... are cheap bastards like me and don't have a snowblower?
Snow OT: How many of you people ...
- Thread starter PhilaPhans
- Start date
Have an old tecumseh that doesn't throw high enough. Thinking about getting it tuned. Also thinking about installing impellers. Heard it improves performance dramatically. But yesterday I shoveled.
Just bought a new house that warrants one, but hadn't gotten one yet. No use for one in the old townhouse.
you'll end up paying more when youre older and have back problems.
pay a few hundred now or suffer from pain later on and pay medical bills.
pay a few hundred now or suffer from pain later on and pay medical bills.
As stated in another thread, I bought the cheapest snowblower they sell. Its a corded electric. That and a 100 foot extension cord was still under $100. So, the two options aren't mutually exclusive.
Count me in as a cheap ass, but todays was rough on the shoulders, and I have to go back out to do the apron.
I have an electric one too but between the hassle of the extension cord, the constant clogging and complete ineffectiveness in snow deeper than 4 inches, feel like it was a waste of money.
I finally decided to buy a gas one (dual-stage, wheel propelled with electric start) but it won't arrive for at least another week.
Thankfully a neighbor was able to come over with his snowblower, and we shoveled out the end of the driveway.
Keep saying next winter. This is it. I'll have one in 2017 or 2018 or 2019. Definitely by 2020.
I know I'm in the minority of people who love snow, but I'm probably in an even bigger minority of people who enjoy shoveling and absolutely hate snowblowers. They ruin the perfect pristine silence of a gorgeous fresh snowfall, plus, shoveling every 3-4" gets me out in the snow, which I really enjoy. Sure it's getting a bit harder as I get older, but for a big storm, if I do a few shovels, it's manageable - think I did 5 yesterday. The only really hard part is when I have to shovel the heavy wet stuff that the plows throw back into my driveway.
I've always shoveled, although a neighbor has a plow and has done it a couple times over the years. I hoped he would do this snow since it's so deep but his truck isn't working. I've done four shifts so far and still have more work to do but not today. My driveway is 120' long and 2 cars wide except for the top where it is wider. At 60 years old it's too much when it's a storm like this. Also, my son is at school (RU) so with a snow like this I can't get him back to help. I'll get a snowblower soon and just began researching them.
1996 was a game changer for getting a snow blower. Of course I don't think it snowed much the year after (of course, lol) but since then I wouldn't want to be without one anymore. Just bought a new one last year and to me it's a good investment. Snow shoveling especially at these amounts or if it's wet snow is just too back breaking and strenuous. I see some who get their lawns cut professionally but don't have a snowblower. I don't get that. I'll do the lawn every week or 2 as opposed to having to shovel snow even if it's not as often. The level of exertion isn't even close IMO.
I sucked in a rubber welcome mat into my snowblower yesterday. It took me an hour to cut it into small pieces and remove it from the blades.
I had a garden house encounter a couple years ago. I learned from that experience that, in an emergency, "replacement shear pins" can be anything that fits in the holes.
I'm in the club, though considering getting one maybe next year. I have a high clearance 4WD, a short driveway and intense sun exposure, so I often don't bother shoveling the driveway, just the sidewalk - and my neighbor with the snowblower is often kind enough to do that.
When I lived in Colorado, was in the mountains for a huge, record breaking season - imagine multiple storms like this one over the course of a couple weeks, continually through late March. Had more of a parking spot than a driveway because the house was up a flight of stairs on the mountain, but keeping up was still brutal. Spend an hour shoveling car out in the morning, then come home to the 3-4 foot plow wall set like concrete. Even a snowblower wouldn't have cut that - nice neighbor, again, that time with a side-by-side plow.
When I lived in Colorado, was in the mountains for a huge, record breaking season - imagine multiple storms like this one over the course of a couple weeks, continually through late March. Had more of a parking spot than a driveway because the house was up a flight of stairs on the mountain, but keeping up was still brutal. Spend an hour shoveling car out in the morning, then come home to the 3-4 foot plow wall set like concrete. Even a snowblower wouldn't have cut that - nice neighbor, again, that time with a side-by-side plow.
February 1995 noreaster convinced me. We had 15 or more inches of snow and I have two driveways that are close to 150 ft long each. On top of that they are both up steep grade inclines. After shoveling that storm (and falling multiple times) I decided I would buy a snowblower. Working on the steep incline is easy when all you have to do is hang onto to the self-propelled snowblower. Big knobby tires is the key. My purchase was validated in the Winter of 1996.
Some poor schmuck at my apartment is trying to shovel out their car, which they abandoned sideways in the middle of the lane with what appears to be a plastic lid from one of those large rectangular storage containers.
Some poor schmuck at my apartment is trying to shovel out their car, which they abandoned sideways in the middle of the lane with what appears to be a plastic lid from one of those large rectangular storage containers.
This picture is a veritable thesis on preparation.
On another note, the car appears to be a Honda Civic. I'm surprised that he simply doesn't command it to levitate itself out of its current predicament.
The best part I watched the guy trying to get into a spot last night in the middle of the storm, and after 10 minutes that was the best he could do, and just ditched the car there.
Bought one as soon as we moved into our house in 2013. 254cc ariens 28". Wouldn't go any lower on the engine if you usually get a good deal of snow. My advice is spend some extra a get a big one. Not having one is tough but if you get something too weak you'll be kicking yourself when we get big storms or wet heavy snow.
With a snow this big a snowblower is a workout too. Took 3 hours when a normal <12" snow takes me an hour. My Fitbit app thought I took a 3 hour bike ride and burnt 1900 calories.
I was about to buy one years ago, when my next-door neighbor approached me and asked if I wanted to split one. Made sense to me. So we did. I benefit more since I have more than twice the driveway to clear than he.
I also have one remaining son at home who does all the snow clearance. So I'm lucky. For now.
I also have one remaining son at home who does all the snow clearance. So I'm lucky. For now.
It cannot, obviously. It's big brother, that miracle of automotive genius, the Accord, could though. Of course.
If your driveway and sidewalk combined are more than say 150 feet, and you are over 35-40, than a snowblowr cold save you a heart attack. I love mine, just wish I had bought a bigger one with rubber wheels or tank type tread with self propulsion. Slipping and pushing adds a lot to the effort.
No snowblower for me. At this point it's still good exersize.. In few years when I hit 40 my oldest will be able to take over for me. Plus I'm trying to avoid finding a good storage solution... I don't want to park in the garage.
I bought one last year. I love to shovel but between the long driveway, long sidewalk and path for the dogs it was a lot of work. I bought a big one that clears a 30" path, it handled this storm pretty well but it wasn't easy.
