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Removing snow from your driveway or anywhere where you need to get rid of the snow is not always an easy job. But a snow blower machine will make it much easier for you than using a shovel to clear away the snow.
With many different brands and models out there, it is challenging to decide what size snow blower will do the job for you. In this article, we will take a closer look at the different sizes available and which one is best for you.
Come and find out with us whether you really need a high-end snow blower or will a standard entry-level machine do the trick.
Which One Is the Best For You
You don’t need to go out and buy the best snow blower you can find, which will put you back a couple of hundred dollars. What is worse is that some of those high-end snow blowers can cost up to a thousand bucks and even more.
Not all of us have that type of money to spend on a snow-blowing machine to spare us the backache. So, what size snow blower do you need to clear the snow from your driveway or sidewalk in front of your home?
First, we need to take a look at the different types of snow blowers available to see which one will suit your personal needs.
Types Of Snow Blowers
There are many different types of snow blowers out there, and they do not all use the same method to power them. There are up to three different ways these machines are powered. We will take a look at all of them.
Electric Snow Blowers
These snow blowers come with a single-stage electric motor to power them so you can use them to move the snow. With this type of machine, you will need an electric outlet located at a convenient location for quick and easy access.
This type of snow blower is ideal for the standard homeowner who just wants to clear the snow from their driveway. They are also available in different sizes and have a wide variety of features included to make your work easier.
Single-stage electric snow blowers are usually the least expensive and can be anything from just under two hundred dollars and more.
Gas-Powered Snow Blowers
These snow blowers come in three different categories, and they are single-stage, double-stage, and even triple-stage. In the single-stage blower, the auger takes up the snow and throws it away in a set direction to be out of the way.
A double-stage snow blower with an auger picks up the snow, and the impeller will discharge the snow from the machine. Double-stage snow blowers are able to throw the snow at much further distances; this can be up to 60 feet away.
The light-duty single sage is cheaper and lighter than the larger ones and is for areas where you are off the grid.
Cordless Snow Blowers
These snow blowers come with an electric DC motor that is driven by a rechargeable battery located inside the machine. The batteries need to be recharged every time and will be able to run for quite some time on a full charge.
This type of snow blower is also available in a wide range of configurations with more robust motors and quick-charge batteries. They are available in different sizes to move more snow at a time, and you pay for the extra features.
They are a very convenient way of cleaning, but they are not as versatile as gas snow blowers.
How Much Snow Do You Want To Move
This is another question you need to consider when you are shopping for a snow blower to make your job easier. If you have a small driveway and do not have deep snow, an entry-level machine will do it for you.
It would be best if you also kept in mind that a small snow blower will not be able to move more than up to 10 inches of snow. A single-stage blower typically moves anything from 6 to 10 inches of dry and light snow, which is not that much.
Medium-sized snow blowers, such as double-stage machines, will be able to move 10 and up to 18 inches of snow. The intake height of the snow blower will determine the depth of the snow it will be able to take in.
Take note that the actual intake height is usually around 75 percent of what is mentioned on the blower. So if you want to move 10 inches of snow, the blower must indicate that it will be able to move about 13 inches.
The width of the blower will determine how many passes you will have to make with the snow blower to remove all the snow. If your driveway is around 10 feet wide and the blower has a width of 24 inches, it will take you five passes.
Engine Size
A single-stage gas snow blower will typically have a 200cc motor, while a double-stage blower has a 300cc motor. The larger the motor, the more fuel it will use, which means a larger fuel tank is needed for a larger blower.
All those extras make the snow blower heavier, and this will make it difficult for smaller people to use.
Summary
These are just a few of the things you need to consider when you want to buy a snow blower to clear your driveway. At least you’ll be able to look at different types of snow blowers and make an informed decision.
The best option is to buy one that will not cost you too much, is lightweight, and does the job without too much effort.
