Winter 2025 Prep in the Hudson Valley… Don’t Let It Sneak Up on You

 

If there’s one thing we’ve all learned living in the Hudson Valley in recent years, it’s that winter has a mind of its own. Some years we’re buried under snow by November; other years, it’s March and we get buried by a surprise nor’easter. What gives? It’s been… erratic, to put it mildly. But that unpredictability comes with a catch. When you don’t use your snowblower for a year or two (or three, or…) you might find it’s not too happy to wake up from hibernation. In long spans of time when snowblowers aren't used, we commonly see a big increase in fuel system problems. Those are totally a thing you can prepare for before the snow falls.

“It ran great the last time I used it!” (famous last words)
We hear this one all the time, and we get it! You ran your snowblower a few winters ago, put it away thinking you’d be all set for next time. Then Mother Nature decided to skip us for a few years. But one problem is that fuel doesn’t age gracefully. All machines, but especially those with modern carburetors are more sensitive than ever, and today’s gas blends don’t help much. If it wasn’t stabilized properly for example, it can gum up the carb, clog jets, and cause no-start issues when you finally do need it. Even with proper stabilization, there are still a dozen little things that can go wrong.

The good news? A little attention to fuel maintenance in your small engines can save you a big headache later. We’ve even put together a free “Gasoline Guide” to help you avoid common fuel problems. It’s not a guarantee that you’ll never have issues, but it definitely increases your chances of an easier time in the future.

Plan Ahead! We only have so many hands and only so many chances to prepare
Here’s the bottom line, when the first snowstorm hits, everyone suddenly remembers (or finds out) their snowblower doesn’t start. And when everyone brings their machines in at the same time, well… we’re still the same small, hardworking team with the same number of hands. If you want your equipment ready when the snow starts falling, bring it in early. We’ll make sure it’s running its best before the rush hits.

And please remember we don’t do pickup and delivery in hazardous weather conditions. If the roads aren’t safe for you, they’re not safe for us either. Another good reason to get ahead of the game now.

Thinking about a new snowblower?
If you’ve been debating whether it’s time for a new snowblower, now’s the time to shop. While there can be end-of-season sales, the best selection and promos from us and our manufacturers usually happen before winter gets going. Once the snow starts falling, the popular models disappear fast, and we can’t predict what will still be available.

Why buy from us and not a box store? 
We get it, they have lots of stuff and there’s always an ad running somewhere. But this one’s near and dear to us. Buying from a local dealer isn’t just about getting a machine, it’s about supporting your community (beyond just supporting us). 

Yes, some of your mass-market dollars stay in the community when you shop at a local mass retailer. But when you buy from an independent business, all of your dollars stay right here in the Hudson Valley. They go toward local jobs, local sponsorships, and local investments in our community. We’re your neighbors we live here, shop here, (and clear driveways here) too!

And unlike the big box stores, we don’t hand you a box or helplessly assembled machine and wish you luck. Every machine we sell is professionally assembled, tested, and ready to go when it leaves our shop. 

We don't preach about the difference between us and box stores for fun. We've been in business over 30 years, and have helped many customers fix problems that were caused by purchasing intricate equipment from a generic mass retailer.

Our team is trained directly by the manufacturers, and we’re here to help long after the sale. We’re not shy about saying this: in order to keep doing that, we need you to vote with your dollars. We’ve worked with trusted brands for decades because of your support and we want to keep it that way. But when more people start shopping at box stores, manufacturers notice. Over time, that shifts how they invest in local dealerships, and that impacts the whole industry. How can you impact real change?

At a box store you’re often on your own, sometimes even responsible for assembly. If something’s not set up correctly, it can void warranties or cause real problems down the line. When something goes wrong, there’s no technician in the plumbing aisle to help you out. Even if you bring your machine to a box store because something went wrong, they are still sending it out to be repaired by someone else. Cut out the middle…here you get expert help, real service, and a team who wants to be here year after year to keep your equipment running strong. By purchasing from a dealer, you're likely getting a better quality machine and you're telling manufacturers you want better than a box store experience.

Bonus: Generators need love too…
The same goes for your portable generator. They’re heroes during power outages, but only if they start! If it’s been sitting with old fuel /  hasn’t been run in a while, it’s a good idea to fire it up now, check the fuel system, cables, impellers, belts, etc. and make sure it’s ready before the next storm (or blackout). 

The Bottom Line

Winter in the Hudson Valley keeps us guessing, but your snowblower doesn’t have to. Whether it’s getting your old machine tuned up, making sure your generator runs, or checking out new equipment before the snow falls, the best time to act is now. We’ll be here, ready to help you get through another unpredictable Hudson Valley winter, one snowstorm at a time. (And don’t forget to grab your copy of our free Gasoline Guide found here!)