I gave up on the whole gas powered mower/snow thrower thing a few yrs. back. We had a John Deere that could convert from mower to snow thrower. But, every time you had to do the conversion it required a "technician" to come out and do it at a cost of $100. Then there were the repairs (Technician: " Oh yeah, that pin breaks all the time. I carry spares in the truck.") And, of course, the annual tune-up, gas & oil, battery, etc. Now we have a guy from down the street who mows in the summer ($50 for 1 1/2 acres and trimming) and plows in the winter ($40) on our wrap around driveway. I shovel the walk and celebrate with a brandy. Although I must admit my first act of a big snowfall is to jump in my Audi Quattro and go for a ride before we get plowed out.
