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Sunday, December 19, 2004
Let it snow
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Even with all the improvements of the last few years, snowblowers are not exactly the easiest things in the world to run. "You've got to plug it in to start it up, then turn the choke on, turn the throttle up, prime it, then start it, and shut the choke," said Ken Frank, sales manager at Yerxa's Lawn and Garden Center on Broadway in South Portland. "Then you select the gear, pull one bar down for traction, and then pull the other to engage the auger." So why does anyone want a snowblower? Well, you haven't lived in Maine very long if you can't answer that. Or you haven't tried to shovel a typical "wintery mix" out of your driveway. The trick is finding a snowblower that meets your needs and that you can handle. The good news is that in recent years, snowblowers have become lighter and have more safety features. Most can't be operated unless you're holding down a control bar or stick, so you can't walk in front of the machine while it's running. Most are easier to control than they used to be as well. But remember, a snowblower may be easier than shoveling, but the machines are still tough to operate. "Independent steering is the newest feature on most of them, you pull up one lever to turn left and one to turn right, instead of trying to muscle the thing," said Frank. Another feature added to snowblowers over the last few years is headlights, a good thing considering the sun sets around 4 p.m. on most winter days here and people don't get home from work until well after dark. Also in recent years, snowblowers have become more fuel-efficient and quieter. "We get a lot more questions about green issues, emissions, fuel economy, noise," said Art Hewes, manager of Chad Little Outdoor Power Equipment in South Portland. "It used to be when dad used the snowblower he came in smelling like gas. Not now." The one thing most snowblower sellers will tell you is that there is no new feature that makes the machines any better at handling Maine's worst winter weather: the dreaded wet wintry mix of snow and rain. Snowblowers with an engine of 8 horsepower or better are probably best for that heavy concoction. But the main thing to remember is to take it slow, and take it a little at a time. "It's like when your lawn is long and wet, you just take a half pass. Well, you should do the same thing with wet snow," said Hewes. So with all the improvements and new features, how do you pick the right snowblower? Start by knowing what you want to use the machine for. A deck? A driveway? Sidewalks? All of the above? It helps to be specific. Know how long and wide your surfaces are, and even be aware of how high the banks left by snowplows at the end of your driveway are. "I always ask people if they live on a corner," said Frank. "Because plows always leave more at the corners." READY TO SHOP Once you know whether you need the snowblower for light duty - walks, decks, a small, one-car driveway - or for heavier duty, you are ready to start looking at the two basic models of snowblowers. They both usually have two wheels, a snow-scooping auger in front, a chute to throw the snow, and a handle bar with controls. Many come with a key start, or might just have a pull start. First are the single-stage snowblowers, including small power shovels. These units usually range in price from about $100 for a power shovel with a 6.6 amp engine up to about $900 for a much more powerful, 7 horsepower model. They are called single-stage because the auger (the propeller-like mechanism that shreds the snow) lifts and disperses in one single motion. Two-stage machines pick up the snow and then throw it. Some single-stage models are best for decks, or even roofs, because they are light and easy to maneuver. Many also have rubber pads on the metal auger blades, so the won't scrape the wood or roof shingles. Conversely, they are bad for gravel driveways or walks, because the rubber pads will pick up and throw stones. A two-stage snowblower will not do that. "The smaller single-stage units are probably good for people in condos, who have their parking lots plowed but do their own decks or roofs," said Carl Boudreau, garden department manager of the Home Depot store in South Portland. "We have larger, more powerful single-stage machines too, which can be good for a small driveway." If your driveway is 40 feet or longer and the width of two cars, you want the power and dual action of a two-stage snowblower. Those range in price from about $600 to more than $2,000. Engines go up to 10 horsepower and the clearing width can be about 30 inches, compared with 20 or 22 on most single-stage machines. Two-stage snowblowers are heavier, and even though they are self-propelled, can require some muscle to maneuver. But many are being made lighter, thanks to heavy-duty plastics replacing metal. Frank said that the new Toro Power Max 828LXE is about 100 pounds lighter than previous models - 250 pounds instead of 350 pounds. He said Toro now makes the model with a plastic developed for NASA. Frank and other snowblower sellers say it helps for customers to do a little research, on the Internet or in Consumer Reports, before coming in. "A lot of customers do that first, and it helps," said Frank.
Staff researcher Susan Butler contributed to this story. Staff Writer Ray Routhier can be contacted at 791-6454 or at:
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