I need to buy a snow blower. We had one when I was with DH and it was huge and tough for me to use so we sold it when split up.
It's now just me but I have a much smaller driveway but it's on a hill so I'd have to push it up to clear a path. Any recommendations? Size? Power type? I was thinking of getting a rechargeable or corded electric since I don't see me being good with a gas on and taking it out at the end of the season. Heck, I don't even know how to pump my own gas - thank you very much NJ!!! But using corded electric in the snow seems scary to me like I'd electrocute myself!!!
Depends on how much snow you typically get- north Jersey in the mountains or south Jersey near the beach.
A single stage electric is good for light, dry snow up to about 5". My neighbor has one of these. I can shovel in about the same time as her, and frankly, it doesn't look easier to push.
For more than that you'll need a gas powered engine. Single stage gas will get you up to about 8". More snow than that requires a two stage gas. Gas engines require servicing at intervals.
This is why DH and I don't have one- they're expensive, heavy and physically challenging to push. I want a plow for my garden tractor instead. He wants a plow for his Jeep instead. So we debate and get DS to shovel.
Depends on how much snow you typically get- north Jersey in the mountains or south Jersey near the beach.
I am on the shore but the northern part of the shore (Monmouth Cty) so we can get quite a bit of snow. Last year we got a lot more than northern NJ. It all just depends.
We have a 26" gas powered snowblower. Upstate NY snow removal needs >> coastal central NJ's though. I wouldn't want electric, too much risk of running over the cord.
How have you made it to adulthood without learning to pump your own gas!? I mean, I get not initially knowing if you grow up in NJ, but you've NEVER EVER bought gas outside of the state? It's a really small state to never have bought gas outside of! You need a road trip!
We have a 48" snow blower attachment for our tractor so not helpful for you. When I lived alone my neighbor would do a lot of my snow removal for me, also not helpful for you. But growing up we lived on a hill and my dad would snow blow down the hill and drag it back up before doing another pass. Much easier than trying to blow up a hill.
I don't know too much about snow blowers, but see if you can get an electric or push button start. I have had a problem starting a gas lawn mower and H's other lawn equipment with a pull start. I don't think I'm a wuss, but for some reason it takes me forever to start them.
We have a 26" gas powered snowblower. Upstate NY snow removal needs >> coastal central NJ's though. I wouldn't want electric, too much risk of running over the cord.
How have you made it to adulthood without learning to pump your own gas!? I mean, I get not initially knowing if you grow up in NJ, but you've NEVER EVER bought gas outside of the state? It's a really small state to never have bought gas outside of! You need a road trip!
I had a great aunt who lived I California who came back to visit and I had to teach her how to pump gas. I was 14 at the time lol.
We have a 26" gas powered snowblower. Upstate NY snow removal needs >> coastal central NJ's though. I wouldn't want electric, too much risk of running over the cord.
How have you made it to adulthood without learning to pump your own gas!? I mean, I get not initially knowing if you grow up in NJ, but you've NEVER EVER bought gas outside of the state? It's a really small state to never have bought gas outside of! You need a road trip!
Yes, upstate NY trumps coastal NJ snow! I am afraid of electric and splitting the cord. I've done it with extension cords and hedge trimmer!
And I swear I have never pumped my own gas although I could probably figure it out. I have travelled outside of the state a ton of times but always with someone else who I made pump the gas. I went to college in DE and either made my guy friends pump gas or because I had a super small Civic, would wait until I had to come home and would get over the Delaware Memorial Bridge and off at the first exit to get gas.
And yes, they have to pump it for me at the gas station since it's illegal here to pump but it's more the part of putting gas into the machine and then taking it out at the end. We had issues with that when DH took care of it. I'm really not that helpless!!!
We have a 26" gas powered snowblower. Upstate NY snow removal needs >> coastal central NJ's though. I wouldn't want electric, too much risk of running over the cord.
How have you made it to adulthood without learning to pump your own gas!? I mean, I get not initially knowing if you grow up in NJ, but you've NEVER EVER bought gas outside of the state? It's a really small state to never have bought gas outside of! You need a road trip!
Yes, upstate NY trumps coastal NJ snow! I am afraid of electric and splitting the cord. I've done it with extension cords and hedge trimmer!
And I swear I have never pumped my own gas although I could probably figure it out. I have travelled outside of the state a ton of times but always with someone else who I made pump the gas. I went to college in DE and either made my guy friends pump gas or because I had a super small Civic, would wait until I had to come home and would get over the Delaware Memorial Bridge and off at the first exit to get gas.
And yes, they have to pump it for me at the gas station since it's illegal here to pump but it's more the part of putting gas into the machine and then taking it out at the end. We had issues with that when DH took care of it. I'm really not that helpless!!!
I know. I grew up in NJ and lived there until I was 18. But then I went to college in NY state and figured it out I got a car when I was a sophomore and probably on the way to school the first time I realized oh shit, I need gas - guess I better figure this out! This was also back in the day, pre-EZ Pass and pre-power windows, when I had to figure out how to juggle paying cash for the tolls on the northeast extension of the PA turnpike while hand-rolling down a window and shifting a manual transmission while traveling alone. Gas was the least of my worries, lol.
Next time you're out of state, seize the opportunity and rectify this "I can't" situation, even if you still have half a tank. If you can self-checkout at a grocery store you can handle this. Actually it's even easier because there's no risk of produce with weird codes to enter.
Yes, upstate NY trumps coastal NJ snow! I am afraid of electric and splitting the cord. I've done it with extension cords and hedge trimmer!
And I swear I have never pumped my own gas although I could probably figure it out. I have travelled outside of the state a ton of times but always with someone else who I made pump the gas. I went to college in DE and either made my guy friends pump gas or because I had a super small Civic, would wait until I had to come home and would get over the Delaware Memorial Bridge and off at the first exit to get gas.
And yes, they have to pump it for me at the gas station since it's illegal here to pump but it's more the part of putting gas into the machine and then taking it out at the end. We had issues with that when DH took care of it. I'm really not that helpless!!!
I know. I grew up in NJ and lived there until I was 18. But then I went to college in NY state and figured it out I got a car when I was a sophomore and probably on the way to school the first time I realized oh shit, I need gas - guess I better figure this out! This was also back in the day, pre-EZ Pass and pre-power windows, when I had to figure out how to juggle paying cash for the tolls on the northeast extension of the PA turnpike while hand-rolling down a window and shifting a manual transmission while traveling alone. Gas was the least of my worries, lol.
Next time you're out of state, seize the opportunity and rectify this "I can't" situation, even if you still have half a tank. If you can self-checkout at a grocery store you can handle this. Actually it's even easier because there's no risk of produce with weird codes to enter.
Haha! I had a stick-shift, no power windows and tolls to pay on my way to DE too. But my car got about 50 miles to the gallon and I never used my car at school so it was easy to not have to get it there. I am hoping to go to FL in January so I promise I will try then!!!
Post by thatgirl2478 on Sept 23, 2014 18:58:51 GMT -5
We're in Central IL but had one when we lived in Northern IL (almost WI). It's a big one - maybe 26" or bigger? It's gas powered and self propelled. It's fine when you're going forward, but turning it is a PITA. However, I rarely use it, I let DH do it. I *can* do it, and I did it when I was 8mo pregnant with DD (not fun), but I prefer to leave it up to DH.
Our neighbors have an electric snow thrower, and a friend in Indianapolis has one and it works OK I guess. However DH usually ends up snow blowing for all the neighbors....
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Sept 23, 2014 19:29:45 GMT -5
I recommend a plow service. My parents were looking into a snow blower but in order to clear their (heavy, wet) OH snow, they'd have needed to drop more than 1k, plus maintenance and gas. They pay about $300/year for the plow to come ($30/visit). Totally worth it.