All About Snow Blowers: The Helpful Guide You Need

All About Snow Blowers: The Helpful Guide You Need

The snow blower takes center stage any time significant snowfalls impact the nation. Not all equipment can handle the tall piles stacked up after a nor'easter. There's a snow blower fit for the nation's hardest-hit regions and those receiving an occasional inch or two. 

Snow blowers fall into one of three stages, and since it's not uncommon for some states to receive 15 inches or more, we'll start with the layer capable of handling the tallest piles of snow best: the three-stage snow blower. Along the way, we'll cover: 

• The three-stage snow blower

• The two-stage snow blower

• The single-stage snow blower

• Electric snow blowers

• UTV and ATV snow blowers

• Skid steer snow blowers

 The three-stage snow blower 

The three-stage snow blower is the most powerful and comes at a higher price point. The price point on these heavy-duty, gas-powered tools ranges in the thousands but can reduce the time it takes to clear heavy snowfall.

The three-stage blower often adds peace of mind for many homeowners because it has an additional accelerator that provides a boost for discharging snow through the chute.

The accelerator spins perpendicular to the auger, and the two work together to collect the snow and force it into the impeller for discharge. Some models can throw snow up to 50 feet in the air. The ejecting power makes clearing snow a much simpler process. It's difficult to clear snow if the snow blower doesn't launch snow up and away from the path you're clearing.
While throw distance is essential, do your best to gauge how efficiently the snow blower clears snow. Read product reviews, ask questions of the manufacturer, and look for any data on the volume of snow the snow blower can move. 

There may not be hard data here, but throw distance is only one factor of a great snow blower.

The higher-end models work in snow depths up to 23 inches. More importantly, the accelerator helps cut through icy snow. A three-stage snow blower is a solid option for homeowners with paved, inclined driveways and unpaved surfaces. 

 The two-stage snow blower 

Although two-stage snow blowers lack an accelerator, they are powerful enough for the snowfall experienced in many parts of the nation -- these tools quickly clear large areas. Have a 60-foot driveway and receive up to 12 inches on occasion? 

A two-stage snow blower is fit for the task. Like the three-stage models, they, too, can work in depths up to about 23 inches.

They move wet and icy snow well but at a slower pace. The impeller helps prevent clogging. At this stage and the third stage, engine-drive wheels are a must. Anyone who has operated a snow blower without assistance can attest to how much help engine-drive wheels provide. 

For homeowners with unpaved surfaces, look for models with skid shoes – the two plates attached on the exterior to raise the height of the snow blower.

 The single-stage snow blower 

One of the benefits of single-stage blowers is that they are lightweight and the easiest to handle. They clear mid-size areas at a decent pace. But how much snowfall can they handle? About 12 inches is the max.

These snow blowers work best on level drives and those with a slight incline. Consider a two-stage snow blower if your driveway is more than 60 feet long. Self-propelled models help alleviate the burden of clearing an even surface. 

They handle light to moderate snowfall well. 

As its name suggests, the single-stage snow blower completes snow removal in one process: the auger scoops up the snow and sends it flying through the chute in a single motion. 

Which stage snow blower is best for me?

When choosing a snow blower, ask the following questions to make an informed decision: 

1. How much snowfall is typical for my area?

2. Is the snow usually packed with ice and heavy? 

3. How much area do I need to clear? 

4. What surface do I have, and is it on an incline?

As homeowners clear a path towards their day after a heavy snowfall, those with snow blowers cherish their investments. Our snow removal services are a great, affordable option for those without the right tools.

Are electric snow blowers good to use?

Electric snow blowers are an excellent option for those who receive light to moderate snowfall and don't need to clear a large area. One of the best parts of electric models is that the batteries can be used with other tools within the same ecosystem: an EGO Power+ 2-stage snow blower, for example, uses the same batteries as EGO's self-propelled lawn mower, their leaf blower, their chainsaw, and more tools in their product line. 

EGO isn't the exception. This interoperability between products is common among battery-powered equipment. While many products in this category do a fantastic job, we'll look deeper into one snow blower some members in our community have had decent success with -- a 40V, 2-Stage Ryobi snow blower. 

Ryobi Snow Blower: 40V HP Brushless Whisper Series 

Tools like the Ryobi snow blower are up for most jobs homeowners nationwide face. This particular model is a two-stage snow blower that includes four active battery ports with batteries included. 

The Ryobi snow blower claims a 45-minute runtime and can clear up to 31 car spaces. As with most electric equipment, the fact that they are quieter than gas-powered machines is a consideration for many buyers. 

For those needing to get somewhere at a time that may disturb others, the quieter machine is nice to have. This Ryobi snow blower has a 24" clearing width and a 21" clearing depth, allowing it to quickly clear snow piles from ample sidewalks and driveways. 

UTV snow blowers

Snow blowers easily mount to a utility task vehicle (UTV), also known as a SxS or side-by-side, and all-terrain vehicles (ATV). These more expensive options may be worth the investment for homeowners already owning a UTV or ATV. UTV snow blowers also come in single-stage, two-stage, or three-stage equipment. 

They are effective at clearing large areas of land and may be of consideration over, or in addition to, a snow plow, depending on a homeowner's needs. Here are some things to consider when looking further into UTV snow blowers: 

• Cost: Sticker shock warning – UTV snow blowers come at a high price

• Type of Snow: What kind of snow do you get and how frequently? UTV snow blowers are best for heavier, wet, or icy snow. A snow blower may be a good buy if you get a lot of snow and it tends to pile high. 

• Storage: This type of equipment takes up a good amount of space

• Cab Enclosures: Do you have a cab enclosure? While not a must-have, an enclosure is a great tool to keep out of cold conditions and avoid any thrown-up snow the wind might push toward the cab. 

Skid steer snow blowers 

A skid steer's mobility, compactness, and low center of gravity make it ideal for snow removal. Don't forget their strength. Snow drifts and tall piles make for a tough job, but this piece of equipment is up for the task. 

Many of the earlier considerations still apply if you're considering purchasing a skid steer snow blower. However, there are some unique considerations.

While skid steers of all sizes can complete the job, what skid steers work best? Tracked or wheeled skid steers can complete the job. Tracked skid steers with aggressive tread patterns are preferable, but each buyer must consider their finances, terrain, average snowfall, and frequency in buying decisions. Here are some other items to consider: 

• Hydraulic components must be appropriately sized

• Flow rate of the skid steer snow blower

• The overall weight of the skid steer snow blower

Quick Summary

Snow blowers remain a helpful tool when winter storms blow through. For homeowners looking to save time on snow removal, a snow blower is a great buy.