40 Volts beats Lake-effect Snow! News at 11

My apologies to the Greenworks company as they have been bombarded by my Tweets regarding my love of their tools. I can’t help it! Greenworks’ 40V tools have been saving my butt for a couple years now, with the latest being in snow removal. I live in Buffalo, NY – born and raised. We get pummeled EVERY winter with lake-enhanced (Lake Effect) snow generated by western winds crossing an unfrozen Lake Erie (the warmer lake water enhances the snow so it becomes heavy, wet and intense. The southern suburbs of Buffalo really bear the brunt of most snowstorms, and I live in one of the Southtowns. Add in the reality that my driveway is about 80 feet long, I think you can see why having a dependable snow blower is essential. Enter the Greenworks 40V snow blower.

My primary snow blower is a gas-powered 243cc Troy-Bilt, which does an incredible job of managing

snow. True, it gets clogged with very wet, heavy snow just like any snow blower, but it usually handles most snowstorms with a certain amount of ease. Last year, as a blizzard hit, that snow blower’s drive belt snapped. So much for that snow blower. Fortunately, I had a corded-electric snow blower that was able to deal with the snow. Did I mention I have an 80 foot driveway? Thankfully, I had a 100 foot, heavy gauge extension cord to get the snow blower just about to the driveway’s end. That said, that was a long night of continually snow blowing as 4-6 feet hit the area. After that experience, I so wanted a battery backup. Now, I already had multiple of the 40v battery tools Greenworks makes. So, I looked for a 40V snow blower. I got a really good deal on one in early January, but I didn’t get much chance to use it… until this week. Now, after an initial blast of very, VERY wet snow, the snow blower from Greenworks kept clogging… as has my gas-powered snow blower. In such conditions, shoveling is necessary. Yet, after the second round of lake effect snow hit (when temps were cooler, the snow was more snow than slushy.

Enter the Greenworks 40v snow blower. That snow blower quickly cleared my entire driveway. As it is easy to maneuver and lightweight, the Greenworks snow blower was a quick moving solution to my snow removal needs. It cleared my driveway in much less time than my gas-powered Troy-Bilt. Sure, if I work up and found more than a foot of snow on the ground, I’d start with the Troy-Bilt. Otherwise, the Greenworks will likely now be my go-to. As for batteries… I have a 6.0ah Greenworks battery and 2 generic 40v batteries. With this 1^st blast of snow, I decided to try one of the generic batteries, which don’t last as long as the Greenworks battery. When finished, there appeared to be 50% battery life still available from that battery. Check out the photos to see my driveway. I did that on half a generic battery charge. FYI – I hope Greenworks doesn’t get too mad at me fo4rr buying generic batteries – I work in a non-profit organization so I have limited funds. So, for those looking for a dependable battery-powered snow blower, check out the Greenworks 40v snow blower.

THANK YOU Greenworks!

***For my review, the Green Works 40V snow blower gets 5 Trowels (stars) out of 5.

What about a Refurbished Snow Blower? I say YES!!!!

I was looking for a backup snow blower, just in case my main gas-powered snow blower crapped out/malfunctioned during a Buffalo, New York snowstorm. I was even more specific: I wanted a corded electric snow blower. The reason? I wanted something that could run without gas (or gas/oil mixes) while also being something I could use to clear my deck. During a storm, especially a Lake-effect' storm, I am outside continuously snow blowing my 80ft driveway when we get snow at a rate of several inches an hour. Believe me it adds up quickly. How quick? If you go to sleep and don't stay up and keep up on the snowfall, you can wake up to find your driveway covered in 4 feet or more of wet snow! So, to stay up the whole night usually means using A LOT of gas (and gas ain't cheap). Hence, a corded electric to keep operations going without using gas.

Yea, I know, the small, corded electric snow blowers don't have the punch or power of gas machines, but if you keep up on even heavy snow as it falls, the corded electric can handle it. I know this because in the summer of 2021, I purchased a Snow Joe 620 corded-electric snow blower. Then, last winter as a literal blizzard hit, the drive belt for my gas-powered beast of a snow blower snapped and the generic belt I ordered did not fit (even though it was rated for my machine). Great, I learned a lesson! ALWAYS BUY MANUFACTURER PARTS FOR YOUR SNOW BLOWERS! Well, that awakening didn't help as the snow continued to fall at 1-2 inches per hour. Heavy, Lake-effect snow. So, I pulled out my Snow Joe 620 (and my 100ft, heavy gauge extension cord and cleared the driveway. Within 2 weeks or so we were then hit by a big snowstorm that brought several more feet of snow, but I was fortunately able to get my gas snow blower, a Troy-Bilt, repaired at set for that. As for the initial blizzard, that Snow Joe did the job. It also has done a great job of clearing the deck without cutting into the deck boards. Here's the thing, those corded-electric snow blowers aren't cheap.

Now, with inflation so high, everything costs substantially more. During 2020 and 2021 inflation was already up, and snow blower prices were already higher. I just happened to stumble across an ad for 'refurbished' snow blowers that the Snow Joe company had made available through their Ebay outlet. I purchased my Snow Joe with free shipping for under $100. I had never purchased a 'refurbished' anything before, but I knew others who purchased used machines only to find out they bought a lemon (a machine with hidden problems). I took a leap of faith and trusted the Snow Joe company's product and warranties and bought that little, corded-electric snow blower. That snow blower has kicked butt since day one, and it more than paid for itself for last year's blizzard alone! Thank you, Snow Joe. For anyone considering a backup snow blower, consider a refurbished one to save money. Just keep the following in mind:

1) Purchase directly from the snow blower's manufacturer's website(s). Some companies have factory outlets through which they sell refurbished snow blowers. 

2) Buy a brand you know. Snow Joe, Greenworks, and Toro are good brands where as a lot of new brands that popped up during the last 2-3 years are not as tested - they may be great, but for a refurbished machine purchase, I recommend you stick with the brands that have been around for a while.

3) Purchase one with a warranty. This way, if it breaks down right away or during the first winter you use it, you can return it or get it repaired for free or at a low cost.

4) Look at reviews. Reviews can be a mixed blessing as some consumers post negative reviews simply because an item took an extra day to arrive. Look for reviews that discuss the mechanical side of things. If a snow blower sounds like crap when brand new, it seems risky to purchase a refurbished one.

5) Check out local mechanic shops/small engine repair shops for sale of used snow blowers. A lot of these repair specialists do an incredible job of repairing old snow blowers after which they often sell them for good prices. Added bonus is you have a mechanic familiar with your machine should you need a repair done. 

There's my 2 cents on refurbished snow blowers. For those in heavy snow areas, I recommend your primary snow blower be gas powered with a refurbished one for backup. For those without a lot of money to spend (and living in an area that doesn't get a ton of snow over the winter or has a small driveway, check out refurbished machines out there.

***As an update, I did buy a battery-powered Greenworks snow blower this past January. It's easier to maneuver than the corded machine. That said, having that corded option still their is comforting as batteries get used up quickly and take a good amount of time to recharge. With the corded electric, you just plugin and go!!!!! Cheers.

New Blog - New Snow Blower post

Happy Thanksgiving! As the Turkey Day holiday arriving next week, it seems fitting that Buffalo's potential first blast of lake effect snow is set to arrive the night before the holiday. Great time! For those who've followed my adventures, testing snow blowers is one of my favorite hobbies. As you prepare for the coming winter storms, here's my 2 cents on things to consider when looking to purchase a new snow blower:

1) Length of driveway and type of snow is key consideration in determining right snow blower to purchase! If you only get light fluffy snow and have smaller sized driveway, a corded electric or battery-powered snow blower will often do the trick. I have an 80 foot driveway. For light snow, my electric corded snow blower did the trick with even somewhat wet snow when my gas-powered snow blower had a mechanical issue. That said, I'd leave the heavy, wet snow for the gas-powered snow blowers. As for those snow blowers, I recommend a snow blower with a minimum or 200 cc engine. Those in areas that get lake-effect snow, go for the snow blowers with over 220 cc engines.

2) As for brands, go with names you trust. I have loved my Troy-Bilt snow blowers for gas-powered. Ariens, Toro and Cub Cadet seem to get the job done well, too. I have owned Toro, Ariens and Troy-Bilt and the Troy-Bilt has been the most dependable. For electric and battery-powered, I like Greenworks and SnowJoe: I own both. My battery-powered is Greenworks while my corded electric is SnowJoe. Both have worked admirably though I have only had the Greenworks for one season so far.

3) Buy used or refurbished. Inflation has certainly complicated things with costs. Given that, used snow blowers could do the trick. I purchased my SnowJoe in refurbished condition direct from SnowJoe. It has held up for a couple winters now. It gets the job done. I use it to clear my decks and as a back-up for if I have an issue with my gas-powered machines. Check out local hardware stores (non-chain stores), which often sell old snow blowers.

4) Get the right extension cord for the job! If you have a corded snow blower, get a higher grade extension cord that can handle outdoor power equipment. Check your user manual for recommended cord gauge.

Happy Holidays!!!!!