Your single-stage snowblower should pull you down the driveway. If you're pushing it instead, it's time to replace those rubbery paddles on your auger. Over time, your snowblower paddles will wear down, losing constant contact with the surface.
This doesn't mean it's time to get a new snowblower. All you need to do is get a new set of paddles. Replacing the paddles is extremely easy... as long as you buy the right replacement parts.
The auger on most MTD Yard Machine and Snapper models consists of 4 spirals and 2 bars. You can purchase the complete kits online. To replace the paddles all you need to do is unfasten a couple of bolts from the auger and bars, remove the four paddles and simply screw in the new paddles.
Toro snow blowers feature 2 large paddles instead, making them much easier to replace. Toro actually puts small holes in each of the paddles. When the paddle wears down to the hole, it's time to replace them. We sell the Toro paddles individually in case the paddles are wearing unevenly. However, it's best to replace both paddles at the same time.
Finally, if your paddles are worn-down, the scraper blade underneath the snowblower is probably done too. While replacing worn paddles is important, the scraper bar is important too.
The scraper bar runs flush with the pavement to help more evenly and completely remove slush and snow. When you're replacing your snowblower's auger paddles, you should also at least adjust the scraper bar. If it's badly worn and will not make full contact with the pavement all the way across, replace it with a new one at the same time you're replacing the paddles.