December 2007
Snow blowers: Faster and easier
Some of the newest snow blowers (also called snow throwers) are larger and more capable, yet easier to control. Many also
cost less, thanks to price pressure from major retailers such as Home Depot, Lowe's, and Sears, which account for 60 percent
of sales.
Two-stage models are the biggest of these machines. Unlike smaller, single-stage models, which rely solely on a rubber-edged auger to move and disperse snow, as well as to provide some pulling power, two-stage models add drive wheels and a fanlike impeller to help disperse what they pick up.
You don't have to buy the biggest snow blower to get competent clearing. Some brands with single-stage models rival larger machines, yet weigh far less and require less storage space. Manufacturers are designing these more capable models for homeowners with smaller driveways as well as for women, who make at least part of the buying decision in more than 30 percent of snow-thrower purchases.
Other advances include easier steering and chute controls. You'll also find easy-handling electric models for smaller driveways. Here are the details:
Greater agility. Most two-stage snow blowers drive both wheels, maximizing traction at the expense of handling, since the wheels aren't free to revolve at different speeds while turning. A growing number of models address that with handle-mounted trigger releases, which let you disengage and reapply power to either drive wheel without leaving the operator's position. Squeezing both triggers also makes those models easier to maneuver with the engine off-as you would in a closed garage-by disengaging the transmission.
Simpler chute control. Most snow blowers have separate controls for adjusting the direction and angle of the discharge chute, so that you can avoid dumping snow back onto a wide driveway or onto a neighbor's property. Models might have a joystick control that combines those much-used controls into one lever. You'll also find single-stage models with more-accessible chute-control handles.
More-muscular single-stage units. Several machines clear snow as well as some two-stage units and threw it as far as the longest-distance models.
Better single-stage models can be expensive, however.
Two-stage models are the biggest of these machines. Unlike smaller, single-stage models, which rely solely on a rubber-edged auger to move and disperse snow, as well as to provide some pulling power, two-stage models add drive wheels and a fanlike impeller to help disperse what they pick up.
You don't have to buy the biggest snow blower to get competent clearing. Some brands with single-stage models rival larger machines, yet weigh far less and require less storage space. Manufacturers are designing these more capable models for homeowners with smaller driveways as well as for women, who make at least part of the buying decision in more than 30 percent of snow-thrower purchases.
Other advances include easier steering and chute controls. You'll also find easy-handling electric models for smaller driveways. Here are the details:
Greater agility. Most two-stage snow blowers drive both wheels, maximizing traction at the expense of handling, since the wheels aren't free to revolve at different speeds while turning. A growing number of models address that with handle-mounted trigger releases, which let you disengage and reapply power to either drive wheel without leaving the operator's position. Squeezing both triggers also makes those models easier to maneuver with the engine off-as you would in a closed garage-by disengaging the transmission.
Simpler chute control. Most snow blowers have separate controls for adjusting the direction and angle of the discharge chute, so that you can avoid dumping snow back onto a wide driveway or onto a neighbor's property. Models might have a joystick control that combines those much-used controls into one lever. You'll also find single-stage models with more-accessible chute-control handles.
More-muscular single-stage units. Several machines clear snow as well as some two-stage units and threw it as far as the longest-distance models.
Better single-stage models can be expensive, however.
