Clearing snow from the driveway has to be one of the most back-breaking tasks for any homeowner.
That’s why most people rely on snowblowers as they save hours of manual labor and keep your pathway crystal clear. So, if you still haven’t bought a snowblower, it’s time to get one for your home.
Keeping in mind that these tools are available in varieties, I decided to put together a guide on their snow-handling capacity to help you choose the right one.
How Much Snow Can a Snowblower Handle?
When it comes to snowblowers, the market is flooded with tons of options invented to suit the needs of various home and business owners. However, out of all the options, single-stage, two-stage, and three-stage snowblowers are common among homeowners.
While all the units are designed to clear snow from commercial and residential spaces, their snow-holding capacity is different.
A. Single-Stage Snowblowers
Easy-to-use and lightweight, single-stage snowblowers are equipped with an auger that channels snow through a discharge chute, hurling them as high as 35 feet. These units are perfect for mid-size regions with a snowfall of about 12 inches or less.
What’s more, they are capable enough of clearing both wet and dry snow from the pathways. But, if you want to remove over 12 inches of the deep snow pile, then single-stage snowblowers will not be the right choice for you.
B. Two-Stage Snowblowers
For clearing large areas, two-stage snowblowers are perfect because of their large intake capacity, as they can dig up to 23 inches of snow. Instead of channeling snow directly through a chute, the auger in the two-stage units collects all the snow, and then the impeller fan releases them through a chute.
Understandably, they are more efficient than single-stage units as they collect snow quickly and hurl them as far as 60 feet. Not only that, but they are strong enough to handle wet and icy snow, so their versatility is limitless. Also, they boast engine-driven wheels which means they can tackle inclines and reduce fatigue.
Most two-stage models come with skid shoes that raise the auger slightly so that they can clear snow from unpaved areas efficiently. All in all, if you’re looking for snowblowers packed with a host of features that help remove snow from large areas within minutes, two-stage models are the best bet.
C. Three-Stage Snowblowers
Though similar to two-stage units, three-stage snowblowers are efficient as they can remove more snow in less time. Featuring an accelerator with an impeller and auger, they are capable of clearing up to 25 inches of snow from both paved and unpaved surfaces.
Spinning perpendicular to the auger, the accelerator gathers snow and then propels it into the impeller to discharge it. Besides clearing snow from over 60 feet area, they are capable enough to cut through and throw icy snow as far as 50 feet.
Since they are more powerful than two-stage snowblowers, they will come in handy for clearing a snow wall or a tall snowdrift.
Factors That Determine How Much Snow A Snowblower Can Handle
1. Path Size
The first thing that you must consider before buying a snowblower is the size of the pathway. For small areas, homeowners prefer single-stage units because they feature a cleaning width between 18 and 22 inches.
However, if you have a large driveway, a two-stage or a three-stage device will be the best bet as they are more efficient than single-stage snowblowers.
2. Type Of Snow
Certainly, not all snowblowers can cut through all types of snow.
For removing piles of heavy and wet snow, a two-stage or a three-stage snowblower is ideal because they are equipped with powerful engines. But, if you reside in an area where the snowfall accumulation is no more than six inches, a single-stage model will be the best choice.
3. Depth Of The Snow
Another crucial factor that you must take into account before purchasing a snowblower is the depth of the snow. From 12 inches to 25 inches, snowblowers are designed to handle snow of varying depths.
To measure snow, you will have to get a snow depth sensor that will calculate the distance between the sensor and the ground. Once you get the depth of the snow, make sure you browse options that are designed to handle the same.
Summing It Up
On that note, it’s time to wrap my guide on “how much snow can a snowblower handle?”
When it comes to clearing driveways and pathways, snowblowers are the perfect device that every homeowner must-have. So, when shopping for them, make sure you prepare a budget to avoid overspending.
And that’s it for today. Adios, folks!