What is the best petrol snow blower? Snowplow and snow thrower for a private house, cottage and yard areas - how to choose a snow blower

Looking at the snowdrifts with which winter generously covered the territory of the dacha, its owner has to take up a shovel every time.

The first minutes of this work bring joy of movement and pleasure from physical activity.

However, very soon this process begins to tire and makes one seriously think about the possibility of its mechanization.

Luckily, there are snowplows on the market today, a better alternative to the conventional shovel, which for centuries was the only way to deal with snow blockages.

The model range of this special equipment is so wide that without a detailed acquaintance with its design features it is impossible to make the best choice.

A snow blower for the home qualitatively and quickly solves the problem of cleaning the territory and driveways. However, since estates today differ significantly from each other in terms of their area, then the equipment for cleaning them should be selected taking into account the upcoming front of work.

Snow blower designs

Structurally, any snow blower is a frame with wheels (caterpillars) and attachments designed to collect snow and throw it to the side. Such a machine cleans with the help of helical augers, but throwing snow can be done in different ways.

Single-stage machines use augers for both cleaning and throwing snow mass. For two-stage units, the throwing function is performed by a special rotor, to which the augers direct the snow.

Single stage design applied in machines low power(up to 5 hp), and in units of medium and high power (from 8 to 13 hp and more), a two-stage (screw-rotor) system is installed.

Which snowplow is better for giving is not difficult to answer, since its main parameters are compactness, maneuverability and low price. These requirements are fully met by screw machines with manual movement and self-propelled units. They gently remove loose snow from paths, in open areas and near trees.

An example is the Stiga electric snow blower. With an engine power of 1.8 kW, it confidently copes with snow up to 25 centimeters high and has a bucket width of 45 cm.

An important nuance! If on the paths and areas of the cottage it is laid decorative coating, then buy a car with rubberized augers that will not damage it.

The disadvantage of all single-stage cleaners is the inability to work effectively on packed snow. Therefore, do not wait until the snowdrifts in your area are damp and compacted.

Engine power

The basic criterion for choosing a snow blower is engine power.

Electric motors (1.5-2 kW) are installed on equipment designed for cleaning small areas (100-200 m2).

Petrol power units with power from 3.5 to 5 hp. equipped with machines designed for cleaning areas from 4 to 6 acres.

If the area has more than 10,000 m2, it is better to buy a 6 hp Patriot 4-stroke auger gasoline snow blower. or another machine with similar operating parameters.

With engine power from 8 to 13 hp. snow blower will confidently cope with the work on large area(up to 50,000 m2).

Tracks and wheels

Compared to caterpillar snowplows for giving with a wheel drive, they are faster and more maneuverable, but less passable.

Machines on caterpillars are able not only to work efficiently on uneven surface, but also easily overcome curbs garden paths and sites.

Launch system

This is an important part of the snow thrower design, since the ease and reliability of starting at low temperatures depends on the quality of its operation.

Low-power units are equipped with only a manual start system. More expensive snowplows, in addition to the starting cord, have an electric starter that is powered by a 220 V household electrical outlet.

Before cleaning, the car is first connected to the outlet, started, and then taken out into the yard. A hot engine after short breaks in operation is easily started with a starting cord.

Battery starters on such machines are very rare and allow you to start the engine anywhere.

Bucket width

This operating parameter for snow throwers is in the range from 45 to 105 centimeters and directly depends on the power of the machine.

Snow chute

Gutters for such equipment are made of metal or plastic. The advantage of plastic structures is low price, no corrosion and less snow build-up. However, compared to steel, they are less durable and throw snow masses with low accuracy.

The ejection range is adjusted from the operator panel, or set on the chute using a special screw. For low-power snow throwers, it does not exceed 5 meters, and for medium and high-power models it ranges from 10 to 15 meters.

Transmission

You can choose an inexpensive snow blower that is productive and easy to use only if you pay due attention to the type of transmission.

The simplest option is a single speed transmission. Its disadvantage is the inability to fine-tune the pushing force under snow of different densities.

Most self-propelled snow blowers (Husqvarna, Craftsman, Huter) have mechanical gear transmissions with five to six forward speeds and one or two reverse speeds. The first and second forward gears are used when working with dense and wet snow. Light snow cover is removed in medium (3-4) gears, and the fifth and sixth are used to drive the car to the place of work or parking.

Which snow blower to choose, evaluating its advantages and weak sides, everyone decides for himself. However, it is also necessary to take into account such an important technical nuance as the presence or absence of a wheel unlocking mechanism.

When enough big weight machines (80 kg and above), unlocking one of the wheels allows it to easily turn on the spot. The most convenient way is when the unlocking can be controlled directly from the handle of the machine by pressing a special trigger. Another option - unlocking with cotter pins is not so convenient and is not used for turning, but only for rolling the snow thrower.

Additional options that increase the comfort of work– headlight and heated handles.

The need for good lighting becomes apparent when working in the morning and evening hours, when a short winter day gives way to impenetrable darkness. Holding on to warm control knobs is much more pleasant than squeezing cold plastic.

Popular Snow Thrower Brands

Currently, the following manufacturers of this equipment are most famous: Honda, Husqvarna, MTD, Huter and Craftsman.

Snow blower MTD

The American companies MTD and Craftsman produce reliable machines in both the economy class and the professional category.

The Champion brand is geographically located in the USA, but actually assembles its equipment in China. This has a positive effect on its price and at the same time does not reduce quality. However, in the reviews there are sometimes indications of the need to check the quality of the tightening of the threaded connections of the wheels and the drive pulley before the first start.

Snow Thrower

German Huter belongs to the middle price category. The machines of this brand are distinguished by thoughtful and high-quality assembly, high motor resources and good performance.

Husqvarna snow thrower

Honda and Husqvarna occupy a niche of expensive, but very high-quality and economical equipment, so the reviews about these machines are always positive.

Prices for non-self-propelled models of snow blowers range from 4,000 to 8,000 rubles.

Self-propelled vehicles of medium power are in the price range from 18,000 to 40,000 rubles.

Price tags for powerful tracked vehicles start at 45,000 rubles.

Useful video

While you're spending your last sunny days at the beach, thoughtful people have already begun preparing the sleds for winter. For example, Kevin Blake from Canada assembled a snow blower with his own hands on a homemade steel frame from parts of old bicycles. I went to the store to buy a snow blower, because last year I shoveled so much snow that fresh snow comes to me all summer in terrible dreams. If you also decide to buy a snow shovel, then go with me, I will tell you how I made the choice.

Here they are, steel beauties, standing in front of you. Already ready to rush into battle, to fight with snow. Blue, yellow, red, orange. How do they differ? If you do not go into details, and imagine an ordinary meat grinder, then having understood the principle of its operation, you can assume that you figured out how a snow blower works:

The handle rotates a spiral auger that crushes everything that enters the inlet and pushes it out the outlet. Only instead of a handle, we have a powerful gasoline engine, and it is not snow that goes to the snow blower, but the snow blower itself goes to the snow. All machines on the market operate this way. The days of laser-assisted snow removal, or nano-robots moving by an army, have not yet arrived. This, however, only makes the choice more difficult. But we'll manage. Let's start with manufacturers.

Snowplow Manufacturers

I could not find companies that specialize exclusively in the production of snow removal machines. All brands represented on our market are well-known manufacturers of garden petrol equipment. And actually, by the success in the garden equipment market, one can judge the quality of the snow removal machines they produce.

The brand appeared in 2000 in the USA. The company positions its equipment as cheap and does not hide at all that all products are made in China. But this is a factory production, one of the best enterprises, which, among other things, has launched the production of many European brands. Which one is not specified. It is not surprising that cars start from 25,000 rubles. But it turns out to be cheaper than any "non-Chinese" analogues.

The history of the MTD brand began back in 1932. It was then that three Germans arrived in the United States. Since then, the company has grown and now owns many factories in the US, Canada and Europe. , which I managed to feel, came to us from Hungary. The price starts from 35,000 rubles.

The company with the cheerful turtle logo is Snapper. The company has been manufacturing lawn mowers for over 50 years. shipped to us from the USA. They are a little more expensive than the Americans MTD, the minimum price tag is 45,000 rubles.

I think the Swedes are familiar to many. The company has such a rich history, and such a wide range of products, from garden equipment to construction equipment, that writing about it: just wasting your time. you can buy for 50,000 rubles and more. Factories are located all over the world. The cars I have seen are made in the USA.

is a trademark of MTD. Also Americans. They have the widest and most interesting range of snow blowers. But it is also the most expensive of the presented. The price for the cheapest model is 53,000 rubles.

Naturally, there are many more manufacturers. There are Honda, purebred Japanese, but the supply of these cars to Russia in 2011 is a big question. There is Partner, factory China, which are part of the Husqvarna concern, but this year their prices have sharply approached those of Husqvarna itself. And there is also an incredible amount of Chinese technology, under different names, different colors, but surprisingly similar to each other.

When choosing a snowplow, it is important not only to look at the country of assembly and brand name. Special attention should be directed to the engine. Let's see what engines are at the heart of modern snowplows.

Engine

The engine of a snowblower has two tasks.

1. Start even in severe frost.
2. Apply enough force to the augers to break up packed snow and ice.

Obviously, both tasks are mandatory. If you simply can’t start even the most powerful engine, then an ordinary snow shovel, a crowbar, and hours of hard work await you. But, I think, you can not be afraid that you will freeze. If the power is only enough to blow off the falling snowflakes, then just don't let the snow fall.

Therefore, the US company Briggs & Stratton, which has been specializing in the production of engines for over 100 years, has released a special Snow series (snow translated from English):

What is their feature? Overhead valves (OHV). It also allows more efficient fuel consumption, lower noise levels and longer service life. In fact, I could not find a snow blower with an engine in which the valves are located differently. And the American manufacturer does not voice any additional know-how applied in the Snow series. But we believe that they are :)

All models of Snapper and Husqvarna snow blowers are equipped with American Briggs & Stratton Snow series engines. MTD and Cub Cadet cars have MTD ThorX and Cub Cadet OHV engines respectively. These motors are made in China. But the valves in both are also located on top. There are no identifying marks on the Patriot Garden snowball engine, only an OHV sticker. It is definitely Chinese, and looks like Loncin engines. Possibly made in the same factory.

What can you say about power? How more powerful machine the better for you, and worse for the snowdrifts on your site. Now in stores you can find devices with a capacity of 3 to 15 horsepower. According to rumors, cars are less than 5 hp. packed snow cannot be removed. And if in essence, anyone will cope with the cleaning of any snow. Power also affects performance. Those. the more powerful, the more area you can clear in an hour. This is expressed in the ability to make a wider grip, and in the speed of "chewing" the snow. We will compare the speed qualities with the first snowfall, and I will write more about the width of the capture later.

Machine power 10 hp and above can be classified as professional. They are suitable for cleaning parking lots and football fields. But the price for them starts from 65,000 rubles. Power from 5 to 10 hp good for home and summer cottages, they can remove a lot of snow, but not every day. Less than 5 hp - they will help clear the paths, but packed snow and large snowdrifts are beyond their power. And they usually don't have wheel drive.

Wheels or tracks?

move by human effort. They are usually small and underpowered. At the same time, the price for them is about 25,000 rubles. Therefore, it makes sense to take them if you have nowhere to store a self-propelled monster.

Self-propelled vehicles are on wheeled and caterpillar tracks. Tracked vehicles are more powerful, but this makes them more expensive. From the pros: you can work on the slopes, they are not afraid of hard work, the rod is like tanks. Cons: expensive. will cost 53,000 rubles. with a Chinese engine already 85,000 rubles. And more have prices from 100,000 rubles and above. And so far there are many questions about their deliveries to Russia.

Therefore, if you doubt the need for a caterpillar snow blower, feel free to take a wheeled one and order additional chains for the wheels. Just pay attention to the controls.

Controllability. Mechanic or automatic?

The average weight of a snow blower is about 70kg. Towing such a car in winter is not very convenient. The hydraulic booster of the steering wheel, the function of unlocking the differential, will come to your aid. How it works? It's time to turn or turn around, block the right or left wheel, and the car itself turns around in place. Incredibly comfortable. More expensive models have this function, for example, the price of which is already 53,000 rubles.

Also pay attention to how to control the speed of the snow blower. With all Husqvarna models, the speed is switched like the volume on the radio. Pull the handle to the right, the speed gradually increases. Pulled to the left - falls. More to the left, reversed. In science, this mechanism is called a variator. The rest of the cars have a gear shifter, somewhat similar to a manual transmission in a car. 4 to 6 gears forward, and 1 or 2 reverse. But if you have already started playing scenes from the latest Fast and the Furious in your head, slow down. Gears can only be shifted in neutral when the snow blower is stopped. And they must be switched sequentially.

Now let's take the roulette wheel. Is it true that the more the better?

Width and Height

It is not the dimensions of the entire snow blower that are important, but the dimensions of the grip. The wider the grip, the fewer circles you will need to make on the football field. The higher the grip, the higher the snowdrifts you can handle. But just as important is the balance between grip dimensions and engine power. For machines with a grip of about 50 cm, an engine with a power of about 5 hp is needed. But it will require an engine with a capacity of 15 horses, and the price will be appropriate. The optimal width is 50-70 cm, for wider ones the price is already much higher. But if you plan to clean large areas daily, such as a car park, then take a wide and powerful one. The cost in a week of work will justify itself.

The height of capture for all machines is approximately the same. Husqvarna models are closer to 60cm, the rest are slightly more than 50cm. For higher snowdrifts, knives are attached to the grip. Not all cars have them. But do not be upset if they were not in the car you looked at, and your snowdrifts are as high as a house. All grips have holes for their fastening, and the knife itself is an ordinary metal plate. For the inventive Russian soul, this is just an excuse to be smart.

Last but not least is the type of engine start.

Start type. By screws!

All models have a manual kick starter. We pull the handle, once, twice, and the car starts. Good way stretch and warm up before work, by the way. More expensive models are equipped with an electric starter. There are two options here. First, start from the battery. The second, from a 220V outlet.

If you think you need a starter, don't buy into the charms of a battery starter. They are very capricious, especially in winter. For example, they can be discharged while you were waiting for a snowfall. All of Europe takes cars with a starter from an outlet. I plugged it into the outlet in the garage, started it, unplugged it and went to grind snowdrifts. And what if it stalls away from the outlet, you ask? A hot engine will start easily with a kick starter.

All tracked vehicles come with an electric starter, but there the price obliges. At the Patriot Garden, only the top-of-the-range wheeled model has an electric starter from a wall outlet. Their prices are 32 thousand rubles. If you want something European or American, then take a closer look at MTD, a model with a starter will cost 45 thousand rubles. The rest of the models more expensive than 50 thousand rubles will also start from the outlet, regardless of the manufacturer.

To stand out in the market and somehow justify the price, manufacturers add various additional features to the models. Should you pay attention to them?

Other Features

Play to the fullest. Want full control over your snow removal? Get a Husqvarna snow blower. All models are equipped with full control of the direction and distance of throwing snow directly from the panel. I think if you put the tank in one part of the yard, then you can easily throw all the snow from the yard there. In cheaper models of competitors, the angle of the chute deflector is generally fixed, and the chute itself is turned by a worm gear handle. Turn the handle clockwise: the chute turns to the right, counterclockwise: to the left. Decide for yourself if you need precision and simplicity. The task usually boils down to "throw the snow aside".

Are you planning to clear snow at night at the cemetery? Take a snow blower with a halogen headlight. All manufacturers have medium and expensive headlight models. If you want a cheaper model, then buy a good flashlight for the difference in price.

Heated steering wheel - and this is possible. Swedish snowplows are famous for this. The owners of the rest will need to wear warm gloves.

Plastic or metal panels and gutter? Plastic plastic strife. One will crack in the cold, the other will serve no less than a metal counterpart. On MTD models, the gutter is plastic. But in the entire history of their sales, I know of only one appeal to the service to replace the gutter. True, metal garage doors fell on that gutter.

Have you already changed your mind about buying a snow blower, and are thinking of what to replace it with? And there is something to show.

Choosing the most suitable snow blower for your needs depends largely on various factors, such as the area that needs to be cleared or the type of snow you usually have to deal with. Both single-stage and two-stage snow blowers are great for clearing snow from paths and sidewalks, but they remove snow in different ways, and each is well-suited for different applications. various types snowfalls and squares.

In any case, the purchase of a snowplow is always relevant with the advent of cold weather and the onset of winter, especially if you live in an area where heavy snowfalls are common. Also, the presence of such a device suggests that you live in a private house or plan to remove snow in the country. One way or another, you must have a certain area for cleaning, and the residents of the apartments may not need a snowplow at all. In this article, you will find several useful aspects that you should pay attention to when choosing and buying a device, as well as several current models on the modern market.

Choosing a snow blower

For a more accurate choice of the required type of snowplow, it is worth asking yourself a number of some questions and formulating your own answers to them. In the future, this can help you decide on the choice of the device that is best suited for your needs. It is important to remember that the types of snow blowers offer not only functional differences, but also differences in dimensions, which affects their performance depending on the amount and type of snow.

What area do I need to clear?

If you are planning to clean up not large areas in front of a house or a fence to drive cars or provide passage, then single-stage snow blowers will do just fine. For large areas, it would be more logical to look towards two- or three-stage models.

What kind of snow do I need to clear?

Single-stage models can handle light and fluffy snow. The auger on the two-stage snow thrower helps prevent clogging when handling heavy and wet snow, and its serrated design will allow the snow thrower to cut through thick snow or ice. Three-stage units are even more productive as they move heavier, wet snow in less time.

What area will I be working in?

For flat surfaces, models of absolutely all types are excellent. However, it is not recommended to use single-stage models with a metal screw to work in these conditions, as they, for example, can seriously damage the surface of the track on adjoining territory. Also, do not use single-stage or electric models when working on a gravel surface, as along with the snow, the cleaner can also shoot small pebbles, which is not only unsafe, but can also damage the device itself. If you have to work on sloping terrain, then it is better to look towards devices with motorized wheels.

Types of snow blowers

The main types of snow blowers are: single-stage electric, as well as one-, two- and three-stage gasoline. Since most of them will be able to handle typical snow clearing tasks in one way or another, it's worth considering the benefits of each.

Electrical

So, as noted earlier, if you are faced with the task of clearing snow from small areas, such as paths or sidewalks, then it is not necessary to buy a massive gasoline snow blower for this, an electric one will be enough. Their main advantages, as a type, are that they are very easy to use and practically do not require Maintenance. Simply connect them to a power source and they are ready to go. Although do not forget that there are also wireless electric snow blowers. For lighter snowfalls, a snow blower-shovel is also perfect. In general, we have three structurally distinct types among the electric types of snow blowers, which are worth considering in a little more detail.

snow blower shovel

This type of snow blower is really more like a snow blower, as it does not throw the snow to the side. These lightweight snow clearers usually don't have wheels or chutes, although today you can find models with wheels, which makes them a bit easier to work with. Instead of throwing the snow to the side, the paddle-shaped auger pushes it forward like a broom. Given the low weight of models of this type, you do not risk overstraining your back and getting tired quickly during the cleaning process. However, you can still exercise some muscle groups by carrying and pushing her.

The shovel snow blower is ideal for light snow, less than 10 centimeters high, covering sidewalks, paths and steps. Large quantity there will already be too much rainfall for this small but handy tool.

Wired snow blower

If you need a little more power and performance, then a corded electric snow blower is a good, environmentally friendly alternative to petrol snow blowers. Unlike shovels, they are equipped with light and maneuverable wheels, as well as a discharge pipe for dumping snow. In addition, these snow blowers have more powerful engines, throwing up to 300 kilograms of snow per minute. They are able to easily process areas covered with 15-25 centimeters of snow. In terms of overall handling and usability, a snow blower is a more practical and convenient choice than a shovel.

Wireless snow blower

Like the previous type, battery snow blowers are still the same electric models, only wireless. They share the same design traits and functional features, as wired models, only equipped with rechargeable batteries, for more mobility without being tied to an outlet, while moving much more freely. Cordless snow blowers have the right height and width for clearing, and because they have soft rubber augers, they're much safer on the ground, leaving no residue behind.

Petrol snow blowers

More powerful in terms of work, but also much heavier are gasoline snow blowers. They naturally handle a wide range of snow volumes and densities well and fall into three main categories that determine their performance and final cost.

single stage

In fact, single-stage snow blowers throw snow once. The gasoline engine rotates the auger, which collects snow and throws it out of the nozzle. Because the auger on this type of snow blower is in direct contact with the ground, you should not use it on gravel surfaces unless your goal is to throw small rocks onto your neighbor's property. Single-stage snow blowers are usually about 48-55 centimeters wide. However, the limiting factor is their height, not their width. If you often struggle with 30cm snowdrifts, it is better to use two-stage models instead.

two stage

As for two-stage snow blowers, they throw snow twice. First, the metal auger takes snow and ice. Then a high-speed impeller crushes them and throws them out through the outlet pipe. The auger on a two-stage snow blower does not touch the ground, so they can be used on both gravel and concrete. In addition, they have a higher working area that can easily cope with snow drifts. If you need to clear large volumes of high snow, then you should look towards wider and more powerful two-stage snow blowers.

Three-stage

Finally, three-stage snow blowers are the most powerful and efficient snow blowers on the market. Firstly, this is achieved due to two metal augers, which can easily cope with large volumes of snow and ice. Then they move it all to the center of the device, where the accelerator beats and pushes the mass through the impeller, pulling it out of the nozzle at a sufficiently high speed. If a city snowplow leaves frozen, compacted piles of snow along the edges of the road, blocking your driveway or exit, then a three-stage model can easily cut through that frozen wall of snow and ice, knocking it back 15 meters.

Functional features of snow plows

So, in general, the need, as well as the practicality of purchasing a snow blower is clear, especially if you live in the private sector and have a considerable area that needs to be cleared of snow. At the same time, we have already considered the main aspects of these devices, but do not forget that different models, as is often the case, have their own chips and features that can be quite convenient to use.

self propelled drive

Self-propelled drive, available on two- and three-stage petrol models, allows the snow thrower to be moved, virtually eliminating the need to push the structure. It also allows you to easily control the device and helps it to get through large snowdrifts, digging its way and clearing the area at the same time. Some two- and three-stage models have multiple forward and reverse speeds for greater control over work pace.

Steering

This feature is often found on two- and three-stage snowblower models, which offer easier maneuverability and steering. This allows you to control the entire massive structure with just your fingertips, so you can easily turn it left or right with the flick of a switch.

Nozzle control

There are various ways to adjust the nozzle on the snow blower and set the direction of the snow throw, including manual setting, remote tilt, 4-way joystick and electric controls thumb Just One Touch. All this equally performs the same function, but in completely different ways, and if you value time, then options with remote control and setting will be more practical on the go.

Heated handles

Some 2- and 3-stage models may feature heated grips that keep hands warm for maximum comfort. Which is especially nice if you're clearing snow for an extended period of time and the outside temperature is much less comfortable than usual.

LED backlight

The presence of LED backlighting is also a very attractive and useful feature, especially if when you come home from work you find that it has caused a lot of snow, and the sun is already setting. And if on working area If there is not enough light, LED indicators are great for lighting your way. They also have more long term service than traditional lamps.

TOP 5 best snow blower models (end of 2017)

Having dealt with the main provisions and features that you should focus on when choosing a snow blower, we also want to bring to your attention a small list of current innovations in this market, which some users may like, making the choice as easy as possible.

PATRIOT Siberia 60

The most popular snow blowers for effective cleaning large volumes of snow are two-stage models, as they are much more affordable than three-stage models, and more effective than single-stage ones. One of the novelties of the market, which is worth paying attention to, is the model PATRIOT Siberia 60. She has the necessary functionality while offering a relatively low cost. The grip width in this model is 60 cm, and the height is 51 cm. The maximum angle of rotation of the nozzle for ejecting snow is 190 degrees. It is adjusted from the control panel, which is quite convenient.

Naturally, this is a gasoline model, with a capacity of 6.50 horsepower. Self-propelled design can also be a big advantage. True, its weight is quite impressive and amounts to as much as 76 kilograms. As for the average actual cost, then on this moment it is about 34 000 rubles.

Carver STE 1333

If the estimated volumes of snow do not promise to be plentiful, but you still have to remove it, then you can pay attention to snow shovels, one of the current representatives of which is the model Carver STE 1333. It's got a one-step cleaning system, and as we can tell from what we've read above, it's pretty easy to use. Its augers have a smooth shape, which, of course, will not make it possible to crush ice, and structurally the model is not intended for such tests. Electric motor power in this case is 1.3 kW.

The weight of the structure is only 6.3 kilograms, which will not let you get too tired during the cleaning. Of course, there is also the possibility of adjusting the handle height for more comfortable work. The width and height of the capture are 33 and 15 centimeters, respectively, and the average price of this model is at around 4 500 rubles, making it one of the most accessible (but no more feature-packed) on the list.

STIGA ST 3146P

Need greater mobility, but the volume of snowfall still does not promise to be large? For such purposes, a single-stage gasoline model is also perfect. In this case, a good solution would be STIGA ST 3146 P. And first of all, its advantage is that the auger is made of rubber, and this, as we have already figured out, will not allow the snow blower to leave any marks, damaging the surface to be cleaned. A small minus may be the fact that the model is not self-propelled, with an engine power of 1.65 kW at 3600 rpm.

Of course, it will be less convenient during the cleaning process, but the model itself is not too bulky and heavy. Its weight is only 26.5 kilograms, which, although significantly more electrical models, but not too much to feel the overstress from pushing the structure during the cleaning process. Fortunately, she has wheels, and this in its own way facilitates the task. Relatively low cost is another advantage of this model. And makes up the last 19 000 rubles average.

Carver STE 2346

And since we remembered about single-stage electric snow blowers, we must pay tribute to them by presenting a novelty Carver STE 2346. Yes, they are slightly less powerful than their petrol counterparts, but if you want to achieve a combination of efficient small snow removal with ease and ease of operation, while not overpaying a large number money, then this model can be an excellent acquisition. Engine power in this case is 2.30 kW, which is even better than the previous petrol model. So it's only natural that everything has its pros and cons.

The disadvantage in this case may be the lack of self-propelled, but this compensates for the presence of wheels in the design. The weight of the model is just over 13 kilograms, which makes it quite easy to move it. The snow ejection chute is made of plastic and there is the possibility of its mechanical adjustment from the control panel, which is also not bad. Well, one of the most pleasant advantages of electric models is their cost, which in this case is 8 500 rubles average.

Cub Cadet 528 HD SW

Well, this short list is completed by a very massive model. Cub Cadet 528 HD SW. And given that we wanted to cover most of the types of snow blowers noted earlier, it was quite logical to include this three-stage gasoline model in the list. As we understood from the above, given type device is one of the most effective for clearing a large amount of snow, both fresh and frozen, its design features cope with all these tasks. But, due to this, such models are also among the most expensive, which, however, is quite expected.

The volume of the fuel tank is 4.8 liters, and the engine power is 10 horsepower. This allows him to work quite confidently. There is also self-propelledness here, since pushing a structure weighing 102 kilograms would be quite difficult. The total number of gears is 8 (6 forward and 2 reverse). Also here are those useful chips, like the headlights and heated grips we looked at above. Naturally, such a set of features implies a high price, which, in turn, averages 135 000 rubles at the moment.

Manufacturers of special equipment simplify the work not only for utilities, but also for owners of low-rise buildings and summer cottages. It used to take hours to clear the paths of snow with a shovel. Now about it taken care of by compact and efficient snow blowers.

Mechanical shovels for cleaning snow at home

The simplest snow blowers for the home are "mechanical shovels". They consist of a handle, a bucket and an auger - a rod with a continuous helical surface along the screw. When a person moves the bucket, the auger picks up loose snow and takes it away from the cleared path.

The peculiarity of this "miracle shovel" is that it no power supply needed.

How to choose a snow blower for a summer residence? A shovel with an auger is suitable if you only need to clear a few paths on the approaches to the house, there is no way to connect to the network, and there is a small layer of snow.

How much does a snow blower for home cost: the price of a mechanical shovel is from $10.

But more complex models equipped with engines are also offered.

Type of harvester motor in a private house in the yard

"Advanced" models of snowplows equipped with engines - gasoline or electric. Each type of motor has its own advantages and disadvantages. Read about gasoline.

electric motor

The power of models with a gasoline engine reaches 5-13 horsepower. They are used on any surface (if there are skis) and terrain. Snow blowers (both electric and gasoline) have a snow ejection function. In gasoline models, this distance is greater, which makes cleaning easier. can be very diverse, which greatly facilitates the work and allows you to almost instantly remake the equipment for the desired task.

These snow blowers are usually equipped with four-stroke engines. To facilitate the plant at extremely low temperatures, some manufacturers equip machines with an electric start function from the mains.

Advantages petrol engines:

• high performance;
• the ability to process distant areas, without being tied to a stationary power source;
• long throw range;
• cleaning of stale, dense snow.

Equipment with a gasoline engine is more expensive than electric equipment, and it is somewhat larger in size. These are the cons, which are also taken into account when buying.

Price - from 200 $.

You can also make a gasoline snow blower yourself. More details -.

The design of the working mechanism

Depending on the design of the working mechanism, there are single-stage (auger) and two-stage (auger-rotor) snowplows.

• Single-stage - equipped only with an auger that rakes and throws snow up to a distance of 7 meters, their power is about 3.5 liters. s. (See.)
• Two-stage - equipped with an auger and a rotor (see how to make a rotary chainsaw -).
  

  At the first stage, the auger rakes the snow, crushes it and transfers it to a special impeller, which throws it up to a distance of 15 meters. If the auger has a serrated edge, then it also copes with frost.

Wheels or tracks of harvesting equipment

Caterpillar snow blowers show power from 10 hp. With. and high performance. The caterpillar drive is convenient on difficult routes due to better grip compared to the wheel counterpart. Such a machine does not slip on ice, does not slip, and is suitable for cleaning hilly areas.

Caterpillar travel design does not allow you to get stuck in deep snow.

Most track-type snowblowers can change the center of gravity to adjust the angle of the front of the device for specific working conditions.

For more information about the caterpillar snow blower, see the video:

Disadvantages of tracked snow blowers:

• high price;
• reduced maneuverability;
• small speed.

Equipped with wheels devices of different power - from 5 to 12 liters. With. Due to the deep tread there is no slipping in the snow. Among the main advantages of the models are high maneuverability and high speed in comparison with caterpillar units. Wheeled products cost less, they are easier to use.

However, wheeled snow blowers can slip on icy surfaces.

Snow Plow Chute Material

The chute in snow blowers is made from metal or plastic.

Plastic gutters do not corrode and provide quiet operation, machines with them are cheaper. Metal buckets rattle, vibrate. But the metal is not afraid of low temperatures, it does not crack under their influence, unlike plastic.

Snow Blower Bucket Width

Another important parameter. The wider the bucket, the more snow is removed at a time and the fewer circles you need to do. Narrowest buckets on non-self-propelled equipment - up to 53 cm. On self-propelled machines bucket width reaches 114 cm.

Self-propelled and non-self-propelled snowplows for giving to a country house

Self-propelled snow blowers are convenient because the operator makes a minimum of effort to move the equipment.. These are high-performance mechanisms that are suitable for servicing large areas - over 500 square meters. m, are effective in the fight against stale, compacted snow. Read about self-propelled electric snow blowers -.

The operator only has to guide the equipment, which moves independently due to the power of the engine.

To disadvantages include:

• relatively large dimensions;
• low maneuverability;
• high cost.

The reason for the popularity of non-self-propelled machines is not only an affordable price. They are agile, which allows them to be used in areas up to 500 sq. m. Also among the advantages of small dimensions, weight up to 35 kg, making the device easy to move, store, transport.

On the video you can see how it happens.

Other functions of the household snow blower

Some manufacturers have taken care of the maximum comfort of the consumer and equipped the equipment with additional functions.

Heated handles does not freeze even in severe frost. In winter, it gets dark early, and it is not always possible to clean the site before dark. Another one useful feature- a searchlight with which it is safer to work. The control panel for adjusting the range and direction of the ejection allows you to clean the area very carefully.

Large snow throwers are heavy, weighing up to 70 kg, and an important convenience is power steering. In expensive models - both tracked and wheeled, there is a differential unlocking function: one of the wheels is blocked in corners, and the car turns almost on the spot.

For simple tasks - simple snow blowers

Which snow blower should you choose? The principle is simple: technique is chosen according to needs. For example, if you have a farm, then you need to take.

So, for small household plots and summer cottages, where only paths need to be cleared from freshly fallen snow, non-self-propelled single-stage devices are suitable (see). Can use gasoline or electric motor devices- connected to the network or powered by a battery.

They gently cleanse pavement, since their auger is usually rubberized.

But such models are powerless in large areas, against stale snow. Then you need self-propelled vehicles with a toothed auger: they can even cope with ice. By the way, making a snow blower is very simple.

If you do not take into account the technical characteristics, then with large volume low-powered machines break down quickly, while more complex machines make cleaning difficult and involve high maintenance costs.

If you have a walk-behind tractor and want to adapt it for winter work, then read two articles that will help you with this:

Quite capable!

– significant savings funds.

Heavy snowfalls are just around the corner and the problem of snow removal on the site will become more relevant than ever. Solving it is quite simple - buy snow blower . You just need to find out what features and characteristics you need to pay attention to when choosing it.

Non-self-propelled or self-propelled snow blower

self-propelled snow blowers have some advantages. They are able to clear large areas of sufficiently dense snow and packed snowdrifts. They drive themselves, for control, a minimum of effort applied to the joystick or steering wheel is sufficient. They can be used in severe frost, with wind. The self-propelled snow blower can throw snow to the side for long distance- up to 15 meters. It may have additional options - heated handles, power steering, a headlight for working in the dark.

At non-self-propelled snow blowers also have their pluses. Due to the presence of rubber augers, they easily crush dense snow, and they can be used on paths, since the soft augers do not damage the tiles.

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Self-propelled snow blowers can throw snow at a distance of up to 15 m, and non-self-propelled - up to 5 m.

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Non-self-propelled snow blowers are more suitable for small areas. These models are quite light - elderly people, women and even teenagers can work with it. In addition, due to its high maneuverability, snow can be removed in hard-to-reach places. On the other hand, they have to be pushed in front of you, so they are useless in high snowdrifts and ice crust. In addition, they can throw snow only 5 meters away.

Main characteristics

There are two types of snow blower engines – petrol and electric.

Electrical - they are powered by the mains, they are cheaper to stand, but in terms of power, and therefore, in terms of performance, they are inferior to gasoline engines. Since the snow blower does not have batteries, it needs to be connected to the mains, and the pull cord is a big minus during operation.

But petrol the snow blower in motion is not limited by anything, however, its price is much higher. In addition, expensive maintenance is required.

The engine is the main element

When it comes to engine power, the more horsepower the better. But here you need to consider the cost / power ratio.

If you take a device with an 8 hp engine, you can clean up to 1.5 hectares from an area. Engines with a power of 10 hp and above are suitable for large areas of several hectares, and if the snow throw distance is needed in the region of 15 meters.

Mechanics or automatic

The average weight of the snowblower is approx. 70 kg . Managing such a "colossus" is not very convenient. So the power steering will not interfere, as well as the option of unlocking the differential. If you need to turn around or turn the snowplow, the left or right wheel is blocked, and the device itself turns around almost on the spot - this is very convenient. All expensive models have this feature.

It is convenient to operate the snow blower with variator . It is enough to pull the handle to the right - and the speed slowly begins to increase. If you pull to the left, it decreases. If it's all the way to the left, reverse gear is engaged.

But most cars are equipped with a derailleur similar to mechanical car gearbox. Usually they have 4 - 6 forward gears, and 1 - 2 reverse. Gears are shifted only when the snow blower is stationary. And, of course, consistently.

Snow chute - metal or plastic

A metal chute weighs more and costs more, in addition, it rattles and vibrates during operation. But in the cold, it does not crack and does not freeze, as it is plastic. If the snow inside the plastic chute freezes, it can be torn off by an ejected stream of snow that flies at speeds up to 80 km/h.

Bucket width

Pay attention to the width of the snow blower bucket, which captures the snow. The wider it is, the less you have to “spin” around the area with the unit.

Tracked or wheeled

If the snow blower will often turn, it is better to choose a model on wheels , with the possibility of blocking. These models are more maneuverable and faster.

If your site has a lot of slides, there are curbs or you will need to move the car up the stairs, then it is better to buy crawler option. It is more preferable for work on inclined surfaces, as it provides good grip on the surface.

Also pay attention to the center of gravity - the patency and stability of the apparatus depends on its location. The lower it is, the more stable the snow blower is and the less it gets stuck in snowdrifts.

Toothed auger

The augers are made soft rubberized (for non-self-propelled machines), which do not injure the pavement and non-rubberized, which are able to crash into compacted snow and even ice. On such augers there is a pattern and clearly defined teeth for crushing snow.
The snow blower can be equipped with a single auger or an auger/rotor pair. The rotor helps to throw the snow coming from the chute to a much greater distance. It is installed only on self-propelled models.

MTD- released under trademarks Bolens, Yard-Man and Cub Cadet. Popular all over the world because of the low price. Production is located in China and the USA, the price / quality ratio is optimal, there is a spare parts warehouse in Russia.
Craftsman snow blowers are also made at MTD factories in the United States. The quality is high and so is the price.

Ariens - Produced in Canada and the USA, powerful and very reliable devices. At a cost at the level of Husqvarna and even more expensive, the quality is just as high.

There are also many almost identical Chinese snow blowers on the market, but with a wide variety of names. Buying any of them may be associated with a certain risk.