Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I bought a new Honda HS520A for my wife but she did not find it particularly useful because of the following: 1) the blower was a loud bugger; 2) it took a little more effort to pull start; 3) she rather shovel and keep the $600 for whatever shopping; 4) my son is 15 1/2 so she can retire and give him the shovel; 6) still more than one knob.  I thought my son would be interested in using HS520A but he said that he has too much homework and operating OPE does not interest him.  So he likes to wait for me to come home since I enjoy snowblowing so much and he does not want to take that enjoyment away  (my kids call me snowblower freak).  No I took the HS520A back next day to the dealer and they sold it to next guy in line for more that what I paid for the day before.  So the best snow moving equipment is either you or the shovel.  My wife did not give me any grief when I bought HS35 for $15 + another $85 for parts since she came out $500 ahead. 

The deal breaker for my wife was the starting part.  When she pulled, she said why is this thing so hard to pull.  AA335 is right about having an electrical start for the MRS.  But an electric start has an issue of its own too, my wife probably would say why is this thing so complicated.  I would say the shovel is the simplist and most elegant snowblower out there.

MN_Runner wrote:
There's always something.  It's too noisy, smelly, too hard, too complicated.  You can only do so much to make it easier. 

borat wrote:

I have a neighbor like that.  Some fancy hot shot executive.  6 foot 2 that moves a little single stage snowblower or a shovel like he was about to slip a disc on his spine.  I don't think he has a medical condition, I see him throwing the foot ball around in the summer.

Last year, we had a blizzard early February.  Wife was outside snowblowing against the wind at 10 PM.  I don't know why, the wind just puts back what she went over. 

Next day, there was 20" of snow on the driveway, 25" at the EOD.  Wife was outside shoveling, the snow was too much for the little snowblower.  Where was Dad and the 15 year old son?  Inside.  They didn't come outside until my neighbor and I was 3/4 done clearing their driveway and sidewalk. 

aa335 wrote:
Embarrassing

MN_Runner wrote:

Ok my wife is only 84 lbs. and she's 4'10" tall and here is a video of her starting our snowblower for the first use of the season. My wife is awful with technical things and yet she was able to start the Toro.

It's not complicated at all you slide the throttle lever all the way over, turn the choke switch all te way left, press the fuel button 3 times, and Pull start it. Then after 20 seconds turn the choke switch and you are good to go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u9Y7ELfI3M

mvedepo wrote:
Yes, he drives a manly 4X4 with chrome wheels.  It's been offroad, climbing the curb while on the way to Starbucks.. 

Steve_Cebu wrote:

Your wife looks like a good sport.Certainly not the norm when it comes to snow blowers, lawnmowers.

blumonster wrote:

Yeah, she really is a gem. But she likes doing a lot of stuff so that's good. She'd like to have more time to do it but not with her current work schedule. I showed her how to use teh leafblower and she really wants to use it some more but it's mostly done now so she'll have to wait until next fall.

Steve,

Not only your wife a good sport but she is one good looking/fit woman.  She probably can kick my butt!

MN_Runner wrote:

Thanks and yeah she can probably kick my butt as well!

Thankfully she isn't like that at all.