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Re-activateAnyone considering a two-stage snow blower, which adds an impeller behind the usual whirring auger, has some serious snow to move. Besides having a wide auger and engine-driven wheels, most two-stage machines have enough capability even for the dense pile left behind by municipal plows.
That said, we had high hopes for the Ariens Amp 24 Sno-Thro 916003, $1,500, the first battery-operated snow blower we've seen. The 48-volt, lead-acid cell battery pack is claimed to last 45 to 60 minutes on a charge, and the 24-inch-wide machine was relatively quiet.
In testing against gasoline and corded-electric models, however, the Ariens fell short. For removal speed and plow-pile removal, the product performed similar to single-stage gas models. And it threw what it scooped only about half as far as similarly priced two stage snow blowers
Mediocre removal speed could mean you won't finish your driveway before the battery runs down. With the included charger, the Amp is ready again in 6 to 7 hours. But even the optional quick charger is cold comfort: It's $420 and still takes 2 to 3 hours. You'll also need to store the Amp near an AC outlet, constantly plugged into the charger when the machine is not in use. This precludes storage in the typical shed.
The best we can say about the Ariens Amp Sno-Thro is that it's a work in progress. Whether it's big lawns or deep snow, no battery technology has yet shown it's up to the challenge. And because of its cost and weight, it's hard to recommend this model even for light duty.
—Ed Perratore
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