Sunday, November 30, 2008

Electric shovels or Snow Throwers

Hi All - these are electric shovels or snow throwers. I think snow throwers is the "newest" name. They are really mini snowblowers.

This is the size that we'll most likely need. It's strong, but small and you can see by the shute at the top that it blows the snow on either side of the walk (or area to be cleared)







This smaller one is probably useless. Costs about a hundred dollars that I'd rather spend on beauty cream or motorized mascara (please see Mary's blog), or a bunch of good books or exotic summer sandals or just about anything else.




They both need a long exterior electric cord to plug into an outer wall outlet. You just push the starter and - presto! The motor starts up and hopefully blows or pushes the snow as you walk. I say hopefully, because I've read the reviews of people who have bought this particular snowthrower (this one's called Snow Joe, but there are other name brands), and some of them said the wet, heavy snow gets stuck in the blades and it conks out. Oh, great! I spend $200 - $250 on a machine that won't work. Or gets fussy. Other people say it works just fine in all kinds of snow. So, we'll see. I still have more research to do.




Thank you everybody for all of your good ideas. Our driveway contractor will not get out of his huge machine (like the road snowblowers - almost), to shovel anyone's walk. His huge tractor simply cannot do walks. So he's no help. We have asked him in the past to recommend someone. No dice.




We had the kid who cut our grass, shovel our walk for a year or two at $5.oo a pop. Worked out very well - but- you know how it is with kids - they move on to bigger and better things.




I hadn't thought to check out the local high school. That sounds like a really good solution.




Except at this point, I'm looking forward to keeping some of my independence by buying this beastly contraption and doing my own walk. I really hate relying on others to do things I should be able to do.




Not that I ever had to shovel a walk before - I always had a healthy husband and 2 strong boys to do that kind of work.
Will keep everybody posted. I'm off to my aqua fit class this afternoon, so no shopping trips today.


22 comments:

Grammy said...

I love your desire to do it your self. I hope you enjoy your new snow shovel.
Haver a great day.
Grammy

Q said...

Dear Wendy,
Glad you are taking care of yourself.
Getting the snow blower will be a good thing. I too enjoy being able to take care of what I need myself.
I admire your spunk!
Do be careful out in the snow.
Mary's mascara still makes me laugh too!
Sherry

Cheryl said...

Hi Wendy.....

Tku for showing the snow shovel, I was so intrigued.......we do not have them here as we rarely have prolonged snow.....we may get a flurry to two but that is it......

Hope all is well with you and hubby......

Ruth said...

We just had 10 cm of very heavy wet snow. We used to have a snow thrower but it died in this kind of snow. It did better with light fluffy snow. Best have a back up person lined up if you have a really big storm. If you lived on our street, my husband would look after you. He loves his big machine...I can't even start it.

Wendy said...

Hi Grammy - went to Walmart today - no snow shovel. Apparently they don't have the ones I want either. So I bought 2 toys for my grandkids instead.

HI Sherry - thanks for your concern. I hate feeling helpless! I think growing up with 2 older brothers put the "spunk" in me!

HI Cheryl - well, this is one "tool" that you certainly can do without!!
Hugs. Hope your family is well too.

Hi Ruth, thanks so much for your kind offer. Wish you lived closer too!! I can certainly understand you not knowing how to start the dang thing. At least with electricity (as opposed to gas) you just press a button (after you plug it in, of course).

Abba's Girl said...

The snow shovel does not look anything like I thought it would. The small one in the bottom picture looks like something from the Jetson's cartoon.

Annette

peppylady (Dora) said...

I can recall the day when one didn't have snow blower of sorts. We use shovels.
Well we have advance and we have a gas snow blower.
We got second handed.

Coffee is on.

JeanMac said...

Wendy, it's rather ironic. In my garage, I have a snow blower (5hp) but it's too big for me to handle. Life is a pooper sometimes!

beckie said...

Wendy, thanks for the picture. I think I have seen tose being used-just didn't know that's what they were called. Being independent is one thing, but just don't think you have to do it out of stubborness! so glad you are still doing your aqua class. Besides being good for you physically it shows you are doing things for yourself. Great! Take care and DON"T overdo. :}

Grammy said...

Hi Wendy, I love the way you shop. Thanks for all the excitement over the new baby. Amy is so ready to have hers out the comfort level is getting unbearable for her. She is still high risk from the appendix removal. But hanging in there.
Big hug.
Grammy

Maggie May said...

I am so pleased that we don't ever get that amount of snow that I'd need a snow blower! The mind boggles at these contraptions.
I do admire your get up and go attitude.
The other day all the lights went out & the fuse had gone at the mains box. I suddenly realized that I didn't know how to change a fuse (it is the old sort that you have to put a new fuse wire into.) Luckily, husband was in & I watched what he did by torchlight.

Marimoy said...

I will keep my fingers crossed that your electric shovel will work out. Have fun in aqua-fitness!

Rose said...

Aha, a snow blower! I admire you for wanting to do it yourself, Wendy--good for you!

I think this winter may be interesting for all of us. Even though we didn't have that much snow the past few days, some of the roads are horrendous. The state has cut its budget for road salt, so they won't be keeping the roads as clear as usual. It could be a long winter...

Bear Naked said...

You are much braver than I am.
I wouldn't even attempt to do the snow on my sidewalk.

Bear((( )))

Wendy said...

Hi Annette - yeah, the small one does look weird. And no shute to blow the snow, so what does it do with it????

Hi Peppylady - well second-hand is a good way to go. At least it's assembled and has the kinks out of it (hopefully).

Hi Jeanmac, I agree - I'd much rather be on the beach worrying about getting a sunburn! LOL!

Oh my dear Beckie - thank you for your kind concern. I think you have me down to a T. Stubborness is right!! I did try to lift some of that heavy wet and slushy snow before my aqua fit class. Not very smart. I only lasted 5 minutes as it was too heavy. Yes, aquafit really is good. I can now use the styrofoam weights in the water. Don't laugh, (because they are styrofoam), I couldn't even use them when I started these classes, back in the spring. I just could not push it under the water. Now I can!

Wendy said...

Hi Grammy - thanks for the updates! I hope Amy delivers as soon as is comfortable for her and baby. There is light at the end of the tunnel!

Hi MaggieMay - I'll gladly send you a big snowstorm. Just in time for Christmas! LOL!
Good thing you learned how to change a fuse. There are so many little things we need to learn about maintaining a home.

Hi Mimi - will let you know once I buy one. They seem to be backordered for some strange reason. Isn't this Canada? Isn't this winter? Don't we have snow in winter? duhhh!

Hi Rose - oh I hate that when the city decides to cut its budget for snow clearing, salting, etc. Do they want us all to have accidents? I mean really! Cut their own bonuses back or their entertainment budget or something.

Naturegirl said...

Wendy be careful..the winter can be long with all the snow shovelling..the snow blower sounds good to me..all our neighbors use them.The second one you show..does NOT look like it would last.

Shammickite said...

I think you should erect a huge plastic dome over the house, driveway and walkway and then you wouldn't have to shovel anything!
Or, better yet, move to somewhere that it doesn't snow!!

Wendy said...

Hi Bear Naked - it's not a job I relish, that's why we have had people doing it for us. I just hate to see any part of my independence go away.

Hi Naturegirl - thanks for your concern. Winter here really is long.

Hi Shammickite - Now that's a good idea! Plastic dome over everything. LOL!
Yup - that was the plan before COPD. We were going to winter in Florida. Now we stay here for the winter. Wish we were on the beach!

Allie said...

That's too bad that the snow thrower doesn't appear to be a good option. If it worked it would be awesome.

Anonymous said...

LOL You live to learn! I've never seen anything like that!


*is thinking to pimp her lawnmower and get herhelf also such a useful little gadget*

LOL LOL LOL

Lots of hugs
Carin

Beverly said...

Thanks for the photos. That looks like a handy device.