If you’re like most folks who experience harsh winters, you’ve definitely struggled to shovel snow from your driveway or sidewalk. A snow blower will make the procedure much simpler, saving your arms from the strain of shoveling thick layers of ice or hiring somebody to do the job.
But before you invest in one, it’s important that you understand how it works. This can help you maintain and operate it safely and efficiently.
A snow blower is a motorized machine that uses an auger to scoop up snow and feed it through a chute, where it’s blasted away from the area you’re clearing.
Depending on the machine, it may perform a single-stage, two-stage, or three-stage process—all of which are great but have unique functions.
And that’s exactly what we’re going to talk about in this post. We’ll explore the different features of each type of snow blower. In addition, we’ll talk about how they function to make removing stubborn winter snow a breeze.
First Off, What Is a Snow Blower?
A snow blower is a machine that helps clear snow from a driveway or sidewalk. It’s similar to a large vacuum cleaner, except instead of sucking stuff in, it blasts snow out the front using a strong auger. Just push it around like how you do with a lawn mower and it will make your life easier on snowy winter days.
Pushing it through snow buildup causes it to chew on the ice and break the snow as it runs. It will then expel the snow and ice through a discharge chute. Apart from driveways, a snow blower also does wonders for clearing snow from steps, patios, decks, and porches.
Snow blowers can also come in both gas and electric engines. For larger machines, you’ll typically find them running on gas while smaller ones run on electricity.
So, How Does a Snow Blower Work?
It depends on the type of machine.
Snow blowers are available in different types: one-stage, two-stage, and three-stage units. While they all share the same role, they are distinct in certain ways. And how each type works can make a world of difference in clearing snow.
Types of Snow Blowers
Single-Stage Snow Blower
A single-stage snow blower is smaller, more lightweight, and easier to handle than two-stage and three-stage models. It uses only one high-speed rotating blade or auger to scoop up the snow and blast it out through the chute.
Single-snow blowers are ideal for light snow about 6 inches deep. They come with basic features to effectively clear ice build-ups from driveways and sideways. Besides being light and compact, they also tend to be more affordable than two-stage versions, which is an added bonus.
However, they only work best on relatively flat surfaces that aren’t too bumpy or uneven. And while they can break through the ice, it’s always a good idea to tackle the snow before it solidifies.
Two-Stage Snow Blower
A two-stage snow blower is a more powerful machine designed to remove large amounts of snow. As the name suggests, it works in two stages.
The first stage involves the use of a slow-turning auger which scoops up snow and delivers it to the center of the machine’s housing. It will then push the snow through a high-speed impeller, which drives the snow out of the discharge chute.
A larger and more powerful machine than a one-stage snow blower, a two-stage blower can clear up to 12-inch deep ice. It can handle heavier and even wet snow, without jamming the machine’s chute and impeller.
Also, it packs features that a one-stage snow blower might not have. This includes heated handles, adjustable speeds, and skid shoes. With these features, clearing snow becomes easier and more comfortable, especially when you have a lot of snow to remove.
The caveat is that, since it’s heavier, some might find it difficult to maneuver.
Three-Stage Snow Blower
Here’s a pretty nifty machine, and out of the three, it’s the one suited for commercial use due to its power and efficiency. A three-stage snow blower can clear heavy snow and ice nearly 50% faster than a two-stage snow blower.
These machines are equipped with two metal augers for scooping up snow from the ground. The ice is then pushed into the center of the unit. It’s where the accelerator chews on the ice and forces it through the impeller. The dislodged ice is then expelled through the chute.
Three-stage snow blowers are designed to tackle heavier snowfall up to 18 inches deep while hurling it as far as 50 feet away. Most of these machines feature an adjustable chute that allows you to throw the snow in various directions. There are even models that include electronic controls that let you alter the chute on the fly.
Because these machines are so powerful, they tend to cost more than one and two-stage snow blowers. However, with superior efficiency, they might be worth investing in though it might be overkill if you’re only getting light to moderate snowfall during winters.
Snow Blower Maintenance Tips
First of all, make reading the user’s manual a habit. If you’re not familiar with how a certain model works, you may end up using the machine incorrectly which leads to potential hazards. Reading the manual allows you to understand how the blower works and let you know the type of maintenance it requires.
Below are a few general tips you may find helpful in keeping your snow blower running smoothly and extending its lifespan:
- Make sure to tighten any loose screws before using the machine. You must also inspect the belts for any wear and tear and replace them immediately.
- Check the oil level of the machine and change it regularly. You can refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations for this.
- Are there any moving parts? Lubricate them.
- Check the spark plug on a regular basis and replace it as necessary.
- Clean the machine after each use to avoid rust and corrosion.
- When the machine is not in use, make sure to store it in a dry area. Avoid exposing the snow blower to moisture and direct sunlight.
- You may want to replace the carburetor every 3 to 4 years, as recommended by the manufacturer.
FAQs
How Does a Snow Blower Throw Snow?
A snow blower uses an auger to “scoop” and push snow into an impeller, which discharges the snow through a chute. Depending on the type of snow blower, one might work slightly differently than the other.
For single-stage snowblowers, a high-speed auger does the hard work to gather snow and deliver it down the chute. Two-stage snow blowers include a fan-like impeller located behind its auger to effectively blast snow out of the chute.
Three-stage snow blowers, on the other hand, are a boosted version of single and two-stage blowers. They are ideal for clearing thick snow and ice.
Do You Really Need a Snow Blower?
It depends on the severity of snowfall in your area. But it’s generally a good machine to have around, especially if you get snow frequently. Might be a serious investment to most people, but the time you save shoveling or hiring someone to clear snow for you offsets the price.
Do Snow Blowers Remove All Snow?
A snow blower’s ability to remove all snow depends on a range of factors. For one, it needs to be powerful enough to clear snow by thickness and density, which is why we pick from three types of units. Your expertise as the operator can also influence how well the equipment clears an area.
Then, consider the condition of the area. Wet, heavy snow can jam the chute and impeller of the unit, limiting its performance. In addition, very heavy snowfall may necessitate numerous runs or a snow plow. So to get the best results, you must pick the suitable model for the job and use it correctly.
Is a 1 or 2 Stage Snow Blower Better?
The decision between a single-stage and two-stage snow blower is largely determined by the amount and type of snow you need to clear. If you want a more powerful machine to clear thicker snow, a two-stage blower will do the job. However, it is significantly heavier and harder to maneuver and needs more storage space.
For a thin, light layer of snow, you should get away with a smaller, single-stage snow blower. This machine is easier to use, but will not tackle thicker snow when it’s time to deal with them.
Conclusion
Now that you understand how snow blowers work, you should be ready to tackle your next job on the pave way. If you have any questions about our favorite winter equipment, feel free to reach out and we’ll be thrilled to help you out.
Good luck!
