The predicted snowfall was 8 - 15 inches - "snowmegeddon". The night before I dutifully pulled out my trusty twenty year old Toro 'Red' to the front of the garage. I set up the extension cord, turned the gas line to the on position, checked the gas level and set it to full choke and turned Red over. A couple of tries and she kicked to life. I ran her 5 minutes and I figured all set. - the trick I learned was gas stabilizer and turning the gas line to the off position while Red was still running. Then when the machine stalled there would be no gas in the carburetor to gum up. I even pulled all the shovels out. Red and I have been through 2 houses and lots of storms together. The wife and I bought her at the Toro dealer for over $1,000 right after we bought our first house.
Bam 15 inches became 4 or 5 inches of the heaviest snow known to man. I went out at 1pm, opened the garage door, fired her up and went 2 feet when I realized the auger was barely spinning! Another foot and it was totally clogged with slush. I pulled red back into the garage and checked her belts: good- the suspected culprit is the auger transmission. Yikes my poor red.
Over the next few hours this 62 year old man was then reminded
1. I have a long driveway
2. Slushy snow is very heavy
3. I have a good wife 60 who helped me with my son clear the driveway for the next hour and a half.
4. It is not uncommon to have pain in your arms after shoveling heavy snow.
5. People with a metal knee fear falling on the ice and snow.
Call me crazy but I am hesitant to abandon trusty old Red. I'm not sure we will be in this house too much longer. I plan on retiring in July and look forward to some Florida sun. A suitable replacement with lights and heated grips (snowblower bling) would be about $1,200 but it just won't be good old Red. I think ill investigate if they can repair my old gal and what it will cost....
Bam 15 inches became 4 or 5 inches of the heaviest snow known to man. I went out at 1pm, opened the garage door, fired her up and went 2 feet when I realized the auger was barely spinning! Another foot and it was totally clogged with slush. I pulled red back into the garage and checked her belts: good- the suspected culprit is the auger transmission. Yikes my poor red.
Over the next few hours this 62 year old man was then reminded
1. I have a long driveway
2. Slushy snow is very heavy
3. I have a good wife 60 who helped me with my son clear the driveway for the next hour and a half.
4. It is not uncommon to have pain in your arms after shoveling heavy snow.
5. People with a metal knee fear falling on the ice and snow.
Call me crazy but I am hesitant to abandon trusty old Red. I'm not sure we will be in this house too much longer. I plan on retiring in July and look forward to some Florida sun. A suitable replacement with lights and heated grips (snowblower bling) would be about $1,200 but it just won't be good old Red. I think ill investigate if they can repair my old gal and what it will cost....
Last edited: