CONTENT
- 1 Types of snowblowers - classification by design features
- 2 The main characteristics affecting the choice of a snowblower for a summer cottage or at home - what to look for
- 3 How to use a snow blower
- 4 Which snowblower is better to choose for a summer residence or at home: rating of the best models for 2018-2019
- 5 Conclusions. Should a modern owner buy a snowblower for his property?
Types of snowblowers - classification by design features
From a design point of view, household snow removal equipment is a more powerful form of a walk-behind tractor. At the front of the equipment there is a bucket and auger (special spiral shaft). In the process of movement, the snow masses fall inside the bucket, grind with an auger and are thrown out through the nozzle to the left or right side, gradually clearing the way to the house or garage.
Let's see what kind of snow blowers are, what are their fundamental differences from each other.
engine's type
Most often, snow blowers are classified by engine type. Today, the following types can be distinguished according to this criterion:
Electric motor - a cheaper, but less common option. Such an "engine" is not able to cope with large volumes of work. In addition, the need to find an outlet or other source of energy is unlikely to please the owner. Moreover, such a model is compact and light enough.
Petrol engine - this "beast" has a wide "area" of distribution. Boasts tremendous power and cross-country ability. However, this comes at the expense of not only high cost, but also cumbersomeness, as well as negative impact on the environment.
Hybrid engine - is rare, very expensive. It is not afraid of interruptions in the supply of energy, and also has colossal performance.
Way of moving
The next characteristic by which snowblowers can be divided into classes is the way the equipment is moved along the ground. There are only two types in this category:
Manual control - implies independent control of speed and direction of movement with the help of one's own muscular strength. This solution is typical for budget models that do not differ in high weight and power.
Self-propelled modification - equipped with either a caterpillar track, or large wheels with deep tread. As a rule, this function is available for products with solid dimensions and weight, otherwise the owner will not be able to effectively operate the snow blower.
GOOD TO KNOW!
If you have a conventional walk-behind tractor, you can purchase a separate attachment that structurally repeats a bucket with an auger inside. With such a purchase, a land cultivation apparatus will have the opportunity to become a high-performance snow blower.
Snow removal method
Do not forget about such a parameter as the quality of "chewing" the snow. Believe me, it is not only engine power or bucket volume that is responsible for this. There are also processing steps.
Single-stage version - it contains only a bucket with an auger, which is responsible for all the necessary procedures for processing and crushing the snow mass.
Two-stage version - in addition to the standard equipment, it includes a special rotor, which additionally increases the force of throwing snow.
The main characteristics affecting the choice of a snowblower for a summer cottage or at home - what to look for
So, have you decided on the category of your future purchase? If so, here's our next tip - carefully study the main parameters responsible for the efficiency of the equipment. Otherwise, you, at one point, may be overtaken by complete disappointment due to the mismatch of expectations with the actual result.
Product weight
A very important and insidious criterion that many buyers ignore or hardly take into account. For which they pay in the future. Equipment that is too massive and unwieldy will sooner or later get stuck in the snow, and it will not be so easy to get it. And if self-propelled models have a certain chance to return to their previous position, then you will have to suffer with manual copies.
Engine power and type
Earlier we have already mentioned the division of the heroes of our review according to the type of "engine". It is logical that the result of all work directly depends on the amount of "horsepower" and energy consumption. But you still need to choose wisely. If the cultivated area is not very large, then the super-productive "monster" will cost more than benefit. And vice versa.
From the point of view of the engine category, according to the owners' reviews, it is better to give preference to the gasoline or diesel version. At first glance, it seems more costly, but in practice it pays off after a couple of sessions of cleaning the area near the house. On the other hand, an electric machine is sufficient for rare and small-scale "sorties".
GOOD TO KNOW!
A strong and efficient engine is essential for people living in extremely cold temperatures. The fact is that a weak "engine" in the cold may not start. Therefore, if you are a resident of Siberia or the Far North, electric snowblowers are not your choice.
Bucket dimensions
What is the faster way to clear snow from the area: with a small children's shovel or a full-size shovel? The answer, we think, is obvious. This rule also applies to snowblowers. If you know that there is a lot of intensive and regular work ahead, take a model with a bucket from 70 cm wide. And for a real Russian winter, a part of 1 m or more is suitable.
Thickness, type and area of snow removed
Another important characteristic, moreover, very changeable, is the culprit of the problem itself - snow. Our editorial staff, having collected certain statistical information and analyzed the feedback from users of the technology, made a small table for you to find out which cleaner is best for certain categories of snow masses.
| Snow blower type | Workable area, m2 | Layer thickness, mm | Type of snow |
| Electric | Up to 50 | 10 to 30 | Lightweight, not caked |
| Gasoline (diesel) | Up to 100 | 15 to 40 | Dense, caked |
| Hybrid | 50 and more | 15 to 60 | Any kind |
Equipment manufacturer
It is also worth mentioning the importance of the manufacturer of the snow blower. Since such products have a specific purpose, not every company is engaged in their production. Preference should be given either to proven brands, for example, Husqvarna, Hyundai, Daewoo, Cub Cadet, or specialized firms, for example, Greenworks, Huter, MasterYard. Unfortunately, you can often find counterfeits or products of "no-name" companies. It is better to avoid such purchases right away - breakdown is ensured in 95% of cases, and repairs will cost a pretty penny.
How to use a snow blower
To finally assert yourself in the idea of the need for such a technique for the home, it is worth looking at how it behaves in business. This process, despite all the mechanization, takes a lot of time. This is how it works:
If, after all that you have seen, you have not yet changed your mind and are seriously ready to purchase the hero of our review, then you can immediately proceed to the next section.
Which snowblower is better to choose for a summer residence or at home: rating of the best models for 2018-2019
It's time to start the "main course". We propose to study the rating of the best snow blowers as of 2018-2019, created especially for our readers. Let's get started!
CHAMPION STE1650
Our TOP is opened by a budget representative from the growing strength and popularity of the Chinese company CHAMPION. If you only plan to try your hand and are not ready to pay too high a price, there is no better option.
| Machine engine class | power, kWt | Width, cm | Weight, kg | Processing system |
| Electric | 1,6 | 50 | 16 | Single stage |
Tehno.guru editorial estimate: 8,1 /10.
CHAMPION STE1650
STIGA ST 1145 E
Swedish craftsmen have long proved that they can make high-quality equipment. Products from STIGA, of course, do not pretend to be the leading product in the segment, but the quality of assembly, reliability and ergonomics will pleasantly surprise you. And the device we have chosen is light and very easy to operate - a direct confirmation of this.
| Machine engine class | power, kWt | Width, cm | Weight, kg | Processing system |
| Electric | 1,8 | 45 | 14 | Single stage |
Editors' assessment Tehno.guru: [badge] 8.4 / 10.
STIGA ST 1145 E
Hyundai S500
Any self-respecting car enthusiast is familiar with the cars of this large South Korean company. It is worth saying that in the field of equipment for cleaning the territory, they were able to achieve considerable success. The S500 model, for example, can boast quite a budget price tag and rather favorable characteristics. In terms of price-quality ratio, this nominee is actually the best in its class.
| Machine engine class | power, kWt | Width, cm | Weight, kg | Processing system |
| Electric | 2 | 46 | 14,2 | Single stage |
Tehno.guru editorial estimate: 8,9 /10.
Hyundai S500
Sibrtech ESB-46LI
Some representatives of the model range, powered by electricity, have such a convenient option as a rechargeable battery. This is rather a rarity than a rule. The more interesting is the product from the domestic manufacturer Sibrtech. Indeed, in addition to compactness and the presence of headlights for working in the dark, this "beast" is also autonomous. And even if the charging is enough for a short time, you will definitely like the result. Only one drawback is a considerable price tag in comparison with competitors.
| Machine engine class | power, kWt | Width, cm | Weight, kg | Processing system |
| Electric | 0,4 | 46 | 16 | Single stage |
Tehno.guru editorial estimate: 9,0 /10.
Review of the Sibrtech ESB-46LI model:
Sibrtech ESB-46LI
ELITECH CM6
Let's move on to the "liquid fuel" options. And immediately we meet another representative of domestic production. Budgetary, by the standards of its competitors, the snow blower has decent parameters. It is perfect for a small summer cottage or a country house.
| Machine engine class | Power, h.p. | Width, cm | Weight, kg | Processing system |
| Petrol | 6,0 | 56 | 70 | Two-stage |
Tehno.guru editorial estimate: 9,2 /10.
ELITECH CM6
HUTER SGC 4000
We could not ignore the products of the German brand HUTER. Their movements are a wonderful fusion of technology and practicality. SGC 4000 will be optimal for those who are not ready to overpay for the brand, but need high-quality and efficient equipment.
| Machine engine class | Power, h.p. | Width, cm | Weight, kg | Processing system |
| Petrol | 6,5 | 56 | 65 | Two-stage |
Tehno.guru editorial estimate: 9,5 /10.
HUTER SGC 4000
Gardenpro KCST9029ES (D)
At the top of our rating is a professional snowblower from Gardenpro. Everything is beautiful in it: from the look and build quality to the characteristics that inspire serious respect. Yes, this miracle of engineering is worth a lot, but if you constantly have to deal with the consequences of heavy snowfalls, you simply cannot find a better assistant.
| Machine engine class | Power, h.p. | Width, cm | Weight, kg | Processing system |
| Petrol | 9,0 | 74 | 111 | Two-stage |
Tehno.guru editorial estimate: 9,8 /10.
Gardenpro KCST9029ES (D)
Conclusions. Should a modern owner buy a snowblower for his property?
Our little research has come to its logical conclusion. We hope that you were able to determine for yourself whether it is worth buying a snowblower for your home or summer cottage. For our part, we can say with confidence that such a unit will be useful to residents of both Siberia or the North, and more temperate zones. We wish you to become a winner in the fight against the snow element!
