The Yard Machines electric Snow Fox is a step up from a basic electric shovel and has added wheels for easier maneuverability.

We love the fact that Snow Fox 31A-040-800 has 5-inch wheels, which make it easy to push the machine along in front of you as it flings snow out of your way. More importantly, the wheels eliminate the necessity of dragging the thrower back each time you swipe the area you're clearing.

The 8.5-amp engine, unfortunately, doesn't accomplish a whole lot. Any small electric snow thrower of this type simply tosses snow along in front of you and eliminates the strain that lifting and throwing snow puts on your back; drawing a few extra amps does little to help the process along, other than perhaps giving you an adjustable discharge.

This machine is best for clearing small areas; decks, patios and sidewalks come to mind, especially when snowfall is light. Larger areas such as driveways are more challenging, and in heavy snow, using Snow Fox can become hard labor. For best results, clear long areas by making multiple passes cross-wise.

In our opinion, this model makes an excellent supplement to a larger snow blower. It's not an ideal sole machine if you live in a climate where heavy, wet snow is a common occurrence. On the other hand, the Yard Machine Snow Fox should be all you need in areas where few snowfalls are expected and where there is likely to be less than 4 inches of the light fluffy stuff. In some areas, it can even be sufficient for clearing a dusting from a one-car driveway.

To use the Snow Fox, you'll need access to a ground fault, protected outdoor outlet and a heavy-duty extension cord. One of the biggest challenges to using a snow-clearing machine of this type is avoiding entanglement with the cord. This model includes a cord retention device that helps prevent this problem. Yet another way to avoid this problem is to use this machine as you would a vacuum cleaner.

The Yard Machines Snow Fox 31A-040-800 is a fairly inexpensive way to clear snow and is either a great supplemental tool or a snow thrower for areas of light snowfall. Trying to use this machine for more than this, however, can be a very frustrating experience.

The 31A-040-800 is available at select hardware chains and at Sears; it is also available at Menard's as the Yard-Man 31B-040-701.


Pros: Eliminates the lifting and throwing of snow when clearing small areas of light snowfall, can hang to store
Cons: Heavy, wet snow and large accumulations can be too much for Snow Fox, cord can get in the way

Warranty
2 years, limited