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If you live in an area that receives lots of snow every winter, you know the first snowfall is an entertaining novelty. Each single snow fall after that is hard work! You need to clear your yard, sidewalk and drive before the snow settles. How does one do it? Manually , using a shovel? Can it not be more efficient than this? Your answer is a snow blower or a snow thrower.

A snow blower can do miracles. From the humblest light powdering to the heaviest blizzards, there’s a machine designed to clear the way. Let’s see the differing types of snow blowers and snow throwers so you can pick the right one for you. (You can also read snow blower ratings and snow thrower ratings for further guidance)

Snow throwers come in three distinct styles:

1. Electric Snow Blowers / Throwers

Electric snow blowers are really capable of clearing light snow from sidewalks and small driveways. These very light-weight machines are generally utilized on decks and steps where larger gas fired models simply don’t fit.

Best of all, electric snow throwers are maintenance free, eliminating the need for oil changes and fill ups. You simply need an extension cord and an outlet – and you can be on your way to clearing the snow.

Electrical snow throwers are actually plug and play. You simply plug your electric snow thrower into an outdoor power outlet, and then start snow blowing. Yes, you’re tied to a power wire, but electric snow blowers are easier to store and maintain than gas-powered models. Electric snow blowers are also lighter, cheaper and less loud.

Electrical Snow Shovel

Electrical snow spades (or power shovels) are truly snow sweepers instead of throwers. These light snow moving machines do not have wheels or chutes. Instead , a paddle style auger pushes the snow forward like a brush.

Weighing in at less than 15 lbs, an electrical snow shovel will save your back. Nevertheless you may still get a work out carrying and pushing it around.

An electric snow spade is ideal for light snow less than 4 inches deep on paths, decks and steps. Anything more serious would be inappropriate for this tiny guy.

Electric Snow Thrower / Blower

Want something with a little more power and performance? An electrical snow thrower is an eco friendly choice to gas powered snow throwers.

Unlike power spades, they feature easy-to-maneuver wheels and a chute to direct the discharged snow. And, electric snow blowers feature more powerful motors, throwing up to 700 pounds of snow per minute. They are capable of handling 8-10 inches of snow.

Vis overall handling and practicality, an electric snow thrower is a smarter choice than an electric snow shovel.

2. Single Stage Snow Blowers / Throwers

In very basic terms, single-stage snow throwers only throw the snow once. The engine spins an auger that scoops up the snow and throws it out the chute. Since the auger really contacts the ground, you shouldn’t utilise a single stage snow thrower on gravel surfaces.

Single-stage snow blowers are typically 19 – 22 inches wide. The limiting factor nonetheless , is their height – not the width. If you’re often struggling 12-inch snow drifts, go with a two-stage snow thrower as an alternative. Single-stage snow blowers can clear a common sidewalk in two fast passes.

The auger is formed out of plastic or hard rubber and makes direct contact with the surface. Unlike their two stage cousins, single-stage snow blowers clear the complete surface area. As a consequence, drifting snow – especially on a blacktop surface – quickly melts away in the sunshine.

Here are one or two features to think about while shopping these:

Engine Type

Two-cycle (or 2-stroke) engines require an oil and gas mix, supplying both fuel and lubrication to the engine during operation. Fundamentally, you are “changing” the oil every time you gas up your snow thrower.

Four-cycle (or 4-stroke) engines include a separate fuel tank for the gas and a crankcase for the oil. The oil should be periodically changed – usually after each 25 hours or annually.

While oil changes are never fun, 4-cycle engines provide greater torque, better fuel usage, better emissions and a miles better snow throwing experience.

Electric or Recoil Start

Recoil start snow blowers are like lawn mowers. You simply pull on the rope to get it started. If you’re not happy with this, get an electrical start model instead.

Surprisingly, electrical start models don’t use batteries since they operate in below freezing temperatures. As an alternative you simply plug an extension cord from a wall outlet into the snow blower then press a button to start it. All electrical start snow blowers come equipped with a recoil start as a back-up, in case.

Manual or Crank Handle Based Chute Rotation

Basic single-stage snow blowers feature a manual chute. You turn it left or right by physically pushing or pulling the attached handle. Shorter people must stop snow blowing and walk round the snow thrower every time they need to turn the chute.

More classy single-stage snow blowers feature a manual crank. You turn the discharge chute to the left or the right by cranking a handle from behind the snow blower, permitting to adjust the chute on the fly.

3. Two-Stage Snow Blowers / Throwers

Two-stage snow blowers throw the snow twice. First, a metal auger scoops up the snow and ice. Then, a fast impeller throws it out thru the discharge chute.

The auger on a two-stage snow blower doesn’t touch the ground, so they can be used on gravel and concrete. Plus, they feature taller buckets capable of inhaling snow drifts. If you need to clear large, deep expanses of snow, you may appreciate the wider and more powerful two-stage snow blower instead.

Huge snow blowers come with massive engines and giant price tags. To find the best value, simply select your grade of snow blower first.

Consumer Grade

If you simply want to blow deep snow, you can’t fail with a consumer-grade, two-stage snow blower. They can always outperform any electrical or single-stage snow blower.

They can attack deep snow drifts “including the mountain at the end of your driveway – without costing a bomb. Think of these as economy grade. They can tackle the task with just basic components and features.

Prosumer Grade

Prosumer-grade snow blowers are bigger, beefier and stronger, throwing snow as much as 10 feet farther than their consumer-grade cousins. Lots of models come fitted out with interlocking controls and halogen headlights, helping to light the way in the darkest days of Winter.

The other components are not quite professional grade, but definitely sturdy. Most prosumer snow blowers feature extra-strength aluminum – instead of forged iron – gear cases and all-steel chutes. If your get a prosumer-grade model, you will be the envy of the area.

Professional Grade

Pro grade snow blowers and snow throwers get built in limited quantities for snow removal vets, who recognise that quality is costly. These are constructed with commercial-quality elements like industrial quality cast-iron gear cases and solid steel frames.

Basic features “like halogen headlights, interlocking controls and remote deflectors “are standard on these machines. It does not get any better in terms of top-end performance and reliability.

You can read detailed, in-depth and unbiased snow blower reviews and snow thrower reviews to choose from the many snow blowers and snow throwers available to you.