Choosing your first snow blower can feel overwhelming because there are so many models with different features. To make the decision easier, think about your property size, the average amount of snowfall you get each year, and your budget.
From my experience living on a corner lot with a fire hydrant and a long sidewalk, I’ve spent plenty of time clearing snow. If you only consider price, you might end up with a snow blower that doesn’t suit your needs or breaks down easily. It’s important to find a balance to ensure you pick the best option before making a purchase.
Types of snow blowers
There are different types of snow blowers for different property sizes and amount of snow.
Electric snow blowers
This type is recommended for smaller properties. It can work well for removing snow from patios, walkways, and other paved surfaces. It’s an excellent option for areas that receive light snow.
Cordless snow blowers
A cordless snow blower runs on a high-voltage battery. It’s a light unit that can handle various types of snowfall on smaller properties without maintenance costs. Cordless and electric snow blowers are less expensive and are nice alternatives if you don’t want to shovel.
Single-stage snow blowers
This type of snow blower is nimble and uses a high-speed auger that scrapes the snow off your driveway or sidewalk and launches it through the air. This snow blower is best for light to moderate snowfall and small-to-medium-sized properties. If you have a gravel driveway, this type of snow blower shouldn’t be used as it’ll scrape off the stones and shoot them in the direction of the chute. This could cause property damage or injury. Lastly, over time the auger will wear out and need replacing. When your snow blower stops throwing snow efficiently, you’ll know it’s time to replace the auger.
Two-stage snow blowers
This type of snow blower is more powerful than a single-stage. It’s self-propelled, so you can get through a lot of snow and ice without stopping and starting. Also, because this snow blower doesn’t scrape the ground, it can be used on gravel driveways. The downside to this snow blower is that it’s heavier, bigger, and not as nimble. Because it removes large amounts of snow, it’s recommended for properties with larger, longer driveways and climates receiving significant snowfall each year.
Three-stage snow blowers
This type of snow blower is the strongest and toughest. It can clear over 20 inches of wet, heavy snow and chop the ice chunks like nothing. While these machines are expensive, if you live in a climate with heavy snowfall, this one is for you.
Features and attachments
Once you’ve identified the type of snow blower you need to remove snow from your property, it’s then time to look at some of the features offered. Depending on your selected features, it could make your job even easier. If you’re like me, the quicker you can get back into the warm house, the better!
Here’s a list of features that can be found on the different types of snow blowers.
- Electric start: Instead of pulling on a cord numerous times, plug it in and push the start button.
- Skid shoes: Skid shoes protect your concrete from damage as the unit crosses your driveway or sidewalk. They also eliminate the annoying rust stains on your garage floor because of melting snow.
- Speed controls: Allow you to operate the snow blower at a pace that’s comfortable for you.
- Power steering: A heavy snow blower trying to cut through a lot of snow can be challenging to maneuver. Power steering allows you to turn it with ease.
- Remote or joystick operated chute: I don’t have this feature on my snow blower, but I highly recommend it. I need to manually adjust the chute. As winter wears on, this becomes frustrating.
- Headlight: It improves visibility for you as well as cars that may be driving by.
- Heated handles: This is another must have. Keeping your hands and fingers warm can prevent frostbite.
Safety tips
- Plan ahead. Think about snow placement before you start. This can help prevent extra work.
- Don't wear loose clothing. Loose clothing can get caught in moving parts very easily and quickly. While a scarf can help keep you warm, it’s not worth the risk.
- Never operate while impaired Operating while impaired can dull your senses and cause unintentional injuries.
- Wear appropriate safety gear. I used to ignore safety gear, but now I wear ski goggles and earplugs. Injuries happen unexpectedly, so a few minutes for protection is worthwhile.
- Wear appropriate cold weather gear. While I would love to wear shorts and flip flops all year, it’s just not possible while living in the Midwest. Warm boots, mittens or gloves are essential to keeping our extremities warm and preventing frostbite. In addition, moisture-wicking technology in clothing can help prevent you from feeling cold and uncomfortable.
- Don't shoot snow at others. As kids, we did this all the time. We’d line up and wait to get pummeled with snow. We never considered debris shooting out of the snow blower and causing injury. My single-stage snow blower shoots debris very forcefully. An ice chunk or stone could be deadly.
- Never use your hands to unclog the chute or auger. Every year people suffer severe injuries to their fingers or hands. Before clearing out a snow clog, always turn the machine off and use the plastic cleaning tool attached to it. If you don’t have one, use a wooden handle from a broom or shovel.
- Watch for cars and pedestrians. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially after a snowfall when neighbors are often out walking their dogs or pulling children on sleds. The last thing you want to do is cause injury to them. If you need to step into the street, keep an eye out for vehicles and snowplows, since fresh snow can dramatically alter driving conditions.
Finally, if you're planning to purchase a snow blower this year, it's best to do so before the first snowfall. Shopping early gives you plenty of choices, while waiting until it snows may mean fewer options as demand increases.
