How to Decide Between a Single-Stage or Two-Stage Snow Blower

When your back and shoulders tell you it's time to put down the snow shovel, you listen. Here's how to decide between a single or two-stage snow blower.

Snow blowers are available in a variety of configurations; single-stage electric, single-stage gas, two-stage gas and three-stage gas. To find your ideal match, consider your property size, typical snow accumulation and terrain (sloped or flat).

Single-stage snow blowers are ideal for smaller jobs like sidewalks, walkways and short driveways. They are lighter, compact and easier to handle than two-stage models, but they are only suitable if you get 8 inches or less of snow.

A two-stage snow blower has power assisted wheels which helps when clearing on slopes and large areas.

On a single-stage snow blower, an auger (the blades you see in front of the blower) directs the snow straight throw a discharge chute. The auger makes contact with the surface you are clearing so it should only be used on a paved surface. On a two-stage snow thrower the auger collects the snow and a fan then discharges the snow through a chute which throws the snow faster and farther away. The auger on a two-stage thrower does not contact the surface so it can be used over gravel or dirt.

There's also a third type of snow blower, too: A three-stage blower is like a turbo-charged two-stage. It operates the same way but has an accelerator that moves much faster than an auger and is used for clearing heavy/wet snow quickly.

You can select a clearing width on each of these snow blowers from 21"-45" or more, but take note of the width of your gate and doorway to your storage shed.

Photo courtesy of Cub Cadet.

from Lifehacker http://ift.tt/1qSyBkc

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