Independent dealers and even big-box stores typically have floor models for you to check put. Along with trigger releases on two-stage models, look for electric starting. Also be sure you're comfortable with the handle height and the chute adjustment, which you'll use frequently. Be wary of power claims. As with other outdoor power equipment, avoid buying more muscle than you need. A single-stage snow thrower should be enough for most homes, and it will cost less and take up less space in your garage than a two-stage model.
Don't be dazzled by drive speeds. Most two-stage machines have five or six forward speeds, useful for going slowly through heavy snow or moving quickly when returning to the garage. Some machines have more forward speeds or even a continuously variable hydrostatic drive but as we found in past tests, neither is a real plus.
Most models let you engage the drive-wheel and auger-control levers with one hand, leaving the other free to control the chute. Easy chute adjustment. The best type of chute adjustment lets you quickly change the direction and height of thrown snow with a single-lever joystick on two-stage machines or a long, accessible handle on single-stage models. Most two-stage machines have separate controls for direction and height, while single-stage units often have stiff, awkward handles on the discharge chute.
Many snow blowers have headlights, handy when you need to clear the driveway in the early morning or evening. Easy starting. All electric models turn on with a switch. Drive disengagement two-stage models. Some machines use triggers that ease steering by letting you quickly disconnect either or both wheels from the transmission on the fly, rather than having to move a pin or lever at a wheel. Dead-man control. Get your own summarized chart. There's always a chance you will need a part during, or right after a snowstorm after all, that's when you're most likely to use your snow blower.
But in wintry conditions, it isn't always convenient to go out and buy parts and the part you need may not be readily available. Be prepared for this type of emergency situation by having the following spare parts on hand:. These instructions will explain how to prepare your snow blower for off-season storage. Some of these steps differ between single-, two- and three-stage snow blowers and, depending on your model, the instructions below may also vary slightly.
Step one: Always make sure your snow blower is on a level surface and disconnect the spark plug wire to avoid accidental movement or starting. Step two: Check out your owners manual. Step three: Position the snow blower for maintenance. Carefully tilt the snow blower back so it rests on the handle. This will allow you to easily access various components.
Step four: Check the shave plate. The shave plate can wear out over time. The shave plate on your snow blower has two wearing edges, simply reverse it to maximize the life of the plate.
If it's already been reversed, replace it with genuine, original equipment part from Cub Cadet. Step five: Check the auger. The auger's rubber paddles become worn with use. They should be replaced if any excessive wear is present. Step six: Inspect the belt. Remove the belt cover on the side of the snow blower.
Check the belt for signs of wear, cracks, fraying, etc. Step seven: Order replacement parts. If any of the above-mentioned items need replacing at the end of the season, it's a good time to order and install them before you put your snow blower into storage.
Step three: Check the shave plate and skid shoes for damage and wear. The shave plate and skid shoes protect the housing from damage. Replace these items with genuine, original equipment parts from Cub Cadet.
Step four: Prepare the fuel tank. Drain any fuel left in the tank using the siphon pump. A siphon pump can be purchased on cubcadet. With the help of another person, carefully pivot the snow blower up and forward so it rests on the auger housing.
This will allow you to easily access the parts of the snow blower that require maintenance. Step five: Lubricate the gear shaft. Remove the lower frame cover from the underside of the unit. Apply a light coating of oil to the hex shaft.
Be careful not to get any oil on the aluminum drive plate or the rubber friction disc. Check the rubber friction disc for wear or cracking. Step six: Return the snow blower to its wheels and skid shoes. Before checking the snow blower belt, put the lower frame cover back in place. With the help of an additional person, carefully pivot the snow blower back and down so it rests on the wheels and skid shoes.
Step seven: Inspect the belt. Remove the belt cover on the front of the engine and inspect the belts for wear, cracks and fraying. If the belts are worn, they should be replaced immediately. Worn belts can break when you least expect it so make sure you replace your snow blower belt as soon as you see signs of wear.
Put the plastic belt cover back in place or order a new one if needed. Step eight: Change the oil. Drain and refill the engine oil before storing your snow blower. Refer to your engine's Operator's Manual for the correct viscosity and oil capacity.
Always dispose of the used oil in an environmentally responsible manner. Step nine: Check the spark plug. Remove and inspect it for signs of corrosion or residue build-up. Clean it with a wire brush if necessary. If you are unsure if the spark plug is good or not, it is recommended that you replace it. Reinstall the spark plug and reconnect the spark plug ignition wire.
Step ten: Clean the snow blower. Clean debris from around the engine and muffler. Apply a light film of oil on any areas that are susceptible to rust.
Wipe away any dried salt that may have accumulated to help prevent your unit from rusting over the winter. Step eleven: Prepare the fuel tank. Finally, fill your engine's fuel tank with fresh gasoline and add a fuel stabilizer.
This is better than storing it empty because an empty fuel system exposes any bare metal parts within it to air and moisture — which can lead to rust and also allows gaskets and O-rings to dry out, crack and shrink, causing eventual leaks. Following these steps for proper snow blower storage will help ensure you have a well-functioning machine the next winter.
Remember to complete each of the steps outlined above — skipping a snow blower storage maintenance procedure can result in expensive repairs down the road. The impeller helps two-stage models collect snow faster and send it farther. Three-stage models have an auger and impeller but add something called an accelerator, which helps force collected snow from the auger to the impeller.
These machines can clear the fastest and throw the farthest. Single-stage machines tend to be the worst performers, and we recommend only a handful of models. Power Source The vast majority of snow blowers use gasoline engines, and these models perform the best. A small but growing number of battery-powered electric models are also available, but most lack the power to clear heavy snow.
Wheels vs. Tracks The majority of snow blowers are wheeled, including all single-stage models and most two- and three-stage models. For single-stage models, the user pushes or pulls the snow blower. Some two- and three-stage snow blowers have tracks, like those on a tank, in place of wheels. We run our tests with something we can standardize, for consistency. The mixture we use can simulate a standard snowfall or be molded into a mound that simulates a plow pile, like the ones the town plows leave at the foot of your driveway.
In each test we time how fast a model cuts through the dense mixture and note how far the sawdust is thrown and how clean the surface is. The Overall Score for each model combines results from these performance tests as well as results of our survey of 17, CR members, which informs our brand reliability and owner satisfaction ratings.
Brand reliability reflects estimated problem rates by the fifth year of ownership for gas snow blowers, or the fourth year of ownership for electric and battery snow blowers. Owner satisfaction reflects the proportion of CR members who are extremely likely to recommend their machine to a friend or family member. We test single-, two-, and three-stage snow blowers as well as single-stage electric snow blowers and single-stage battery snow blowers.
Single-stage electric snow blowers are best for short, level driveways, decks, and walkways with snow levels less than 6 inches. About the size of a small walk-behind lawnmower, single-stage electrics are the lightest, quietest, and easiest models to use. The technology is basic: A plastic auger pulls in the snow and throws it out the chute in one step. But the auger can also pick up and throw gravel, so keep people and pets a safe distance away.
An electric motor frees you from fueling and engine maintenance, but a power cord can limit range and maneuverability. Working in swaths under 20 inches can mean clearing requires multiple passes. And their modest power is no match for steep slopes. Like plug-in electric snow blowers, single-stage battery-powered snow blowers trade performance for convenience. Smaller and lighter, power snow shovels are designed to go places where a snow blower would be overkill along a short walkway or on an elevated deck.
They're corded or battery-powered and can generally clear up to 6 inches of snow. We test them just like snow blowers, but we use far less of the sawdust mixture—because for anything deeper, you'll want a traditional snow blower.
Single-stage gas snow blowers are a good choice for level, midsized, paved driveways and walkways with typical or expected snow levels of up to 9 inches. These models free you from the limitations of a cord and tend to cost far less than large two-stage and three-stage machines.
They also clear a large swath 20 to 22 inches , and some models offer electric starting. Their gas engines are also four-cycle, requiring only straight gasoline and no oil.
Their auger provides only modest pulling power, and they tend to veer sideways on steep slopes. Two-stage gas snow blowers are best for long, wide driveways with snow levels of up to 16 inches. Some models clear a swath up to 30 inches wide, and some can handle steeper inclines. Like smaller models, two-stage gas snow blowers use an auger to pick up and throw snow, but they add a fanlike impeller behind the auger to help throw snow out the chute and are propelled by engine-driven wheels.
But the machines are relatively heavy and expensive compared with smaller models, and they can take up as much space as a lawn tractor, though compact inch-wide models can help with storage.
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