As winter approaches, the thought of heavy snow storms begins to flow through the minds homeowners. With snow, comes the task of moving the snow in order to ensure that life remains functional. If you live in a geographical region that deals with mammoth snow storms on a regular basis, you understand that a snow shovel will not suffice. If you are considering buying your first snow blower, or upgrading from the one you currently have. There are certain things that you will want to consider before you make your purchase.
Getting Started with the Basics
There has been a trend over the past several years in which larger snow storms have resulted in the design and sale of increasingly larger snow blowers. Conventional wisdom would say the more snow to move, the larger the snow blower needs to be; however, that is not necessarily true. Technology has advanced at a rapid pace, much in the way the size of the snow storms have, and this has allowed snow blower manufacturers to produce machines that are immensely efficient, without increasing the size. There are some benefits to staying with smaller sizes.
Some benefits of using a smaller snow blower are:
- Maneuverability, which is key when moving snow. Sometimes adding size for horsepower limits the ability to get around tight spaces.
- The light weight is ideal for moving up moderate to steep inclines.
- A smaller blower is ideal for the tight spaces alley ways where larger blowers will not fit.
Alternatively, a situation in which the snow is consistently deeper will require a larger blower. It will be important to gauge both of the possibilities when considering the best purchase for your particular situation.
Quality is Key
Finding a blower that falls within your budget is important; however, do not become overly consumed with price to the point that you overlook quality. Quality and dependability add a significant amount of value to your purchase. The last thing that you want to do is have a major snow fall and then have your blower fail to perform.
Popular and Dependable Models
As with any other product, there are a number of snow blower manufacturers. Keep in mind that all snow blowers are not created equal. You want to marry the snow blower you purchase with your particular situation. Some of the top brands to consider are Ariens, Craftsman, Toro, and Troy-Bilt Yard Machines. You will probably recognize at least several of those names, because they also manufacturer other types of yard machines such as lawn mowers.
Features
Understanding the features available on models that you are considering is immensely important. The more that your features match your situation, the more functionality you will be able to get out of your blower.
Some common features to consider are:
- Controls and control positions
- Automatic and manual cleaning tools
- Electric or manual starting
- Headlight - This can be a life saver for the emergency situation at night
- Multiple speeds
Safety Tips
When using a snow blower, it is vital to take every safety precaution. During the snow season, emergency room visits involving incidents with snow machines are not uncommon. The most common injuries are to the fingers and hands. There are even instances in which amputation occurs or is warranted.
Some common safety tips are:
- Turn off the motor before attempting to clean the machine.
- When using an electric blower, make sure to use an outdoor rated extension cord in order to prevent electric shock or a fire.
- Where snug fitting clothes to prevent the clothing from getting caught in the machine.
- Don't start or run gas powered blowers inside a garage, it increases the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Maintenance is Paramount
No matter how expensive your blower may be, if you don't' have it maintained on a regular basis, the lifespan of the machine will be shortened and the performance level will diminish. As with any other machine, proper maintenance will help extend the life of the machine as well as ensure that it performs optimally.
When taking these tips into consideration, you will be well prepared to make the ideal snow blower purchase.
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