Today, electric and gasoline snow blowers are sold. The second ones are better suited for professional work, for example, cleaning large areas, working in difficult weather conditions, etc. But electric snow blowers, reviews of which depend on the manufacturer, are better suited for processing small areas. This is a good solution for daily snow removal near the office, home, etc. Let's look at popular models from leading manufacturers and see what consumers say about them.
Some general information
You can make a simple conclusion that such a snow blower requires a network connection. In principle, the presence of a wire is a kind of limiter, which is why it is recommended to use this tool for processing small areas. The motor receives current, and then sends a signal to the auger. He begins to rotate and cleans the snow on its way, which is scattered to the sides. Of course, electric snow blowers also have their drawbacks. Customer reviews speak of insufficient power, so a more powerful gasoline analogue will be needed to process problem areas with icing or deep drifts. But for working with only precipitation - this is just what you need.
What are the parameters to make a choice?
If you are planning to buy a snow blower, you should understand that the assortment is very large and it will not be so easy for a beginner to figure out what's what. It is necessary to highlight for yourself several main parameters by which you will make a purchase. The main one is power. The higher this indicator, the better the efficiency of the work. But you need to understand that, for example, a snow blower for a 1.6 kW and 2.2 kW walk-behind tractor will have different costs. The latter option will cost about 10-13% more. Another important parameter is the dimensions of the device. But since we are talking about electric machines that are more or less compact, you should not have problems. And, of course, the weight of the unit cannot be ignored. This is especially true in cases where women or older people will work with the tool. In this case, it is better to buy a self-propelled snow blower weighing no more than 20-30 kilograms.
How to choose a snow blower for a walk-behind tractor
We can say with confidence that with the advent of mechanized and automated equipment, snow removal has become much easier. A modern walk-behind tractor allows you to process large sections without problems, and even problem areas will not become a problem for you. But since this device is mainly designed to work in the warm season, it is necessary to take into account some nuances, but more on that later. As for the choice of a snow blower for a motoblock, then there will not be any special problems. The fact is that we only need to choose the right nozzles. An ordinary hanging snow shovel with knives is best suited. It will be a full-fledged snow blower for a motoblock, which will cope with any problem area. If it is planned to remove only the fallen snow, then it is better to install an ordinary hard brush, which will rotate on the shaft and remove snow from the track.
DIY do-it-yourself snow blower
If you have a full-fledged walk-behind tractor, the engine of which is in normal condition, then you can not buy expensive equipment. It is quite possible to make a snow blower yourself. To do this, you need roofing iron, which will serve as the body, as well as 10-12 mm plywood for the manufacture of side walls. A ½ inch pipe is used as a handle and ¾ inch as a screw shaft. Next, you need to install the engine, for this, several corners are welded. After the shaft is processed, cuts are made at the ends where the bearing will be installed. On the one hand, you need to get a groove where the asterisk will be installed. As for the manufacture of the swivel chute, which will recline the snow, it is recommended to make it out of a plastic sewer pipe with a diameter of at least 16 centimeters. Install it on the auger body by connecting to a pipe of a smaller diameter. It is best to put the finished structure not on wheels, but on skis. Here you have a do-it-yourself improvised snow blower. It remains only to paint and you can work.
Features of gasoline snow blowers
Much has been said about electrical engineering, but now I would like to mention the tool that runs on other fuels. A gas snow blower is an excellent solution for processing large and medium sized areas. The advantages of such units are that they have great power (from 3 to 10 hp). For this simple reason, dealing with wet or frozen snow will not be a problem. But you must immediately say that such a tool is usually professional, so working in narrow alleys, on the porch or the curb will be difficult. Dimensions, in particular weight, contribute to this. However, despite this, the gasoline snow blower is quieter than its electric counterparts. Now let's go ahead and look at some popular manufacturers.
Snow blowers from the Caliber company
The organization was founded in Russia, however, the country of origin is China. This is a low and medium price range technique that has rather conflicting reviews. Apparently, a lot depends on the assembly of the product. Let’s take an example of the “Caliber” SNBE-1700 electric snow blower. It is an aggregate with a power consumption of 1,700 watts and a single-stage screw system. Hence the small cost of 6,500-7,000 rubles. Since the device weighs only 14 kilograms, almost everyone can work with it. Thanks to the rubberized screw, the chance to damage the work surface is minimized. And now a few words about consumer reviews. Many buyers highlight the auger belt drive as an advantage, which, after jamming, spins to its original position. The rubberized edge of the screw is also noted. In principle, for the money they are worthy snow blowers. The reviews of the owners are not always positive. Mostly complain about the insufficient distance of snow release and low power.
Overview of equipment from the company "Champion"
This domestic manufacturer is considered one of the best. The equipment is mostly gasoline, medium and high power. But the low cost of the tool allows you to buy an assistant for almost everyone. For example, the Champion snow blower ST 656 with a capacity of 5.5 horsepower and a grip width of 150 cm cubic will cost only 20,000 rubles. At the same time, the unit has 5 speeds forward and 2 back. Given the impressive weight of 75 kilograms, the unit is self-propelled. The tool has a huge number of additional functions, such as carburetor heating, quick start, self-propelled drive and much more. As for the reviews, many say that this manufacturer is not inferior to such leaders as “Huskvarna”, “Foreman”, etc. In principle, many say that these are really reliable snow blowers. Owner reviews are negative. There are complaints about poor cleaning of wet snow. Some consumers often have their screws cut off, but this is more a factory defect, which is extremely rare.
What to choose for snow removal in the country?
It all depends on what area you have to clean. As a rule, the issue of storage of the unit will not be acute for you, as there are more than enough places in the summer cottages. If you need to clean a lot of snow daily and make wide roads, then definitely you should give preference to gasoline models with a wide bucket. It is desirable that the capture was more than 170 centimeters cubic. As for the power of the device, then at least 5 horsepower, and if we talk about electrical analogues, then - 3-4 kW. But it’s worth saying right away that powerful electric snow blowers will cost you quite a bit. The price of them increases sharply depending on the manufacturer. For suburban areas, this solution is also impractical because you will need a rather long wire. This is primarily not particularly convenient. Do not forget that the electric motor should rest after every 20-30 minutes of intensive work, unlike gasoline, which can operate for a longer time.
Let's turn to consumers
The only way to get a lot of useful information for free is to consult a neighbor who already has such a tool or ask a friend. In our case, you must rely on reviews on the forums. So, users strongly do not recommend dealing with snow blowers worth less than 4,000 rubles. From such a technique, as a rule, there is more trouble than good. Although the instrument of a low price segment from the manufacturer "Patriot" is of average quality. If you don’t have enough funds to buy equipment more expensive than 7-10 thousand rubles, then feel free to buy the “Patriot”. But “Husqvarna” is a Swedish manufacturer that manufactures for the most part very high-quality, but also expensive professional equipment. If you plan to clean a lot and constantly, and also not to repair the device once, then this is a great solution.
A few important points
Choosing a snow blower for a summer residence or just a small area near the house, experts recommend that you follow several important rules. First, always buy equipment with a rubberized auger, so you save the work surface from chips. Secondly, the range of snow release should be regulated, preferably in the range of several meters, for example 4-10 or 3-8. It is important to pay attention to build quality. If the case is durable, all the details are secured to the conscience, then such an assembly willy-nilly arouses trust, unlike the Chinese assemblies, which fall apart after a month or two of operation. Before you go to the store where electric snow blowers are sold, read reviews, consult with friends, gain theoretical knowledge.
Conclusion
So we talked with you about what electric snow blowers exist. The reviews say that not only the manufacturer plays a large role, but also the build quality, power, etc. You probably noticed that not everything is as complicated as it might seem at first glance. If the cultivated area is large - gasoline model, small - electric. As for the manufacture of such a simple unit with your own hands, it makes sense only when you have an engine, for example from a walk-behind tractor. In all other cases, it’s easier to buy a new unit, at the price it will come out almost the same, but the nerves will be saved many times more. Do not forget that in order to choose the right electric snow blowers, you need to read reviews, as well as gain at least some knowledge and only then go to the store. Do not make hasty purchases based solely on brand or value.