Snow Blower Tips and General Information
By Wes Homan
A snow blower is used to clear snow from a driveway or any other place where a homeowner or businesses wishes to have it remain clear of snow. Snow throwers come in a few different styles. Some use gasoline, some use diesel, and some start by using electricity. Generally, the basic snow clearing machine is capable of removing snow in an area of approximately 20 inches wide.
As with any machine that chops things up, which is what the blades do to get the snow removed, there are safety issues that need to be followed. Also, when filling a diesel or gasoline powered one, it is highly recommended to use a funnel to pour the fuel into this machine, so that none of it will go onto the machine or the ground. Never try to remove snow or frozen matter from the blades on the snow blower. Sometimes, the machine gets jammed and shuts down because of this and people tend to think they can clear it right then. It is highly recommended to shut off any switches and do not use the hands to do the clearing. Also, make sure that the machine is not in gear before trying to clear away jammed snow or ice from the blades, also known as the auger. When we think of auger, we may think of ice fishing. This is the same idea, as an auger can cut through ice, many inches thick, so can it cut through someone’s fingers, within a blink of an eye of time.
There are definitely some cautions to take with having a snow blower, but these machines are a huge asset to homeowners and business owners. People can save hundreds of dollars per year if they can remove snow without paying someone to do this for them, especially those years when it snows 2-3 feet in one storm. Imagine the cost of having someone else clear snow for 2-3 feet of snow, and for multiple storms of this amount of snow.
There are single stage and two-stage snow throwers available for smaller jobs. The most used type is the two-stage, 5 horse power snow machine. Prices usually begin at approximately $500 and can go up to over $1000 for these machines.
Some of the top snow blower brand names are Toro, Yard Machines, and Briggs and Stratton. Most places like Home Depot or Lowes, and even chainsaw shops, sell these machines. Sports shops carry these, as well.