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We recently moved to southern NH and are planning ahead for our first winter (relocated from the south). Any insight? Our issue is that our driveway is not very long but it's on a steep slope.
- snow blower (Ariens Platinum 24)
- tractor with plow (John Deere 700 series and would use for lawn mowing)
- hired company
The snow thrower stated above is an excellent choice. If purchasing a snow blower buy from a dealer that repairs them.
Skip the big box stores.
There is some assembly at every dealer/store. Have the service manager/assembler actually/visually check the snow blower BEFORE being delivered or taken home. Have them double check every component that THEY assembled. You have been warned. Have this done while YOU are at store.
Plowing. If plowing, make sure you know WHERE the snow is going. As it will pile up if a heavy snow winter. Every plow customer wants to be first. If the plow contractor has 20-50 customers - someone is going to be last.
If having plowing. You will still have to shovel walkways and steps/doors.
If you have heating fuel delivery - might be a good idea to shovel/remove snow where your fill area is.
Mail delivery. Make sure all is cleared where mail is delivered.
As far a plow or snow blower. No one can answer for your situation. I have both.
The snow thrower stated above is an excellent choice. If purchasing a snow blower buy from a dealer that repairs them.
Skip the big box stores.
I used that methodology as well. Picked up an Ariens 30" SHO Monday from a small reputable shop in Plymouth. I'm debating whether or not to get chains for the tires.
Back to the OP's question-
IF I get a decent chunk of land in the future, I'll eventually augment with a plow of some sort.
Be aware that the state/town plow will likely plow your driveway in approximately 7 minutes after you've finished clearing it and deposit a large pile of heavy stuff that can be hard to move with a snow blower. In most places, it's illegal to push/blow the snow out into or across the street.
Plowing. If plowing, make sure you know WHERE the snow is going.
This is important! As the pile of snow melts all winter and spring, you don't want it flowing onto your driveway or a walkway. Make sure where the pile sits, that the ground slopes down to an area you will not be walking on.
This is important! As the pile of snow melts all winter and spring, you don't want it flowing onto your driveway or a walkway. Make sure where the pile sits, that the ground slopes down to an area you will not be walking on.
Come on--slipping and falling on refrozen melted snow is just part of the fun.
The snow thrower stated above is an excellent choice. If purchasing a snow blower buy from a dealer that repairs them.
Skip the big box stores.
Or go one step better, buy it from wherever you want and educate yourself on how to do your own repairs and maintenance, much cheaper than paying a dealer to do it.
Or go one step better, buy it from wherever you want and educate yourself on how to do your own repairs and maintenance, much cheaper than paying a dealer to do it.
I agree. Completely and wholeheartedly. That said, buying from a smaller shop who also repairs them is a good way to get to know folks in your new town and figure out the capabilities of the local repair shops--because eventually I'll run into something I can't/don't want to fix myself. I'm all for fixing things myself, and have the used tools to show for it, but every once in awhile it is easier/faster to bring it to the experts--helps if I already have a relationship with them.
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