Dad's first snowblower.....absolutely unforgettable. :)

[John Schmidt]

Dad was always one to buy equipment of any type that involved "some assembly required." His first snowblower was no exception. The day of "infamy" took place in Ft. Dodge, Iowa where I grew up from 8th grade on. My mother and I watched from the picture window in the front room, this was many years after I had left home...married and had a family, just home for the holidays. First, keep in mind that my dad had a schnoz on him that would have made Jimmy Durante proud, and wore glasses prominently perched thereupon. Hard to miss! He got the blower out following a good snowfall that had left about four inches on the driveway, a good test of his new(and first) snowblower. Just as he started it, mom noticed the chute swinging back/forth a bit and tapped on the window to point it out to him. Of course, with the engine running he couldn't hear her and proceeded to head into the deepest bank. As he hit the bank next to the terrace, the snow slammed into the chute, which in turn caused it to whip around wildly like a garden hose with nobody holding the end of it when you turn on the water. The chute swung around in a 360 twice before he could shut off the engine, both times it whipped directly across his face. There he stood silently, holding the handle of the blower, and all you could see was his nose sticking out from behind all the snow caught under his glasses and all over his face. He looked like someone had just hit him in the face with a custard pie.....and mom made a beeline for the bathroom before she wet herself. She emerged a few minutes later, still laughing so hard she had tears...as did I. When dad came in, noone said a word until he busted out laughing....while holding up a small bag of nuts/bolts that he had missed while assembling the blower. Seems those were to fasten the chute down along with the spring loaded pin that was to hold it in whatever position you place it. Aaaah the memories, I still chuckle when I think back to that day.  

[Tropic traveler]

What's a snowblower??????

[HayHauler]

What's a snowblower??????

+1. 

Hay
Jimmyt

[R J]

What's a snowblower??????

Think of it as a snow cone maker.

[Patrick]

My father didn't buy a blower until I left home.     I still have it, just made an airplane tug out of it.

[old2soon]

Youse guys askin what's a snow blower look on don't make fun of Fl. or some such.   While we never had a snow blower growing up he had 2 sons and coal scoops.   And growing up North of Chicago and just South of Wisconsin we had a couple snow days growin up.   We could earn money after a snow fall as long as we took care of the homestead FIRST.   After we got the driveway and sidewalk taken care of we could proceed to knock on doors and solicit work for which we got paid-AND the money earned from that venture was OURS!!   From your description John I'm almost certain if a video existed of that moment it will/would win some money.     RIDE SAFE.

[John Schmidt]

O2S, I can only wish we had a video. The internet and all its stuff wasn't even thought of back then. It would have been a great addition to the America's Funniest Videos....possibly a winner.

[Hoser]

What's a snowblower??????

That would be a gay elf at Santa's workshop.  Not that there is anything wrong with that.  (I ain't never gonna get away with this post)    Hoser

[cookiedough]

ah, the memories we never forget. 

Sooner or later in about 5-7 years probably I'll be getting my mother in laws old sears 5hp snow thrower made with ALL metal parts in the 70's and a huge chute that will blow all the snow from my driveway if the wind is correct into my HD neighbors driveway, can't wait for the fun of that. 

The width is narrower but much taller than all snowblowers today and the chute opening is not restricted and is huge vs. all snowblowers made today.  Man, the snow flies like you wouldn't believe up up and away very far.  She had to put a new engine in it after 35 years recently but that thing rocks.

[MacDragon]

I got a great chuckle out of that John.  Must have been just hilarious...

[john]

                   

[Jess from VA]

Similar to using a a blender without the top on.

You only do that once.

[eric in md]

just another great read.  what a great memory. there some of the best

[wiggydotcom]

That's a great story, John...
I've always said there are two things in life that are worth every penny I paid for them. One is an electric garage door opener and the other is a snowblower. My first snowblower was a Sears Craftsman that lasted 34 years.

When it gave  up the ghost and it was time to buy a new one, there was only one to consider. I'm hoping it's as good as my two
Valkyrie Interstates have been.

I call this picture the "Changing of the Seasons". Although my bike has gotten a few sparkly additions since this pic, it's all about
the snowblower....