Oh, the season of winter and ice, snow and snow removal. If you live in a winter wonderland, snowblowers are a wise investment. Also called snow throwers, they are a motorized, mechanical means of removing ice and snow faster than any shovel; though, they?re a bit more awkward to maneuver and take some time getting used to. Hand-operated snowblowers can save you a lot of time, snow shoveling and exhausting work. Under wearing conditions, there can be tons of snow on even a short driveway. However, if your driveway is especially long and two or more cars wide, you may want to consider having your driveway plowed.

It is important to choose the best snowblower to fit your needs. While our collection is organized into two categories (push and riding) you will also want to consider the three basic types?single-stage gas, single-stage electric, and two-stage gas. Then, determine what features are important to you. But first, to help you decide what your needs are, here are some important things to consider:

Work load - Decide what your snowblower will be used for, whether to clear a path from the sidewalk to your front door or if you have a large amount of property to clear. This will determine if you?ll need a single-stage or two-stage blower (don?t worry if you don?t know what this means, we?ll explain these in more detail a bit later.)

How much can you carry? - Some snowblowers, depending on type, are significantly heavier than other models. If you have a physical ailment and are unable to carry or operate heavier tools and machinery, snowblowers may not be your best bet.

Noise tolerance - Gas-powered snowblowers can be very noisy. Some have even been compared to commercial construction equipment. So if you have sensitive ears (or sensitive neighbors) you may try to find a relatively quiet model. While electric-powered blowers tend to be less noisy, they are also not as efficient.

What needs clearing? - If your property has a lot of gravel, you will want to purchase a two-stage blower, which won?t spit rocks and pebbles out the chute along with loose snow the way a single stage blower will.

Now that you have an idea of what your needs and preferences are, on to the three types of snowblowers. In general, single-stage blowers are best for relatively light-duty snow removal and for use on paved surfaces, while two-stage blowers can handle heavier jobs and can be used on either paved or gravel surfaces.

Single-stage Gas

Single-stage gas snowblowers are ideal if you have a flat, midsized paved driveway and snowfall of less than 8 inches. Ranging in price from about $300 to $750, they are light and easy to handle, they take up the same amount of storage as a typical lawnmower. Most models use a two-cycle engine, requiring a mix of gasoline and oil. Most. They clear a 20 to 22-inch swath (a wider path than electric snowblowers) and make a cleaner sweep than two-stage blowers. However, they should not be used on gravel or other loose surfaces.

Single-stage Electric

Electric snow blowers weigh less than their gas-powered counterparts and are much quieter. However, they are not nearly as powerful or efficient, and you have to mess with an electrical power cord. With an 11 to 18- inch swath, these are best suited for clearing small areas such as flat, paved sidewalks and short driveways. With a tendency to get stuck in deep, compacted snow, they should only be used in snowfalls of 4 inches or less. One more thing, these are just as unsuited for gravel floors for the same reason as the single-stage gas models ? they heave debris and excess snow and can be unsafe for passers-by. For an average price range of $100 to $300, you can find a great electric blower. But if you?re willing and able to use a machine with a little less power, and still requires a decent amount of man-power, power shovels may be the answer. These feature a small motor and auger assembly that pushes snow ahead of the user. Since there are no wheels, you have to push the shovel just as you would a manual shovel, but you'll save your back the strain from bending and lifting loads of snow.

Two-stage Gas

All two-stage blowers are gasoline-powered. Most models are self-propelled and can tackle driveways with a deep incline, uneven surfaces and deeper, wetter snow. While they are the most expensive of the 3-types of blowers (around $600 to $2,000-plus) they are considered the most powerful of snowblowers. With wider clearing paths, ranging from 21 to 32 inches, they are best suited for long, wide, and hilly driveways, and can handle the greatest amount of snowfall, between 8 and 16 inches. Slow-turning metal augers (unlike the rapidly-spinning augers of single-stage snow blowers) make these two-stage models best for gravel driveways and other loose surfaces since its auger won?t contact the ground. Some setbacks are that these two-stage blowers are relatively heavy and take up as much space as some lawn tractors, and require regular engine maintenance.

Snowblower Features?

The following features help make snowblowers safer and easier to use.

1. One-handed drive/auger (on two-stage models) ? Engaging the drive-wheel and auger-control levers with one hand leaves the other hand free to control the chute.

2. Easy chute adjustment ? Find one that allows you to quickly change the direction and height of thrown snow. It is important to be comfortable with the chute adjustment which you'll use frequently.

3. Headlights ? Helpful when you need to clear the driveway in the evening or early morning.

4. Easy starting ? Along with trigger releases on two-stage models, look for electric starting. Electric models turn on with a switch, and most gas-powered models include plug-in starting.

5. Dead-man control ? Critical for safety, this feature stops the spinning auger and the impeller when you release the handlebar-grip controls. Also be sure you're comfortable with the handle height, which you'll use frequently.

7. Clean-out device ? Most blowers come with a stick that keeps operators from reaching hands into the impeller to clear out jams.

One more piece of advice - experts caution that you should estimate on the high side of what your needs require because smaller snow blowers can labor in heavy snowfalls or wet snow. However, keep in mind that blowers with bigger engines don?t necessarily perform better than less-powerful models.

Types of Snowblowers

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