Can you help me choose a snowblower for my home?
—Jon Hawkins, Aurora
When you live in the Chicago area, choosing the right snowblower can make a huge difference! The best snowblower may be different depending on the size and materials of the sidewalks, driveway or deck you plan to clear. A single-stage gas snowblower is a good choice for people who have mostly level, midsized, paved driveways and walks with typical snowfall of up to 10 inches. A single-stage snowblower throws the snow once. A gas-powered engine spins an auger that scoops up the snow and throws it out a discharge chute. These machines are light and easy to handle and need about as much storage space as a push mower. They clear a path of around 18 to 22 inches depending on the brand and model. Some models offer electric starters, which I did not find necessary as the one I use is always easy to start with one or two pulls.
A single-stage snowblower does not work well on gravel, since the auger contacts the ground and picks up gravel, throwing it out the chute. The auger provides only modest pulling power, so I need to gently push mine at times in deep or heavy snow (this does not require a lot of strength). They tend to veer sideways, especially on steep slopes, so you need to gently guide them to keep them going straight. My single-stage snowblower works well on a large brick driveway that is built with old Chicago brick, with an uneven surface. I can maneuver it up steps and onto a wood deck and clear snow from that too. The model I have uses mixed gas and the exhaust is toward the rear, so I always wear old clothes because they end up smelling like exhaust. It’s also loud, so use ear protection. A single-stage snowblower can clear areas with as much as 24 inches of snow. It requires a lot of pushing and can be slow work to clear the snow.
A two-stage snowblower scoops up the snow with a metal auger and has a high-speed impeller that throws it out through the discharge chute. The auger does not touch the ground so it can be used on gravel. You may need to raise the height of the housing to avoid picking up gravel that can be thrown on your lawn and garden beds. These blowers handle deep snow and large areas better than a single-stage blower and are self-propelled so that you don’t have to push the machine as much as with a single-stage blower. There are also larger-sized two-stage blowers for properties with lots of snow and drifts to remove. The disadvantages: you need bigger space to store them, and they are heavier. There are models with heated grips and lights to make your work easier. Garden staff primarily uses two-stage snowblowers for snow removal because of drifting snow and the very large areas we clear on the main campus. Most of these machines would not work well on a wood deck because the metal housing might scratch the wood decking.
A third choice for those who are looking for the most powerful and efficient snowblower is a three-stage gas blower. These machines have two metal augers that scoop up snow and ice and move it toward the center of the unit where an accelerator chops and pushes the snow through the impeller and throws it out the discharge chute at high speed. These machines have far more capacity than most homeowners need. The technology is improving for battery-powered snowblowers, so you might want to consider these. Purchase an extra battery if you plan to clear a large area after a significant snowfall.
For more plant advice, contact the Plant Information Service at the Chicago Botanic Garden at [email protected]. Tim Johnson is senior director of horticulture at the Chicago Botanic Garden.