Snow Blowers Buying Guide

Snow blowers have come a long way from the first one built by an enterprising farmer in rural Canada in the 1920s. Snow blowers, or snow throwers, are the perfect solution for snow-clogged driveways. Manufacturers of snow blowers make both lightweight and heavyweight models to suit differing weather conditions. Wet snow will need powerful machines to clear, while dry snow can be managed with less power.

The two basic types of snow blowers are single stage and double stage blowers. The part of snow blowers that cuts into snow is called an auger. It rotates constantly and has curved blades fitted on to its drum-shaped surface. Snow is loosened by the auger and picked up by the snow blower, then a small wheel (impeller) with blades behind the auger propels loosened snow into the discharge tube. Snow is directed away from the machine by a discharge chute. This chute is positioned by rotating a crankshaft. Snow blowers that use only an auger to collect and discharge snow are known as single stage snow blowers/throwers. Two-stage snow blowers/throwers have both augers and impellers. Also, snow blowers may be either gas powered or may run on motors powered by electricity. Single-Stage Snow Blowers Single stage snow blowers are generally used in areas that receive light snowfall. Single stage snow blowers are well-suited to maintain short walkways or driveways in areas receiving heavy snowfall.

Double-Stage Snow Blowers Double-stage snow blowers are used to clear heavy snowfall. They are meant for use in larger driveways, sidewalks, small parking lots, and other outdoor spaces.

An electric snow blower's the most obvious advantage is that you do not have to worry about gas and oil supplies. Electric snow blowers are also much quieter than their gas powered counterparts. Being relatively lightweight, electric snow blowers are easy to use and store. This feature makes them a smart choice for elderly for smaller people and the elderly.

The area of reach of an electric snow blower is confined to the length of the cord since there is a limit to how far you can move away from the electrical socket. This length is usually between 100 to 150 feet. Care must be taken with cord placement, as running the snow blower over the cord is a possibility. Extension cords may be used to extend an electric snow blower's range.

Gas-powered snow blowers are powerful machines that can handle powder and wet snow quite well. Their power does result in a far heavier machine, however. Snowfall that measures more than 6 inches typically calls for the use of powerful gas powered snow blowers.

Snow blowers are classified by width and engine engine power. In areas that receive a snowfall of 60-75 inches, a light, single-stage snow blower with an engine capacity of 5 to 8 HP is adequate. Areas that see an average of 150 inches of snowfall will need at least a 7 HP double-stage snow blower.

An average driveway in a heavy snowfall region will need a medium-sized snow blower. An engine capacity of up to 8 HP should suffice for clearing heavy snowfall. Medium-sized snow blowers generally provide clearing paths of 24 to 26 inches. Machines of this size are two-stage blowers. They may have wheels that use high traction tires or they may be equipped with rubber tracks that ease movement.

If have a long driveway or sidewalks and you are in a heavy snow region, a 9 HP and more snow blower would be a wise choice. You can opt for a 26-30 inch clearing path, and up to 33-45 inches.

Look for a snow blower with comfortable handle height, and check the position of controls and grips for easy accessibility. Check weight, especially if you must move the unit a significant distance from where you store it.

Check for added features which can help in making your clearing task easy and more efficient. Drift cutter kits, chains that reduce wheel spinning, shear pins, and locking pins are accessories that add value and efficiency.

If you need to clear light snowfall from a small pathway, small electric snow throwers in the $100-$125 price range will suffice. Snow Joe makes small, compact models for customers who need light machines.

For slightly heavier clearing jobs, 3-3.5 HP single-stage snow blowers are ideal. Top manufacturers like MTD, Ariens, Craftsman, Toro and others make models of this kind, and they are generally priced around $275-$350.

Brands like White Outdoor, Troy-Bilt, Yard Man, and Yard Machines offer a variety of models from single-stage models from $350, to large heavy-duty dual-stage snow blowers for $1000 and up.

Ariens has a number of models of single and dual-stage gas powered snow blowers to choose from. All Ariens snow blowers have rubber tracks to ensure that driveway surfaces do not get damaged due to the running of the snow blower. These machines also have a unique feature called the ‘Power Brush’ that lets you clear light snow and even leaves. A 5.5 HP dual stage snow blower of this kind costs around $700-$800.

Toro offers a few unique features, like a special trigger for releasing wheel power, an omni-directional joystick for aiming the discharge chute, and a heavy-duty gear box. Toro's models range from compact models to heavy-duty dual stage. Small compact electric models can be bought for $100-$150. Heavier manual machines from Toro that weigh around 24 pounds but need cost around $300-$325. A 5 HP gas powered single stage model from Toro weighing around 71 pounds falls in the $550-$650 range. Heavy duty dual-stage snow blowers can cost $1000-$1200. Feature packed models offer multiple forward and reverse speeds, electric and recoil starts, headlights, and joystick controls.

Murray’s snow blowers come with an exclusive feature called ‘creeper speed.’ This feature makes it easy to plough through tightly packed deep snow. John Deere snow blowers have features like an engine block heater, and their performance is optimized due to maintenance of constant temperature in the carburetor and engine. Briggs and Stratton Intek and Tecumseh Snow King engines make John Deere snow blowers a dependable choice.

The snow blowers made by Honda use fuel-efficient Honda engines. Variable speeds and logical control layouts are another distinctive feature.

Simplicity snow blowers offer snow depth and density sensors, engines that are specially equipped for quick starts and silent runs, and special handles for releasing power to one wheel. High-end snow blower models that cost upwards of $2000 come equipped with the such features. These are powerful machines with 13-15 HP weighing 250-300 pounds, with a clearing path of at least 32 inches.

The warranties offered by most manufacturers ranges from two to five years. Manufacturers like Craftsman have service agreements with companies like Sears.

On one hand, top of the line powerful snow blowers can clear snow at the rate of two tons per minute and blow it away to a distance of 45-50 feet, on the other hand, there are lightweight machines that can clear up light powdery snow too. Whatever your snow clearing requirement, there is a snow blower out there that can handle it efficiently.

Toro, Craftsman, Ariens, Honda, MTD, John Deere, Murray, and Simplicity are among the top manufacturers of snow blowers. These manufacturers make both single-stage and double-stage snow blowers, and a wide range of models to choose from.