Yard Machines 31C-040-800 Snow Fox 12.5-Inch 8.5 Amp Electric Snow Thrower
|
List Price: Our Price: $119.00 You Save: $60.99 (34%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Lawn & Patio See more product details |
|---|
Tools and Hardware Reviews of Yard Machines 31C-040-800 Snow Fox 12.5-Inch 8.5 Amp Electric Snow Thrower
Customer Review: Lifesaver for my aching MUST BUY THIS!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I herniated a disc in my back last year and have had major trouble shoveling snow ever since. I can't navigate or wanted to pay for a huge snowblower and deal with all the maintenance. This machine is fabulous!!! Also, a snow plow company wanted $60 PER PLOW to clear my drive. This little trooper pays for itself if you look at how much my winter plows would've cost. We get a lot of snow in the northwest Chicago burbs.
I cleared my LOOOONG driveway in about 30 minutes pushing it around like a vacuum cleaner. There were 2-4 inches of what I call good packing/snowball snow and it worked like a champ. It actually worked better with the deeper snow throwing it farther than the more shallow areas.
The best way to use it on a driveway is to keep the blades facing forward and push it so as to make a "V" pattern while keeping the Snow Fox in the center of the drive and angling left and right alternately. I hope that makes sense.
The only drawback I have found is that it is rather low. I'm a 5'9 female and had to bend over just a teensy bit to pull it backwards. Pushing it forward was the correct height.
It's light, not too loud, and works like a charm. Ignore the negative reviews. They must not be using it properly! :)
Customer Review: Lightweight bests the Heavyweights
Summary: 5 Stars
I concur with the generous reviews of most of my fellow consumers. This machine may take longer than a more powerful gas-powered machine, and sideways expulsion may not be optimal but having said that, I cleared 12" deep, crusty, week old snow from a 100' circular driveway and - unlike the monsters my neighbors use - this machine virtually squeegeed the surface clean. After sprinkling a little calcium chloride, I was the only house with visible blacktop in my Sturgeon Bay WI neighborhood. Cord management is a little irritating but when I consider that I don't have to buy gas, or change the oil, or sharpen blades, I can live with the hassle.Customer Review: Looks great - haven't used it yet
Summary: 3 Stars
Seeing how I bought it without the benefit of any reviews about this product on Amazon, I would like to help other buyers out there who are contemplating this snow thrower/blower.
I primarily bought this product over Toro's low end product because it has a sturdier frame - gives better control because you can hold it with two hands.
Couple of other things going in this blower's favor -
1. you can control the direction of snow to -45 0 +45 degrees. this will be useful when clearing snow from a deck because you are not restricted to using the snow thrower in one direction.
2. power cord retention tool - it seems to be strong enough to not worry about the power cord coming loose in mid-use.
[...]
Hope this helps.
All that is missing now is some serious snow in the mid-Atlantic region. If and when that happens, I will try and remember to update my review with my experience.
The only reason I am giving this product 3 stars is because I don't have complete picture yet. All I have to go with is what it *appears* to be capable of.
Customer Review: Lots of "Throw" for your "dough"
Summary: 4 Stars
We got over 30 inches of snow in Boston this week so I had Amazon Fed Ex me this machine and couldn't be happier. Living in the city I don't have the room or need for a "big" snow thrower and the Snow Fox was the perfect compromise. With the blades pointed straight forward the Snow Fox easily throws the snow over 20 feet and as others have written, when you set the blades to the left or right the range decreases to 4-6 feet. The Fox has a short handle in addition to the "push handle" which is really useful for very deep snow. You can hold the machine from the short handle because its so light and cut thru drifts pretty effectively. No assembly is required unless you consider tightening the handle to be "assembly." I''m a bit of a tool junkie and the Snow Fox is a great value for someone that doesn't aspire to become a full time landscaper/snow plower. One additional point, the company that makes the Snow Fox has a great story worth mentioning. I've attached the "History" from their website. take a chance on this machine, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised...
The American Dream
MTD Products Inc. was founded in 1932 in Cleveland as a tool and die supplier to the local manufacturing community. The founders, Theo Moll, Emil Jochum, and Erwin Gerhard, were skilled tradesman who left their homeland and traveled to the United States with little but character and vision. Through their hard work, dedication, integrity and an emphasis on customer service, the company rapidly grew, and these qualities remain our core values.
MTD quickly gained a reputation as a high quality tool and die supplier, and this reputation helped the company make the natural expansion into steel stampings. The company became involved with consumer products by supplying stampings to the toy industry, but this expanded quickly to include complete products such as tricycles. Wheelbarrows were added to the consumer product line in the early fifties, and this simple product line had profound effects. Satisfied customers encouraged MTD to expand the product offerings for the yard, and in 1958 the company produced its first lawnmower. Today, MTD is a global leader in outdoor power equipment with manufacturing in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
MTD Products has earned a reputation around the world for excellence in quality and service and is the innovator in each respective business unit. The company remains privately held and closely aligned to the core values of our founders, whose example set our standard.
Customer Review: MDT does not stand behind their warranty
Summary: 1 Stars
Purchased a MTD snow thrower and in two weeks the auger started to crack. After two more uses the crack developed into a two inch C shape tear. An auger should not be made of flexible plastic. The operator's manual states the machine has a two year warranty. I contacted MTD to get a replacement part and they stated I had to go through a repair dealer to correct the defect. The dealer after repairing the machine told me I would have to pay for the repair because MTD does not warranty this part. I contacted MTD, the technician told me it is my tough luck they do not cover the part. DO NOT PURCHASE MTD snow throwers, they are made so cheaply and do not stand behind their product.