Buying a Snowblower - What to Look For
Filed Under Toro Snowblowers |
Information brought to you by Toro Lawnmowers and Snowblowers
In areas that experience heavy snow or for homeowners with physical limitations a snowblower is an essential piece of winter equipment. For lighter snowfall areas a single stage snowblower will probably be adequate but for areas that experience heavy snowfall or for homeowners with a large area to clear a double stage snowblower will be the best purchase.
Consider the size of the area to be cleared carefully when deciding on a purchase. The width that a snowblower will clear will vary with the model. matching up the width of the pathway to be cleared with the clearing width of the snowblower will result in fewer passes. Consideration also needs to be given to the average snowfall in your area and its ‘packability’. For an average annual snowfall of around 50 inches a single stage snowblower would be adequate. In an area where the annual snowfall is around 150 inches and the snow is mostly wet you would need to seriously consider a double stage snowblower of at least 7hp.
A single stage snowblower has an auger, a rotating drum-shaped wheel that cuts and lifts the snow. A double stage snowblower cuts the snow with an auger, lifts it but impellers then take over to toss the snow into the discharge chute. The direction and angle of discharge can be adjusted by moving the chute. A two stage snowblower then requires more power, one of the reasons for the higher price. It’s a good idea to look for a polymer chute as metal ones can rust fairly quickly.
The clearing path of single stage snowblowers is about 20 - 22 inches, adequate for smaller areas. maintenance is fairly easy and they are compact enough to store in a small space. A machine with larger wheels is a good buy as the auger blades biting action propels the machine and a good push is sometimes needed. larger wheels will make that easier. Some models, for example from the Toro Snowblowers range the Power Clear models have a Power Propel Drive System in which rotor paddles contact the ground and propel the machine forward when the rotor is engaged. These machines typically range from about $300 to $600.
For a larger area or very heavy snowfall a better choice is a two stage snowblower. A medium power machine of around 8hp would probably be adequate. The clearing path is around 24 - 26 inches and the more powerful engine makes these machines a good choice for all but the largest areas or heaviest snowfall. They are self-propelled and most have large wheels. Prices for these machines are between $500 and $950.
For the heaviest snow and a very large area consider a large heavy duty snowblower. More powerful motors and clearing paths of up to a huge 45 inches will have the largest area cleared in no time! They come with a corresponding hefty price however. One of these machines will set you back anywhere between $1000 and $2,500.
A good choice of engine would be the Tecumseh Snow King which has been developed especially for the cold conditions these machine swill be working in. An electric starter is much more convenient than a recoil starter and much more reliable. Check the weight of the snowblower before you buy. Some can be surprisingly heavy and carting one up and down steps can be difficult.
Buying a snowblower out of season could be a good way to get a bargain. Good secondhand Toro snowblowers can be found on our snowblower page. Secondhand Toro lawnmowers are available on the Toro lawnmower page