Dad's new snowblower! :)

[John Schmidt]

I may have posted this story before, but all this hoopla about the storm up north reminded me of it. Some years ago, dear dad got a new snowblower at a good price since it was still a warm September in Iowa. He decided to assemble it ahead of time, figuring it will snow overnight sometime and catch him by surprise....which it did a few weeks later. Mom and I and a couple of my girls were standing there at the big picture window in the living room, watching him proudly push his shiney new blower out into the driveway. Mom suddenly started to tap on the window, calling to him while yelling "the chute, the chute."  But too late, he had already started it and took aim at the first pile of snow in the driveway. Upon hitting the bank, the impact of the blown snow caused the UNFASTENED chute to whip around at least two good revolutions. Dad had a big nose, almost Jimmy Durante style, and after the first whip of the chute his face was covered with snow. It was even under his glasses as well, the entire front of his body was covered with blown snow.....except that nose. Mom started to giggle uncontrollably, pointing at dad and saying something about a periscope, adding at least he can breath.

Dad, at times, had the patience of Job and wisdom of Solomon. Being unmoved by it all, he shut it down, quietly removed his glasses and then the snow, dusted himself off, then reached down and inserted the pin that held the chute in place. It was a spring loaded pin with a T-handle that you could pull and give it a half turn, thereby locking it OUT of place. To lock in place, turn it another half turn and it released into a slot and into a corresponding hole on the blower case where the chute mounted. Dad finished the job, came inside and quietly went about other chores, never once bringing up the subject....but mom was not to let a good thing go unnoticed. Over the next few years, every time dad got out the snowblower, he was reminded of that first trial run....mom had made a bright red "remove before starting" tag which she would secretly attach to that all important pin....much to dad's chagrin. I miss them both, now that I'm approaching the end of my 7th decade I've outlived my mother, but still have another 14 years to match dad. They had a great life together....in spite of us kids. 

[Patrick]

A good 'Ooopps' story is always nice to read. We all have them don't we. They remind us that we are human.

[baldo]

Lololol.....good story, John.....

[cookiedough]

speaking of snowblowers,  my mother in law still has her last EVER Christmas present that her husband gave to her before he died of a very rare spinal disorder back around 1975 or so.  A Sears Homelite VERY heavy duty snowblower.  She had the engine replaced about 15 years ago but the body is in MINT condition.  She waxed the metal yearly and still looks mint with very minimal rust except the big rims/tires.  She recently gave it to me since cannot install an electric start on it and the pull cord is too long for her to start it, but she reminds me everytime to WAX it since last present my wife's dad ever gave her before he passed.  Runs well and can blow snow 75 feet no problems with HUGE metal chute, they do not make them like that anymore.  Unfortunately this winter have not have much use for it with not much snow this winter as has been the case for several years now.  Am hoping for one last 5+ inch snowfall to use up some of the old gas in it and run it dry of gas before putting it up soon - I best WAX it though or I will never live it down. 

[Crackerborn]

So Cookie, how did you miss the snow on Sunday night (here) through Monday? Here on the southeastern side of the Banana Republic of Wisconsin we had 5+ inches by noon Monday followed by another 7 or so inches of lake effect white bliss on Monday evening into Tuesday afternoon. It took over two hours to drive to Wilmette (35 miles) on Tuesday morning for a meeting with a client because of the white-out conditions. I know you would not get lake effect but that was a large front to have completely miss you.

Great story John. When I saw the title and author I was wondering why any one in the Sunshine State needed a snow blower.

[Valkorado]

 

[Harryc]

No need for chute rotation here to get snow in the face. 2 feet of snow and 50mph winds will take care of that. Great story John.

[cookiedough]

So Cookie, how did you miss the snow on Sunday night (here) through Monday? Here on the southeastern side of the Banana Republic of Wisconsin we had 5+ inches by noon Monday followed by another 7 or so inches of lake effect white bliss on Monday evening into Tuesday afternoon. It took over two hours to drive to Wilmette (35 miles) on Tuesday morning for a meeting with a client because of the white-out conditions. I know you would not get lake effect but that was a large front to have completely miss you.

Great story John. When I saw the title and author I was wondering why any one in the Sunshine State needed a snow blower.

we got 2 inches, iffy at that even.  Madison 30 minutes north or so got around 3 inches.  Got lucky I guess?  Most of the grass in the sunny spots is almost not snow covered anymore even.  It all will be gone for sure by Sunday.   TIME TO RIDE!!!!!!!!     I hope soon???   

[baldo]

We were supposed to get clobbered in this last storm, so I dragged the old beast out of storage. I started it up no problem, then I noticed the cover missing over the auger drive belts. Then I remembered the spring breaking that held tension for said belts last season. The very same one that never got ordered and replaced. Imagine my dismay.

We lucked out on the storm. It moved further inland and gave us lots of rain. We have less snow on the ground than before the storm. A win-win.

And yes, I've ordered some parts.

[Ramie]

Thanks for the story John, it reminded me of one of my own. 
One night at dinner all six of us kid's and mom and dad around the table we finished our roast beef dinner and mom brought out some homemade pumpkin pie.  She had just purchased this new thing at the co-op store, whipped cream already in a spray can.  While she was trying to figure out how to use the thing it erupted and covered my fathers face.  I remember like it was yesterday, he calmly sat there, slowly removed his glasses and gave my mother the look.  Of course it only took a moment for everyone to break down in laughter.

[HayHauler]

"Periscope"!  Priceless!

Thanks for the story John.

Hay
Jimmyt

[baldo]

Try this one out...

https://scontent.fbed1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17191533_1881948062081761_5605333678324255321_n.jpg?oh=3d9a95cbde8aef5138f34f03cf74474a&oe=59622AC2

[cookiedough]

Try this one out...

https://scontent.fbed1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17191533_1881948062081761_5605333678324255321_n.jpg?oh=3d9a95cbde8aef5138f34f03cf74474a&oe=59622AC2

I would love to see that old snowblower machine run and work.  I have seen youtube videos of modern ones cleaning train tracks out with similar to that one and would be COOL to see it in action.

[baldo]

I like the single concession to safety, the one bar going across that doubles as a stiffener....lol