Snowblowers Went Out The Door Early; Now Waiting For Snow

Last winter primed people to get new machines.

While no snow and a lot of rain may have driven people inside to do things like check out Duluth’s trains and railroad museum, there are also those who think winter is going to come–eventually.

There were still plenty of snowblowers lined up at Northern Tool and Equipment in Hermantown on Thursday. Store manager Mike Surface said it’s been quiet recently, but a lot of snowblowers went out the door in October. After last winter’s non-stop snowfalls, he said many people were excited to have a new machine and be ready for this year.

Snow shovels are not moving much yet, but salt is starting to pick up.

Surface urges owners to make sure their equipment is ready when the snow does arrive. Their repair shop sees some common problems over and over again.

“A lot of the things we see is just bad gas that goes into these units,” Surface said. “And so, making sure that they refresh the gas. Making sure they’re changing the oil. Making sure that their equipment is ready for when the snow does happen. It’s one thing to have it, but now you have to maintain it properly,” said Surface.

Even though he’s never seen a winter like this, Surface says he’s convinced the snow will be coming, and the switch to spring merchandise is a ways off. He says no one has been in asking about lawnmowers yet.