BookmarkSnow Blower Brand Comparison
A basic review of snow blowers
1. The amount of snowfall your area gets every winter will determine how powerful a unit you'll need. Areas with little annual snowfall might even consider a small electric unit, but areas with light to moderate snowfall (less than 10 inches per year) should look at 4- to 8-horsepower engines. Areas with more than 10 inches of snowfall per year would require a unit with 8.5 or greater horsepower.
2. The amount of surface area in need of clearing makes a huge difference in determining what unit you'll need. Is the driveway steep? Does the snow need to be thrown a great distance to reach an appropriate place? More powerful engines throw snow farther.
3. Some extras to consider: electric starters make operation much easier; powered drive trains can make moving the unit around more convenient; and some warranties last as long as three years.
Sizing up leading brands
Ariens snow blowers: Ariens offers over 10 varieties of machines, including single stage, two stage, and electric machines. All Ariens snow blowers feature specially designed snow tires that don't require chains, preventing wear and tear on your driveway. Ariens warranties last 3 years.
Honda snow blowers: Honda's lightweight snow blowers fit with homes where paved driveways and walks need to be cleared and where snowfalls are usually less than 10 inches. These single stage blowers can easily clear a standard driveway and sidewalks. They work best on flat terrain. For hillier yards and greater snowfall, Honda's self-powered units include heavy-duty tools like ice-breaking serrated augers, adjustable discharge chutes, user-friendly controls, and hydrostatic drive for infinitely variable speed control. These units can traverse uneven ground without chains.
MTD snow blowers: MTD is a family of outdoor equipment brands, including Troy-Bilt, White Outdoor, Yard Machines, and Yard Man. Yard Machines produces 14 different gas and electric snow blowers. Troy-Bilt and Yard Man markets the biggest, most powerful machines for the heaviest jobs. White Outdoor offers the most affordable models, ranging from $400 for their single stage unit to $1,100 for their largest two stage thrower.
Toro snow blowers: Toro produces a number of compact, lightweight single stage snow blowers. Ideal for sidewalks, driveways, and patios, these light duty machines all include a 2-year warranty. For larger jobs, Toro produces another line of two stage blowers, all of which include advanced trigger controls for the wheels, giving it great maneuverability. These units can perform tight turns, reverse, or hold steady all with the click of a button. The company also makes a number of electric models for simple clean-up jobs.
More information on snowblowers