Do you live in an area that gets enough snow each year that you constantly have to shovel it off your driveway and sidewalks? If so, you know what backbreaking and time-consuming work using a shovel can be. Of course, you will have thought of buying a snowplow or snowblower as they are properly called. Or you already have a snow thrower but now you need to replace it because it is broken, worn out or maybe you need a bigger more powerful one or maybe a smaller easier to handle model. Snowblowers don’t actually blow snow, which is why their proper name is “snow thrower.” Snow is ejected at high speed from the chute or out the front of the machine, either by the speed of the auger or, in a two-stage machine, by an impeller inside the outlet chute.
So which snow blower is available to meet your needs?
There are four types of snowplows or snow throwers that will be of use to most homeowners. Starting with the smallest and going up in size, these are as follows:-
- Electric snow shovels. Small electric machines similar in size to a shovel with a cutting width of about 12 inches and usually 7 to 9 amps of power
- Electric snow plows. Larger electric machines usually with wheels and around 18 inches width of cut 12 to 15 amps
- Gasoline single stage snow thrower. Bigger than electric machines and with bigger wheels. Snow is ejected through the chute by the speed of the auger blade
- Gasoline two-stage snow thrower. High-end home machines, two-stage snow blowers cut snow just like other machines, but then the snow is thrown out of the hopper by an impeller inside the outlet hopper rather than the speed of the auger.
and, to clear really large areas, such a long driveway
- Snow plows and plow accessories. Attachments for garden tractors and even for road utility vehicles
What job is each type of snow blower best for?
- Electric snow shovel. An electric snow shovel is great for cleaning small areas, steps, decks, and patios. They are light and very easy to move. They are limited to being able to clear snow up to about 150 feet maximum away from the outlet and no more than 4 to 6 inches of fresh, light snow in a single pass.
- Electric snow blowers. Electric snow blowers tend to have a cutting width of around 18 inches and are generally rated between 12 and 15 amps. These electric machines are good at clearing larger areas of snow up to the size of a 3-car driveway and the sidewalks that go with it. They tend to be rated to be able to clear up to 10 inches of snow at a time, but a snow depth of 4 to 6 inches is more realistic. They are limited to being able to clear snow up to about 150 feet maximum from the outlet.
- Single stage gas powered snow blowers. Gas-powered single-stage snowplows are typically 21 to 24 inches and are rated to clear about 12 inches of snow at a time, but most are content with removing 6 to 8 inches in a single pass. Today, single-stage gas blowers tend to be powered by 4-stroke engines rather than 2-stroke engines, eliminating the need to add oil to the gas. 4-stroke engines are also quieter than 2-stroke engines and also tend to have more torque, meaning they are better suited to harsher conditions. Single-stage snowplows tend to require the operator to push them since the wheels are not driven, but are pulled by the cutting action of the auger.
- Two-stage gasoline snow blowers. These are the high end machines for clearing areas around domestic properties. These blowers range in width of cut from 24 to 33 inches and are self-propelled with up to 6 speeds forward and reverse. Two-stage snowplows can also handle wet snow better, as a secondary impeller propels it from the chute, and can also remove snow up to 24 inches deep. These two-stage snowblowers are large in size, which means they are not as flexible to use as the smaller single-stage or electric machines and also require considerable storage space.
- Larger Snowplows – Accessories. Attachments such as snow plows and snow plows are available for garden tractors and utility vehicles.
What type of snow blower is best for your property?
This will depend on how much snow you normally have and the size of the area you need to clear. Therefore, the larger the area, the larger and more powerful snow blower you will need. After all, you don’t want to be shoveling snow all day, as there are better things you could be doing.
- Steps, decks, patio, paths, etc. Really, the only option for these smaller areas is a normal shovel or an electric snow plow.
- Small size area – 3 cars plus walkways. If you have a small driveway for up to two cars, plus sidewalks around the house, then a power shovel might work, but I’d suggest a power snowplow around 18 inches would be more ideal. A driveway of more than two cars and you definitely need an electric snow blower and not an electric shovel. As with an electric lawnmower, the electrical cord can be a problem, so care must be taken when using the blower so as not to cut the cord.
- Medium size area – 2-5 car driveway plus walkways. If you can get electricity to the limit where you need to clear snow then I would suggest an electric snow blower would be ideal as no gas required, no starting problems, easier to store than a gas blower, easier to operate and when you want to use it, just take it out, plug it in and go. A single stage gas powered machine will do a similar job to an electric one and will be able to shovel snow where there is no access to electricity within 150 feet. I suggest a single stage gas powered machine is useful for a driveway that will have up to five cars plus walkways.
- Oversized area – driveway larger than 5 cars. If you have an area of more than 5 cars or experience regular heavy snowfall, you will need a gas-powered two-stage blower. Also remember that two-stage snow throwers have wheel drive and up to 6 speeds forward plus reverse, so they are easier on your muscles, back, and lungs than electric or single-stage machines, where the auger is which drags him through the snow.
- Massive size area: long driveway, large parking area, etc. If you have a very large space, such as a long driveway or parking for more than ten cars, and you own a ride-on mower, ATV, or compact tractor, there are accessories available that will allow you to shovel snow from the comfort of your seat. of any of these vehicles. Accessories are also available for utility vehicles on the road, such as a pickup truck, but unless your property is miles from the main road, you won’t need to consider them.