•  Are Single-stage Snowthrowers good? It depends on how much snow you get at one time, the type of snow you get, and how far you want to throw the snow. Single-stage snowthrowers work best on 2-8 inches of snow. If you regularly get more than that single-stage snow throwers can be hard to use. Good single-stage snowthrowers will work on all types of snow. the better models will throw “normal” snow 15-25 feet so they will throw the snow off your single and two-car driveways. They will not throw heavy/wet snow or slush very far – usually only a few feet. If you normally get drifting you will want a two-stage snow blower to throw the snow farther away from your driveway so you don’t get deeper and deeper drifts as the winter progresses.
• Are single-stage snowthrowers self-propelled? The correct answer is no. Some single-stage snowthrower augers are designed so they will pull the snow thrower through the snow as it clears the snow. This feature is called “auger-assist.” This feature works best if there are 4-6 inches or more snow. On most models with rubber paddles when you lift up on the handles the auger will touch the ground and this will also help to pull the snow thrower through the snow.
• Can I use a single-stage snowthrower on a gravel driveway? Single-stage snowthrowers and designed to clear the snow right down to the pavement so they will pick up rocks and throw them. Since the gravel driveway is rough they are also very hard to push. They also don’t work on grass and dirt for the same reasons. If you want to clear a path out to the shed or clear a patch of lawn for your dogs you really need a two-stage snow blower for the task.
• Can single-stage snowthrowers break ice?  Can single-stage snowthrowers remove ice? Not really. It will not clear a sheet of ice off your driveway. Single-stage snow throwers generally have a plastic scraper behind the auger. This scraper has about the same clearing power as a poly snow shovel. What that means is if you throw salt or sand on the ice and the sun has a chance to melt the ice in places down to the pavement a single-stage snow thrower will be able to bust through the ice layer and scrape some of it up and throw it off your driveway.
• Can you use a single-stage snowthrower on slush? Yes, single-stage snowthrowers grab the slush and in one motion throw it out the chute. The good ones have the auger housing designed like a funnel so the slush doesn’t catch inside and plug the snowthrower. Be Aware – even the best will only throw slush a few feet.
• How much does a single-stage snowthrower weigh? A small 18-inch gas-powered single-stage snowthrower weighs about 60 lbs, a normal size 21-22 inch weighs about 90 lbs., and a larger 24 inch weighs about 130 lbs.
• How much is a decent single-stage snowthrower? Good gas-powered single-stage snowthrower are not cheap. A small 18-inch costs about $450, a normal size 21-22 inch costs about $650, and a larger 24-inch costs about $850.
• Is an electric or gas single-stage snowthrowers better? In general, gas single stage snowthrowers are better than cordless electric and much better than corded electric. There are two cordless electric snow blowers for the fall of 2019 that are better than about half of the single-stage snow blowers on the market. The Best Cordless Electric Snowblower For You! Fall 2019
• What brand makes the best single-stage snowthrowers? It depends on the website reviewing the products, owner reviews, and other factors. In general, Toro has the best overall reputation although Honda, Ariens, Troy-Bilt and Briggs & Stratton all have one or two models that rate well with review sites and owners.

Fuel & Oil Questions About Single-Stage Snowthrowers.

• 

  Do Not Use Fuel From This Pump In Your Snow Blower!

   Can I use regular gas in my single-stage snowthrower? Yes, the engine is designed for regular unleaded 87 Octane fuel with up to 10% E10 ethanol. DO NOT use fuel from a pump labeled E15 or higher ethanol. It will ruin your engine and void your warranty.

• Are single-stage snowthrowers 2 or 4 cycle? All single-stage snow throwers sold in the U.S. in the last 10 years are 4 cycle. No need for a separate gas can.
• Is it bad to run a single-stage snowthrower engine with the choke on? No. Small engines without EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) don’t have carburetors that automatically adjust the fuel ratio for different temperatures and altitudes. So, you need to do this by adjusting the choke lever.
• Why is my single-stage snowthrower sputtering? Adjust the choke lever until the engine smooths out. After the engine warms up you may have to further adjust the choke.  Small engines without EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) don’t have carburetors that automatically adjust the fuel ratio for different temperatures and altitudes. So, you need to do this by adjusting the choke lever.
• Can I use SAE 30 instead of 5w30 in my single-stage snowthrower? SAE 30 engine oil is thicker than 5W30 and it will make the engine hard to pull over and hard to start in cold weather. Rule of thumb: Below 32 degrees use 5W30.
• How many cc is a 5.5 hp engine? Around 208cc. Horsepower ratings are no longer used with small engines in the U.S. There are too many factors that go into determining the actual horsepower of an engine, let alone, the fact we use three different government standards to measure HP for small engines.
• How many horsepower is 208cc? Somewhere around 5 HP. Horsepower ratings are no longer used with small engines in the U.S. There are too many factors that go into determining the actual horsepower of an engine, let alone, the fact we use three different government standards to measure HP for small engines.
• How many horsepower is a single-stage snowthrower CC? 136cc around 3 HP, 179cc around 4 HP, 208cc around 5.5 HP and 250cc around 7-8 HP. Horsepower ratings are no longer used with small engines in the U.S. There are too many factors that go into determining the actual horsepower of an engine, let alone, the fact we use three different government standards to measure HP for small engines.

If you are not quite sure what snow blower you need please check out these articles:

• The Best Snow Blower For 2019
• Buying A New Snow Blower FAQS,
•  What Is The Best Snow Blower For Me? – All Your Questions Answered Here!
•  13 Snow Blower Features And Myths That Matter
• 5 Best Commercial Snow Blowers 2019

By The Way – All Opinions are Mine.

Keeping up with snow blowers is almost a full-time job and I take finding the best snow blower for you very seriously. The U.S. manufactures currently sell about 400 different models made here in the U.S. alone. In addition, there are always another dozen or so foreign manufactures trying to wedge their way into your pocketbook. By the way – a quality $500 two-stage snow blower no longer exists. The base regular price is now $699.

Affiliate Disclaimer: Please assume that if I send you to a retailer to purchase a product that I will make a small commission from that sale. FTC disclosure: **This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

The post 17 Common Questions About Single-Stage Snowthrowers appeared first on MovingSnow.com.

1. 3 stage snow blowers are not better than competing 2-stage snow blowers – they are just different. Every U.S. manufacturer tries to make the best snow blower for the price and or the best snow blower for certain buyers. Because of that, there have been many different designs over the years.
2. Cub Cadet/MTD advertises the 3-stage to be better than a 2-stage but when you read the fine print the claim is against their own 2-stage snow blowers – not other brands. In fact, MTD now offers 2-stage heavy-duty snow blowers with more capacity. So, feel free to ask in the comments below if a 3-stage or 2-stage is the best choice for you.
3. Consumer Reports rates 2-stage and 3-stage snow blowers separately. Just because they list 3-stage snow blowers at the top of the page that does not mean they are better – use the number ratings they post to get an accurate assessment of their viewpoint. In fact, CR now rates six 2-stage snow blowers equal or better to the 3-stage models. One other item to note about CR reviews – Their ratings are based on the models they have tested – not all of the snow blowers on the market.
4. All 3-stage snow blowers currently sold in the U.S. and Canada are made by MTD. MTD sells them under various names including Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt, Columbia, and other names. 3-stage Craftsman (Sears), Craftsman Professional (Sears) and Craftsman at Lowes (owned by Stanley, Black & Decker) are also made by MTD.
5. Is the 3X snowblower durable? Yes, When maintained properly, kept inside and sized properly for the amount of snow you have to clear and the size of your property a Cub Cadet snowblower will last many years. All Cub Cadet snowblowers are designed to break shear pins instead of tearing up more expensive parts if it hits something that may damage the machine so make sure you have extra on hand. You may break a few until you get used to your machine and the obstructions you have. (The hard one to replace on the 3-stage snow blowers is the shear pin on the back auger flite. (The propeller behind the gearbox.) Before you go out and clear snow the first time please figure out how that hole lines up with the front shear pin so you can easily replace that pin if you break it.

If you are not quite sure what snow blower you need please check out these articles:

• The Best Snow Blower For 2019
• Buying A New Snow Blower FAQS,
•  What Is The Best Snow Blower For Me? – All Your Questions Answered Here!
•  13 Snow Blower Features And Myths That Matter
• 5 Best Commercial Snow Blowers 2019

By The Way – All Opinions are Mine.

Keeping up with snow blowers is almost a full-time job and I take finding the best snow blower for you very seriously. The U.S. manufactures currently sell about 400 different models made here in the U.S. alone. In addition, there are always another dozen or so foreign manufactures trying to wedge their way into your pocketbook. By the way – a quality $500 two-stage snow blower no longer exists. The base regular price is now $699.

The post Are 3 Stage Snow Blowers Better? appeared first on MovingSnow.com.

If you get lake effect snow, Noreaster snow, New England snow, “Snowcrete” or just that spring snowstorm that left you 14 inches of snow that’s almost too wet to make a snowman with, here is a list of the best snowblowers for heavy wet snow.

There are actually quite a few heavy-duty snowblowers that can handle heavy wet snow but you won’t find them on anyone else’s lists. You won’t find these heavy-duty snowblowers on Amazon, at most big-box stores, or your local hardware store. You can get a few through The Home Depot, but most of them are dealer only snow blowers.

Before I list the snow blowers – if you are not quite sure you need a heavy-duty snow blower please check out these articles:

• The Best Snow Blower For 2019
• Buying A New Snow Blower FAQS,
•  What Is The Best Snow Blower For Me? – All Your Questions Answered Here!
•  13 Snow Blower Features And Myths That Matter
• 5 Best Commercial Snow Blowers 2019
• Toro SnowMaster® 824 QXE (36003) Buy Here at The Home Depot. The unique design handles wet snow better than any other single-stage snowthrower. Check out my video on YouTube. lightweight, self-propelled snowblowers that clear snow fast from your hard surfaces. These snow throwers will clear up to 18-inch drifts. Many people are buying these instead of a 2-stage snowblower. If you have a larger hard surface driveway to clear and don’t get more than 8 inches at a time they are a great choice.

If the snowplow leaves you a wet mess or a solid rock wall of snow – these 2-stage snow blowers will power right through it! Good for areas of the country that get 30-120 inches of snow a year!

• Ariens Deluxe 24 Model 921045 Buy Here at The Home Depot. The Ariens Deluxe 24 and it’s bigger brother Ariens Platinum 24 are unique in the 24-26 inch size. They use a larger, 14-inch impeller and discharge chute so it is very, very hard to clog them on heavy, wet snow. I highly recommend the Deluxe 24 to anyone who struggles with the drift the snowplow truck leaves at the end of the driveway. It’s all-metal and pretty much indestructible. It’s also very easy to use because it has automatic steering (AutoTurn) and basic chute and deflector controls.
• Toro Power Max® 826 OXE (37799) Buy Here at The Home Depot.
• Husqvarna ST424? I have not reviewed it at this time but will most likely make this list.
• Ariens Platinum 24 SHO Model 921050 and Ariens Platinum 24 SHO EFI Model 921053.  24 inch, 369cc. Model 921053 with EZ-Launch EFI Engine. These two 24 inch snow blowers have over-the-top power and can handle any type of snow and any driveway including gravel and turf. Yet, they are very easy to use. If you have a small driveway but get a lot of snow this is a great choice. It will clear any amount/type of snow. It will not clog on heavy/wet snow. Because it has a larger engine and more capacity than all other 24 inch machines it works well for 2-3 car wide by 80-120 foot driveways. It has great traction for sloped driveways. This is one of the few snow blowers I recommend for Lake Tahoe and their 200-400 inches of snowfall per year. It’s also the best choice for areas that get lake-effect and the North-East U.S. that gets the “Noreasters.” Some of you will feel the price is too high for the EFI model but this heavy-duty 24-inch snow blower with Electronic Fuel Injection will not have the starting issues carburetor engines have on today’s fuels. Please use the dealer locator at Ariens.com to find a store near you:
• Ariens Deluxe 28 Model 921046 Buy Here at The Home Depot.  
• Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO Model 921048 Dealer Only.  Check out my video on YouTube. More power than the Deluxe 28 and the SHO impeller will throw snow up to 55 feet!  The Deluxe SHO is one of the farthest throwing snow blowers on the market and has a much greater capacity than the Honda Snow Blowers that cost twice as much
• Toro Power Max® HD 928 OAE (265cc Auto Steering), Toro Power Max® HD 1028 OHXE (302cc Trigger Steering) Check out my video on YouTube.  Toro PowerMax HD snow blowers have been good machines for years and they have made some improvements recently including an all-metal double-jointed chute and all-metal impeller housing. 14-inch impeller, no shear pins, and a new stronger gearbox. They are very easy to use. They now have two engine sizes for typical and heavy snowfalls.  Power Max® HD series is also one of the farthest throwing snow blowers on the market and has a much greater capacity than the Honda Snow Blowers that cost much more.
• Ariens Platinum SHO Rapidtrak 28.  Buy Here at The Home Depot This snow blower is a game-changer in the residential snow blower market.  All the traction of a tracked unit and the speed and ease-of-use of a wheeled unit. In addition, it handles heavy/wet snow better than all other 28-inch snow blowers.
• Ariens Platinum SHO Rapidtrak 28. Buy Here at The Home Depot  This snow blower is a game-changer in the residential snow blower market.  All the traction of a tracked unit and the speed and ease-of-use of a wheeled unit. In addition, it handles heavy/wet snow better than all other 28-inch snow blowers.
• HUSQVARNA ST 427T. This new snowblower is their new Pro model. It’s designed for professionals who need a maximum-performance snow blower for commercial applications. Features include electronic fuel injection (EFI) engine, onboard electric starter, all-steel control panel, heated handles, LED headlight, continuous track treads, hydrostatic gearbox, and a cast iron impeller. Working width is 27 inches.
•  Recommended: The Ariens Professional RapidTrak 28 in. Hydro 420cc Model 926060 Buy Here at The Home Depot  is arguably the best snow blower for ALL conditions. With the high-speed RapidTrak, it will clear 15 inches or more as fast as you can walk! It has higher capacity, stronger engine and is considerably faster to use. This is arguably the biggest, baddest snowblower on the market right now. It throws snow farther, has more capacity, is faster, and has better traction than anything else right now.Ariens and Toro both have over-the-top commercial 28-inch snowblowers that outperform anything else on the market. They are designed to handle more snow in a week than the typical residential snowblower handles in a year. If you have large areas to clear and/or get over 100 inches of snow a year seriously consider one of these.
• Ariens Deluxe 30 Model 921047 Buy Here at The Home Depot. Check out my video on YouTube.
• Cub Cadet 2x 30 in. 357cc Fuel Injected (EFI) Model# 2X 30 EFI. Buy Here at The Home Depot.
• Ariens Deluxe 30 EFI 30 in. 2-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower Model# 921049. Buy Here at The Home Depot.
• Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 30″. Buy Here at The Home Depot. Check out my video of the 34-inch version on YouTube.
• HUSQVARNA ST 430T. This new snowblower is their new Pro model. It’s designed for professionals who need a maximum-performance snowblower. Features include electronic fuel injection (EFI) engine, onboard electric starter, all-steel control panel, heated handles, LED headlight, continuous track treads, hydrostatic gearbox, and a cast iron impeller. Working width is 30 inches.
• Ariens Platinum 30 SHO 921051 Dealer Only.  Check out my video on YouTube.
• Toro Power Max® HD 1232 OHXE (38842) Buy Here at The Home Depot.
• Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 34 Snow Blower Buy Here at The Home Depot. Check out my video on YouTube.
• Honda 32 inch: The HS series Honda tracked snowblowers were the industry standard for years. The new HSS models have inherited that reputation although there are now other brands with machines that have higher capacity and are faster when clearing large areas. Dealer Only.

Professional/Commercial Dealer Only Snowblowers

Professional: Ariens Professional 28 Available with Briggs & Stratton or Ariens AX engine.

Professional: Toro Power Max® HD 1428 OHXE Commercial (38843)

Professional: Ariens Professional 28 Hydro EFI

Professional: Ariens Professional 28 Hydro RapidTrak Available with Briggs & Stratton or Ariens AX engine.

Professional: Ariens Professional 32 Hydro RapidTrak Available with Briggs & Stratton or Ariens AX engine.

Professional: Ariens Professional 36 Hydro EFI

Professional: Toro Power Max® HD 1432 OHXE Commercial (38844)

The post The Best SnowBlower For Wet Heavy Snow appeared first on MovingSnow.com.

I’m only listing snow blowers here that are proven to work well. There are over 400 snow blowers available today. While there are many good snow blowers offered there are also snow blowers that have poor repair history, a poor service network and a few that are very hard to get parts for. This year the good 2-stage snow blowers with good service networks and good parts availability start around $700.

I’m only listing snow blowers from retailers and dealers that have good service networks. These networks use local servicing dealers to repair your machine under warranty. The models I’ll recommend here will all last you years (with a little preventative maintenance) and you’ll be able to get service and parts locally. I will not recommend retailers and brands that ship your machine off to some faraway location where it may sit for months before the repair is made.

Protection Plans. Protection plans are NOT extended warranties. Extended warranties are offered directly from the manufacturer. Because extended warranties are directly from the manufacturer they are always a good choice. Those warranties are handled by a local servicing dealer. Protection plans, on the other hand, offered by retailers are not always a good choice. If you feel a retailer’s protection plan is a good choice for you be sure you understand what is offered for your gas-powered snowblower and how you go about using the Protection Plan. Many plans will ship your snowblower off to some far away repair center where it can sit for months before it’s even looked at.

Looking for a smaller or larger snow blower? Check out this article: The Best Snow Blowers For You! Fall 2019

24-Inch, 26-Inch 2-Stage Snow Blower

I’m going to start with the best available and then work down to the cheapest snow blower I can recommend.

1. Heavy-Duty Snowmageddon:- Will handle areas that get over 100 inches a year. 

 Ariens Platinum 24 SHO Model 921050 and Ariens Platinum 24 SHO EFI Model 921053.  24 inch, 369cc. Model 921050 and Model 921053 with EZ-Launch EFI Engine. Dealer only: These two snow blowers have over-the-top power and can handle any type of snow and any driveway including gravel and turf. Yet, they are very easy to use. If you have a small driveway but get a lot of snow this is a great choice. It will clear any amount/type of snow. It will not clog on heavy/wet snow. Because it has a larger engine and more capacity than all other 24 inch machines it works well for driveways 2-3 cars wide by 40-80 foot long. It has great traction for sloped driveways. This is one of the few snow blowers I recommend for Lake Tahoe and their 200-400 inches of snowfall per year. It works on pavement, gravel, and turf. It’s also the best choice for smaller driveways in areas that get lake-effect and the North-East U.S. that gets the “Noreasters.” Some of you will feel the price is too high for the EFI model but this heavy-duty 24-inch snow blower with Electronic Fuel Injection will not have the starting issues carbureted engines have on today’s fuels. Either model will last you many years. Please use the dealer locator at Ariens.com to find a store near you:

2. 2-Stage Snow Blowers That Won’t Clog On Heavy/Wet Snow – Good for areas of the country that get 30-100 inches of snow a year! 

If the snowplow leaves you a wet mess or a solid rock wall of snow – these snow blowers will power right through it!

 Recommended:  Ariens Deluxe 24 Model 921045 Buy Here at The Home Depot. The Ariens Deluxe 24 and it’s bigger brother, the Ariens Platinum 24 are unique in the 24-26 inch size. They use a larger, 14-inch impeller and discharge chute so it is very, very hard to clog them on heavy, wet snow. I highly recommend the Deluxe 24 to anyone who struggles with the drift the snowplow truck leaves at the end of the driveway. It’s all-metal and pretty much indestructible. It’s also very easy to use because it has automatic steering (AutoTurn) and basic chute and deflector controls.

Recommended: New Cub Cadet 26 in. 243 cc 2X HP Buy Here at The Home Depot. Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower with Electric Start, Trigger Power Steering and LED Headlights. The large 243cc engine, metal chute and easy to use chute controls make this one of the best snow blowers Cub Cadet has ever made.
Model# 2X 26 HP

 Recommended: Toro Power Max® 826 OXE (37799) Buy Here at The Home Depot. Again, this is one of the better small frame snow blowers on the market. It has Toro’s patented ACS (Anti-Clog System) so it does not need a huge impeller and large motor to do the task. It also has automatic steering so both wheels drive the snowblower giving it excellent traction  – yet it is easy to turn. No extra levers to pull  – it just goes where you point it. I have no problems recommending this for any suburban driveway in the Midwest, Central Atlantic or anywhere that normally gets up to 80 inches a year. If you normally get wet/heavy snow you may want to move up to the Power Max HD models.

 Husqvarna ST324? I have not reviewed it at this time but will most likely make this list.

Husqvarna ST 424 Dealer Only: More power than the ST324. 291cc. Onboard electric start. Hydrostatic Transmission. Adjustable handle height. If you are considering the Honda HSS724AWD this snowblower beats the Honda in every way. (my opinion)

3. Dependable, Long Lasting. Good For Most Areas Of The Country That Get 30-60 Inches Of Snow. 2-Stage Snow Blower

Recommended: Cub Cadet 2X 24. 24 inch, 243cc.  Buy Here at The Home Depot. I’ve been recommending this snow blower for many years. It’s very easy to use and the handles are short enough so even if you are 5″2″ you can use this snowblower. This updated model includes a larger engine, power steering, and updated dash with LED headlights.

 Toro Power Max® 824 OE (37798) Buy Here at The Home Depot. No Power Steering. I normally recommend the Toro Snow Master instead of this model for hard surface driveways. But this snowblower is a better choice if you have a gravel driveway. You can use this snow blower on any surface including gravel, turf, and dirt. This is a very well-built, dependable snowblower.

Ariens Compact 24 Model 920027. Buy Here at The Home Depot. No Power Steering. If you are considering the Ariens Classic this snow blower is a solid step up from it. Larger engine and the same Ariens quality you get with the Deluxe models – just less capacity.

 Recommended: Husqvarna ST224P. Buy Here at ACME Tools. One of the most popular 24-inch snow blowers. It has power steering and for 2019 Husqvarna fixed all the little problems you read about it in reviews. Better v-belts, improved hand warmers, etc. This is an excellent snow blower if you live in the suburbs and need to clean rough areas like a spot on the lawn for your dogs. Don’t confuse this model with the Husqvarna ST224 that you normally see on the sales floor at Lowes and your local hardware store. The St224 does not have power steering like this one does.

 Recommended: Troy-Bilt Storm 2460 Snow Blower Buy Here at The Home Depot. 24 inch, 208 cc. For all types of snow, about 60-inch average snowfall a year, and will clear gravel/turf areas. It does not have power steering but uses the new airless tires that give you great traction yet turn easily.

 Recommended:  Troy-Bilt Storm 2625 XP Snow Blower Buy Here at The Home Depot. My favorite best value snow blower. A little wider than the 2460 above and has a great 243cc engine. For all types of snow, about 60-inch average snowfall a year, and will clear gravel/turf areas. It does not have power steering but uses the new airless tires that give you great traction yet turn easily.

4. 2-Stage Snow Blower – Cheap But Good.

If you have to buy the cheapest snow blower – buy one of these. (There is no reason to buy a Chinese Import that does not have a good service network.)

 Recommended: Ariens Classic 24 Model 920025 Buy Here at The Home Depot. No Power Steering but a lot of features making it a best value snowblower. Good engine, hanging chute, all-steel construction.

 Cheapest: Briggs & Stratton 24 in. Model 1696610. Buy Here at The Home Depot. No Power Steering. This is the cheapest 2-stage snowblower I recommend. One thing you need to know. After you use this snow blower – before you turn off the engine – let the auger/impeller run for 1-2 minutes to make sure ALL the snow is out of the front. If you don’t the auger/impeller will freeze and you will break the impeller belt the next time you go to use it.

 Recommended: Troy-Bilt Storm 24 in. Model# Storm 2460, 208cc with Airless Tires. Buy Here at The Home Depot. No Power Steering. The airless tires make this one of the best 24-inch snowblowers for areas of the country that get 30-60 inches of snow a year. The tires give is more traction and makes the snowblower surprisingly easy to turn. I also like the easy to use hanging chute.

 Cheapest: Troy-Bilt Storm 2410  Buy Here at The Home Depot. Check out my video on YouTube. If you must have the least expensive snowblower, this is the BEST least expensive snow blower available. There is no need to even consider a Chinese made snowblower anymore. You get a good engine, 6 speeds forward, 2 reverse, good tires, poly skids and a machine that will handle your 30-40 inch Midwest winters. It’s simple, easy to operate and has an excellent review rating. It does not have power steering.

If you have any questions feel free to leave them in the comment section below. I do answer and moderate comments so it may not show up right away.

2-Stage Snow Blowers I do not recommend.

 Honda 2-stage snow blowers. The Honda 24 in. Hydrostatic Wheel Drive 2-Stage Snow Blower with Electric Joystick Chute Control Model# HSS724AW. This Honda sold online for around $2200 is a good snowblower but in reality, it offers no better performance than the $850 Troy-Bilt 2460. The Troy-Bilt is also dependable and has just as extensive of a service/parts network. To get an electric start on the honda you have to purchase the snow blower from a dealer and the cost of the electric start is over $200!

 Poulan Pro/Jonsered. Poulan Pro and Jonsered snow blowers are made by Husqvarna and offer fewer features than the Husqvarna models. Spend the extra $50 and buy the Husqvarna brand. There are very few Poulan Pro and Jonsered dealers and not all Husqvarna dealers will support the equipment.

 PowerSmart, Dirty Hand Tools, YardMax, Aavix, Stark, Worldlawn, Champion Power, Lawn-Boy, Massimo, Power Care, Sportsman. Most of these snow blowers are made in China and lack any type of nationwide service network. A few like PowerSmart, Dirty Hand Tools and Worldlawn do offer online help to order parts but you are responsible for the repairs. I also have the feeling that since the price is so low on many of these that they are older models and were shipped here before the China tariffs were introduced.

If you have any questions feel free to leave them in the comment section below. I do answer and moderate comments so it may not show up right away.

The post The Best Small 2-stage Snow Blower For You! Fall 2019 appeared first on MovingSnow.com.

I’ll list these from best to good. If it’s not on the list I don’t recommend it this year but you are welcome to ask questions about one not on the list in the comment section below.

Note: Single-stage snowthrowers work best on hard surfaces. They work best on pavement, blacktop, pavers, decks, and patios. If you have to clear a gravel driveway or a spot on your lawn for your dogs I still suggest a 2-stage snow thrower instead. Go here for the best 2-stage snowblowers: The Best Snow Blowers For You! Fall 2019

1. Toro 824 SnowMaster QXE Single Stage Snow Thrower Model 36003

 Buy Here at The Home Depot. The Toro SnowMaster 824 is a lightweight, self-propelled snowblower that clears snow fast from your hard surface driveway, patio, and decks. The SnowMaster is unique for a single-stage in that it use Toro’s Personal Pace drive system to self-propel itself through the snow. It has the power and throwing capabilities of most 2-stage snow throwers under $1000 yet it weighs about 100 lbs less. It very fast compared to a 2-stage so many people are buying these instead of a 2-stage snowblower. The SnowMaster 824 QXE snow thrower will clear up to 18-inch drifts and has plenty of power for wet/heavy snow. It will throw most types of snow up to 40 feet. If you have a hard surface driveway to clear and don’t get more than 8 inches at a time they are a great choice. I personally own this snow blower and like it a lot. Note: Because this snow blower is lightweight compared to a 2-stage it does not have as much traction so it is not the best choice for driveways with more than a 10-degree slope.

2. Toro Power Clear 821 QZE 21 in. 252 cc Single Stage Snow Thrower Model 38757

 Buy Here at The Home Depot. Toro Power Clear snow throwers are the “standard” of single-stage snowthrowers. For 2019 Toro has changed the design so the engine is now easily accessible. It’s now easy to change the oil, change the spark plug and do other maintenance tasks to the engine. The Power Clear 821 QZE snow thrower will clear up to 12-inch drifts. It has plenty of power for wet/heavy snow and is designed to shred the chunks of snow the snowplow leaves you. By lifting up on the handles the rubber front paddle can scrape off driven on snow. It will throw most types of snow up to 40 feet. If you have a hard surface driveway to clear and don’t get more than 8 inches at a time they are a great choice. It is a great choice if you get heavy/wet snow. This QZE model features a quick and easy to use remote chute control.

3. Toro 724 SnowMaster QXE Single Stage Snow Thrower Model 36002

 Buy Here at The Home Depot. The Toro SnowMaster 724 QXE is identical to the 824 QXE above except for a slightly smaller 212cc engine. It is a lightweight, self-propelled snowblower that clears snow fast from your hard surface driveway, patio, and decks. The SnowMaster is unique for a single-stage in that it use Toro’s Personal Pace drive system to self-propel itself through the snow. It has the power and throwing capabilities of most 2-stage snow throwers under $1000 yet it weighs about 100 lbs less. Many people are buying these instead of a 2-stage snowblower. The SnowMaster 824 QXE snow thrower will clear up to 18-inch drifts and has plenty of power for wet/heavy snow. It will throw most types of snow up to 35 feet. If you have a hard surface driveway to clear and don’t get more than 8 inches at a time it is a great choice. Note: Because this snow blower is lightweight compared to a 2-stage it does not have as much traction so it is not the best choice for driveways with more than a 10-degree slope.

4. Toro Power Clear 721 QZE Single Stage Snow Thrower Model  38756

 Buy Here at The Home Depot. The 721 QZE is identical to the 821 QZE above except for a slightly smaller 212cc engine. To repeat: Toro Power Clear snow throwers are the “standard” of single-stage snowthrowers. For 2019 Toro has changed the design so the engine is now easily accessible. It’s now easy to change the oil, change the spark plug and do other maintenance tasks to the engine. The Power Clear 721 QZE snow thrower will clear up to 12-inch drifts. It has plenty of power for wet/heavy snow and is designed to shred the chunks of snow the snowplow leaves you. By lifting up on the handles the rubber front paddle can scrape off driven on snow. It will throw most types of snow up to 35 feet. If you have a hard surface driveway to clear and don’t get more than 8 inches at a time they are a great choice. It is a great choice if you get heavy/wet snow. This QZE model features a quick and easy to use remote chute control.At $599 it is one of the best value snow throwers on the market.

5. Toro Power Clear® 721 E Single Stage Snow Thrower Model 38753

 Buy Here at The Home Depot. The Toro Power Clear 721 E Single Stage Snow Thrower is one of the best value snow throwers on the market. It is a no-frills snow blower. It has an electric start but no remote chute or deflector. As with the rest of the Power Clear line for 2019 Toro has changed the design so the engine is now easily accessible. It’s now easy to change the oil, change the spark plug and do other maintenance tasks to the engine. The Power Clear 721 E snow thrower will clear up to 12-inch drifts. It has plenty of power for wet/heavy snow and is designed to shred the chunks of snow the snowplow leaves you. By lifting up on the handles the rubber front paddle can scrape off driven on snow. It will throw most types of snow up to 35 feet. If you have a hard surface driveway to clear and don’t get more than 8 inches at a time they are a great choice. It is a great choice if you get heavy/wet snow. This E model features an electric start but no remote chute controls.

6. Toro Power Clear 821 R-C 21 in. 252 cc Commercial Single Stage Snow Thrower Model 38755

 Buy Here at The Home Depot. The Toro Power Clear R-C  are the snow throwers commercial operators use. No frills – just a heavy-duty ergonomic handle and extra thick auger paddles. The new Toro Power Clear 821 R-C adds the extra power needed for quick efficient snow clearing.  Note: This snow thrower does not have an electric start.

7. Ariens Professional SS 21 in. 208cc Single Stage Snow Thrower Model 938025

 Buy Here at The Home Depot. This Ariens Commercial Single Stage without electric start is a better choice if you haul your snowthrower around to clear other people’s driveways. It is designed so one person can easily slide it into a pickup, van or SUV. The heavy-duty rubber auger will last you years and years. Remote chute control! The ergonomic handle reduces the stress on your wrists for hours and hours of use.

8. Toro Power Clear 721 R-C 21 in. 212 cc Commercial Single-Stage Self Propelled Gas Snow Blower Model#  38754

 Buy Here at The Home Depot. The Toro Power Clear R-C is the snow thrower commercial operators use. No frills – just a heavy-duty ergonomic handle and extra thick auger paddles. The Toro Power Clear 721 R-C has been around in one form or another for years and is the snow thrower you see in the back of most commercial snow plow trucks for cleanup and sidewalks the big plows can’t reach.  Note: This snow thrower does not have an electric start.

9. Ariens Professional SS 21 in. 208 cc Single-Stage Manual Chute Recoil-Start Gas Snow Blower Model#  938024

Buy Here at The Home Depot. Same snow thrower as the Ariens above without remote chute control.

10. Honda HS 720AS Single Stage Snow Thrower

 Buy Here at The Home Depot. The snow thrower is rated as one of the best by Consumer Reports. If you don’t want a Toro or an Ariens this is an excellent snow thrower! It’s a Honda, what else needs to be said, but it’s more expensive than the top-performing Toro models. A lot of owners hate the chute controls but like the way the snow blower throws snow

11. Troy-Bilt Squall 208XP and 208EX Single Stage Snow Thrower

 Buy Here at The Home Depot. MTD makes a dizzying amount of single stage snow blowers. The Troy-Bilt Squall 208XP and 208EX are the best value of the bunch. Both feature ergonomic handles and electric start. The XP features a remote chute control. They will throw snow 20 feet.

12. Briggs & Stratton 22 in. 250cc Single Stage Snow Thrower with Snow Shredder Auger Model 1696741, Briggs & Stratton 1022EX, Simplicity 1222EE

 Buy Here at The Home Depot.  If you really want to buy a single stage snow thrower with metal teeth on the auger to chew up hard snow buy the 250cc SnowShredder. It features electric chute rotation and the 1150 series Briggs snow engine. It will throw snow up to 30 feet. It’s also available from your local Simplicity dealer as the 1222EE

The post The Best Single Stage Snow Thrower For You! Fall 2019 appeared first on MovingSnow.com.

Battery and brushless motor technology have progressed to the point where there are now a couple of cordless electric snowblowers that are as good as a gas-powered single-stage snow thrower. They have enough battery capacity to clear up to an 18-car driveway on a single charge. The two new cordless electric snow throwers this year are similar in size and capacity to the gas-powered single-stage machines. The two I recommend can handle 8 inches of snow and drifts up to 12 inches.

I am NOT recommending any other electric snow throwers for clearing your typical suburban driveway. Why?

1. The Toro FlexForce and Snow Joe 100-Volt Max are the ONLY cordless snow blowers on the market this year that have auger assist. If the snow is deeper than two inches this allows them to pull themselves through the snow. ALL the other electric snowthrowers don’t have this feature which means you have to PUSH the snowthrower. Yes, that may be fine if you only have two inches but if the snow is deeper, if the snow is frozen, or the driveway you are clearing is sloped pushing the snowthrower into the snow is a major workout. It’s also a safety issue if you are trying to push one up your driveway.
2. With the exception of the Toro FlexForce and Snow Joe 100-Volt Max there are very few cordless snowthrowers that can clear more than 4 inches of snow. Most, only handle 4 inches or so and don’t throw the snow very far.
3. Many other snowthrowers use their own unique battery. The Toro FlexForce and Snow Joe 100-Volt Max use the same battery in the snow thrower that’s used in their other lawn and garden tools. For example, The cordless Toro Recycler mower is one of the best rated self-propelled mowers and the SAME battery works in both the mower and this snow thrower.
4. Even though the Toro FlexForce and Snow Joe 100-Volt Max are powerful enough to clear your driveway they are also light enough to clean off your deck. Just pull the battery out of the unit and they only weigh about 50lbs. You can easily pull them up steps to clear your deck.

If a cordless snow thrower is not the right choice for you please go here to check out my recommended snow blowers list: The Best Snow Blowers For You! Fall 2019

First. Recommended: Toro FlexForce: 21″ Power Clear® e21 60V* 7.5 AH (405 AH) Battery Snow Blower (39901) Buy Here at The Home Depot.

 Check out my video on YouTube. This cordless electric snowblower features Toro’s patented Power Clear – auger assist system that pulls you through the snow and throws it up to 40 feet. This snow thrower will clear up to a 12 car driveway on one charge. When you take the battery out this snowblower only weighs 40 lbs so it will be great for areas where you have to lift it up steps or put it in your car. Personally, I like this snow blower a lot and it will be my go-to machine for clearing my 16X70 feet driveway and patio this winter. This snow thrower is part of Toro FlexForce line of 60-volt cordless tools which includes one of the best 22-inch self-propelled mowers on the market. The line currently includes 21-inch snow thrower, 22 inch Toro Recycler Personal Pace Mower, 16 inch String Trimmer, and 600cfm Blower. View the entire line here:  View the Toro 60V Flex-Force Power System Collection 

Second. Recommended but expensive: Snow Joe 21 in. 100-Volt Max 5 Ah Brushless Cordless Electric Snow Blower Model# ION100V-21SB. Buy Here at The Home Depot.

 Check out my video on YouTube. Snow Joe cordless electric snowblower has redesigned their cordless single stage once again and this model now features auger assist and a 30 minute run time on the supplied 5.0 AH (425 WH) battery.  It’s the best Snow Joe to date. This snow thrower is part of the Snow Joe/Sun Joe line of 100-volt cordless tools. The line currently includes a 21 inch Self Propelled Lawn Mower, 21-inch snow thrower, 500cfm blower, 16-inch string trimmer, 10-inch pole saw, 18-inch chain saw and 24-inch hedge trimmer. View the entire line here: Sun Joe 100-Volt | Snow Joe 100-Volt

Maybe. Popular but I don’t recommend: EGO 21 in. Single-Stage 56-Volt Lithium-Ion 7.5 AH (405 AH) Cordless Electric Snow Blower. Buy Here at The Home Depot.

This cordless electric snowblower needs two batteries for operation (supplied) and does not have auger assist. I ONLY recommend it if you already have EGO tools and you only get a few inches of snow at a time. If you get snow depths over six inches this machine gets very hard to use because you have to PUSH it through the snow. Here is a typical end-of-year review of the EGO Snow Thrower: “I too love cordless-the only gas equipment. All I have left is my lawnmower and snow-blower so I was eager to try this. However, the auger not touching the ground is a big problem for me. My single stage 208cc gas does and it helps to pull it along. I have a 75 ft single driveway and 200 ft of sidewalk (a double lot on a corner). It had enough juice to do it, but constantly having to push, push, push to get through the snow-it was a major workout. It throws the snow fine-no problem there. But wow-it was a major pain pushing this thing. We’ve had over 100 inches of snow this winter (so far), so I’m glad I returned it.”

This snow thrower is part of EGO line of 56-volt cordless tools. View the entire line here: EGO 56 Volt Tools

The post The Best Cordless Electric Snowblower For You! Fall 2019 appeared first on MovingSnow.com.

Snow blowers still look basically the same as they did 10 years ago but there have been major improvements to the machines made in the U.S.A. Most have higher clearance intake housings, better engines and throw farther. Many now offer extra features like LED lighting, automatic steering and hand warmers that work well. Most of the brands also offer high capacity snow blowers that won’t clog on heavy/wet snow. 

Each area of the country and every property has specific needs and there are snow blowers that will work best. For example: 

• Live in the Northeast? There are snow blowers that will quickly clear that “SnowMaggeden” snow and not clog.
• Live in Des Moines, Chicago or Pittsburg? There are many snow blowers that will work for you. 
• Have a long driveway? Many snow blowers offer hand warmers. Wider widths and large engines let you walk as fast as you want. 
• Have lots of sidewalks that the city snowplow dumps snow on? There are high capacity snow blowers with tracks that quickly push through that dense snow.
• Have a short driveway but live in the Sierras? There are 24-inch snow blowers that will handle that Sierra-Concrete. 
• Live in St Louis and don’t want a gas snow blower? There is a new Cordless Single Stage that’s perfect for you. 
• Want it to start every time? There are now models with EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) 
• Don’t have a lot of money to spend? There are snow blowers for under $1000 that work well for your “typical” suburban driveway. 

MovingSnow is here to help. Start with this list of Snow-Blower Features And Myths That Matter. Then go to the Top 20 Snow Blowers. (List will be updated September 1st)

13 Snow Blower Features and Myths That Matter

1. Myth: I can just go down to my local big box store and take home the snowblower I need today.

Most snowblowers available to take home today at your local big-box store may not the best choice for you. In particular, the cheapest priced machines are most likely made overseas and have very limited service and parts networks. Do your research here at MovingSnow and ask in the comments sections below.

When you ask, let me know where you live, how large of an area you have to clear and what type of area you are clearing. (pavement, patio, gravel, turf, sidewalks, etc) I’ll help you find the best snow blower for you. 

2. Feature: Self-Propelled or Auger Assist Single Stage Snow Throwers

All of the electric and most of the cordless electric single-stage snow throwers have no self-propel feature. At the moment, all but one have plastic paddles and you have to PUSH the snow thrower through the snow.  Gas single stage snowthrowers and one cordless electric have “auger assist.” The auger is designed to grab the snow and helps to pull the machine through the snow.

The Toro SnowMaster is the only single-stage snow thrower that is self-propelled. 

3. Feature: Two-Stage Snow Blowers with Multiple Speeds 
Some cheap two-stage models have only one forward speed. Multiple speeds allow you to go faster in light snow, finish in less time, or go slower for tougher jobs, such as cutting through a tall snowdrift or plow pile. Being able to change speeds can also prevent the machine from clogging in deeper snow.  Good 2-stage snow blowers have 4-6 forward and two reverse speed.

Some high-end 2-stage snow blowers have a variable speed hydrostatic transmission. 

4. Feature: Single-Handed Operation
Two-stage snow blowers have a lever on one handle that engages the drive wheels and a lever on the other handle engages the auger. Single-handed operation lets you hold down both levers then take your hand off the auger engage handle – and the machine keeps going. With your free hand, you can then adjust the chute, deflector and/or scratch your nose without stopping the snow blower. 

All but the cheapest two-stage snow blowers now have this feature. 

5. Feature: Chute Controls and Hanging Chute
Being able to adjust the chute and deflector from the dash is an important feature. That combined with single-handed operation allows you to works a lot faster in areas that require you to place the snow in a certain spot. Today, most two-stage snow blowers have a crank or lever for the chute and a separate lever for the deflector. Toro has a unique single joystick control that works very well. All of the good snow blowers have chutes and gearboxes that hang from a bracket. That system makes them easy to turn.

Beware of snow blowers that turn the chute from the bottom or have a large springlike screw down at the bottom of the chute. 

6. Feature: Headlight
Headlights let you clear snow in the dark. A bright halogen bulb gives you the light you need and many brands have now switched to high intensity LED lights that won’t burn out. A few even install a second LED light on the top of the auger housing for even more light. 

7. Feature: Electric Start
Jerking a snow blower’s pull cord multiple times in a cold, dark garage is a miserable experience so most gas-powered two-stage (and many single-stage) snow blowers now come standard with a 110-volt electric start. Just plug a heavy-duty extension cord into the snowblower and push a button to start it. 

A few high-priced snow blowers now offer electric start using an onboard battery just like your car. The newest models also have an automatic choke and electronic governors for effortless starting. 

8. Feature: Easy-Turn, Power Steering, Automatic Steering or Auto-Turn Capability
Two-Stage Snowblowers need power to both wheels to give you the traction you need to push through heavy snow. To do this the cheapest snowblowers usually have a solid locked axle. Easy-Turn, Power Steering, Automatic Steering or Auto-Turn, also referred to as freewheel steering releases one wheel to allow the snow blower to turn easily. This feature is essential on larger snowblowers (28 inches and wider) because it really helps with handling.

If you are of smaller stature or have a bad back, you’ll appreciate it on smaller 24-26 inch machines, too. Some brands use a set of triggers under each handlebar, others use an automatic locking differential, it allows the outer wheel to turn faster than the inside wheel for sharp, easy turning.

9. Myth – Three Stage “Accelerator” is better. 
One of the major consumer review magazines keeps perpetuating the myth that a three-stage snow blower is better than a two-stage. That is simply not true. Let me explain:

A three-stage snow blower is not better – it’s just a different way to blow a lot of snow. A three-stage from one brand is not always better than a two-stage from a different brand. Yes, if you go to your local big-box store and look at the same brand, i.e., Cub Cadet 2X versus Cub Cadet 3X the three-stage 3X snow blower will be better. But, if you compare the 3X with an Ariens Deluxe/Platinum, Toro PowerMaster HD, Honda HSS, or Husqvarna 300/400 series the other brands have more capacity, throw farther and have less moving parts to break. Three-stage snow blowers tend to be “dirty” when clearing 2-6 inches of snow and many owners complain that they splatter snow out the sides when clearing lighter amounts of snow. This same argument applies to MTD,  Craftsman, Troy-Bilt, and other three-stage snow blowers. 

10. Feature: EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) and Electronic Governor

EFI or Electronic Fuel Injection eliminates almost all starting issues with your gas-powered snow blower. As long as you store your extra fuel in an approved, sealed gas can you won’t have starting issues. (E10 or less. I also add Seafoam or K100 for winter use)  

Electronic Governor (Ego) adds automatic choke and gives you more power faster for heavy loads (snow) 

11. Feature: Heated Handgrips are nice but not critical
A good pair of winter gloves will keep your fingers from freezing, but if you live in an extremely cold area or you’re often out blowing snow for a long time, you’ll appreciate heated handgrips. Heated handgrips heat the bottom of the auger and drive handles and help to keep your fingers warm. Snow blowers with hand warmers have a switch to turn them off if they get too warm.

The two snowblowers I use the most often don’t have hand warmers so for extended outings I use Hand Warmers in my gloves. 

12. Feature: Larger Impeller
Most of the 2-stage gas snow blowers you find at the big box store have a 9-12-inch-wide impeller, (the second stage that throws te snow.) That’s fine for most of the Midwest and other areas of the country that average 30-60 inches of snow a year. But you live in areas that get deep snow, heavy/wet snow, if you want to get done as quickly as possible or you want to throw the snow a very long way purchasing a snow blower with a larger 14-inch-wide impeller is the way to go. If you want to get done quickly and you don’t mind your neighbors stopping to watch in awe a model with a 14-inch impeller is the best choice.

Ariens, Toro, Troy-Bilt, Husqvarna, and Cub Cadet Pro all have machines with 14-inch impellers. 

13. Feature: Tracks
Track drive snow blower replace the drive wheels with rubber tracks. The tracks give a lot more traction for steep driveways and pushing through heavy, packed snow piles. If you have a large, steep driveway, clean sidewalks that the city snow plow throws snow on, or live in an area that gets dense, heavy snow consider a track drive. 

Track drive snow blowers tend to have a slower top speed than wheeled units. If you have a long driveway a track drive may not be the best choice. The only exception is the Ariens RapidTrak. The homeowner and Pro models use a large main drive wheel to give the speed of a wheeled unit and the traction of tracks. 

Track drive snow blower can have friction disk or hydrostatic transmissions. Track drive snow blower also can be purchased with power steering that uses triggers or automatic steering.  

What other snow blower features do you fell are important? Feel free to ask any questions you have in the comments sections below.

When you ask, let me know where you live, how large of an area you have to clear and what type of area you are clearing. (pavement, patio, gravel, turf, sidewalks, etc) I’ll help you find the best snow blower for you. 

The post 13 Snow Blower Features And Myths That Matter appeared first on MovingSnow.com.