Clear Your Driveway With Snow Blowers

Buying A Snow Blower

The snow blower, which can sometimes be referred to as a snow thrower, is a tool that you may well want to consider investing in if you spend a lot of time and effort shoveling snow every year. It most certainly can limit the amount of strain you put on your back, with the potential to save you both pain and expensive medical bills.

There are many kinds available to buy, but before you pick the kind that is right for you, you may want to consider the following:

• How snow you get will affect the type you choose, and you should answer the following questions: how many inches of snow do you really get, how many days of snowfall do you get every year, and does the snow tend to be on the lighter side or harder and more compact?

• Try before you buy: it may be possible to try the machine at the dealership. It’s always worth road-testing it before you part with your cash, if at all possible.

Cost Involved

These can vary widely but on average you should expect to spend between $350 and $800 for a single stage blower, and over the $1000 mark for a two stage machine. Specifications like power and blowing distance will have an impact on the price tag.

Kinds Of Blowers Available

In addition to having the choice between single and two stage blowers, you can choose how your machine is powered. Blowers are usually available with gas-powered two-stroke or electric engines. While the gasoline option can be louder and less environmentally friendly than its electric counterpart, they usually pack more power and can be made as two-stage blowers. If you live in a heavy snowfall area, the gas-powered blowers may be a better option.

Safe Use

As with all machinery, basic precautions are essential to operate the blower safely:

- Snow blowers are not toys and therefore not designed to be operated by kids. Injuries caused by a two-stage blower’s impeller, for instance, can be very serious.

- As these powerful machines can be quite cool to watch in action you may find that kids are rather attracted by them: make sure they do not stand in the way to the snow being thrown, and that they keep at a safe distance

- Use the same precautions with electric blowers as you would with other electric tools

Andrew Caxton is a consultant who writes on many consumer topics like lawn care for http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com You can find more information and resources on snow blowers at his website