Brrr! It is so cold out there!!!
Guess what; a nice cold front is going to be dropping a good six inches of fresh powder on your front walk and driveway. One day, you’ll walk out your front door, and instead of the suburbs, you’ll have stepped out into a winter wonderland!
You’re going to have to heed Neighbor Marv’s advice and pick up a new snowblower before the winter sets in. Of course, just like with your good hedge trimmers, he borrowed that, too. Thanks a lot, Marv!!!
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What to do? Well, the answer is obvious. You’ve got to buy a new snowblower … again. And not just any snowblower; you need one with heated grips, so your hands don’t freeze to the controls.
Most blowers with heated handgrips run on the larger size and are thus a bit more expensive. The comfort is worth it when you’re out there in subzero, inclement weather, so cold even the Yeti wouldn’t dare go outside. The question is: “Which snowblower should I buy?”
Are the Heated Grips Worth It?
The smart money says yes, the heated grips are worth a few extra dollars. If it’s thirty below zero and you need to maintain control of your equipment to get out of the cold as quickly and efficiently as possible, those grips are going to be much appreciated.
I Have the Power…
When you research the different types of snowblowers, you need to know what’s available. There are two main versions that you can go with: electric and gas-powered. An electric blower is sufficient if the snowfall is light, but if you’re dealing with anything over 12 inches deep, you’re going to want a gas-powered snowblower.
Despite their lack of power, electric snowblowers are incredibly lightweight, which makes them easier to operate. They are perfect for decks if you have one on your property and don’t want it getting too weathered during the winter.
If gas is your mainstay and you don’t mind going to the pump for a fill-up or the routine maintenance of an oil change, there are three options for you.
· Single Stage – These are easy to start and make quick work of lighter snowfalls, but don’t expect them to be as effective if the snow is packed higher than a foot.
· Two-Stage – These are heavier duty blowers in the way they function. There is an auger (stage 1) to pick up the snow and an impeller (stage 2) to shred it.
· Three-Stage – These are the most powerful and most efficient snowblowers, but they can also be the most expensive between the initial cost and the upkeep. But they can easily take care of more than 20 inches of snow and some small blocks of ice, and the larger capacity means you can be finished more quickly and out of the cold with a brew in your hand far sooner.
Gas-powered snowblowers can be safer since they don’t have any cords to worry about tripping over or getting worn out or frayed. The trade-off is the upkeep of an internal combustion engine.
Size Matters
As stated above, the size of the bucket will be important because that will determine how much work you can get done at any one time. If the space to be cleared isn’t very big, a smaller sized blower, like an electric or a single-stage gas snowblower, might be the path for you. The electric blower will be beneficial because the quicker energy source means the grips heat up faster.
If you have a much larger work area, like a driveway that fits a fleet of cars, then you’re going to want something that has a much larger capacity. It might be heavier and more cumbersome to deal with, but the benefit is that you will complete the job more quickly.
A two-stage or three-stage blower with a large bucket can tackle just about anything you throw at it, including dry and wet snow with a clearing width of 20-45 inches, both paved and gravel terrain, and hilly areas. These snowblowers can throw the snow up to fifty feet away. Maybe some of that snow will land on Marv.
Your Choice
If you need a new snowblower and you’re partial to heated handgrips, make sure you do your research on the types and sizes before making a decision.
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