Snow season is on the way!
Even though we’re still waiting for the glorious fall color, October is almost here and that means snow season is around the corner.
If you’re tired of the back strain of hoisting the snow shovel, it might be time to upgrade to a snow throwing machine. And getting it after it sooner than later means you won’t be caught off guard with the first snowfall.
As with any type of equipment, selecting the right snow thrower for your needs is number one. Here are some guidelines based on your property size and how much snow you normally deal with in a season.
Three major factors should play into your choice of a snow thrower:
- The size of the area you need to clear.
- The type of surface you’ll be clearing. Is it all concrete and asphalt or do you have a gravel drive, too?
- In your area, what’s the typical snow depth you need to clear?
Like many things, snow throwers come in small, medium and large – and the size of machine you select will depend on those three factors above.
Small
You will probably need a small-size, single stage thrower if your homes has a 1 or 2-car garage, driveway and small walk area to clear.
- This size will be adequate for most storms.
- It operates best from ½ to 9 inches of snow.
- It moves about 1,100 lbs of snow per minute.
Medium
Consider a medium size, single-stage snow thrower if your home has a 2-car garage, large driveway and some walks to clear.
- This bigger size will be better for your needs than the smaller thrower.
- It can handle up to 12 inches of snow.
- It moves about 1,800 lbs of snow per minute
Large
If your home has a 3-car garage, larger driveway and/or large expanses of walks to clear, you will need the added power of a two-stage snow thrower.
- The extra power will be welcome if you have expansive areas to clear and if you live where snowfalls are deep.
- Especially if your property faces north or is on a snow plow route, this more powerful thrower will do better moving through drifts or wind rows left by snow plows, as well as crusted snow.
- It performs best at snow depths of 5 inches and higher.
- It moves up to 2,200 lbs of snow per minute!
What is a single-stage vs two-stage thrower?
- Small and medium sized single-stage throwers are light-weight and easy to maneuver. Rubber paddles inside the machine self-propel it and throw snow out a shoot. They work best in newly fallen, non-compacted snow.
- Large two-stage throwers are heavy duty, on larger frames and have more power and multiple speeds. The steel auger inside the machine has the power to cut through compacted snow. This machine is well-suited to mountain properties where there is more frequent and often deeper snowfall and/or properties where there is a lot of area to clear.
Upgrades to basic machines
Many snow-moving machines have options that make them more user-friendly. Here are some of them:
- Some large machines have an option similar to power steering that makes them more maneuverable.
- A 3-sided cab option is available on some large machines to keep the operator out of the weather.
- Headlights and hand warmers are also options for some models.
And the most user friendly approach of all? Hire a snow removal contractor to do the work for you!
Need help with snow removal?