium 3-year limited residential and 1-year limited commercial warranty and 5-year limited auger gearbox"

In reality

If snow is dry and there is lots of it the blower works great.  If snow is perfect snowman snow machine struggles and tends to plow the snow rather than blow it when operating at slowest speed.  If snow is slush or heavy wet it plugs the chute.  If there is a berm from a plow or packed forget it because it just rides over it.    

I realize part of the problem is the gravel shoes on the front so the shoe just rides over the packed snow but does not solve other problems.   

The Biggest Royal Pain

The hexagon drive shaft holding the friction disc drive needs to be greased often.  Without constant greasing the variable speed shifter is difficult to shift and some speeds are not available.   It would not be so bad if easy to grease but a royal pain to get to.  Most snowblowers use this type of drive system and there are several videos on how to grease.  

Currently using a white grease sold for garage door track lubricant.  Seems to be better than wd40 or 3 in 1 oil.  Also setting speed shifter in 2R to place friction disc at maximum travel distance on the hexagon drive when storing.  

All tools have there limits and appropriate use.  

The Cub Cadet 28" 3X is not different.  The blower works when there is +6" fresh snow and the first snow of the season.   It allows me to clean snow from more than just the drive.  Not sure I could find another snow removal system that fit all my needs.  Might be a 4 star out 5 blower.   

In 2024, the Cub Cadet blower is still working.  The white grease on the hexagon drive shaft continues to work after one application.  Shift level is stored in R2 position so the link greases shaft when starting up.  Shift leaver was stiff when temps below -17 degrees F, but it worked.  

Where the blower works and does not work

The blower works great on fluffy dry snow but melting and slushy snow plugs the chute.  The blower always plugs when clearing slushy snow along the highway.  Areas where there is compacted drifts cause the shoes of the blower to ride over the top and the tires loose traction.  

Shovel work

Areas where a shovel is used:  

• Along highway 4x30 ft

• Section of path to green house where drifts compact snow.  3x15ft.  

Use the blower as plow

• If ground not frozen and it snowed near freezing.  Snow will bunch up in front of blower and never get to chute auger.  Just use the blower as a plow to remove snow.   A Thrower blade "Snowplow" Kit was installed in January 2025 with the hopes of dealing with the bunching snow as an attachment to the blower.