Single-Stage Vs. Two-Stage Snowblowers

Single-Stage Electric

• This type of walk-behind snow removal device is light and compact. The electric motor powers an auger that makes direct contact with the ground. For this reason, a single-stage snow blower is probably not a good choice for a gravel driveway, as stones can be picked up and thrown from the chute. Since the auger must also be powerful enough to discharge the snow from the chute, this type of machine can handle snowfalls to depths only up to 4 inches. The single-stage electric snow blower is a manageable size and requires no gasoline engine maintenance, but the wheels are not powered and you must contend with a power cord. The path cleared by one of these units is approximately 11 to 18 inches wide. Prices are usually the lowest of all types of snow blowers.

Single-Stage Gasoline

• This type of walk-behind snow blower works in much the same way as the electric version, in that the auger makes contact with the ground, picks up snow and throws it out of the chute. This version is heavier due to the extra weight of the gasoline engine used to drive the auger. Because this type of snow blower is more powerful than the electric version, it may be able to handle depths of up to 8 inches and path widths from 20 to 22 inches. As with the electric single-stage snow blower, the wheels are not powered, meaning that this type of unit may not be suited for steep areas. This type of snow blower may be a few hundred dollars more expensive than the electric version.

Two-Stage Gasoline

• A two-stage walk-behind snow blower has an auger that picks up the snow in much the same way as a single-stage unit, but that’s where the similarity ends. The auger in a two-stage unit does not make contact with the ground, meaning it can be used on gravel or other loose materials. A separate impeller throws the snow from the chute -- hence the term “two-stage.” Two-stage snow blowers are heavier than the single-stage units and can be almost as large as a garden tractor, but the clearing swath may be 28 to 30 inches wide. The wheels are driven and may have several speeds, which are selected by the operator. Some units have a trigger on each handle so that the wheels can be controlled independently of each other. Units that do not come with this feature may be harder to maneuver. The two-stage snow blower can handle snowfalls over 8 inches deep and have no problems negotiating steep driveways. These types of snow blowers are, not surprisingly, usually the most expensive to purchase.

Two-Stage Tractor

• Two-stage snow blowers are also available that can be mounted to your yard tractor. This type of snow blower may have the widest clearing swath of all, but is quite similar to a walk-behind unit in other respects. The biggest difference may be that you can operate a tractor-mounted two-stage snow blower from a sitting position on your tractor. This type of unit may be belt-driven, getting its power from your tractor’s power takeoff. This type of machine may be well-suited for large driveways that receive several inches of snow at a time.