***Official 2023 Weather Thread***

stateofmind

Well-Known Member
Jul 16, 2007
6,635
4,174
113
Ankeny
https://www.amazon.com/JM-Enterprises-TV206972-Snowplow-Pusher/dp/B00BVR96TW

They're at like every Ace Hardware in Iowa. Not sure about other areas.
I'm sure more stores carry them.
I think I got mine at Fleet Farm and it was cheaper than Amazon. Can't remember, but it's a game changer. Shovel and then one of these for the end of the driveway or the wet heavy stuff so it doesn't slide off the ends. Or if you are like me you use them together to catch the run-off snow off the white blade. I didn't spend this much, probably more like $30.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: AirWalke

somecyguy

Well-Known Member
Jun 19, 2006
3,528
4,009
113
Speaking of snow blowers, I shoveled every snow this year except for the heavy wet snow. But my 10 year old snow blower hadn't ever had a servicing. I went all out, new spark plug, new oil, new scraper, etc. I ran the gas out like every year. But I don't think I ran seafoam through it for the first time last winter. Damned if I couldn't get it started without a little carb cleaner sprayed in the spark plug hole. Now I can get it running but can't fully take the choke off now.

Anyone else a slacker on maintenance like me and had an issue like this? I'm thinking I should go get a can of seafoam and run some through it before the next snow. So mad I didn't take care of it. It's a really nice Craftsman 26" and I now have that canopy that goes over me when I'm using it. If you don't have one of those I couldn't recommend it more.
I've got a Craftsman 26" that is about 4 years and taking the carb off of them isn't terribly difficult. Maybe 15 minutes to pull it off. I've run seafoam through mine in the fall, but likely didn't run enough through the carb because last winter it wouldn't start and it was the carb. I bought a new one off Amazon for like $30 just to have another ready, but a toothpick is all it took to pull out some of the gummed up gas.
 
  • Like
Reactions: stateofmind

KidSilverhair

Well-Known Member
Dec 18, 2010
11,187
21,944
113
Rapids of the Cedar
www.kegofglory.blogspot.com
This is what I used to have before I moved into a condo. I could clear off my two-stall driveway in about the same amount of time it would take a snowblower, and I didn’t have to gas it up or change the oil or find room in the garage (I hung it from a hook on a ceiling joist). It has a big scoop, then the long handle and big wheel worked as a neat lever - you push the snow to the side of the driveway, then push down on the handle and it throws it up and away. The friend of mine who told me about these called it the “Amish snowblower” lol.

Unfortunately I dont think they’re in production any more, everything on the website has been out of stock for at least four or five years.

3E1FDDF9-CCB8-4A1C-AD4B-9D1FDBBE25D6.jpeg
 
Last edited:
  • Informative
Reactions: ClonesFTW

KidSilverhair

Well-Known Member
Dec 18, 2010
11,187
21,944
113
Rapids of the Cedar
www.kegofglory.blogspot.com
Winter storm watch cancelled for story county
Linn went from being outside the watch last night to a winter storm watch this morning to a winter storm warning now … although the NWS says Cedar Rapids (southern Linn) will be getting a mix of rain and sleet at worst. Go a few miles north near Center Point and then the forecast is 1-3 inches of snow. Go a little further towards Dubuque and it’s 3-7.

I understand that they need to put the entire county in the warning, but if they’re right about the track we shouldn’t see much effect here in CR.

EDIT: I take it back. If you tap on the map for the point forecast on the NWS website, depending on where you tap in Cedar Rapids they’re calling for less than an inch, or 1-3 inches, or 2-4 inches … all within the city limits.
 

JM4CY

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Aug 23, 2012
37,997
74,831
113
America
shenanigans-super.gif
That seriously is one of the greatest ******* movies of all time.
 

JP4CY

Lord, beer me strength.
Staff member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Dec 19, 2008
74,747
95,841
113
Testifying
Couldn’t agree more! Put me on ignore if I drive you so crazy @JP4CY
Drive me crazy? Oh no, it's all just laughable. Anyone can see the dozens of times you've posted "KCCI sucks" yet you still post about them. Why do you watch something you hate so much, then complain about them so much on here?
If you like WHO, WOI, Wunderground, etc just roll with them.
 

BCClone

Well Seen Member.
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Sep 4, 2011
67,839
63,959
113
Not exactly sure.
I need one of these. But that bastard is gonna hurt like hell when I catch it on all the cracks in my drive and jam it into my chest.
I had one. You can’t scoop anything with it as it had a slight curve to it so it only plows snow like a county truck blade.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: JP4CY

mynameisjonas

Well-Known Member
Jan 19, 2019
6,605
8,646
113
WHO has Ames at 0.3 and Des Moines at 0.8. Good news! No update from KCCI since early this morning.
 

alarson

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Mar 15, 2006
59,625
74,493
113
Ankeny
For the me the two stage is needed frequently after the plow goes by.
Yeah, the single stages I've had choke on wet slushy snow and on the snow at the end of the driveway the plow leaves

The other thing is that the two-stage kicks the snow farther, so when a winter where there's a bunch of snow, It can be kicked a bit farther into the yard
 

JP4CY

Lord, beer me strength.
Staff member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Dec 19, 2008
74,747
95,841
113
Testifying
Yeah, the single stages I've had choke on wet slushy snow and on the snow at the end of the driveway the plow leaves
Yeah, and don't get me wrong I'm not a "blame the plow guy" I just find if that ridge freezes and you or your spouse have a low vehicle its a pain to then get moved.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: alarson