With the first winter storm of the season just days ago, now might be the right time to purchase a snow blower. To make sure you choose the unit that best meets your needs, your local snow blower dealer offers these helpful tips.
1. Selecting the right size snow blower
- What is your area’s average annual snowfall? Select a snow blower with enough power to handle the amount of snow you’re likely to get during a “typical” winter.
- Measure your driveway and sidewalk(s), and how far you need to throw the snow. The size of the areas requiring snow removal helps determine what size snow blower is right for your needs.
- Homeowners experiencing heavy snowfalls with lots of area to clear will find large-frame, two-stage units ideal. Those living in light snow areas or who only need to move snow from narrow driveways, sidewalks and steps can usually get by with a single-stage unit.
2. Visit your local snow blower dealer
- Bring along all potential operators. A snow blower should feel manageable to everyone who will be using it.
- Be sure to start the unit and try the controls to make sure you are comfortable with how the snow blower operates before making a purchase.
- In the years after the sale, your local dealer can provide preseason maintenance and any necessary service work.
- Each year, have your dealer change the oil, check the wear of all belts, and look over the scraper bar, skid plates and auger for excessive wear and tear so you can be assured of optimum performance.
3. Determine the features important to you
While electric start systems, headlights and hand warmers ease the burden of snow blowing and are common on many of today’s models, snow blower single-stage and two-stage units offer several exclusive features to make clearing snow quick and easy.
- Snow blowers that feature Briggs and Stratton Snow Series™ or Professional Series™ engines are guaranteed to start on the coldest days down to -20 F*.
- Two new single-stage models feature the Simplicity SnowShredder™ Serrated Auger. Thanks to 14 serrated steel surfaces, the SnowShredder models can tackle the tough and compacted end-of-driveway snow and ice left behind by the plow.
- Dual trigger steering controls on two-stage snow blowers make turning easy, allowing you to stop the power to either wheel, turning the machine left or right. Free-hand control allows the operator to drive with one hand while changing speed or the direction of the deflector with the other hand.
- Heavy-duty dual-stage units also feature Power Boost™, a feature that automatically adjusts the power to the auger and impeller as it senses the depth and density of the snow.
There are are several models from which to choose and most come with a three-year limited warranty.