Is 'Useful electric snow blower" an oxymoron?

[Moserkr]

I live where theres more serious snow than what you get. But theres many city people who have moved up here into the mtns and they are already programmed (CA) to go for electric everything. It's funny in a sad way to watch them struggle and fail. Im not opposed to electric once the batteries can last a lot longer both per charge and lifetime.

If it were me Id get a gas one with electric start. My red craftsman is pushing 15 years old and just hums along. It struggles on our worst days with 3-4' of snow, but a foot is easy. It will always be worth something to resell, cant say that about anything electric yet. That said, you have a gas one for the worst days already, just not electric start. Maybe add a corded electric to the quiver for the lesser snow days?

Sadly I probably still shovel more snow than most people snow-blow in a year. See my truck?? Hahaha

 

[thusby]

I always find the shovel to be a good way to get exercise in midwinter.

 

[winmag]

A single stage "snow thrower" is perfect for that (up to 15" of snow). Something like the Toro that was mentioned previously. They're light and maneuverable, and mine cranks first pull every time. It has an electric start but I've never needed it. I'll never go back to shoveling. It's just so much faster and efficient than shoveling.

The only thing it won't do is throw wet snow twice. It will clear snow from the middle of the driveway off to the side, but if you're doing a big square area where you'd need to throw it farther than about 12' then it struggles to re-throw packed wet snow from the first pass.

I've got the single stage snow thrower and end up doing 5-6 houses every snow [lots of old people on my block]. A neighbor has a big heavy 2 stage which will throw anything but it's a pain to crank and run. Then another neighbor has an electric and it's useless; he always ends up shoveling.

 

[elkduds]

I always find the shovel to be a good way to get exercise in midwinter.

Would you still if you were facing full replacement of both shoulders and a chronic herniated disc @ L4-L5? Dr. says snow shovel is my worst enemy.

 

[Moserkr]

Would you still if you were facing full replacement of both shoulders and a chronic herniated disc @ L4-L5? Dr. says snow shovel is my worst enemy.

Nope. But if you must shovel, get the back saver shovel with the bent handle.

 

[pabearhunter]

If they don't have a cord coming out of the machine than it is a BATTERY not electric BLOWER !

 

[nrpate05]

I got an electric last year. I think it works well although I have never owned a snowblower in my life. It does struggle with wet heavy snow (battery life mainly), but here in SE Idaho, it is mostly on the dryer side. I didn't want to deal with the hassle that came with a gas snowblower.