It has come to this

"lone_liberal" (token-liberal)
10/05/2018 at 19:55 • Filed to: None

I’m probably going to buy a snowblower this weekend. Really deep snow is fairly rare here so I’ve always been able to do the job with a shovel and a bit of swearing, but the purchase of the new house and its 3-car garage as well as an actual sidewalk makes that untenable. The weird thing is that I enjoyed shoveling snow (up to a point). It was always quiet when I was doing it and usually dark so it was a kind of zen experience.

Until the motherfucking plow came by, anyway. Then the swearing increased exponentially. Now it’s going to be akin to mowing the yard only colder and with more snow blowing in to my face. At least it will save my shoulders.

Bonus shot of my old minivan that my wife hated with every fiber of her being. Great winter beater, though.

DISCUSSION (18)

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > lone_liberal
10/05/2018 at 20:28

The county plow. every. fucking. time. Get a two stage blower, the single stages don’t work in the wet snow for shit.

ToddinTN > lone_liberal
10/05/2018 at 20:31

Tractor Supply has Cub Cadet snow throwers on sale right now.

WilliamsSW > lone_liberal
10/05/2018 at 20:34

Two stage or bust.

When you really need a snow blower, a single stage won’t cut it.

You might feel silly using a two stage for 3 inches of snow, but when you get 9 inches of wet heavy shit- the kind they call “ heart attack snow” around here, you’ll be glad you got the big boi.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > lone_liberal
10/05/2018 at 20:36

I think I spend more time in the winter doing snow removal than I spend in the summer mowing the lawn. I might mow 5-10 times a year depending on the weather. I bet I do and average of 30 minutes a day with the snow blower and shovel.

lone_liberal > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/05/2018 at 21:07

Yeah, there’s a two stage Cub Cadet on sale that I’m going to look over. No sense getting something too small to deal with a plow berm or big storm.

lone_liberal > ToddinTN
10/05/2018 at 21:09

So does Home Depot. Going to sharpen the pencil and figure out which is the better offer.

lone_liberal > WilliamsSW
10/05/2018 at 21:12

That’s the plan. Like you said there’s no sense getting one that won’t deal with a big storm or the plow berm.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > lone_liberal
10/05/2018 at 21:20

I got a Troy built with a 28” wide auger. It has more features than I need but I’m not complaining about those heated grips.

lone_liberal > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/05/2018 at 21:25

Nice. This one doesn't have the heated grips but has the easier steering which will be nice for maneuvering around a driveway. And my wife rolled her eyes at me when I mentioned heated grips.

vondon302 > WilliamsSW
10/05/2018 at 21:36

Truth!

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > lone_liberal
10/05/2018 at 21:49

I’ve been using an old Ariens snowblower. It’s eaten up snow three times its height and has never let me down even in the middle of a nor’easter.

Trust me. Snowblowers will save you, before, during, and after the storm.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > lone_liberal
10/05/2018 at 22:09

I love the heated grips especially on those 0 def days.

lone_liberal > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/05/2018 at 22:14

Thankfully, it’s usually clear when it’s that cold around here.

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > WilliamsSW
10/05/2018 at 22:57

I can understand your position, but I go the opposite. We normally only get one or two big dumps, mainly the 1-6” snows, so the single stage works great. With a fresh set of paddles though. I can blow my drive and a neighbors, and one to the third drive before my neighbor with the big two stage is still finishing his drive. They are quick if it’s a quick snow. And it will take the plow berms without too much struggling. Last year we got snow at least once a week and I only struggled with one snowfall that was wet and deep, but it was over a foot of snow in places. The only thing I’d like to have now is a four stroke single stage toro. But my old two stroke toro works so damn well, I just can’t justify replacing it.

But I can appreciate your point of view too. I just like the ease of the single stage and it’s so light and compact to store. Not as big a deal with a shed for off season storage, but when I was storing it in the basement, it was great to have the little guy. Either way, a snowblower is nice to have. Just get some earphones and go to town. I hit my drive and at least a half dozen neighbors whenever I go out. It’s very enjoyable.

Nom De Plume > lone_liberal
10/06/2018 at 01:15

If your shoulders can’t bear a little workout now...

Shovel a little or a lot each time. Your heart and bone structure will thank you for years to come.

lone_liberal > Nom De Plume
10/06/2018 at 12:18

I’m 53 years old and I’ve been shoveling since I was old enough to do so. A three car wide driveway is just too far to be throwing the wet heavy snow we get around here even if I didn’t have a crap shoulder. Of course if I had a teenage kid it would be perfectly reasonable to shovel it.

Nom De Plume > lone_liberal
10/06/2018 at 12:59

The mile long drive of your youth was uphill both ways and tended to drift over behind you requiring a renewal of your ceaseless labors, no doubt.

Carry on Sir, I had no way of knowing you weren’t a punk kid of the sort prone to fashionable obesity and sedentary reliance on modern conveniences.

lone_liberal > Nom De Plume
10/06/2018 at 13:02

And get off my lawn!!!