If you're expecting to get snowed in this winter, you
need a snow blower
Need to clear the path? A snow blower can give you cold
comfort.
Snow Blowers by:
JasonV
A snow blower, also known as a snow thrower is a machine for removing
snow from an area where it is not wanted, such as a sidewalk, driveway,
or any other snow laden path. Modern snow blowers use either electric
power or a gasoline or diesel engine to throw snow to another location
or into a vehicle to be hauled away. This is in contrast with the action
of snow plows, which push snow to the front or side (shovels can be
similarly used).
Snow blower can range from the very small, capable of removing only
several inches (a few cm) of light snow in a 18 to 20 inch (45 to 50 cm)
path, to very large, capable of moving 10 foot (3 m) wide swaths of
heavy snow up to 6 feet (2 m) deep. Snow blowers can generally be
divided into two classes: single stage and two stage.
Single stage snow blowers
Single stage snow throwers use a single high-speed impeller to both move
the snow into the machine and force it out the discharge chute. The
impeller is commonly in the form of two or more curved plastic paddles
that move snow towards the centerline of the machine where the discharge
chute is located. Single stage snow throwers usually are light duty
machines. Small electric machines can actually be picked up to chew away
deep snow banks a layer at a time.
One exception to the rule are the enormous single stage rotary snow
throwers used by railroads to clear tracks in mountainous areas. These
rotary snowplows use a single large impeller that can span the entire
width of the train and typically discharge to the side.
Two stage snow blower
By comparison, two stage snow blowers have one or more low-speed metal
augers that break up the snow and move it into a separate high-speed
impeller (sometimes called the fan). The impeller 'blows' the snow out
the discharge chute with considerable force. All but the lightest-duty
snow throwers are typically two-stage machines.
Two stage snow blowers range in power from a few horsepower to very
large machines powered by diesel engines of over 1000 horsepower (750
kW). The large machines are used for clearing roadways and airport
runways. These are capable of removing large amounts of snow quickly.
Some municipalities use larger snow blowers to clear snow from streets
after a snowfall, blowing the snow into trucks which haul it away.
Two stage snow blowers for home use are often self-propelled, having
either large wheels equipped with tire chains or, in some cases, tracks.
These are usually single-purpose snow blowers, though some are
detachable front ends that can be replaced with other implements, such
as a garden tiller.
When choosing a snow blower one must decide whether the area is large or
small or if in fact you'll be using your snow blower frequently or
rarely, depending on the region you live in.
About The Author
After Snowing blowing the entire Alaskan winter, I find myself an expert
in the field. Visit my Website on
Snow Blowers
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