What to Know Before Buying a Snow Blower

BY Jeffrey November 18, 2020

For many of us, the first snowfall of the year signals the turn of the season, bringing with it the end of Autumn. A feeling of anticipation and excitement fills the air as the holiday season kicks into high gear and we prepare for the colder times ahead. Depending on where you live, a snowy climate also means many long months of snow removal.  

While snow forts and snowball fights may ignite a childlike glee, seeing your driveway packed with a foot (or more!) of snowfall is anything but. If you’re new to the joys of clearing sidewalks and front steps, or just want to upgrade your shovel, here are a few handy tips to help you find the perfect snow blower.

Type

There are actually number of options to choose from when buying a new snow blower. These typically depend on the amount and kind of snow you’ll be removing. Let’s break them down to give you a better idea of what you need.

Single Stage snow blowers will be the smallest version you find, using an auger to feed and dispel the snow. Because these types of blowers utilize a very basic structure, they can only handle smaller loads of snow (great for powder, less so for wet, packed snow). As the smallest of the three types, single stage blowers make up for their snow clearing shortfalls with high maneuverability. 

Two Stage snow blowers are far more adept at clearing out wet and packed snow. These heavier duty machines can handle upwards of 15 inches of snow. Two Stage blowers benefit from an additional stage of breaking up the snow, something Single Stage blowers don’t do. 

Three Stage snow blowers are mean, mean beasts. The top of the line when it comes to power, these blowers can easily cut through a foot and a half of hard-packed snow. However, due to their weight, price, and general stubbornness, you may want to hold off on picking one up unless you live in an area with constant and consistent snowfall.

Features and Functions

What would a snow blower be without a radio? Kidding…kidding. That’s probably not a feature you’d want on a loud, grinding piece of equipment. Instead, consider looking for snowblowers with the following:

Tracks or Wheels? Both have their pros. Wheels offer the most mobility of the two, making turning around a simple affair. Tracks on the other hand offer far, far more traction. For extremely icy roads and walkways, good mobility means nothing if you don’t have traction to back it up.

Speed Options Many blowers come with only a single speed that you can’t adjust. This may be fine for lighter snowfall, but if you’re dealing with significant amounts of wet and heavy snow, selecting your speed can be a lifesaver. This goes double for any time you need to pull your blower backwards. Trust us when we say you’ll love the “Reverse” feature that comes with multi-speed blowers.

Chute Controls You’re not always going to need to send your snow to the left. Or the right. Or slightly centered to the left. Find a snow blower that allows you to easily adjust your chute and you’ll find a snow blower that makes your work a lot simpler. 

Steering While you might not need power steering for a Stage One blower, your larger machines will almost require it. Having a snow blower with steering options will prove to be a blessing after any blizzard.

Price

The price of snow blowers usually, but not always, aligns with the type of blower you’re purchasing. Single Stage blowers are the cheapest, with Three Stage blowers being the most expensive.

Single Stage blowers will generally fall below $500. They’re your budget machines, but they still get the job done. Two Stage blowers can range between $500-1,000, but varies on retailer, discounts, and time of season. Three Stage blowers are the most expensive machines and can land you in the $1,500 range, or more. However, these machines are designed for heavy snowfall and do an excellent job at keeping your property clear. 

Get What You Need with Progressive Leasing

Progressive Leasing offers simple, flexible payment options from over 30,000 retailers. Find a store near you and discover your perfect upgrade by visiting our website at progleasing.com.