Snow Throwers - What Type Is Right For You?

Should You Get A Snow Thrower?

These neat pieces of kit can be a godsend in winter, making short work of removing the snow that blocks the access to your home and therefore allowing you to stay nice and toasty indoors for longer! While the city and state administration take care of removing the snow public roads, the responsibility is all yours when it comes to your property so you may have to brave the arctic weather to clear the footpath to your door and the driveway. This is traditionally the men’s job to sort out. A power tool like the snow thrower can be the difference between hours of punishing, back-breaking physical efforts and getting it all done very quickly.

Single-Stage Snow Thrower

Snow throwers, usually powered by a gas two-stroke engine, can be either single stage or two-stage. Both kinds feature a metallic or plastic trepan designed to cut through the snow or ice. Sometimes it can even be made of hard rubber. The machine features a series of gears that will drive the trepan to break off, gather and then blow the snow out of the way with impressive strength and velocity. The spinning trepan, or auger, contributes to propelling the thrower by being in contact with the ground, and pulling the machine forward as a result. A single-stage blower can usually cope with clearing between 12 and 22 inches of snow with each pass. You will most likely need several passes to rid your driveway of snow so these are usually only recommended for light residential usage.

What’s In A Two-Stage Thrower?

In addition to the trepan or auger, a two-stage thrower also features a pump, which makes the machine a lot more efficient by propelling the snow pumped up into the thrower much farther away. Sometime they can throw the snow gathered as far as 45 feet away, which can act as a magnet for all the kids in the neighborhood, so you should make sure they stand well away from the place the snow is going to land. A two-stage thrower is so powerful that it will make short work of any snow clearing job you can think of, and you may even have quite a bit of fun in the process! In a single pass your double-stage machine will be able to clear a width of snow of between 2 and 3 feet, so you should be back inside in no time at all.

Making Snow Removal Easier

- If this is allowed by your local authorities, you may be allowed to sprinkle salt onto it to ease up the process. Always check before going ahead to make sure you are complying with local regulations.

- Think layers! When going out in very cold weather to clear the driveway after a snowfall, try to wear several layers of clothing: you will be better insulated against the cold and able to work more comfortably.

- Be extremely careful when walking out on the snow or ice to clear the driveway as it is easy to fall and sustain serious injuries as a result: shoes with added grip may be a worthwhile consideration.

Andrew Caxton contributes adding long articles on lawn care for http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com You can find more information and resources on snow thrower at his website.

Find a Snow Thrower to Suit You

Maintaining the look of a landscape can sometimes be hard work, especially in harsh and horrible weather conditions. No one can change the weather and with it becoming increasingly unpredictable, things are only set to get worse. However, the good news is that there is something which can be used in order to combat one particularly bad weather condition and that is a snow thrower.

What Is The Purpose of a Snow Thrower?

Snow can be restrictive to say the least, especially when the snow is thick. It can stop many people from living their lives normally until it has gone and that can present many problems. Most people have their driveways blocked full of snow which can be a huge nuisance, especially when they need to drive to work. Well, if you have problems with the snow a snow thrower may be just what you need. It is designed to get rid of the snow by throwing it into a different place and in some cases onto a truck.

Electric versus Gas Snow Throwers

When it comes to choosing either a gas or electric snow thrower, there are pros and cons for both so it is just a case of looking at your own personal circumstances. An electric snow blower can be extremely good when there is not a lot of snow covering your way. Also, with an electric snow thrower they are not as noisy as a gas snow thrower is and they are lighter in weight too.

A big downfall of electric snow throwers however is that because it is electric, it has wires and therefore it restricts how far you can go with it. It is also less powerful too and that is why it is not generally good for when there it a lot of snow around. So, for people with bigger driveways and when there is a lot of snow, the electric snow thrower is generally not advised. The gas one may be bigger and noisier, but for larger amounts of snow you will be getting rid of it in no time.

Do You Have Much Use For a Snow Thrower?

Obviously unless there is any snow, then there is no need for a snow thrower. They are only worth having if snow is creating a problem for you in some way at some time of the year. For instance, if snow is blocking up your driveway or the road, then a snow thrower will help you considerably.

It can also be used to get snow off the landscape or the lawn area too. It is important to make sure that you get the right snow thrower to suit your own personal circumstances. This is because if you get the wrong type it will only be ineffective and a complete waste of money. So, weigh up your options and always shop around!

Andrew Caxton is the editor of different articles published at http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com, with reference to lawn care and snow removal. Find more publications about snow thrower at his website

Fun Facts about ATV snow plows

Oh?the fun we all have come winter time?the snowmen, the Christmas atmosphere, making angels on snow-covered ground, slushing around in knee-high boots in melting snow?but oh, the shoveling! One of the worst things about winter time is the back-breaking shoveling and that is precisely why many households own at least one ATV show plows these days. It makes clearance of the driveway and vicinity of your home much faster and more convenient! It?s just like driving around in the snow and clearing the snow at the same time!

The multi-talented ATV snow plow The most amazing thing about ATV snow plows is that not only do they make shoveling much easier; it is also great fun for the whole family and can be used to dig and move modest weights of debris. The ATV snow plow does not have to be kept in storage until winter time. Instead, during other times, you can use it to give your family members (especially the kids, they?ll love it!) a ride once in a while or you can use it to move large amounts of debris.

I don?t know how to install an ATV snow plow. It?s too complicated. Here?s the deal?if you know how to read this article, you will have no problems installing an ATV snow plow. Manufacturers of these ATV snow plows know that not everyone is an engineer or mechanic; after taking into account the average knowledge about installing ATV snow plows, most of the newer models of ATV snow plows are easy to install and run!

Older kids have fun helping with the shoveling with an ATV snow plow Try asking a teenager to help out with the shoveling and you?ll start a heated argument. But if you have an ATV snow plow, watch them squeal with delight whenever they have to shovel. ATV snow plows are generally easy to operate (depending on brand and model) and is safe. It?s perfectly fine to let a reasonably responsible teen use the ATV snow plow. If you?re still worried, have a short discussion with your teen about the safety rules concerning usage of the ATV snow plow before you let them use it.

But ATV snow plows are too expensive. It?ll bust my budget! When ATV snow plows were first introduced into the market, they WERE quite expensive. Despite the fact that the prices for ATV snow plows have dropped quite considerably, many people still have this perception that ATV snow plows are expensive. This is no longer true. Good ones can be bought for less than $150 if you look hard enough. And let me tell you this, the investment in an ATV snow plow will save you quite a lot of hard work and in the end, the investment will be well worth it.

Marsha Maung is an ATV enthusiast enthusiastically promoting ATV riding as a sport and family activity! She runs and is one of the staff for one of the hottest and fastest-growing ATV sites right now...www.atv4kids.com. Upload and share pictures, articles, views, advice, reviews, ideas, tips and tricks to ATV riding with other ATV enthusiasts through ATVspace, www.atv4kids.com/atvspace

Things You'll Need To Know To Buy The Right Snow Plow

Over the last couple of decades the snowplow industry has changed a lot, mainly due to the introduction of several new products that make snowplowing easier, faster, and safer.

The introduction of these new products is a two edged sword; yes it makes things easier, but at the same time it also makes the process of deciding on a snowplow a little more involved. Some of the things that you have to consider include the following:

Should I buy a straight-blade or multi-position snow plow? Does it matter if the blade is steel or poly? How easy is it to attach and detach the plow? Are the hydraulics dependable and are the controls easy to use? Does the product have bright enough lights? Is there a good warranty on the plow? These are some of the things you want to know beforehand and we will endeavor to give you as much information as possible to get you started.

For most people who are just using the unit for clearing their own driveway, a straight-blade will more than likely be just fine, but if you use it to make money then you'll want to be able to do the job quick and efficiently, so you may want to go with the multi-position. Multi-position plows are up to 50% faster due to the fact that you can reposition the blades to all straight-blade positions in addition to the scoop and V positions. This makes the plow adaptable to nearly any job you need to do.

When it comes to the composition of the blade you have the choice between steel and poly. The vast majority of snowplows on the market today come with steel blades, although the poly plows are becoming more and more popular. The reason for the growing popularity is that poly is just as strong as steel and maybe stronger. They also have a lower coefficient of friction, which saves on fuel costs and is easier on your vehicle. The poly plows are also saturated with color all the way through so nicks and scratches don't show like they do with steel, plus they don't rust.

Attaching and detaching the plow is very important as well. You don't want to be freezing and trying to deal with getting a blade on and off your truck. Try the attachment system for yourself at the dealer so you can see firsthand how easy or difficult it is to use.

Most snowplow makers use a single halogen light bulb, which are not bright enough; some makers have come out with dual halogen bulbs with the option of upgrading to High Intensity Discharge. These HID lights are four times brighter than standard halogen bulbs and also last ten times as long.

Hydraulics are probably the most important part of the plow, along with the controls. Be sure that the hydraulics system is dependable and the controls are simple and easy to use. Go for quality since the old adage, "you get what you pay for" definitely applies here.

When it comes to the warranty be sure to know exactly what you are getting and what the warranty covers. Some only cover parts, while others cover parts and labor. Warranties are usually either one year or two years; so pay attention to the warranty.

Take all of these things into consideration when shopping for a snowplow and you will be able to choose the right one to suit your needs.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Boss Snow Plows at http://www.bossplow.com

It's Time To Select Your Snow Blower

A snow blower is a good investment. It may possible reduce doctor?s bill by going easy on your back. There are some considerations to be thought about before you go in the market for a snow blower, (also called snow thrower in some areas).

Consider the amount of snow and the density of snow that you will have to deal with. Take into account the total number of days of snow and the inches of snow per day. Also consider if the snow is fluffy or hard when you have to deal with the snow.

Take your machine for a test drive. Some showrooms have arrangements for testing the snow blower in their back yard. Going for a demonstration gives you the feel of the machine.

+ Snow blower costs

The following discussion gives you an idea of costs involved. Remember that the costs change significantly as it is a market play that determines the cost.

A single stage machine can be purchased from $350 to $800. A two-stage machine would cost you upwards of $1000. The costs would change depending on the throw distance of each machine and capacity of the machine

+ Varieties Of Machines In Market

Apart from the obvious variety of single stage and a two-stage machine, there is the variety of drive. The gasoline powered drive and electric driven machines are available in the market. Gasoline engine driven machines are generally two stroke engines and are noisy and polluting. Electric driven machines have the disadvantage that their power is limited. They cannot be made as two-stage machine. Where the snowfall is heavy, the electric machines will not be useful as the gas machines.

+ Snow Blower Safety

Safety is an important consideration while operating a snow blower. Take following precautions while operating a snow blower.

Never allow children to operate the snow blower. Serious injuries and even amputation of hands can take place if it encounters the rotating impeller of a two-stage machine.

If the blower is electric, the normal precaution when using electricity should be taken.

When a two-stage machine is working, it is as if there is magnet for children. A powerful throw from machine creates a good visual impact. If children are present, keep them at a sufficient distance so they do not come under the snow being thrown.Andrew Caxton is the webmaster of http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com . A guide on lawn mowers, tractors and how to choose the right type for your garden;including snow removal tools for the winter season such as snow blowers and throwers http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com/snow-removal-equipment/snow-blowers.html