Snow Blower Basics
Snow Blower Basics
By Tom Marley
A snow blower is a machine for removing snow from an area where it is not wanted.The snow blower was invented in 1925 by Arthur Sicard. He later founded Sicard industries.
Very important snow blower functionality is height and width of the clearing path. Snow blower range from the very small, capable of removing only a few inches (a few cm) of light snow in an 18 to 20 in (457 to 508 mm) path, to the very large, mounted onto heavy duty winter service vehicles and capable of moving 10-foot (3.05 m) wide, or wider, swaths of heavy snow up to 6 feet (1.83 m) deep.
Snow blower can generally be divided into two classes: single stage and two stage. Single-stage snow blower just uses an impeller to force the snow out a chute. A two-stage snow blower breaks up the snow with metal augers, then uses an impeller to force the snow out a chute.
The following things need to consider before buying snow blower!
Determine the following and write it down to make a comparison for shopping.
What are the areas that need snow removal?
What is the approximate square footage to be cleared?
What will be cleared - smooth pavement, gravel, or combination?
What is an average snowfall in the area, and
What is an average of largest snowfall in the area?
(Consider these averages using a period of 10 years)?
Some snow blowers can be quite expensive, and a budgeted amount should be set. Are you physically fit and able to handle a larger model? Or need something lighter and easier to handle? Should it be gas or electric? Is there a good place to store it? Get friends and neighbors opinions on likes and dislikes of the various models and manufacturers. Note any additional questions you might want to consider.
Remember also that there's a reason this beast is named a "snowblower": It blows snow, not slush. Many people who pay for a snowblower thinking that they're purchasing a device that will solve all the problems caused by winter
precipitation fail to take into account that Old Man Winter doesn't always serve up the powdery version of the white stuff. Stickier, slushier versions will pose problems for your snowblower.