All About Snow Blowers

Help for winter dig outs

Designed to reduce the amount of labor that goes into digging out a walkway or driveway after a heavy snowfall, snow blowers (also called snow throwers) save time and produce perfect results with a minimal expenditure of energy.  Invented by Arthur Sicard, the first snow blowers removed snow from the streets and roads of Montreal, Quebec in 1925.  Modern models are safe, effective, and inexpensive, a must for snowy climates.

Electric snow blowers

As an alternative to gas-powered snow blowers, electric machines produce less pollution, are easy to use, and require little maintenance.  Significantly less powerful than the gas-powered variety, electric snow blowers appeal to people who get little snow or have a very small area to clear.

Single stage snow blowers

Single stage snow throwers use a single high-speed impeller to move the snow into the machine and then expel it. The impeller is usually in the form of two or more curved plastic paddles that move snow towards a directional chute. Single stage snow throwers accommodate small jobs, but lack the power necessary to handle deep snows or large surface areas.

Technicians clear railroad tracks in mountainous areas with gigantic versions of single stage snow blowers. These rotary snowplows use a single large impeller as wide as a train and blast the snow off to the side.

Two stage snow blowers

By comparison, two stage snow blowers have one or more low-speed metal augers that break up the snow and move it into a separate high-speed impeller (sometimes called the fan). The impeller forces the snow out the discharge chute with considerable force.  Designed for larger jobs, heavier loads, and more use, two stage machines trump single stage varieties in terms of power and performance.

Two stage snow blowers range in power from a few horsepower to very large machines powered by diesel engines of over 1000 horsepower.  Some municipalities use larger snow blowers to clear snow from streets after a blizzard, often by blowing the snow onto flatbeds or into dumpsters.

Two stage machines for home use are usually self-propelled, using either large wheels equipped with tire chains or treads.  Easier to maneuver than a single stage machine, a two stage snow blower's powered movements can help out on steep driveways or inclined surfaces.

Handle with care

Snow can build up in the auger, jamming it and stalling the motor. The auger may twist before applying enough resistance to the motor to stop it. If the jam is cleared with a hand, it is possible for the auger to return to its natural shape suddenly and with great force, possibly injuring the user.  A broom or other handle can clear the jam without risk to the user's hand.

More information on snow blowers