Choosing a Snowthrower That Meets Your Needs

Port Washington, Wis., (December 2, 2004) — Glancing out the window, you see fallen leaves tumbling across your yard. Stepping outside, you see your breath in the air. Cold air is trying to sneak in through the collar of your fall jacket. Winter is just around the corner.

Soon you'll be looking in the garage for your old snow shovel. You shutter, not from the cold, but at the thought of another year of backbreaking snow removal. You still feel a twinge in your back left over from last winter's shoveling. Hmm, maybe it's time for a snowthrower.

If this sounds like you, Simplicity Manufacturing, Inc., makers of rugged, reliable and easy-to-use Simplicity and Snapper brand snowthrowers, offers these tips to make sure you purchase a unit that meets your needs.

Selecting the right size snowthrower

The size snowthrower you need will depend on several factors. Know your area's average annual snowfall. Select a snowthrower with enough power to handle the amount of snow you're likely to get during a "typical" winter. If snowfalls of 12" are common in you area, select a snowthrower that can handle that much snow.

Measure your driveway and sidewalk(s), and how far you need to throw the snow. The size of the areas requiring snow removal helps determine what size snowthrower is right for your needs. A choice of either a large-frame, two-stage unit capable of clearing wide, deep paths of snow, or a compact single-stage unit more appropriate for clearing small areas such as urban sidewalks and narrow driveways can then be considered.

If you have a long driveway—say over 100 feet in length—or very large areas to clear, consider a snowthrower or snowplow for your lawn or garden tractor.

Visit Your Local Snowthrower Dealer

A local outdoor power equipment dealer who handles snowthrowers is a great resource for finding the right unit. Bring along all potential operators. A snowthrower should feel manageable to everyone who will be using it.

Be sure to start the unit and try the controls. Don't hesitate to ask the dealer if he or she has a model that can be "test driven" (either onsite or at home) before making a final buying decision. Test the unit's ground speeds. A variety of speeds are preferable, since deep or drifted snow must be cleared more slowly than light, even snowfall.

Consider The Need For Accessories

Electric start systems make starting your snowthrower in cold weather quick and easy. A good cab made of high-tech plastic protects the operator from wind and blowing snow and helps improve visibility. Headlights, drift cutters and hand warmers all enhance snowthrower operation.

In addition, Simplicity Manufacturing offers several exclusive features on its Simplicity and Snapper brand large-frame two-stage snowthrowers to make clearing snow quick and easy.

Easy Turn™ allows the operator to release the drive power to the right wheel for easy maneuvering and 180 degree turning.
Free Hand Control™ enables the operator to continue operating the snowthrower with one hand while freeing the other hand to rotate the chute, adjust the chute deflector or change speeds.
Power Boost™ automatically adjusts the power to the auger and impeller as it senses the depth and density of the snow.
Briggs & Stratton Intek™ Snow and Tecumseh Snow King™ engines are designed for operating in snowy conditions.

Ask About Service

A properly maintained snowthower will provide optimum performance for years, so buying a snowthower from a servicing dealer is a big advantage. Factory-trained servicing dealers can provide not only any necessary service work, but necessary preseason maintenance as well. By having your dealer add a fresh tank of gas, change the oil, check the wear of all belts, and look over the scraper bar, skid plates and auger for excessive wear and tear, you can be assured of optimum performance during the coming winter season.

Simplicity Manufacturing, Inc., offers a complete line of walk-behind snowthowers and snow-clearing attachments for its lawn & garden tractors under its Simplicity and Snapper brands. To find out more about these products or to locate a dealer near you, visit www.simplicitymfg.com or www.snapper.com.

Snowthrower Safety

The Outdoor Power Equipment Industry (OPEI)—of which Simplicity Manufacturing, Inc., is a member—recommends the following guidelines for safe snowthrower operation.

Never put your hands inside the snowthrower chute for any reason.
If the chute becomes clogged with snow (or another object), turn it off, wait for all moving parts to come to a complete stop and then clear the chute with a stick.
Do not disable your snowthrower's operator presence control.
Most snowthrowers built since 1975 have an operator presence control (OPC) that causes the snowthrower to stop when the user lets go of the controls.
Read your owner's manual thoroughly and understand all of the recommended safety procedures before using your snowthrower.
Never allow children to operate outdoor power equipment.
Keep the area of operation clear of children, pets, and all people.
Clear the area of doormats, sleds, boards, wires, and other debris that may be hidden by the snow.
These objects could clog the chute, or otherwise cause damage.
Avoid throwing snow toward people or cars, and never allow anyone in front of your snow thrower.
Keep hands and feet away from all moving parts.
Dress properly for the job.
Be sure to war adequate winter clothing and footwear that will improve footing on slippery surfaces. Wear safety glasses, and avoid any loose fitting clothing that could get caught in moving parts. Be careful of long hair.
Handle gas carefully.
Avoid spillage by using non-spill containers with spouts. Fill up before you start, while the engine is cold.
Use extreme caution when clearing snow from mild slopes, especially when changing direction. Do not use a snowthrower on steep slopes.
Never operate the snowthrower without good visibility or light.
Walk; never run, when using a snowthrower.
Always be sure of your footing and keep a firm grip on the handles.

OPEI is the major international trade association representing the manufacturers and their suppliers of consumer and commercial outdoor power equipment. For more information, visit www.opei.org.

Simplicity Manufacturing, Inc., designs, manufactures and markets a wide variety of premium lawn & garden and snow removal equipment for residential and commercial use under the brand names Simplicity, AGCO, Massey Ferguson, Snapper, Snapper Pro, Ferris Industries and Giant-Vac. These products are sold worldwide through over 9,000 dealers and distributors. Simplicity Manufacturing is part of the Briggs & Stratton Power Products Group, LLC.

For More Information, Contact:

Troy Blewett
Manager, Corporate Communications
(262) 284-8706
tmb@smimail.com

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