Living best in an area where there is a cool winter and heavy ice can sometimes be quite a lot of work. You’ll find yourself having to shovel the ice in your driveway and your sidewalks most of the time. But you can get ice clearers that will help make clearing ice easier.
What Is The Best Snow Blower?
The top snow-clearing machine is built to take the extra labor out of removing snow from around your property.
How Do You Choose The Best Snow Blower?
There are various types of snow blowers: electric, single-stage snow blowers, two-stage snow blowers, and three-stage snow blowers. Power sources vary too — corded, battery powered snow blowers, and gas powered snow blowers. Deciding factors include power steering, auto chute rotation, chute material, headlight integration, and the type of tires. The type of blower you need depends on the snow conditions in your state. Consider the level of engine maintenance each type requires.
The details of the snow blower and what’s important to their operation may not be common knowledge to some of us. So, let’s delve deeper into the most important factors of snow clearing machines you’re considering, including single-stage blowers and gas powered models. After that, we’ll look at some examples of snow clearing machines currently for sale, including electric models and cordless snow blowers.
Top Types Of Snow Blower
We mentioned above five different types. Now let’s look at what each of them is best for.
- Electric – These are meant for clearing the snow off of small driveways or from the sidewalk in front of your home. They’re lightweight and can’t handle anything over 12” of snow. There’s not a lot of maintenance with these. You will need to get an outdoor extension cord, though.
- Single-stage blowere – You get can this as electric or as gas powered snow blower. They’re still pretty lightweight and are small compared to other types. Single stage models are meant for a minimal snowfall to moderate snowfalls. You still wouldn’t be able to handle anything more than 12” with this type of machine. But it can work well with scattered and blown snow.
- Two stage snow blower – These types can handle upwards of 18” of snow. They have the power to remove the deeper, wetter, heavier snowfalls. Two-stage machines also have augers that don’t touch the ground so you can use them on gravel or concrete.
- Three-stage snow blower – These are very efficient and pack the most ego power. There are two metal augers that will rid your two-car driveway of both packed snow and ice. You’ll have a variety of additional features to choose from, making it a more high-end option for snow-clearing machines as well.
- Track drive – The track drive snow clearing machine is what you want if you live in a mountain town that’s covered in snow all winter long. This is the type that will cut through anything and dig you out of heavy, thick snow. But, you won’t need this type unless you have a very steep area to clear or one that is unpaved.
What Is The Choice Of Best Snow Blower Power Source?
When selecting the best and ideal snow blowers, the power source is a crucial consideration. You have options such as electric models with a cord, battery-operated varieties like a cordless snow blowers, and gas snow blowers. You also get your choice of power source. You can go with electric with a cord that will need to be plugged in. There are also electric options that are battery-operated, such as battery-powered snow-clearing machines, allowing you to go cordless. However, you need to consider battery life and recharge it between uses. You may opt for a dual port charger to avoid using up port space. Lastly, you can choose gas-powered snow-clearing machines.
The electric snow-clearing machine is not as powerful snow blower and may not be best able to handle more than a foot of snow. They’re really for areas that are not prone to heavy snows. They’re also not best for large areas because of the cord. The best thing about them is they’re lightweight, so easy to maneuver, they don’t cost as much as other types, and there’s virtually no maintenance.
Similar to their corded counterparts, cordless snow blowers are not designed for heavy snowfalls but offer the convenience of not being tethered by a cord. The downside is that the battery might run out during snow clearing, which can be inconvenient.
Gas-powered snow blowers, on the other hand, are the best choice for heavy and deep snow conditions. Models like the Cub Cadet 2X and Toro Power Max are known for their robustness. They are the most powered snow blowers, offering enough power to clear snow efficiently, and they work well in cold weather. They don’t require a cord or battery charging, but they do need regular gas fill-ups, oil changes, and more maintenance than electric models. A best gas-powered machine with features of a self-propelled snow blowers, with variable speed control and a discharge chute can make a best & great difference, especially during heavy snowfall.
Best Snow Blower Features
Most consumer products have other best features that make them more attractive than the competition. Selecting best snow blowers follow the same process. Here are some additional best features that will make your choice of a snow-clearing machine a little more difficult.
- Power steering—If you opt for one of the heavier-duty stage ice-clearing machines, you’ll want to consider this. Regardless of the machine type you choose, you’ll need to maneuver it back and forth. This means that a heavy gas snow-clearing machine will require significant effort to turn unless you opt for one with power steering.
- Auto chute rotation – The ice you’re clearing has to go somewhere, right? Typically, when you’re going down a driveway, you want the ice to all go to one side. In those cases, you’ll need to turn the chute for snow blowing every time you turn around. If you don’t go with auto chute rotation, which can be turned with a button push or something similar, you’ll have to stop your session and turn a crank to switch it. You may also consider one with a four-way chute control for ease of use.
- Plastic chute – This may sound unusual, but ice-clearing machines will have a plastic chute instead of a metal one. Metal chutes don’t take the wear and tear very long. Eventually, they start to rust, and then snow gets stuck inside, clogging up the chute. The plastic chutes are made to be slippery enough that the snow just slides right through easily.
- Headlights – This isn’t a necessary feature, but it can help when you have to get out and do the driveway early in the morning hours before the day breaks. It can help you to see the path in front of you.
- Tires – Try to go with airless tires. Quality ice-clearing machines typically don’t have air-filled tires since they require frequent maintenance. You won’t have to worry about a flat with airless tires.
Now, let’s take a look at some best snow-clearing machines!
What Best Snow Blower Is Perfect For You?
Snow Joe SJ623E
This is a single-stage that is electric. It has a 15 amp motor that is capable of moving up to 720 lbs. of snow in a minute. The steel auger is 18 inches wide, so you shouldn’t have any issue with clearing a mid-size to large driveway. There are headlights on the front to make things easier to see. You can change the direction of the chute by 180°. The machine comes with a chute cleaner tool, as well, so you don’t have to worry about it ever getting clogged.
Pros
- Lightweight single-stage ice blower
- Low maintenance
- Max. throw ice distance of 25 feet
- Halogen light for clearing in the dark
- Instant start button
- Powerful motor
Cons
- Corded
- Have to push with force to get ice to blow far if wet
- Wheels are small and get stuck on concrete joints
Snow Joe 324E Electric Snow Blowers
The Snow Joe Electric Snow Shovel can be used for clearing areas beyond your driveway that you wouldn’t typically use a snow-clearing machine for. You can use this shovel to clear your steps, patios, decks, and some sidewalks. It has a paddle auger with two blades secured by shear pins. They’re 11 inches wide and 6 inches deep. You can adjust the handle to suit the user’s preference. You can also use this in the dark because an LED headlight is integrated into the design.
Pros
- Ideal for lightweight jobs
- Still blows ice
- Powerful 10 amp motor
- LED headlights for better viewing
- Instant start push button
- Adjustable ergonomic handle
Cons
- Still requires some grunt work
- Snow only shoots forward speeds
- Blades are not metal
Greenworks Cordless Ice Thrower
This is best for anyone who is on a tight budget and who doesn’t need something to take care of heavy snow. It works exceptionally well for lighter snowfalls. You can use this affordable snow-clearing machine on a small gravel driveway, sidewalks, as well as your porches and decks. It’s 12 inches wide, only weighs 13 lbs., and comes in at less than $200. It’s pretty small, but it can move your snow up to 15 feet off the area you’re trying to clear. Cordless models like this snow shovel work off a battery. This particular snow shovel option doesn’t come with the battery, so make sure you purchase that, as well.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Very affordable
- Cordless operation
- Easy to store
- It can move up to about a foot deep of ice
Cons
- Can’t direct ice
- Not for dense or icy snow
- No battery included
WEN 5662 Blaster
This WEN Blaster has a powerful motor that can move up to 490 lbs. of snow in a minute. The machine only weighs 32 lbs. and has 6-inch airless wheels that make it easy to maneuver. The chute can be adjusted around 180° so you can blow the snow in the direction you need to. The snow-clearing machine is 18 inches wide and can effectively remove snow that’s approximately 8 inches deep. Startup is easy with the power bar, much like what you’ll find on a lawn mower. There’s even a carrying handle on the body of the blower to help you move it for storage with ease.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Long throwing distance
- Easy to store
- Doesn’t overheat, even with long usage
- Fairly quiet operation
Cons:
- Mostly plastic build
- Not good with wet ice
- Not self-propelled
Conclusion
Snow removal is a lot of work. You can get a top-notch snow-clearing machine out there to help take some of the work off of you and your back. A high-quality snow-clearing machine doesn’t have to be the most expensive. It also doesn’t have to be the biggest gas snow blower you can find. You can find a best electric snow blower at a bargain price that will work best for you if you live in a place where most of your snows are a foot or less. Decide what type you’ll need, whether you want an electric or gas snow blower if you want some of the extras that make things even easier, and how much money you want to spend. Also, don’t forget to wear adjustable skid shoes so you don’t slip! Your back, neck, arms, and shoulders will all thank you for making that choice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which Model Should I Choose Among Popular Two-Stage Models?
The Aries Deluxe 28 SHO (28″) with a 306cc snow blower engine is highly regarded among the two-stage snow blowers in the market, but it comes with a price tag of over $1,000.
Which Best Snow Blower Throws Ice The Farthest?
The Ariens ST28DLE Deluxe SHO28 In. 2-Stage Gas Snow Blower with Electric Start can shoot snow the farthest at up to 55+ feet even when it’s wet and heavy. The Troy Bilt Storm Blower is also an excellent choice.
What Is The Difference Between 1 Stage And 2 Stage Ice Blower Machine?
You can get a 1-stage blower in electric or as a gas snow blower. 2 stage models come in gas options. The 2 stage models can handle more snow than the 1 stage. This is because a 1 stage blower has an auger that both sucks up the snow and blows it out. The 2 stage models have an auger that only sucks up the snow. Then, the impeller sprays it out.
What Is The Best Month To Buy A Winter Ice Clearer Machine?
You want to buy yours early. If you wait too long, they’ll all be gone. It’s recommended that you make the purchase in August or September.
How Do You Choose The Right Snow Blowers For Your Region Based On How Much Snow You Receive?
The right snow blower for your needs depends on the typical snowfall in your area. For light to moderate snowfall up to 12 inches, a single-stage blower is suitable, while areas with heavier snowfall require a two-stage or even a three-stage snow blower for efficient clearing.
What Are The Key Differences Between Electric Snow Blowers And Gas Snow Blowers?
Electric snow blowers are best for lighter snow-clearing tasks and are generally lighter and easier to maneuver than gas models. In contrast, gas snow blowers, particularly two-stage blowers, are more powerful and suited for handling heavier and deeper snowfalls efficiently.
Are 3 Stage Snow Blowers Worth It?
They aren’t worth it for everyone. They can clear larger areas more quickly and handle thicker, wetter, deeper snow, too. However, if you live where you frequently have heavy, wet snow, then yes, three-stage snow blowers are worth it.
Are Honda Brands Of Winter Ice Thrower Good?
Honda is certainly renowned, as are Ariens and Cub Cadet.
Which Brand Is Better, Ariens Or Cub Cadet?
Generally, consumers tend to favor Ariens because of the build quality, customer service, and reliability of their machines.
Who Makes Snow Blowers For John Deere?
Briggs & Stratton makes the snow blowers sold by John Deere.
What Is The Difference Between A 2-Stage And 4-Stage Ice Clearer For Winter?
Is Cleaning The Icy Road During Winter Worth The Money?
What Is A Recommended CC Size For Best Snow Blowers?
Why Are Snow Blowers Not Best For The Environment?
How Long Do Best Electric Snow Blowers Last?
What Is the Best Size Of Snow Blowers?
Other Resources:
Last Updated on April 13, 2023 by Shulammite Jan Languido
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