Big snowdrifts near the house rejoice only children. For adults, this means one thing - you need to clean it. It is difficult to do it manually, and it will take a lot of time. Especially if the site is large. So you have to think about acquiring a reliable assistant. And it turns out to be a snow removal machine. It's good that technology does not stand still. Thanks to this, there are so many products that can make life easier. Today you can buy a snowplow with various characteristics and at various prices. We will talk about how to do this below.
Why is it worth buying a snowplow
Snow blowers have a number of advantages that explain the reasons that encourage people to buy them:
- reduce the time allotted for snow removal;
- the machine is easy to operate;
- ease of operation, the machine is unpretentious and does not require frequent repairs.
Variety of models
Currently, there is a wide variety of snow removal equipment. Given its characteristics, various types and classifications are distinguished.
Depending on the method of movement, they are self-propelled and non-self-propelled.
By type of power unit there is a gas and electric snow blower . It is not worth talking in detail about the type of engine. Already from the name it is clear that in the first case the car moves due to the combustion of gasoline, and in the second - thanks to the electricity supplied to the motor.
By type of drive, snow blowers are divided into tracked and wheeled. The first option is a professional technique. The second type is more popular among individuals. Wheel models are a cheaper option.
Self-propelled models
Self-propelled snowplow moves independently due to the fuel entering the engine. It does not need to be pushed. The machine provides for a drive. Therefore, it can be used even by people who are not able to lift weights.
This option is better for large areas. These machines have great power, are able to remove caked, wet or icy snow. Such models, due to their power, are able to cast snow at a decent distance (up to eighteen meters). Due to this, blockages are not formed.
Self-propelled snowplow has several speeds. This allows you to change the pace of cleaning and adjust the time allotted for this process.
But at the same time, the car has a lot of weight. And this means that it can slip or fail.
Non-self-propelled options
This type of machine must be moved around the site manually. Therefore, they are most often used in small areas. In addition, these models are small. Due to this, they are more maneuverable. At one time, the machine is able to cover a strip half a meter wide. The height of the snow layer can be up to thirty centimeters. In this case, snow is thrown up to a distance of five meters.
Hand-held snow removal machines weigh no more than fifty kilograms. They keep on snow, not falling inside. Power reaches six horsepower. This is significantly less than the first option.
The disadvantage of these models is that the quality of cleaning depends on the density of snow. It is best to remove the snow that has just fallen, which has not yet had time to pack.
The second minus is that only a capable person can control the machine. In uneven areas, management will require some effort.
Features of electric models
The electric snow machine has several serious drawbacks. All of them are connected with the need to connect an electric cable to the device. The machine requires a permanent network connection. Due to this, wires are always at hand. And this is inconvenient, and unsafe. Maneuverability is reduced due to wires.
In severe frosts, the electrical cable may simply break or burst.
Some owners of such devices note insufficient machine power.
Petrol snow blowers
A gasoline snow blower is the most popular option. Its power reaches eleven horsepower. Depending on the specific model, the power varies.
The width of the strip captured at one time depends on the power of the machine. And this dependence is proportional. The higher the power, the wider the grip.
Snow Cleansing Methods
Another indicator that underlies the classification of snow removal equipment is the method of cleaning snow. In accordance with it, cars are divided into single-stage and two-stage.
Models of the first option (single-stage) remove snow from the auger. The auger snowmobile is able to first crush the snow, then collect and throw it to the side.
Two-stage models have two working bodies: auger and rotor. Snow is crushed and collected due to the work of the screw. In the second stage, a rotary snow-removal machine throws it over a long distance.
How a snowplow works
The machine for snow removal works according to the following principle. A running engine drives a shaft with an auger. Due to the presence of inclined blades (screw walls), the snow rises and enters a special hopper. The impeller is located there. From there, snow is thrown to the side with a certain effort. The ejection power depends on the power of the machine. The greater this force, the further the snow will be thrown.
For more comfortable operation, the handles of snow removal equipment are equipped with heating. Some models are equipped with headlights. This allows you to remove snow even in the dark. This is true since daylight hours in winter are short. But cleaning up during the day is not always possible.
An electric starter can be installed. It helps to start the car during frosts.
For easier control on individual models, a regulator is installed to help control each wheel individually.
The ejection range and its direction are regulated by the operator.
How to choose a snow blower
The right choice of snowplow is the key to successful cleaning of the yard from snow. When choosing, many factors should be considered. It is necessary to pay attention to the following:
- How the engine starts (manual, automatic, combined).
- The dimensions of the bucket that will capture the snow (its width can be in the range of 40-100 centimeters).
- Power and type of engine. The larger the plot, the more powerful the snow removal machine should be.
- Transmission. She is responsible for productivity and usability. So, for transporting the machine to the place of work or, conversely, to the storage location, an overdrive is used. Loose, freshly fallen snow can be cleaned by turning on the middle gear. If the snow has time to cake, or if it is wet, icy, the machine should work at a reduced speed.
- Caterpillars or wheels. Wheel cars have greater speed, better maneuverability. But patency is higher for tracked models that are able to overcome various bumps.
- The material from which the snow chute is made. The metal trench has increased strength and throws snow with greater accuracy. But the plastic element is cheaper, it does not rust, snow does not stick to it.
- The distance that snow is thrown.
- The speed with which the machine moves during operation.
- Fuel consumption (for gasoline models) or power consumption (for electric).
In addition to these indicators, it is important to determine which area will be removed. For a small area, you can choose a screw version. It has a small size, good maneuverability. But it is powered by electricity. For sites up to two hundred square meters, an electric car with an engine power of up to two kilowatts will be sufficient.
Large areas require more powerful equipment. For areas of four to six hundred square meters, gasoline snow blowers with a capacity of up to five horsepower are selected. If the area is more than ten hundred parts, it is better to give preference to gasoline engines with power from eight to thirteen horsepower.
For such options, it is worth choosing snow blowers that have both a screw and a rotor. Such models are equipped with a wide bucket. Their gearbox is multi-stage.
Most popular manufacturers
The market for snow removal equipment is represented by models from various manufacturers. The most popular and reliable are: Craftsman, MTD, Huskvarna, Champion, Huter, Partner, Honda.
Husqvarna is a popular manufacturer of gardening and utility equipment from Sweden. The products of this company are of high quality, reliability, environmental friendliness, high power. Products under such a brand are so popular that today they are sold in seventy countries around the world.
MTD is another world famous manufacturer. Reliable and high-quality snow blowers are equipped with engines with a power of 3.5-7.6 horsepower. This company works using innovative technologies. Their main goal is customer satisfaction.
Honda is a Japanese manufacturer that needs no introduction. Snowplows, like all products under this brand, are distinguished by quality, manufacturability, and reliability. The models they produce have engines with power up to nine horsepower.
For lovers of high-quality, efficient and comfortable work, snowplow options presented by Champion are suitable. Their technique can have up to five speeds and one or two reverse gears.
The Chinese company "Forester" produces high-quality snowplows, but at more affordable prices. The company's models have an electric drive with power up to 1.6 kilowatts. Therefore, they are used to clean small areas.
Another well-known manufacturer of electric snow blowers is Huter.
Snow Blower Cost
The price of good quality snow removal equipment can vary from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
A mini snow machine (self-propelled electric) costs about three hundred dollars. By adding another one or two hundred dollars, you can buy a self-propelled car with a gasoline engine, but low power. For this money, you can become the owner of equipment of little-known manufacturers, designed for small areas.
If we talk about well-known manufacturers, the cost of non-self-propelled models will start with one and a half thousand dollars. Self-propelled options are estimated at more than six thousand dollars.
DIY snow blower
It is not at all necessary to purchase ready-made snow removal equipment in the store . A homemade machine for cleaning snow can be no worse, and will cost much cheaper. It can be made, for example, from a walk-behind tractor. To do this, you need to connect a bucket to it. Separate buckets suitable for this type of equipment are available for sale. But it can be made independently.
Another option is a snow blade. It consists of three main elements: the actual shovels for snow, a mechanism that allows you to adjust the angle of inclination, fasteners to the car. Similar elements are made both for imported SUVs, and for cars of domestic production, and even for ATVs.
Use any equipment you need correctly. This will help the instructions for the snowplow. Observance of all instructions and recommendations will keep the equipment in working condition for a long time.