What are the Different Stages of a Snow Blower
What are the Different Stages of a Snow Blower? Snow blowers come in various widths and can either be powered by gas, or be electric.Typically a snow blower will come in; Single-stage Two-stage Three-stage Single-stage and two-stage are more common however, three-stage is useful for larger areas or very deep snow. Knowing which snow blower to buy is important, so let’s go through what each one is good for to help you find which stage best suits your needs. Single-stage Single-stage snow blowers are used for light to moderate levels of snow. They are suitable for use on small driveways and pavements and will be able to clear the snow off your porch with ease. You can be expected to clear around 8 inches of snow with this compact snowblower. How it works The name single-stage derives from the snowblower scooping up the snow and spitting it out in a single motion. A single-stage snow blower uses a rubber auger, sucks in the snow, and discharges it through the chute. Two-stage If you are needing to clear a larger area, then two-stage is more ideal for the job. Two-stage snow blowers are useful for grassy areas or gravel driveways, however, there may be some snow left behind. They will clear a larger width at a time than single-stage and can clear snow between 12 and 23 inches in depth. Two-stage snow blowers normally have engine-driven wheels which will help to prevent any faults or failures with the machine. How it works This snow blower is typically self-propelled and has forward and reverse functions. Combining the power of the two-stage snow blower with the auger and impeller, it clears snow faster. It chews up the ice and snow and spits it out through the chute. Three-stage Three-stage snow blowers can be up to 50% more powerful than two-stage and leave less snow behind, which makes for a cleaner driveway. For spaces larger than 18 meters, two-stage or three-stage are the most effective. Three-stage snow blowers can handle sloped ground, either paved or unpaved, and will clear snow as deep as 23 inches. If you are dealing with a large amount of ice, a three-stage is particularly helpful. How it works In addition to the auger and the impeller, the three-stage also uses an accelerator. The accelerator spins at a 90-degree angle from the auger, working like a screw. Together they force the snow into the impeller where it gets discharged. Conclusion Which snowblower you should buy is dependent on your needs, and what you will use it for. For smaller jobs, a single-stage is sufficient whereas larger areas or deeper snow will require a two-stage or three-stage snowblower.
How to store your snowblower
Guide to storing your snowblower Is it okay to leave it outside? Snowblowers have become an essential addition to every home that experiences heavy snowfall. After all, the last thing you’ll want to experience is to trudge through inches of thick snow to get outside. However, storing a snowblower once the winter blows away has become a headache for many smaller households. While the most recommended way for you to store a snowblower is to keep it in a dry and clean shed, not everyone would be able to afford the luxury of having the extra space in a small home. So, can you leave your snowblower outside as a temporary storage solution? The answer is, yes, you can. Snowblowers can typically be left outside and it wouldn’t cause too much harm to your machine or home, although you should take some precaution on how you’re storing them outdoors. Typically, you’ll have to prepare an elevated space to safely store your snowblower outside. This raised platform should be set several feet off the ground, so the snowblower doesn’t make contact with the gravel below. Be sure to also block off the snow thrower and finally cover the snowblower with a tarpaulin. This is the best way to store your snowblower if you must leave it outside but do be sure to check on the appliance every few months. Doing this ensures that you’ll be aware of any wear and tear on the machine resulting from sun and rain exposure. How to store your snowblower in 5 steps Now that you know your snowblower is safe to be store outside, perhaps it’s also a good idea to know how to store it properly. Here’s how you can safely keep your snowblower away in 5 steps come summer, so it’ll be ready to jump back in action come winter. Step 1: Clean out the fuel system, ensuring there are no gum deposits that may clog your snowblower’s tank, filter, hose, or carburetor. If you’re planning to store your snowblower with the remaining fuel in the tank, be sure to store your snowblower away from sparks that can cause a fire. Step 2: Wash and dry the snowblower accordingly. Take caution to clean off any salt deposits to minimize rust and corrosion damage during storage. Step 3: Cover any exposed parts with a rust preventative agent. Light oils or silicone works best for areas that have poor ventilation. Step 4: If you have a snowblower with a folding handle, you can detach the handle by loosening the bolts and knobs. Fold the handle for easy storage. Step 5: Keep your snowblower in a dry and clean shed. For outdoor storage, be sure to keep your snowblower off-ground and cover it with a tarpaulin until it’s ready for use during the next snow season.
5 HP Snow Blower
Is a 5 HP Motor Large Enough for a Snow Blower? The vast majority of homeowners who deal with a lot of snow seem to prefer to spend some extra money hiring a service to remove their snow after every storm, rather than buying the right equipment to do it themselves. It should be an easy decision to make between paying someone $20 to clear a driveway after every storm, or to spend a few dollars to buy a decent snowblower once and clear the driveway yourself every time there’s a storm. However, there are other questions to be asked. If I Buy a Snow Blower, How Much Power Do I Need? If you make the decision to buy a snow blower and handle storms yourself, you will still have to know which kind f snowblower to get. For example, how much power will you need to be effective at clearing the snow? It’s probably the most common question among new customers. It should be obvious that the more powerful the snowblower, the larger the motor and the larger and heavier the snowblower itself. On the plus side, the more power, the faster it will clear snow. However, you must keep in mind that you also have to carry it while you clear the snow. Therefore, if you have a large property and you need to clear a wide area of a large property, the power may become less important than the impact on your back. On the other hand, since a higher-power blower will have the torque to clear the snow more quickly, the strain on your back may be a lot less than if you were to use a smaller motor. So, How Much Horsepower Should a Snowblower Have? If you examine online reviews, the preferred minimum horsepower varies widely, but most seem to believe 5 HP is large enough for most jobs. Some people say 5 hp may be a little too much, in fact, but 5 horsepower seems to be sufficient for most snow clearing jobs, regardless of the amount of snow. In fact, a 10 hp snowblower has suggested that 10 hp is often cited as way too much, and just adds extra weight and noise, without a resultant advantage in snow clearing capacity. What all that adds up to is, having a 5 HP snowblower should be sufficient for most snow clearing jobs, unless you’re clearing 40 acres for a farm that gets 2-4 blizzards per month. And Few people get that much snow, outside of the Alaskan Tundra!
