A snowblower is an irreplaceable thing in winter if you have a summer cottage or your own home. Few people know, but the first snow-removing equipment was built in the Austrian Empire by the inventor G. Fritz at the end of the 19th century. It was a private hand tool that he used in urban areas. It was a mechanical machine in which you had to turn the handle and the snow was thrown to the sides. Then this little snow blower did not receive the respect and distribution it deserved.

Characteristics of household snow blowers

Today, snow throwers are widespread due to the ability to simply and easily operate them in the country or at home. There are many models with various parameters on the market and it has become difficult to choose a high-quality device for the owner. There is plenty to choose from, since manufacturers from various countries of the world offer their units, ranging from expensive and good ones to cheap and not very high quality ones.

Snow blower

A snowblower for a summer cottage or at home is an autonomous snow removal device that can be gasoline, diesel or electric. They differ radically, the correct choice depends on the conditions in which he will have to work and the size of the area for clearing snow.

Snowplow household appliances are mainly intended for work on the farm. A professional or municipal snow blower is used to clear streets, parks and squares. It is a truck with attachments for cleaning and watering, removing leaves and snow.

Main types of machines

At home, the manufacturer recommends specific snow removal equipment for the dacha and at home.

Petrol

This is the main and most common type of engine for snow blowers. Fully powered by fuel. Its widespread use is justified by the fact that very often the technique is used in conditions where there is no access to electrical energy. This is the most powerful engine category, designed to operate in a variety of conditions and weather conditions. The power of such an engine can be varied, ranging from 3 to 15 liters. from.

Petrol snow blower

Gasoline snow plow harvesters differ in turn by many parameters, among which are the following:

  • the volume of the fuel tank in gasoline technology can vary and range from 2 to 5 liters;
  • average fuel consumption depends on power and is equal to 2 to 4 liters of fuel per hour;
  • the starting system in such units can be manual, for this you need to pull the cord, or electric - before starting work, the cleaner must be connected to the outlet;
  • bucket dimensions represent the amount of snow trapped in a single pass. They can be different for each manufacturer and model. The most common sizes of a snow blower bucket are up to 115 cm wide and 25-75 cm high;
  • snow blowers installed on gasoline models are special plates with which the inaccessible upper part of the snowdrift is dropped down into the working area;
  • the gearbox in the snow blower can be serviced and unattended. The second option is the most optimal, since the first requires constant checking of the lubricant and oil levels;
  • the rotor in this type of engine has 3 or 4 blades and is made of iron;
  • the auger is smooth in shape or may have teeth. In order not to destroy the coating in the form of a tile or stone, rubber nozzles are installed on the auger.

Note! Gasoline vehicles are most widely used due to their high power and ease of use.

Gasoline snow blowers can be small and weigh relatively little: from 20 to 35 kg. These machines are easy to drive and push forward. But some large and powerful models can weigh up to 50 kg. Such a device is no longer so easy to move or maneuver in the conditions of the snow. Therefore, today they are divided into:

  • non-self-propelled devices are a conventional snow blower that is driven and operated by a person. These are small and not very heavy machines designed for relatively small areas with a flat surface and smooth surface. Structurally, there is a standard set of components and assemblies;
  • A self-propelled snow blower is a device for removing snow on an area, which is usually characterized by increased power and weight. Structurally, it is no different from a non-self-propelled one, except for one thing - a wheel drive is installed on it, which drives the entire machine. This is designed for the convenience and ease of human work, since there is no need to push the machine forward. You only need to direct, and the apparatus carries out the movement independently. These are more expensive and powerful devices with an increased set of functions.

Gasoline snow blowers have a wide range of features that can be purchased or ordered. They are installed on the machine and are designed for ease and convenience of operation. There are snow blowers with a blade. It is designed to throw snow to the side so that it does not fall into the working area.

In addition to self-propelled and non-self-propelled wheel cleaners, there are also tracked ones. They move with the help of a drive that drives the tracks. This is the most convenient and expensive equipment, designed to work in difficult conditions with a lot of sediment or ice.

Petrol wheeled snowblower

In addition, among the additional functions there is a remote control of movement and range of snow throwing. These parameters are adjusted using the remote control. Some models are equipped with a reversing system, heated hand grips so that your hands do not freeze in particularly cold conditions. You can install headlights to work in the dark.

Important! Any type of snow removal equipment should be used with caution when removing ice and wet snow. This can lead to reduced performance and breakdown.

Diesel

A diesel engine is installed on this type of equipment. Apart from the engine, the differences are minimal. The advantages of such an engine are slightly lower fuel consumption. However, this type has less power and an increased noise level, which is a consequence of the design of the motor itself. In addition, the products of the release of diesel fuel have a more negative impact on human health and the environmental situation. The fuel also has a lower freezing point in winter. Due to these factors, the use of diesel units has not become widespread.

Snowblower Diesel

Electric

It is a type of snow removal equipment that operates on an electrical network. It has an electric motor powered by a wire from an ordinary outlet. A fairly common type in those places where there is constant access to electricity and the site is small.Since the autonomy of the device is limited by the length of the wire or extension cord, these are mainly low-power devices for home use. Power usually does not exceed 2 kW - an analogue of 2.5 liters. from.

Snowblower Electric

However, this type of engine has its advantages in the form of ease of maintenance and care. They do not require replacement of consumables such as spark plugs, oil and grease. No need for refueling. The device runs on electricity, which is cheaper.

Rotary and auger snow blower

In turn, the system of the working area of ​​snow blowers is divided into rotary and auger, which differ from each other in the following:

  • Auger. The work is carried out according to a one-stage scheme. It differs in that the collection of snow, its grinding, crushing and ejection occur as one process. Only the auger is responsible for all this;
  • Rotary. Sometimes this technique is called auger. It differs from the usual auger one in that the system of work is carried out according to a two-stage scheme. The first stage is responsible for capturing the snow and crushing it. Then the action takes place at the second stage, where the precipitation is fed to the rotor impeller. It rotates and throws the prepared snow aside.

Note! Rotary technology has become very popular and widespread due to its greater power and productivity. The snow throwing range is much greater than the auger system. These units are reliable and durable due to high-quality load distribution.

Which is better: auger or rotary snow blower

It is difficult to unequivocally answer this question, since these types are fundamentally different from each other. Augers are less powerful and are designed for small areas. Basically, this is an amateur technique for home and summer cottages, which is not adapted to handle a large amount of snow on huge areas. It is a cheaper and more economical car for hobbyists. The work is carried out according to a one-stage scheme, where only the auger is responsible for all processes, which is less reliable.

Auger snow blower

Auger snow blowers have a shorter throwing range, power and productivity. In this regard, this technique is recommended for owners of small areas.

Rotary units are characterized by increased power and productivity due to a two-stage operation system. They are suitable for owners of large plots, are often used on the farm by companies that have a huge commercial area.

Which one to choose: gasoline or electric snow blower

These radically different types of snow blower motors have different power options. Electric runs on electricity and is powered from an outlet using a wire. In turn, the gasoline unit runs on gasoline fuel.

Electric cleaners are much less powerful and less mobile. These devices are more rational to use where there is constant access to electricity, however, the range of operation is strongly limited by the length of the wire. Designed for amateur use in summer cottages or areas of your own home.

Snowplow petrol go electric

Gasoline units have received much more use. They are completely autonomous, can work in any conditions and handle medium and large areas of terrain. To work, you only need to fill up with gasoline.

Both types of engines have their own pros and cons. Gasoline engines are very noisy and need maintenance and refueling. In addition, they emit harmful emissions and negatively affect health. Electric motors are simpler and do not affect the environmental situation.

Important! Gasoline units have a complex launcher. They either need to be wound up with a cord or an electric starter connected to the outlet.

Better to buy self-propelled or non-self-propelled

The most convenient and easiest to use is a self-propelled device that facilitates work due to the absence of the need to push the device. But the self-propelled system is more expensive and is designed for difficult and large areas.

Note! If the availability of funds allows you to purchase a self-propelled cleaner, then you should not think about it. This will greatly facilitate the work and save time and effort.

Manufacturer rating

At the moment, there are many companies on the market with their own models of equipment. Traditionally, the ranking is headed by such giants as Honda, Husqvarna and MTD. Honda is more technologically advanced and modern, while Husqvarna is a more conservative manufacturer. However, the Swedish giant offers a higher level of equipment quality.

The snowblower has been widely used today. Due to the large selection and the presence of many types of engines and auxiliary systems, this type of equipment greatly simplifies the process of snow removal.