Canadian winters can be harsh, with heavy snowfalls and frigid temperatures. Clearing snow manually with a shovel is backbreaking and often not feasible for large driveways and walkways.
A good snow blower will tackle any amount of snow, saving you time and effort. With the right machine, you can clear your property efficiently after heavy snowstorms without straining your body.
However, with so many types and models of snow blowers available today, picking the ideal one for your specific needs can take time and effort. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the key factors to consider when choosing the best snow blower for conquering Canadian winters easily.
Understanding Snow Blower Types
Snow blowers utilize various power sources and designs to efficiently remove snow, but they broadly fall into three main categories:
- Electric Snow Blowers: Electric snow blowers are lightweight and easy to maneuver. They run on an outdoor extension cord plugged into an outlet and are better suited for smaller areas like walkways and decks. They have limited range and lack the power of gas models but have the benefit of no emissions.
- Gas-Powered Snow Blowers: Gas snow blowers are the most powerful options, ideal for tackling deep snow on large driveways and pathways. They have high clearing capacity but are heavier to operate. Gas engines require maintenance like oil changes but provide longer run times.
- Battery-Powered Snow Blowers: Battery-operated snow blowers offer the convenience of an electric model without the hassle of a cord. They run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and provide ample power to handle walkways and smaller driveways. Battery life, long recharge times, and cost are downsides.
Choosing the Right Snow Blower: Key Factors to Consider
Once you understand the different types of snow blowers, it’s crucial to consider several factors to ensure you choose the one that best suits your needs and budget:
- Clearing Capacity: The most vital spec is the snow clearing capacity measured in tons per hour or cubic centimeters per minute. The higher this number, the greater the power and snow volume the blower can handle per charge or refuel. Consider your average annual snowfall.
- Property size: Carefully assess the sizes of the spaces that require clearing, like the driveway, walkways, patio, etc, and choose a model with adequate throw distance and width accordingly. Measure any tight areas or gates the machine needs to maneuver through as well.
- Snowfall: The major determinants are your geographical location and typical snow volumes and types. Fresh-fallen fluffy snow can easily be cleared by a reliable and recommended cordless snow blower. Wet, heavy snow requires more power than light powder. Invest in a robust and high-capacity model if your area sees frequent high-volume snow dumps.
- Power Source: Your available power sources, convenience preference, and environmental considerations help you decide between electric, gas, or battery-powered blowers. Also factor in access to outlets, fuel, ability to charge batteries, etc, based on where you’ll operate and store the equipment.
- Throwing Distance: Check the maximum throwing distance of potential models to ensure the machine can effectively clear snow to the sides or into piles without needing constant adjustment for narrower areas. Wider blowers with farther reach save time.
- Auger Material: Augers are screw-like structures that collect and throw the snow in blowers. Rubber-edged augers are gentler, while steel and hybrid augers with skid shoes are more rugged and durable for gravelly, uneven surfaces.
- Self-Propelled vs. Push Models: Self-propelled snow blowers move independently using power from the motor without needing to be manually pushed. This makes operating them significantly easier but adds cost. Push models work perfectly fine for smaller spaces and fit budgets.
- Additional Features: Look for extra convenience and safety features like headlights for early morning/nighttime use, variable speed settings for control, ergonomic handles to reduce strain, and heated handles to avoid numb fingers in sub-zero temperatures.
Benefits of Using a Snow Blower During Canadian Winters
Using a snow blower offers numerous benefits compared to manual shoveling:
Saves time and effort:
Snow blowers are exponentially faster than shovels when clearing driveways and walkways. Even a small 8HP model can process 700 pounds of snow per minute. It would take hours to shovel that amount.
Reduces strain:
Manually shoveling snow is extremely taxing on the back, shoulders, and thighs. Blowers cut down the strain and minimize chances of injury from overexertion.
More efficient snow removal:
The powerful augers and high throwing capacity of snow blowers let you quickly discharge snow off the cleared area and pile it neatly to the sides. Achieving the same with a shovel would be tiresome.
Allows for earlier clearing:
After heavy snowfalls, quickly clearing snow prevents any icing over and stops it from getting trampled into densely packed snow that’s tougher to clear later.
Assisted control:
Self-propelled models are easier to maneuver than pushing a shovel through heavy, wet snow. The machine does most of the hard work for you.
Prevents accidental damage:
The manual effort of shoveling raises the risk of accidentally damaging vehicles, property, and landscaping if you toss the snow over them by mistake in fatigue. Blowers discharge to the front precisely.
Promotes Self-Reliance:
Owning your own equipment eliminates depending on overbooked snow removal contractors showing up much later. Have faith in your reliable schedule and meeting household needs as a priority.
Conclusion
Picking the right snow blower tailored to your specific winter climate, property size, layout, budget, and feature needs will make short work of snow removal after blizzards hit. Gas-powered snow blowers offer the highest power and capacity, but battery models provide adequate clearing potential for small to mid-sized areas with better convenience and lower maintenance. Carefully measuring your spaces and anticipating average snow volumes will determine the ideal capacity ratings to shop for. Additional features like self-propelled mobility, durable augers, and LED lights make operating blowers easier. Investing in quality results in lasting value.
The powerful performance and efficiency of the recommended cordless snow blower models dramatically reduce the backaches and headaches associated with manual snow clearing so you can relax indoors with hot cocoa. At the same time, your machine conquers Old Man Winter outside.