Looking out the window at the winter wonderland is a beautiful sight until you realize that you clear the driveway. A snow blower designed for heavy, wet snow may be just what you need.
What type of gas-powered snow blower do you need?
If you receive a lot of snow every year, you are almost definitely going to need a gas-powered snow blower. Electric and battery-operated snow blowers are designed only for occasional snows.
Single-stage gas snow blowers are larger than electric snow blowers and generally can clear a swath up to 22 inches wide. They are lighter than two-stage blowers but are more limited in the snow that they move. They are not usually self-propelled and are good for smaller, flat areas.
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Our Recommended Snow Blower for Wet Snow in 2022
10) Snow Joe iON100V-21SB-CT
- [TOOL ONLY]: Battery plus charger sold separately
- [POWERFUL]: 2800 W brushless motor increases battery efficiency, maximizes motor performance, decreases noise...
- [LED LIGHTS]: Dual 2.5 W LED headlights provide increased visibility for nighttime snow removal
Last update on 2024-05-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
9) Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB18
- [POWER SOURCE TYPE]: Battery Powered
- [48V POWER]: Included 2x 4.0-Ah batteries offer up to 40 minutes of rechargeable runtime
- [DURABLE]: 4-blade rubber-tipped steel auger clears a path 18” wide x 10” deep in a single pass
Last update on 2024-05-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
8) Champion Snow Blower
- 301cc Cold-Weather Engine: One of the most powerful engines in its class featuring a handy 120-volt...
- Efficient: With a 27-inch clearing capacity and an ideal 21-inch clearing height, this powerful machine can...
- Effective: 12-inch (30.5 cm) carbon-steel auger easily cuts through day-old packed snow and ice while the...
Last update on 2024-05-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
7) EGO Power+ SNT2100
- Peak Power technology combines the power of any two EGO POWERplus 56V ARC Lithium batteries
- Throws snow up to 35 feet
- Clears a 10-car driveway with 8 inches of snow on a single charge when used with the two recommended 5.0Ah ARC...
Last update on 2024-05-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
6) Snow Joe SJ619E
- [VERSATILE]: Ideal for quick snow pickups on mid-sized driveways and walkways
- [MAINTENANCE-FREE]: No gas, oil or tune-ups make it effortless to start and maintain
- [LED LIGHT]: 3 W LED light for safe nighttime clearing
Last update on 2024-05-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
5) EGO Power+ SNT2102
- Peak power technology combines the power of 2 ego power plus 56-volt batteries
- High-efficiency brushless motor
- 21-inch clearing width, clears 8” Snow in 10 Car Driveway
Last update on 2024-05-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4) Snow Joe SJ621
- Ideal for quick snow pickups on mid-sized driveways and walkways
- No gas, oil or tune-ups make it effortless to start and maintain
- Powerful 13.5-amp motor moves up to 650 lbs of snow per minute
Last update on 2024-05-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3) Briggs & Stratton 1022
- 22 Inch wide clearing path with a 12.5 Inch intake height
- 950 snow series 208cc Engine with 9.50 Foot pounds of torque
- Recoil start and synthetic oil for Easy starting
Last update on 2024-05-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2) Snow Joe SJ627E
- [VERSATILE]: Ideal for quick snow pickups on mid-sized driveways and walkways
- [POWERFUL]: 15-amp electric motor moves up to 25 tons/hr. Of snow and clears a 22-in x 13-in path in a single...
- [LED LIGHTS]: 2 x 1.5 W LED lights facilitate night-time snow removal
Last update on 2024-05-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1) Briggs & Stratton 1697293
- Powerful 1150 snow series 250Cc engine for 11.5-Foot-pounds of torque with snow shredder auger
- 22-Inch wide clearing path with a 12.5-Inch intake height
- SnowShredder Serrated Auger: Patent-pending technology with fourteen serrated surfaces provide advanced ice...
Last update on 2024-05-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
When there is a slope or incline that needs to be cleared, single-stage snow blowers tend to slide or go crooked. Additionally, the augers sit low to the ground and tend to pick up gravel and rocks that may be on your driveway or sidewalk.
Two-stage gas blowers have an auger like the single-stage blowers, but there is an additional impeller to move snow out of the discharge chute. The auger is usually slightly elevated so that the chance of picking up gravel or debris from the surface is reduced. They can handle large amounts of heavy, wet snow.
The engine on two-stage snow blowers also drives the wheels. This makes them more user-friendly for hills and slopes. You should be able to clear a straight, clean path when you are moving up to a foot of heavy snow.
For heavy snow and lots of it, you will want to consider a three-stage snow blower. Some three-stage gas snow blowers can move up to 18 inches of snow in up to 30-inch wide swath. Not only do they have the auger and the impeller but also an accelerator that speeds up the snow as it exists. So there is no clogging while moving large amounts of wet snow.
What features do you need?
Electric start: Many snow blowers now have an electric start. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to use a pull start when you are cold and have bulky gloves on. A push-button start is easy and quick.
Dead-man switch: If you are using a gas-powered snow blower, you should consider a dead-man switch. Slipping and sliding on a sidewalk or driveway is not the time to find out that your unit will not stop running if you fall. A dead-man switch will stop the impeller and the auger immediately if you release the handlebar. The more powerful the snow blower, the more of a necessity there is for your safety.
Optional features
Heated handles: Like luxury cars have heated seats, some luxury snow blowers have heated handles. While heated handles aren’t a necessity, if you spend a large amount of your time clearing away lots of snow in frigid temperatures you could upgrade and spoil yourself with heated handles.
Discharge chute control: If you are moving large amounts of snow, especially heavy snow, you will want to aim the discharge. Chute controls vary from blower to blower. You will want to make sure that the one you are looking at is easy to reach and can be manipulated with gloves on.
Speed control: Most two or three-stage snow blowers have multiple speeds including reverse. You control the speed of the drive wheels. This is essential for preventing your unit from being clogged by heavy, wet snow. By controlling the speed of one side of the unit you can turn easily.
How large is the snow blower?
There are two parts to consider when looking at the size of a snow blower. The first is how wide a swath the blower clears. The wider the swath, the fewer passes you have to make and the quicker the job gets finished. Typically an electric snow blower will clear only a few inches at a time, while some of the larger three-stage gas units can clear up to a 30-inch swath.
The weight and physical size of the snow blower are also important considerations. The heavier the unit, the more wet snow it should be able to throw. The bigger units are bulkier and will need more features and controls to allow you to move the unit with less effort. Going down the driveway may be easy, but you will want to be able to make a smooth turn at the bottom and then get up the driveway.
A larger, heavy-duty unit is also going to take up more space to store in the summer. You will want to have a location that is large enough that you won’t be tripping over when it is not in use.
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