How I Became the Neighborhood Electric Snow Blower Fairy (Accidentally)

With an electric snowblower
it is so quiet you can blow out
your neighbor and they wouldn't 
know it. Then they look outside
and are confused why their driveway is clear.
My neighor said they didn't 
even hear me.

The other day we got about five inches of snow, which is basically Mother Nature’s way of saying, “Go play with your expensive outdoor toys.” So I took the chance to try out my new electric snow blower. My old gas-powered one isn't consistent and needs pampering and nursing just to get an hour of good work out of it. After the grinding noises started, I finally admitted it was time to try something new. Metal on metal grinding is a good tip something internal is broken.

So I did some research, found an electric model that kind of resembles a real snowblower, and for $260 I thought, “Why not? Worst case, it becomes a very expensive yard ornament.”. Or I try and return it. 

How did it turn out?

Shockingly well.
It comes with two 24-volt batteries that slide in so smoothly you'd think they were auditioning for a commercial. Electric snowblowers don’t have many parts—so theoretically fewer chances for drama—but I was still nervous about power and battery life.

But this thing actually handled the snow like a champ. Not just the five inches on the driveway, but also the giant mountain of “bonus snow” the plow lovingly dumped right in front of my house. You know, that extra-dense stuff that feels like it’s mixed with concrete and spite.

The batteries got me through my entire driveway and sidewalk, plus almost my neighbor’s driveway (It died right at the end. The batteries look like they recharge in a couple of hours). I even bought two bigger batteries online for $60 as a set because apparently I’m preparing for a career as the neighborhood snow-removal fairy. Between all four batteries, I could probably snow-blow about five houses. My neighbors are going to love me… until they realize I’ll expect cookies.

My neighbor and I have a good system: if I beat him outside, I clear his snow; in the summer, he mows my lawn when I'm gone. I recently learned another neighbor’s snow blower died, so tomorrow after the gym I’ll clear their driveway too. Nobody deserves to drive through that plow sludge—it’s like trying to push your car through mashed potatoes.

Was it worth the money?
Yes. Absolutely.
Most storms dump five inches or less, and new gas snow blowers cost around $800. With the extra batteries, this thing is a solid deal.

What about the old snowblower?
Originally I planned to put it on Facebook with a “Free—please save me from myself” description.
BUT THEN…
Harbor Freight waved some shiny new $180 vertical-shaft engines in front of me. After watching a few YouTube tutorials, I became convinced I could perform an engine transplant like some kind of small-engine surgeon. So if the bolt pattern matches, I’m going to try swapping the engine. If it works, I might sell it or keep it under a tarp like a backup dragon in case we get a monstrous 10-inch storm the electric one can’t handle.

To be fair, my gas one didn’t handle deep, wet snow well either—but at least it complained loudly while failing.

We get a lot of snow here, and although I don’t mind shoveling sometimes, doing it when it’s freezing, you’re short on time, and your back is screaming “NOPE” is a special kind of misery.

So yes—this electric snow blower?

Worth every penny and then some.