ALLENTOWN, Pa. – We’ve been checking in with a lot of local hardware stores in our area this week.
For those of you who already have one… it may have been a little while since you’ve actually had to use it.
Soon, our area will be covered with snowblowers pitching the flakes onto big fluffy piles.
“The biggest thing is how big of an area you have to clean so that you match the machine to what you’re doing,” said service manager Ken Yons of Albright’s Hardware Store in Allentown.
Yons says if you haven’t used your snow-thrower in a long time, siphon the old gas out. And never remove clumps of snow from the blades by hand.
“If you do clog the machine up, always shut it off and remove the key before you stick anything in. If you have a broomstick or something it’s much better than sticking your hand in to clear the snow,” said Yons.
Many stores in our region have sold out of snowblowers, including Weavers Hardware store in South Heidelberg Township, Berks County.
Manager Carrie Brown expects last minute arrivals on Friday.
“Make sure that it’s up and running. If you need any sheer pins, in case you hit something, you need to replace that. Get your gas, your oil.” Brown said.
It’s the ultimate pairing of man and machine. Locked in a battle with mother nature.
If the snow totals reach double digits, be prepared to engage in multiple battles.
“These snowthrowers are good up until about ten inches. If you go out into two feet with one of these, it’s not going to work very well,” Yons said.
A rivalry renewed in driveways across the region, this weekend.