Types of Snow Blowers

Single-Stage Gas Snow Blower

• A single-stage gas blower is relatively light-weight, powerful and can clear wide paths. It is not limited by a power cord and is ideal for removing heavy snows. Some degree of self-propulsion system makes it easy to handle. It is suitable for clearing walkways and small to medium, paved and unpaved driveways. This type of snow blower has an auger that spins at high speeds to break up the snow, lift it up and toss it aside. The cons of single-stage gas blower are that it can be expensive and requires high maintenance. It has a two-cycle engine that requires gas and oil, and it cannot handle snowfall deeper than 8 inches.

Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower

• The difference between a single-stage and two-stage gas blower is the spinning impeller behind the snow collection auger. In a two-stage blower, this spinning impeller pumps and throws the snow quickly. The features of a two-stage blower include power-steering, single-handed operation, joystick chute adjustment, heated handgrips, a headlight and an electric push-button starter. It is ideal for clearing wet and heavy snow from wide paths, longer and larger walkways, and medium to large driveways. It is heavy, bulky and expensive, and requires regular maintenance.

Powered Shovel

• A powered shovel is an electric blower used to clear light and fluffy snows from porches, patios, small driveways and walkways. Although it is designed to work like a regular shovel, a powered shovel has a distinctive feature to remove the snow from the blade without lifting and dumping. It can clear a 12-inch-wide path and can throw snow up to 20 feet. The advantages of a powered shovel are that it is lightweight, inexpensive, eco-friendly and requires little maintenance. However, dealing with the power cord can be difficult. It is ideal for flat, smooth paths and doesn't work on unpaved or gravel surfaces.

Electric Snow Blower

• An electric snow remover is designed to clear light to moderate snows from patios, small driveways, decks and porches. It has wheels and is ideal for smooth, paved surfaces. The problem of the power cord can make it difficult to use for the distant areas of the house. It is lightweight, economical, environment friendly, requires little maintenance and is quieter than other models.