* Guest post
Whilst winter isn't set to arrive for another few months, it is always worth being prepared in case it decides to come in early and ruin your plans. If you live in an area that is known for heavy snow, you won't want to be caught short without a snow blower and then rush to purchase one that isn't fit for purpose, so how do you find the best snow blower to remove heavy snow from your house and land?
Consider what type of snow you are used to
If your area only gets light, fluffy and dry snow, a handheld snow blower would be fine for that as the snow is light. If you live in an area that gets wet, heavy snow then you will need to look at higher powered options to make sure that you can still get to your car from your house in the mornings. You may read the different sorts of snow blower reviews at concerned websites for clear understanding.
Look for a push along Snow Blower
If you are used to getting bogged down in wet snow, you will know that you can't move it by simply using a handheld blower. Look for a push along snow blower, these are usually powered by an engine rather than a battery powered motor and are more geared for a rugged life outside. A push along snow blower will move even the wettest, heaviest snow for you, without you having to dig your way out of your house.
Consider The Engine Size
The higher the CC of the engine, the more powerful the snow blower will be. If you have a small driveway and a short route to the car, then you may not need an extra-large capacity engine, likewise, if you have a big area to try and clear, a larger engine may help you do this faster.
Consider the Width and Depth of the clearance
Not all heavy-duty snow blowers are created equal. If you are used to very deep, very stubborn snow, you will want a snow blower that limits your time out in it. Large snow blowers have an array of depths they can clear to ranging from 15 inches to 25 inches. It is worth also looking at the width of the clearance. The less time spent outside clearing the snow the better so look for a machine that has both a good depth and good width clearance.
Self-propelling
Snow is heavy, you know this, we know this. The last thing you want is a heavy snow blower, in heavy snow that isn't self-propelled. Make sure that when you are making your purchase that this is the primary option for you. Otherwise you may end up becoming bogged down in snow and unable to move the blower.
Plastic Components
Most of the internals on a snow blower will always be metal, but you want it encased in plastic to limit the amount of water that gets in so it can't rust. You also want to look at how the primary components are constructed, such as the chute. The chute is where the snow will exit and will become wet, look for ones that are made of plastic, so that the chance of rust and corrosion is limited.
Types of starts
Some people prefer electric starts over pull starts, both have their benefits, but it is worth checking on which one you want. Not all brands have an electric start alternative so make sure you check this out before you make a purchase.
Speed settings
If you have a self-propelled model, you want the option to either speed it up or slow it down. Look for a blower with a good variety of speeds, not just low and high and check that it also comes with a reverse option!
Gas or Electric?
You will find that most heavy-duty snow blowers will not come in an electric option. These options are reserved for smaller driveways that don't suffer from large amounts of heavy, wet snow. If there is an option for a larger more powerful electric model, make sure that it has the clearing capacity you require and can match the gas alternatives.
Final thoughts
There are a lot of factors to consider before you purchase a snow blower. Fundamentally, you need to look at what type of snow you get, if it is the heavy wet kind, then you really need to consider a powerful snow blower. A self-propelled option should really be your base requirement, so that you can utilise it, even on the worst days. This is closely followed by the depth and width clearance, there is little point in having a snowblower that will take you hours to clear a small area, make your life as easy as you can and chose one that will not only clear a deep trench, it will clear a wide area too! Once you have considered all these options, you should be left with a snow blower that is fit for purpose and will keep your drive way clear of snow.
