If you live in an area that receives a lot of snow every winter, you know that the first snowfall is a fun novelty. Every one after that is hard work! The biggest job that needs to be done after a snowfall is clearing the driveway and sidewalk--and the best way to make this tough job easier is with a snow blower (or snow thrower, as they're more accurately called).
- Do you need a single-stage or two-stage snow blower? There are many differences between the two types. Single-stage snow blowers have a metal and rubber auger that spins very quickly, contacts the ground and scoops up the snow, directing it into a discharge chute, which throws it out of your path. Single-stage blowers are also lighter and generally require less maintenance than two-stage blowers. The drawbacks of single-stage blowers are that they have two-cycle engines, which create more emissions and require you to mix oil and gasoline before filling the tank. Also, because the auger contacts the ground, you cannot use them on gravel surfaces, unless your goal is to have small rocks flying toward you and the windows in your home. Single-stage snow blowers do not have as much power as two-stage blowers, so they're not appropriate for areas that receive more than six inches in one snowfall or that receive heavy, wet snow.
Two-stage snow blowers are heavier and more expensive than single-stage blowers, but the clearing path is wider, usually between 20 and 31 inches. Unlike a single-stage blower, two-stage snow blowers have a slow-turning metal auger that scoops up the snow, which is then sucked up by an impeller and thrown out through the discharge chute. The auger on a two-stage blower doesn't touch the ground, so they can be used on gravel. You will need to be sure to set the scraper bar high enough that it doesn't contact the gravel.
Two-stage snow blowers will handle most wet, heavy snowfalls with ease, as well as deeper snowfalls of up to twelve inches. In addition, two-stage blowers are self-propelled, so you only need to guide them. This doesn't necessarily mean they're easy to handle, as anyone who's ever been covered in a mountain of snow tossed by his own snow blower can attest! Most two-stage blowers have at least two forward speeds and one reverse speed. They also have a four-cycle engine, which is cleaner and doesn't require mixed fuel. One disadvantage is that they do not provide as clear a path as a single-stage blower, since the auger never touches the ground.
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Author: Tonya Sandersfeld