American-Made or Chinese/American Hybrid? You May Have No Choice, Really.

[MineralMan]

So, my 10-year-old snowblower went kaput at the end of Winter last year, so I needed a new one for this year. Typically, I went online to shop, looking for one that matched my needs and my budget. I looked at lots of them, and settled on a Troy-Bilt two-stage blower from Lowes. The price was right, it had great reviews, and offered the features I need, including 6-speeds forward and 2 reverse.

The only sticking point was the engine. I wanted to avoid buying an engine that might not last for another 10-years. My old mower had a Tecumseh engine. Tecumseh no longer manufactures engines. I'm an old Briggs & Stratton fan, but their snowblower engines are mainly built in China these days, by the same company that built the one on my new snowblower.

So, I looked up where the 169cc engine on the Troy-Bilt was made, and compared it to the engines on other snowblowers in my price range. Turns out they're all made in China these days. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. The rest of the Troy-Bilt machine is manufactured in Ohio. The engine is made in China. Parts are readily available, though, and I have another engine from the same manufacturer on my Yard Machines lawnmower from Menards. It runs great and starts on the first pull every time. They all go by different names, but all are made by the same Chinese manufacturer.

So, I have a hybrid machine. Turns out that Troy-Bilt is owned by MTD, which also owns most of the other snowblower manufacturers. They all use the same Chinese engines. MTD, Yard Man, Yard Machines, Cub Cadet, Bolens. Looks like whatever reasonably priced snowblower you can buy is made by the same company and all use these Chinese engines.

Fascinating. So, Lowes is delivering it next week. I hope it lasts for 10 years like the last one. What's a guy supposed to do, you know?

[Lyric]

1. Shovel?

[MineralMan]

2. Yah...no. I'm 70 years old.

I have a 24 x 60 foot driveway and city sidewalks to clear after every snowstorm here in Minnesota. We often get 8-10 inches of snow and sometimes a lot more. I hand shovel when it's only 2-3" deep, but I'm not doing that for a 10" snowfall.

I also clear a neighbor's driveway and walks. She's in her 80s and can't afford to have someone do it.

I'm not hand shoveling any more. I'm not interested in a heart attack in the middle of the winter. But thanks for your suggestion. Really.

[Lyric]

4. Wow, I had no idea you were a senior citizen.

I'm sorry, MM!

[MineralMan]

6. I'm an old fart for sure.

I'm still able to do most stuff, though.

[upaloopa]

3. I use to live in Ohio and hate snow and the winters

there. I moved to CA and I know that isn't the answer for everyone but I don't remove snow anymore.

[MineralMan]

8. I moved from CA to MN in 2004.

Mother in law needed help and my parents had two offspring living nearby. Snow was part of the bargain, I guess.

[KT2000]

5. so my new riding mower

was used 5 times then something went horribly wrong. Repair was under warranty but when I talked with the repair person she said they would take it in and tighten everything - human hands are more reliable - is what she said. Robotic manufacturing has its problems no matter where they are built now.

The pulley system was stripped in two places and it had to be replaced. It was probably loose from the start.

This mower replaced my old John Deere which lasted 30 years.

[MineralMan]

7. When I set it up, I'll check

everything. I do that with all mechanical things.

[Brickbat]

9. Sometimes, if there's no alternative, you do what you can.

You researched your options, which is more than what a lot of people do. Sometimes there are alternatives, sometimes there aren't.

[MineralMan]

10. Yup.

That's all you can do, really. The other main brands use LCT engines, also Chinese made. Ariens, Husquvarna, and others. China has become the primary source of small engines. Even Honda manufactures most small engines in Thailand, now. Oh, well.

[Enrique]

11. move to Florida