Clearing snow and ice from the driveway can be daunting, especially if you’re only armed with a humble snow shovel or snow plow.
Buying a snow blower could be what you need to save your back some ache. There are two types that will suit most people: single stage and two-stage models. We’ll share everything you need to know about both so you know how to choose between the two.
Let’s start with the single-stage snow thrower.
What is a single-stage snow blower?
A single-stage snow blower throws snow with a rubber auger that is pushed through a plastic discharge chute. Snow discharge can be directed with a small handle.
Single stage snow blowers are great for clearing your driveway and sidewalks on a daily basis. Their clearing width is up to 12 inches of snow at a time, and you can use them in either forward or reverse to make it easier to move around obstacles.
What’s the difference between Single-Stage and Two-stage Snow Blowers?
Two-stage snow blowers have an auger and a fan that throws snow farther than a single-stage snow blower.
Two stage snow blowers are ideal for clearing driveways, sidewalks, and other areas of your property after a heavy snowfall. They can clear up to 24 inches of snow at a time, and they have the power to move around obstacles in their way.
6 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Snow Blower
Before you invest in a snow blower, an important thing to remember is that each model can vary in size, weight, and power. Make sure you check the specs of each model before making your purchase.
With that said, you need to weigh up these factors before deciding if a single-stage snow blower is the right tool to keep your driveway clear of heavy snow.
Single-stage better for smaller driveways
If you have a large property or live on a steep hillside, you’ll need a snow blower with more power and the ability to move larger amounts of snow. Single-stage snow blowers are not designed to handle large amounts of snow, so if you need something with more power, you’ll want to look at a two-stage model.
Gas-powered or electric? Cordless or corded?
There are several models that are either electric start or gas-powered snow blowers.
Gas-powered models are convenient because you can start them immediately by just turning on the key. With electric start, you’ll need to charge the battery and then pull a cord. The benefit of a battery-powered snow blower is that you don’t have to worry about mixing gas and oil.
Electric-start models are also more eco-friendly as they just need charging.
You can also consider if you want a cordless or corded snow thrower. A corded snow thrower is particularly useful for smaller areas as you don’t need to worry about charging batteries. On the other hand, cordless models can be more convenient for large areas as you don’t have to worry about finding a power source or using an extension cord.
Do you have enough garage space?
Speaking of convenience, you’ll need to see whether you have enough space in your garage. Single-stage models have a more compact design than the two-stage snow throwers. If you’re running out of room in your garage, you’ll probably need to measure where you’ll store your snow blower before buying one.
How deep is the snow pileup?
For small driveways, you can buy a single-stage model. Longer driveways that need to cover more surface area. As long as it’s not deep snow (less than 8 inches), a 208CC engine should be enough for end-of-driveway snow. You may also want to invest in a model that can handle wet or heavy snow.
Type of snow (wet or dry)
If you live in an area that’s prone to wet and heavy snow, a two-stage snow thrower is a better choice. Some single-stage snow blowers won’t have the force to clear wet snow and will probably clog more often.
Driveway material: gravel or paved
A two-stage snow thrower model is better for gravel driveways or dirt surfaces.
The reason being that the auger single-stage models clears the entire area it sweeps up, whereas two-stage snow blowers don’t pick everything.
If your snow blower picks up too much debris or wet snow, it can clog up the carburetor. Don’t panic if you find your snow blower is plugged up. Unclogging your snowblower can be a hassle but it’s cheaper than buying a new unit.
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