I read most of these postings, a lot are similar and interesting.
When in New England, on the coast, we missed a lot of storms but when we would get snow it was a doosie.
The Walk Behind Snapper Snow Blower would get a work out but she would cut through and worth every penny I paid for her but I always wanted a Tractor with Snow Blower in front.
I got the Tractor but no snow blower, the FEL worked out so well I never thought about paying the extra cash for the Blower and Front Drive System, well I thought about it but never needed to spend the money.
I always found the best idea of keeping less from hitting you, Rue of Thumb - When blowing snow, work with the wind, never blow snow into the wind, that goes off other things too, and when you can't use the wind... keep the chute low (that's works really good most of the time but with wet snow you need as straight a shot as possible).
I now live in SoCal, family, but I see pictures of the Front End Snow Blowers and think I would like to be back in New England blowing snow... NOT !
I don't miss it, but do think of the fun I had moving it.
God Bless all, keep safe when blowing snow, and keep a can of WD-40 around the blower, it is the best thing I found to keep the chute clear and next best is PAM, I like her and keep her close too; PAM and WD works on shovels too or even FEL Buckets.
One last remembrance, "I used to love, yes LOVE, going out after the storm to clear the snow"... especially when the snow was just the right wetness and no wind and the sun was shining. The chute was straight as possible, and the snow would come out if there and blow so high in the air, maybe 15-20 feet, maybe less, (I'm trying to remember here)... ! No matter how high it really went it seemed very high and it was a sight to see that snow with the sun shining through.
Then the Tractor came, clearing snow got faster and I helped a lot more people on the road I lived on, so in the long run, the tractor was a boom for myself and the neighborhood. Probably would have gotten in trouble using the snow blower but that to could have been fun to me.
Thx for reading, have a good day.