We're older, but fit. Time is always a factor. You want it gone now. That's what causes heart attacks at our age. I did a lot of research. I read tons of reviews. I was specifically looking for information that matched our climate and the snow WE get. My brother in NM at 8k' got 6" of powder and he was showing off his new green cordless version. I'm happy being tethered so I went the corded route. EV is OK with me, just not here in Md. I knew I wanted as small as possible, yet still make sense, and as powerful a motor as possible for our wet snows. There are so many choices. I looked at everything. They even have a version that is like the automatic vacuum cleaner in your house [smh].
I needed a simple tool to occasionally do a simple job. It had to be user friendly for my wife too. It needed to replace the manual shoveling of up to 6" - 8" of wet snow, on our deck, front entry walk, the path to our trash cans, and any part of our lawn we want to clear for our two girls dogs.
We walk them twice daily no matter the weather. We all dress accordingly but yup, no matter what. So we both had to be sure whatever we got was easy to use and efficient.
I found the Westinghouse Open Box seller on eBay in my travels because of the very familiar logo. Remember, we're older. This is definitely not my first Westinghouse product. I feel like if this all works out, I'll be forced to explore other avenues with this OG.
Now, I got a crazy deal, I won't lie, and I purchased an open box, no guarantee it would not have some scratches bla bla bla. It's a snow blower [rolls eyes] so what. It was literally half as much as 99% of everything out there. Great packaging in a extra thick box. Assembly took all of 5 minutes due to the fact all you do is attach the top handle half to the lower blower half and then attach the "sweet" (the Wife) helper handle. I plugged it in, and it is a lot quieter than I expected. We're rural so no big deal but. In an urban setting your neighbors will be envious more quickly. Maybe if you were in the front, they were in the back in a townhouse setting, they'd never hear you. It's not as loud/whiny as this one EV leaf blower I have. It has a single light that is sufficient in absolute dark areas. We have a couple of those out back when the snow blocks the sun on our solar lights in those areas.
Of course it hasn't snowed yet but we're due. We've been lucky for too many seasons now. Not breaking a hip so dogs can go out though is a priority. I would rather have this thing hanging in my shed ready instead of wishing.
I am completely satisfied with my purchase. Simple to say at this point. I'm not unfamiliar with mechanics, motors, complex machinery, and have been in the manufacturing and engineering field for the last 45 years. None of that matters though when you really get a good look at the business end of this thing. It has some tourqe when it's in the air, so, maybe not a bad idea to stop/start/stop lining up again. lol
Now my logic. So in the beginning I said "wet snow", and I'm sure most of you said "nope......" and I get it. But are you taking into consideration that the "discharge chute" which is what the exit on this is, right? [my logic here] Thereby making IT at least 3x larger than the discharge chute on my 54" Diesel tractor mounted blower, the even with silicone spray, clogs. As a matter of fact, if Westinghouse house needs help developing a better tractor mounted blower, I'm their guy. lol
It's crazy logic but it's my logic, and I have faith. We don't always get the mud, and there are times a leaf blower is all we need. This is way better than the leaf blower, shovel, that we can both use.
Nar I say, I'm excited to try it? lol not me. I hope it keeps it away!
Oh, entire eBay experience was excellent too. 5 outta 5 all around.
Thank you.
Frosty