The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 48, Milford, Kosciusko County, 26 November 1986 — Page 22

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., November 26,1986

22

First-time buyer's guide to snowthrowers

Can a person afford a snowthrower? Will it be used enough to warrant the purchase? What type of unit is needed? Can it be easily handled? Each winter, first-time snowthrower buyers ask themselves these questions. Even so, many end up spending too much on a machine too powerful for their needs. The key to buying the right snowthrower is to thoroughly research the options. Snowthrowers are more popular than ever, according to the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute. Last year, one-half million were sold —a 10 percent increase from 1985. Manufacturers say the increase stems from changing consumer attitudes about snowthrowers and the changing society. “In the past, snowthrowers were considered a luxury item,” says Bert Thompson, Toro marketing manager for snow products. “Our research indicates snowthrowers are taking on a role similar to the family lawn mower.” Single- Or Two-Stage? The first choice in buying a snowthrower is between singlestage and two-stage models. There can be several hundred dollars price difference between

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Our photo this week shows Milford’s Main Street in 1903. The streets were dirt and the sidewalks of wood as the young town faced the new century. Mr. Martin, the tailor, had his shingle out so all could see.

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these two types of snowthrowers. Small and mid-size snowthrowers are referred to as “single-stage.” They gather snow with a high-speed rotor and throw it out of the machine in a single action. Larger models are called “two-stage.” A two-stage model breaks up snow with a slow-turning auger, then passes the snow to a high-speed impeller system that blows it out through a chute. Os the two types, two-stage is the most powerful and can throw as much as a ton of snow per minute. Two-stage units are the most powerful type of snowthrower; however, this season a new generation of midsize single-stage models is available with performance equal to smaller two-stage snowthrowers. These new models — including the Toro CCR-2000 snowthrower — can throw snow 30 feet and up to 15 feet high. Two- Or Four-Cycle “Compare snowthrower engines to lawn mower engines,” says Thompson. “Toro invented the first snowthrowers when engineers realized that lawn mower engines could be mounted onto a frame with a fast-spinning paddle wheel to throw snow.” Two types of engines are used

Sesquicentennial Memories

on snowthrowers — two-cycle and four-cycle. Two-cycle engines are most common on single-stage snowthrowers and use an oil/gasoline mixture. Four-cycle engines are most often used on two-stage snowthrowers. The newer two-cycle and fourcycle engines have vastly improved starting ease, durability and fuel efficiency compared to conventional motors. Electric start is usually not needed on these models. Rotors The rotor is the spinning part that gathers snow into the machine. Among the newest types of rotors is a “bell-curve shaped” rotor that improves the performance of some new singlestage snowthrowers. The bellcurve type rotor also has a selfpropelling action to pull the machine along, making it easier to push. On two-stage units, the rotor or “auger” turns slower than on single-stage models. The auger is designed to break up ice and crusty snow. Be sure an auger has thick spiraling metal, strong enough to break up the crusty ice packs left by snowplows at the bottom of the driveway.

Main Street at the turn of the century

Clutches Two-stage units have two hand grips. One activates the forward and reverse action, while the other controls the auger and high speed impeller. Make sure that the clutches are easy to grip and close. If they’re too taut, a person’s hands can become fatigued while operating the snowthrower. The increased tension in the arms can also translate to sore muscles and back pains. Chutes A chute controls the snow stream. Well-designed chutes should concentrate the snow “plume” into a stream instead of a fan-shaped discharge pattern that can be easily blown about by strong winds. Look for a model with an easily manipulated directional chute and a handle for turning the chute that you can reach easily from the operating position. Where To Shop Most snowthrowers are sold at power equipment dealers or hardware stores says Toro’s Thompson. “The most important thing is to buy a snowthrower from dealers who stand behind the products they sell and offer service and maintenance. The most reputable dealers are usual-

Horses and buggies line the street. One can only wonder what the ladder is doing on the east side of the street The town, indeed, seemed to be a thriving community.

ly the ones authorized by snowthrower manufacturers. ” One of the best ways to avoid getting snowed when buying a snowthrower is to do background research. Check the November 1985 issue of “Consumer Reports” for the magazine’s most recent snowthrower test article. Business student receives scholarship There have been 19 Goshen College business students named for scholarships from the Erie and Orlyss Sauder Endowed Scholarship Fund. The fund is part of a series of gifts from the Sauders to support Goshen College’s Logina A. Wright of Milford and a 1986 gradaute of Wawasee High School has been named as one of these business and accounting students, benefitting from the fund for the 1986-87 school year. business department. The Sauders, of Sauder Woodworking Company, Archbold, Ohio, have committed a total of $1 million for scholarships, an endowed faculty chair and other supporting programs in the business department.

Self-reliance The surest place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm. — Globe, Mason City, la. Cigar smoking NEW YORK — In a world of increasingly discerning smokers, 10 million Americans savored cigars last year, resulting in retail sales of nearly $650 million, according to figures provided by the Cigar Association of America. Income up 1.4 percent American’s personal incomes rose a modest 1.4 percent in the spring as overall income growth was held back by hard times in energy states and layoffs in the auto industry. The Commerce Department said residents of six states actually suffered declines in incomes during the April-June quarter.

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Milford's Main street

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THE CHILDREN in the second grade class of Charlotte (Hand) Morrill were given the assignment of writing an answer to “I am thankful f0r...” The photo shows Mrs. Morrill with Kasee Speicher, Ora Freeman, Neal Beer, Jenny Rogers, Michelle Hershberger and Justin McGowen standing in front of the bulletin board on which their papers are displayed. Answers from class members are as follows: Having school and how the teachers teach us because we learn a lot and having parents. The best think of all I am thankful for God. — Rachel Jefferson. My parents, my teacher and my house. — Kasee Speicher For Christmas. It is to remember to thank Santa. — Sara Levernier For Thanksgiving because we get to eat turkey. — Neal Beer For my mom and dad because they feed me. 1 am thankful for Christmas because I get presents on that night. — Kevin Lehman I am thankful that I can live with my mom and day. — Tommy Lung For Halloween because we get lots of candy. And my grandma and my mom because they let me ride on a train. — Luke Sawyer For God and parents and church and people. — Heather Wright My parents, my teacher and my brother. — Brad Nyce For mom, dad, Amy, Beth. Peggy and Belinda and Brendon — Robby Burke My parents, my brother and I am thankful for my family and I am thankful for Jesus. — Kara Waldbeser For everybody and everything, too, because I love them. — Justin McGowen For school because 1 love it and 1 love the teacher. — Ora Freeman My mom and dad because they gave me a birthday on November the 7th, 1978. — Tiffany Hepler Mommy and daddy and baby sister and school and 1 am thankful for animals and Jesus.

My mom and dad. — Allen Kidd My parents because they take me to the doctor when I am sick. I am thankful for my preacher because he tells me about God. — Michelle Hershberger For my home and my family and God and Jesus and clothes and my mom and dad and toys and food and my bed and my cat and animals and Mrs. Morrill and friends and books. — Christy George 1 am thankful for my mother. I am thankful for my father. And my grandma and grandpa. — Bruce Tillotson I am thankful for my house and my mom and dad and my dog and cat and brother and my clothes and Jesus and my birthday and toys and food and bed and everybody. — Jenny Rogers For grandpa and grandma and my cat and dog and Kathy — Wendi Replogle APOLOGIES GO to the family of Royce Fuller. What can we say. We blew it! Fuller is one of the two men listed as unknown in last week’s Sesquicentennial Memories photo. Last summer we made several attempts to find out who both of the unidentified men were. No one knew. Now that we know one of them is Fuller, we know we didn’t ask the right people.

Winter weather can damage ornamental trees

Winter can be hard on plants as well as people — last year’s cold snaps damaged some ornamental trees and shrubs so severely that they died or were left scarred. Winter weather in Indiana is predictably hard on plants, so it always pays to protect trees and shrubs against winter damage, says B. Rosie Lerner, Purdue University extension horticulturist. The frequency and severity of winter damage is determined by a number of factors including plant species or cultivar, location and conditions under which the plant is grown, and the occurrence of weather extremes in the dormant period. Here are some common problems and their causes: • Branches or buds that are dead or leaf out, then die. Also, delayed leaf development on older parts of branches. The cause is usually low temperature. • Elongated, sunken dead areas

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Royce was an outstanding member of the Milford community and a dedicated Mason. He is remembered by many as the owner and operator of Fuller’s General Store (where Evan’s Family Store is currently located). His widow is Alice Fuller and his daughter is Marilyn (Mrs. Bob) Brown. THE MILFORD Fire Department was summoned to an apparent fire at 5:25 a.m. Tuesday morning, Nov. 25, at Lakeland Loving Care Center when a nurse reported having smelled smoke. According to fire chief Max Duncan, the building and surrounding area were checked thoroughly and no fire or smoke was evident. CONGRATULATIONS GO to Don H. Arnold of Waubee Lake. Arnold, a past Wawasee School Superintendent is the first person from the school corporation to be honored by the Northern Lakes Conference. WHS Principal Ned Speicher presented the NLC award at last night’s basketball game. OBSERVATION: HOOSIER Hysteria is underway and the Warriors defeated Fairfield 65-52 last night. The Warriors are now 2-0 on the season with their first conference match set for December 12 when the Warriors host the Tigers from Warsaw.

in the bark, especially on the southwest side of the trunk. The cause is winter sunscald. • Damaged and broken limbs and branches or evergreens that are bent to the ground. Cause is generally snow or ice breakage. • Base of the trunk and/or the lower limbs are stripped of bark. This is girdling by animals. • Browning of evergreen needles, especially on windward side, and dry and brittle tips of branches on deciduous plants, not leafed out. This is the result of winter desiccation. If trees or shrubs showed any of this damage last year or if new stock has been planted this year, the plants will need protection. For more information about plant protection, the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service has a publication, “Winter Injury of Ornamentals” (BP-2). For a copy, contact the county extension office of the Mail Room, 201 S. 3rd Street, Lafayette, Ind. 47905.