Let it snow!

[Rufus]

No, I'm not mad or delusional. I can hardly wait for our first substantial snowfall. Last winter we had snow on the ground from 9 December to 16 April and the forecast is for more of the same this year. Why am I so happy about this, well I blew a wad on a monster new snowblower, which was just delivered. My old snowblower gave up the ghost during the last snowfall in April so I had to buy a new one. My old snowblower was way too small for my needs as my drive is four cars wide and five car lengths deep, and I have many, many feet of pavement and pathways on my property to keep clear. Because of this I decided no more under-sized and under-powered snowblowers for me, so I went out and bought about the biggest one I could find. It's a Cub Cadet 3-stage (yes, 3-stage) 30 inch wide machine with a 420cc engine, I've owned motorcycles with smaller engines and the engine in my first car, a 1959 Fiat 500, wasn't much bigger. What can I say other than, bring on the snow

[brothers]

Bryan, I understand your eagerness for a chance to use your new machine. I'm looking forward to hearing how well it works out for you.

[ShadowsDad]

I hope you get all the snow you want and all of ours as well.

FWIW, the best snow thrower I ever had, and still have but don't use, is a attachment for my BCS " 'tiller". Stages mean nothing it's just a description of the way they work, this BCS monster is a single stage*, and will throw snow at least 50 yards and half that in height. I'm not making that up. The problem with a snow thrower is that there is only one wind direction, and wind is very important. That one direction is always the wrong one. After using the BCS for a few years I got tired of always having the snow in my face, and put a plow on my truck. It means I have to push the snow 10x further than I need to to make room for additional snow, but now I'm in the warm cab, have a radio, and no snow in my face when the wind shifts. Now if someone made a reasonably priced truck mounted snow thrower...

Snow throwing makes sense because one just clears what one needs to clear, so it's much faster.

* a single stage thrower means that the auger turns extremely fast, and paddles connected to the auger heave the snow out of the thrower. Almost like a squirrel cage blower moves air. I never had it plug no matter what the snow condition was, and nothing survives contact with that high RPM auger, nothing. Two stage means that the auger turns and another "fan" propels the snow through the chute, Triple stage, well, I'm not sure.

[ichabod]

I'm excited for snow also, I just want it to hold off until I get my new tires on my car next week

[Rufus]

* a single stage thrower means that the auger turns extremely fast, and paddles connected to the auger heave the snow out of the thrower. Almost like a squirrel cage blower moves air. I never had it plug no matter what the snow condition was, and nothing survives contact with that high RPM auger, nothing. Two stage means that the auger turns and another "fan" propels the snow through the chute, Triple stage, well, I'm not sure.

I could try to explain it, but it's probably easier if you Google Cub Cadet snow throwers and you'll see what the third stage is all about and see some videos on it in use. Perhaps the third stage is a gimmick, but if the machine moves the snow more quickly and efficiently than my old machine I'll be very happy. BTW, it has heated handgrips, electric start and a headlight; given the size of the engine perhaps I can attach a seat to it and have a ride-on as opposed to a walk-behind.

[Rufus]

I'm excited for snow also, I just want it to hold off until I get my new tires on my car next week

Put a new set of Conti snows on my car yesterday and SWMBO's last weekend, so we're all set. Will soon be getting the X-country ski equipment and snowshoes out for inspection and tuning.

[jww]

Snow means I can get my snowshoes out but I am not looking forward to clearing the drive. Even with a snow thrower with my travel schedule, it can become rather inconvenient. Plus we have a rather smallish front garden, which means by late January, or sometimes sooner, I have nowhere left to throw the snow. Like playing in it with our granddaughter though.

[Old Sarge]

It started out here today a bit. I have to be honest I'm not looking forward to it.

We had a very long winter last year that went into the middle of May where I live and the summer was mostly cold & wet. Now we're back into the snow.

I need to move somewhere that it's warm year round. Western NY is getting old.

[Squire]

Our small city maintenance department doesn't even own a snow shovel. We have a simpler solution which is on the rare occasion it snows we just close the schools and shut down all nonessential services. Happens once every few years or so.

[ShadowsDad]

Bryan, if there is a "cab" option I'd look into that first.

[JayTrek]

Yeah...what he said.

Our small city maintenance department doesn't even own a snow shovel. We have a simpler solution which is on the rare occasion it snows we just close the schools and shut down all nonessential services. Happens once every few years or so.

[jww]

Yeah...what he said.

Our small city maintenance department doesn't even own a snow shovel. We have a simpler solution which is on the rare occasion it snows we just close the schools and shut down all nonessential services. Happens once every few years or so.

I get a kick out of how they handle big snowfalls in the UK. They contract with farmers who own tractors and stick a plough on the front and tell them to clear out. Knowing first-hand how farmers drive in the UK, I can only imagine.