I think there is a learning curve that happens as you get used to the thrower. When I had a gravel drive, I tried to leave a layer of snowpack. Setting the kids down a bit at first helps. When your augar housing grabs the gravel and high spots, it needs more traction. Packing snow typically requires both wheels driving- especially if the surface is nice and slick. Hopefully after your drive gets that layer frozen on top, you will find things go smooth enough to use the differential. You may try it with out chains and see what you think as well. The snow tire of today clean themselves , have good traction so in many cases they are not needed. But don't don't tell that to the guy who's clawing himself through the plow yuk on an icy slope.

As you have discovered, you need both wheels driving to make any headway. I have found the newer machines with Snow Hawg tires work better without chains. Without steering clutches you will need to release the drive to rassle it when turning around.

i have a 24" dual stage that's new to me. it throws snow with good power, but it leaves a layer of packed snow on my cement driveway that's real tough to clear out. my neighbor has a single stage and after the snow his drive is dry as a bone. mine is covered in hardpacked snow.

i can clear out the bulk of the snow much faster than a single stage, but it doesn't seem as clean a job as a single. but i guess when it's freezing out and all the snow is blowing in your face, i'd rather have speed and power than finesse and clean.

Get used to wrestling with it. I walked behind an 11hp blower for 5 years until the Doctor said no more. I learned to make wide sweeping turns at the end of the driveway and used reverse a lot but it was still a chore to move a machine that size when your in your 60's. Always ended up soaking wet with sweat at the end of a session. I have a tractor with a blower on it and a tractor with a plow and would never go back to a walk behind snow blower.

I'am trying to figure out what all the wrestling is with the walk behinds.
I'am 59 and have a large circular limestone driveway with a 40' x 28' concrete aproach.
My blower is a 24" ,8hp with chains and both wheels locked.
As far as exercise ,it is just what its called "a walk behind".
I get just enough of a workout to stay warm.
If my tires start spinning then I'am going too fast for the auger and impeller .
When I make my turns I allways keep power to the wheels.
I think that a person needs to learn to let the machine do the work and not fight it.

Dynamike said,
"I'am trying to figure out what all the wrestling is with the walk behinds."

Well a 24" 8hp walk-behind is about 100 lbs. lighter than some of the 28" 11hp models. They weigh close to 300lbs.

Then there's the skids fightin' against the drive wheels, especially on a gravel driveway. Why doesn't somebody put swiveling castor wheels up front? I think a total redesign
of the two-stage blower is about 40 years over due.

I've had some success at installing a pair of adjustable lawn mower wheels on the front of the housing, especially for my gravel driveways. I figger, if i can get the snow down to about "gravel height" i should be able to get up to the road. Seemed to work last time i used it.
And yes, those walk-behinds do tire you out rather quickly. So, i just let it lay, and sooner or later, somebody will take pity on this old coot, and dig him out! At 83 yoa, i'm not too excited about rasslin' a big snow blower in cold weather! Of course--next lawn mower time, i get to pay them back with some friendly lawn mower tune-ups, or a "get it to run" deal!
Woo-hoo--the yuppies in their fancy all-wheel drives are about to learn the facts of life in snow country! Our road is getting slippy! Wheee! CRUNCH, BANG, UH-OH!
Rustyj

I have a 2003 Ariens 1128dle with (d) differential drive. With up to a foot of powder, I can literally hold the left drive handle with my right hand and walk completely to the left side of the blower with control. My drive is paved and fairly flat. BTW, the ST11528LE is not a differential drive. It is LE: Light, Electric start.

Getting the skids adjusted properly makes a big difference in handling. Also make sure the scraper blade is parallel to a flat surface. Uneven surfaces will make the blower pull to either side.

rustyj, you are the coolest old coot in the world! LOL 8^) I wish you lived in my neighborhood. You hang in there....and Merry Christmas to you and the wife.

Thanks, Mownie! I really appreciated your message! I'm just trying to hang in there and not let my brain and body get cob-webby! Wintertime is when i worry, because i don't get out much, but i have my garage to work in. I'm not much for walking very far. I got a lot of that in WW II! Walked most of the way across France! Lost my left foot to a land mine, but i've managed to get along great since! Ya just have to accept what life hands you, and live it to the fullest!
Might i wish you a merry Christmasd and a Happy new year!
Rusty and Ruth

Thanks rustyj. And thanks to ALL the veterans who gave, so that we have what we have today, and tomorrow.

I went throught snow drifts nearly 2 feet high today with my Simplicity Pro.I can use it with one hand on the controls and the other in my pocket warming up.The only time I need both hands is when I turn.Because I need my left hand finger to trigger the lever to disengadge the differential lock.I can turn it by passing it off from one hand to the other however.It goes straight no problems and blowing snow is fun not a choir.

Rusty,
You're 83, with one foot and you walk behind a big blower? Guess Brokaw was right about the "Greatest Generation."

amen to marine guys word...wish all them ol' guys were like rusty. i got yelled at for plowing a guys driveway the other day...now that ticks you off....i kinda wanted to say o srry grinch the snow blinded me so i couldnt see what drive i was in.

have fun in the snow and happy holidays

ccb