By Any Name, Snow Blowers and Throwers Ease the Burden

Here in the Midwest, there is the occasional winter that passes by without leaving behind much snow. However, that is somewhat rare, and in recent years we’ve trended towards heavier snowfalls.

Snow Thrower

In 2009, there were record-setting snowfalls throughout the Midwest and northern states. We’re talking one, two, and even three feet of the white stuff! Sure, you can grab your shovel and start digging yourself out after snowfalls such as these, and good luck with that! Or you can ease your burden by purchasing a snow blower.

By Any Name, Snow Blowers and Throwers Ease the Burden

Depending on what you feel that you need to be prepared for, there are a variety of snow blowers that would suit you. Here is just a quick general overview of some of the different types of snow blowers and the situations that they were designed for:

-For smaller jobs and lighter snowfalls, Toro makes what they call the “Power Shovel.” This is a light-weight, low-maintenance tool that will enable you to clear “dustings” and light snowfalls without having to perform the act of manually shoveling. The Power Shovel is relatively inexpensive, as are similar light-weight snow throwers: usually around 0-0.

-Next is the single-stage, gas-fueled, push-behind snow blower. These are designed to handle moderate snowfalls of around 8 inches or less; NOT for heavy snowfalls. These machines are light-weight and should mainly be used on flat surfaces such as sidewalks, decks, and paved driveways. There is a pretty wide variety of snow blowers in this category, but generally they range from around 0-0.

-And then we come to the double-stage gas-fueled “heavyweights” for heavy snowfalls. These possess powerful engines and can plow through most high-accumulation situations, up to around 24 inches (the deluxe models can handle more). They can even plow through that stubborn ice and snow pile that gathers at the end of your driveway. Power steering, headlights, and even heated hand grips are included with many of the top-of-the-line two-stage models. These usually go for over ,000.

Now you’re wondering what the difference is between a single-stage and a double-stage snowblower. Well, here’s your answer:

-Single-stage machines use an auger (a metal corkscrew-shaped apparatus) that spins fast, picks up ice and snow, and delivers it to the discharge chute. Single-stage units are best used on pavement or flat surfaces mainly because the auger comes in contact with the surface that it is cleaning, and any unevenness or debris might cause damage or negatively affect the unit’s performance.

-Double-stage machines use a rotating “impeller” which collects snow and ice before “pumping” it to the main auger to be broken up and distributed to the discharge chute. Therefore, double-stage machines can be used for very heavy accumulations of snow and ice (up to 36″), and are not as restricted as single-stage machines are as far as the types of terrain they can navigate.

As always, with any piece of machinery or “yard” tool, you’ll want to read your owner’s manual thoroughly. Keep your equipment clean and well-maintained. You can do little things to increase the longevity of your snow thrower, such as wiping it down after use to avoid freezing or rusting, and keeping it well-oiled.

Also, be sure to get your snow blower serviced every few years. Find a reliable snowblower repair shop that is not only up-to-speed on snow blower repair, but that can give advice on snow thrower maintenance. Also, though a repair or service outfit may be well-versed to Toro snow blower repair or MTD snowblower repair (the more popular brands), make sure they service the lesser-known brands, too, if that is what you own.

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