Winter may have its joys, but shoveling snow isn't one of them. For this simple reason, snowthrowers have become a fact of life in many parts of the country. Obviously, it's easier to throw tons of snow off your driveway with a machine rather than use your back and shoulders. It's also faster to do this with a machine, and less likely to cause injuries. When it comes to snowthrowers, you've got your pick in terms of size, price and performance. Manufacturers have made their new equipment more capable, easier to start, and more nimble to maneuver. Here's a look at the latest crop of machines to cut a snowfall down to size.

Power Play
It is possible that given enough power, snow removal could feel more like play and less like work. Yard-Man's 2-stage 9.5-hp snowthrower uses two driveshafts to distribute power from the engine. One shaft powers the 6-speed disc-drive system, and the other shaft turns the 28-in. auger. The result is quieter operation and better power transfer since the needs of the drivetrain and auger are rarely equal. Another snow-busting feature is the machine's lever-actuated steering. Press the lever above either handle to move the machine right or left. To keep the operator as comfortable as possible, the handles are electrically heated. The snowthrower costs $1100 to $1200 at The Home Depot, and that includes pushbutton electric start. Contact Yard-Man, MTD Products, P.O. Box 368023, Cleveland, OH 44136.

Two For The Throw
A snowthrower doesn't have to be expensive or elaborate. If your snow clearing needs are on the less demanding end of the spectrum, Sears offers this 3.8-hp single-stage machine (left) for $350. A 21-in.-long auger pulls it forward through snow. When it's time to put it away, loosen the two wingnuts on the handle, and fold the handle forward. The machine takes up less space than a lawnmower. If you need a heavier snowthrower, the company also offers this 7.75-hp, 26-in., 2-stage model (lead photo). It has six forward speeds and two reverse. Like many snowthrowers, it uses shear bolts to protect the auger and impeller in case you strike something buried in the snow. However, its toolfree shear bolts should get you running again quickly. It costs $950. Both snowthrowers are sold at Sears stores. Contact Sears, Dept. 703, 3333 Beverly Rd., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179.

Good Fit
The Ariens ST524 fits nicely into your garage, yet it's big enough to handle the occasional heavy snowfall. The 2-stage machine is powered by a 5-hp engine with electric start as a standard feature. It has two control bails on its lawnmower-like handle. One controls the auger and impeller while the other activates the drive system. A stick shift on the control panel moves through six forward and two reverse speeds, while a crank nearby turns the steel discharge chute through 220_ in just 21_2 revolutions. Its preseason pricing is $750 at Ariens dealers. Contact Ariens Co., 655 W. Ryan St., Brillion, WI 54110; 800-678-5443.

Brute Force
When it comes to snow clearing, sometimes brute force is needed. An example is Simplicity's massive 13-hp, 2-stage snowthrower with a 38-in.-wide, ball-bearing-mounted serrated auger. The auger housing is reinforced with a back brace that is welded together and, at its center, is welded to the snowthrower's frame. Each of the two heavy-duty steel skid shoes at the rear of the auger housing is bolted through the brace. The machine is propelled by a disc-drive transmission with five forward speeds and two reverse. First gear is a creeper speed of .6 mph that enables the machine to keep throwing snow under severe load without losing traction. To pivot the 300-pound machine, you pull a handle trigger that cuts off drive power to the right wheel. Rounding out its features are electrically heated handgrips, electric spout rotation and electric start. It costs about $2200 at Simplicity dealers. Contact Simplicity Mfg. Co., 500 N. Spring St., Port Washington, WI 53074.

Forge Ahead
Sometimes you have to let a snowthrower crawl through deep, wet snow. That's why Husqvarna equipped its 1130STE disc-drive snowthrower with a superlow creeper speed. Let its 11-hp engine work in conjunction with the 30-in. auger and the 12-in.-dia. impeller. The result is a machine that chews through nearly anything, says Husqvarna. About all you do is steer. That's accomplished by squeezing the levers above each handle. Other ease-of-use features are electric start and a halogen headlight. It costs about $1600 at Husqvarna dealers. Contact the company at 7349 Statesville Rd., Charlotte, NC 28269; 800-487-5962.

It's No Lightweight
Honda's HS520A is a small snowthrower that packs a punch. The 76-pound machine is equipped with a 4-cycle, 5-hp, overhead-cam engine designed specifically for high torque in a compact size. The result is a snowthrower with a high power-to-weight ratio. The single-stage machine clears a 20-in. path and pulls itself through the snow with the force provided by its rubber-edged auger. It costs $650 at outdoor power equipment dealers and at The Home Depot. Add another $100 for the electric start option, which also adds 11 pounds to the machine. Contact American Honda Motor Co., Power Equipment Division, 4900 Marconi Dr., Alpharetta, GA 30005.