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A Happy Holiday For Snow Blower Repair Shops

By Rachel Slavik, WCCO-TV

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Snow blower repair shops are getting a "flurry" of business, thanks to all the snow.

A day before Christmas, the mall isn't the only place dealing with a holiday rush. Long lines are also forming at Cedar Small Engine in Minneapolis, a shop that specializes in snow blower repairs.

"It's been a wonderful little machine, but just -- they give out," said Loretta Krier, who brought her snow blower in for repairs.

Krier's small Toro got her through the biggest winter storm in decades.

"I'm so thankful that at least I didn't have to hand shovel that real big, whatever we got, 16, 18 inches," said Krier.

But for the next four weeks, she and many others have to weather future storms with a shovel.

"Right now, optimistically about four weeks and we have four mechanics wrenching," said Laurie Miller of Cedar Small Engine.

Miller said the most common repairs this year are belts and carburetors because people are pushing their snowplow to do more than it can handle.

"People are in too big of a hurry. You have to walk slower. Give the machine a chance to do its job," said Miller.

She also has a recommendation for snow blowers with gears -- the thicker the snow, the lower the gear. The lighter the snow, the higher the gear.

WCCO-TV's Rachel Slavik Reports

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