Snow Blowers Article | CPO Outlets

CPO Staff | Oct 30 2021

blog-snow-blowers — SNOW BLOWERS
Tool Guides

WEATHER EVERY WINTER STORM WITH SNOW BLOWERS, SHOVELS, AND MORE

Depending on where you live, winter and its snowstorms can be absolutely brutal. Perhaps you expect one or two big storms per season, or maybe weekly snowfall is simply a way of life in your region. No matter how often you anticipate snow, it’s important to be prepared with the right tools to stay safe before, during, and after any storm. These include winter essentials like snow shovels, snow blowers, and ice scrapers.

Each of these tools has a specific function for dealing with winter conditions, but not all of them may be appropriate for every situation. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at each item, explain how it’s used, and present examples of products you may want to incorporate into your winter preparations.

CLEAR THE WAY WITH SNOW SHOVELS

If you’re a homeowner in the Northeastern U.S., Upper Midwest, or anywhere else it snows often, there’s a very good chance you have at least one snow shovel in your garage or tool shed. A good shovel is the most straightforward way to remove snow from your driveway or sidewalk. Just pick one up and start clearing the area.

Of course, as anyone who has shoveled snow will tell you, it can be back-breaking work. Wet snow is heavy and when there’s a lot of it, even the strongest person will tire quickly and struggle to lift another shovelful of the white stuff.

Fortunately, there are high-quality shovels designed to minimize strain on the user, like the Snow Joe 16 in. Back-Saving Snow Shovel. This shovel features a handle that improves posture and reduces the need to bend while you shovel. It directs lifting leverage to the lower hand, letting your upper body muscles do the heavy lifting. The spring-loaded, ergonomic grip uses energy from throwing the snow to quickly return and reset the shovel so you’re ready for the next load. It’s a great way to make shoveling less strenuous while decreasing the risk of injury.

LET A SNOW BLOWER DO MOST OF THE WORK

For very long driveways, wide sidewalks, or other expansive areas, a snow shovel may simply not be feasible. In these situations, a snow blower is the better bet. Snow blowers, also known as snow throwers, are machines that remove snow from an area by picking it up with a spiral blade or auger and tossing it to the side.

Using a snow blower allows you to clear snow much more quickly and with less physical strain on your body than a hand-operated shovel. All you need to do is remove any branches or other obstacles, start the blower, and push it through your desired path, making sure the snow is being thrown away from the area you wish to clear.

TYPES OF SNOW BLOWERS

Snow blowers are available in a few different varieties, including single-stage snow blowers, two-stage snow blowers, and electric snow throwers. Each has its own unique capabilities and is suited to a particular type of snow removal. You can find a diverse set of options from top brands like Snow Joe, Briggs & Stratton, Honda, Ariens, and Detail K2.

Here’s an overview of the main types of snow blowers so you can determine which is best for your needs.

Single-Stage Snow Blowers

A single-stage snow blower throws snow once by pulling it in with an auger and then projecting it outward through a discharge chute. It’s smaller, more lightweight, and easier to control than its two-stage counterpart. As a result, single-stage snow blowers are only recommended for clearing snow levels up to 8 inches deep. They work best on level, mid-sized paved driveways and walks. You shouldn’t use one on loose gravel, as small stones can be picked up and tossed by the blade, creating the potential for injury. Single-stage snow blowers are available in gas- and electric-powered models. They take up around the same amount of space as a lawn mower, so they’re easy to store.

If a single-stage snow blower is right for you, one popular option is the Honda 20 in. 187cc Single-Stage Snow Blower with Dual Chute Control and Electric Starter. It offers high-capacity snow removal up to 55 tons per hour at a 33-foot discharge distance. The discharge and director controls allow you to set the precise direction and distance of the snow discharge with just two levers.

Two-Stage Snow Blowers

When you need more power to contend with much higher snow levels, a two-stage snow blower will do the job. Two-stage snow blowers are larger than single-stage blowers. They feature an auger to pull in the snow, along with an impeller to launch it out of the top discharge chute. They can clear snow drifts, mounds, and other large expanses of snow over 6 inches deep. This makes them best-suited for clearing long driveways and level concrete where a significant amount of wet, heavy snow has fallen. A two-stage blower can also remove snow from gravel since the augur doesn’t touch the ground.

Two-stage snow blowers are only available with gas engines and are great for both residential and commercial use. Those needing the extra power of a two-stage blower may consider the Ariens Deluxe 28 254cc 2-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower with Headlight. It moves fast and efficiently through large amounts of snow with a 14-inch steel auger and 28-inch clearing width. Auto-turn steering allows you to control the blower precisely and effortlessly. The included headlight also makes it easy to clear snow at night or when visibility is severely limited.

Electric Snow Throwers

An electric snow thrower is ideal for those who need to remove light amounts of snow (less than 6 inches) but don’t want to use a traditional shovel. They’re excellent for clearing driveways and sidewalks around small, single-family homes. Electric snow throwers are very convenient due to their compact size and quiet operation. They don’t have driven wheels but are instead propelled by a rubber-tipped augur. You can choose from either corded or cordless options, though corded models offer limited maneuverability.

If you’re looking for an electric snow thrower, the Snow Joe Ultra Series 15.0 Amp 18 in. Electric Snow Thrower with Light is an excellent choice. Its switch lever provides an instant start, and with no need for gas, oil, or regular maintenance, you can pull it out of the garage and get right to work when those unexpected snow showers hit.

Check out our convenient chart to easily compare the features of each type of snow blower:

SNOW BROOMS AND ICE SCRAPERS

If you park your car outside, a snow broom and ice scraper is an absolute necessity. There’s nothing worse than getting ready for work after an overnight snowstorm only to find your vehicle covered with snow and ice. While you’ll likely need a shovel to dig your car out of significant snowfall, a snow broom and ice scraper will make sure your windshield and windows are clear of snow and ice so you can drive safely.

The Snow Joe Snow Broom with Ice Scraper offers an efficient way to free your car from snow and ice. It features a patented dual-purpose design with a broom head on one end and a built-in scraper on the other, so you can easily push heavy snow off your car and clear ice from the windshield without causing damage. It’s also conveniently sized to fit in your trunk, so you’ll be prepared if it snows while you’re out during the day.

BE READY WHEN THE FIRST SNOWFLAKE FALLS

Winter snow can be beautiful but it also causes its share of problems for your everyday routine. Reduce the frustration by being prepared with snow shovels, a snow blower, ice scrapers, and anything else you need to make sure you can safely venture outside your home no matter how much snow has fallen.

You can find a large selection of high-quality snow removal products from leading brands at CPO Outlets. Whether you’re a new homeowner buying your first snow blower or need to upgrade from an older model, we have plenty of options. If you need help finding the perfect item, don’t hesitate to contact us and get advice from our experts.

Best of luck this winter!