Winter storm spurs snow blower repair business and sales
By: Terry Kovarik
Updated: January 30, 2013
"When I brought mine in yesterday, I said if you by chance can't get it done, save that because I'll take that one," said Bob Ruggles of Allouez.
Ruggles's new machine is one of several that De Pere True Value reserved for customers. The later winter start has left plenty of machines on hand. But owner Kelly Schattl expects a big demand for repair work and sales to replace units that can't handle another storm.
"It runs fine. But when you get into this heavy, wet snow and if anything was going to go, you've got a belt that was borderline or a bearing that was borderline, it typically will go," Schattl said.
It's not just heavy snow removal that's bringing business into hardware stores. Martin Hardware has seen a run on sump pumps and rental pumps to deal with flooding conditions that normally happen in spring.
"There's been a lot of water build up, which we normally see in the spring. But with the cold temps dropping back, the ground is still frozen. There's no place for this water to go," said owner Katie Martin.
With chances for more heavy, snow for this winter season, Bob Ruggles wasn't about to wait to get his old snow blower repaired.
"I haven't got the knees. I ain't the man I used to be," he said.
Local 5's Terry Kovarik has the story.
