Blowing the snow here in MI. is not a blast. Much perfer palying golf.
I have two items to address: 1. the skids and scraper wearing out, and 2. snow all over me.
1. the skids wore down too fast. So what I did was to purchase some 1" X 1.5" A 32 tool steel and welded it to the bottom of the skid side plates. Cut up old tire and bolted it to the bottom of the blower. The side walls of the tire were cut away, then cut across the tread and bolted the tread area to the bottom of blower. Used 1" angle steel to hold tire flat. (see pictures)
2. made a cover system like the old covered wagons using plastic tubing from Lowe's. Then covered with 40 mm (purchased over the internet) clear plastic and secured with velcro to the plastic tubing.
Both items completed and it works. The skids show little wear for last winter of 44 inches of snow, the tire contacts the pavement, walks over 2 inch mismatch in pavement, and I do not eat snow at any time when blowing.
First time using this to see if I can attach pictures.
Cutting the tire up was a louse. Set the tire vertical, placed a 2x4 across the tire and drove vehicle onto the 2x4 to hold the tire and used saws all to cut side walls away.