Wet, heavy snow is a problem for snowblowers, keeping engine repair shops busy

COON RAPIDS, Minn. -- With most of March still left, we are looking at one of the top 10 snowiest winters of all time,  and potentially top five.

That has kept small engine repair shops extremely busy. They're still working on snow blowers while they try and turn part of their attention to lawn mowers- with spring not far off.

"We've been just busy as can be. Go, go, go," said Travis Roether.

Roether is a technician with Don's Small Engine Service in Coon Rapids. He knew that when the snow fell early this season, he was in for a busy winter. And Mother Nature did not disappoint.

"This is the first time I've had snow so early and so quick and it stayed here," said Travis.

Snow equals money at Don's. But they've been trying to keep up while also being short-staffed.

At their peak this winter they had about 500 machines in their service center. By far the most they've seen in one season.

"I was working weekends and nights," said Travis. "When we were in the heart of it I was probably a month back-logged."

They caught up, but in an interesting twist, more snow in the forecast means fixing snow blowers while also prepping lawn mowers.

"I've had to turn jobs away because I physically don't have the space," said Elizabeth Roether, Travis' wife.

Elizabeth takes the service orders. As one of the only shops that repairs both gas and battery-powered machines, they'll have to get creative if the snow continues into the spring. Creating more space while waiting on parts, some of which can take months to come in.

"Normally this time of year is our slowest time of year. We'll go days without seeing customers. And we haven't had a single one of those this year," said Elizabeth.

"This stuff has been wet and heavy and I'm just tired of it. Probably like 90% of the people in Minnesota right now," said Travis.

Don's says that normally this time of year they're seeing more lawn mowers come in for work than snowblowers. But due to the recent snow, and more in the forecast, they're seeing an equal amount of both.