We all dread the torture of shoveling snow. It is an endless and often thankless task that breaks our backs and chills our bones. Worse yet, with each little storm, the progress we made the day before is lost and it all needs to be cleared away again. It is no wonder we are often willing to pay neighborhood kids a small fortune just to take it off our hands.
Knowing all this, it may be time to invest in a snowblower. It is a different way to clear snow. Not only does a solid snowblower take the labor out of the job, but it also cuts the time it takes in half. However, there are a ton of options out there and finding the best snowblowers is a chore in and of itself.
Snow Blower Buying Guide: Which One is Right for You?
Preparing your home for snow is essential to getting through the winter without frustration or emergencies. A snowblower is one of the easiest ways to make sure you are ready for the worst of it.
What follows is a brief guide to choosing the right snowblower for you. Each section recommends types and models according to the climate you may regularly experience.
Mild Winters and Light Snowfall:
For those who may get just a couple of inches a year or maybe a storm or two, then you likely won’t have to look further than the simplest of snowblowers. These are often cordless, electric, or single-stage models. They are small, lightweight, easy to maneuver, and both cost and energy-efficient.
These little guys will take care of light snowfall in no time at all and won’t take up too much space in the garage or tool shed. Consider something like the PowerSmart DB5023H which is small, durable and cheap. Even more, it is electric with a decently powerful 13-amp motor that can clear a path 18-inches wide and 8-inches deep.
Typical Winters and Light to Medium Snowfall:
If you expect moderate, regular snowfall throughout the season then it’s probably a good idea to invest in something a little heavier. Two-stage snow blowers may be necessary. Where smaller snowblowers simply break up snow and toss it elsewhere, two-stage models will use a different set of collection augers to break up heavy, ice-laden snow before blowing it away.
They usually come equipped with everything on a larger scale. The mouths devour more snow, the wheels lift it further from the ground, and the machine is designed to handle tougher terrain. These tools are typically bulky and more expensive. Thus, they are meant for people who know every winter will come with a good amount of snow that will need to be cleared regularly.
A great tool for this kind of work is the PowerSmart DB7624E. With the ability to clear a path 24-inches wide and 21-inches deep, it comes with speed options, a gas motor with an electric start, and can be operated in temperatures as low as negative 20-degrees Fahrenheit.
Tough Winters and Heavy Snowfall:
If you live in a climate where each winter arrives like snow-apocalypse, then it’s time to consider the big guns. Three-stage snow blowers are a great choice for blizzard-happy areas. They come with a third auger that runs perpendicular to the two collection blades. This one spins like a corkscrew to crush and break up heavy snow and ice, making the job far easier for the collection augers.
There are also powerful two-stage options that are far more environmentally friendly but no less efficient. These tougher machines come equipped with many more features than their smaller counterparts. You’ll often find all-terrain capability, versatile drive systems, advanced control panels, and free-hand steering to name just a few.
The Troy Bilt Vortex 2490 is a legendary three-stage snowblower that is powered by a 277-cc engine and comes equipped with 4-way remote pitch and chute control, 15 x 5-inch airless tires, and a 12-inch accelerator auger that spins 10 times faster than other models. It can clear a path 24-inches wide and 21-inches deep in no time.
If you are more environmentally conscious and still need to tackle the worst of blizzards, then the Sno Joe ION8024-XR will not disappoint. Though it is a two-stage machine, it comes with a small but durable imperator to chop up tough snow and can still take on the roughest winters. It comes with an illuminated push-button display, 80V lithium-ion power station, quiet motor, and self-propulsion capabilities. It is a monster of a machine for green winter warriors.
Conclusion
A snow blower is a smart investment for anyone who expects a stormy winter. Knowing what you need only takes a quick assessment of the weather you regularly deal with. There is a snowblower that is perfect for your climate. Set some money aside and don’t let yourself get stuck in the blizzard.
