2020 model rating

A person rejoices at the first snow exactly as long as he does not have to remove this snow. Cosplay Sisyphus with a shovel for four months a year is another pleasure, and a snow blower will help you save your time from it. How to choose this absolutely useful unit and which 5 snow blowers seemed to me in some way better than the rest, I'll tell you now.

What to look for when choosing a snow blower

1. Engine's type. According to this type, snow blowers can be divided into three types:
   - gasoline snow blowers - the most powerful, heavy and expensive. In terms of performance, they bypass competitors, but they work louder, require more careful maintenance, and give a rather unpleasant exhaust.
   - networked electric snow blowers - operate from a household power supply. They are cheaper, lighter and quieter than gasoline ones, however, they do not allow you to go far from the outlet and are slightly less powerful than gasoline models.
   - rechargeable electric snow blowers - run on 40-volt or 80-volt batteries. In terms of performance, they are usually inferior to their counterparts, but in operation they are much easier and more convenient than competitors. These are the most compact and maneuverable models ideal for home use.
2. Engine power. The higher the power, the more efficient the snow blower is. For gasoline-powered snow blowers, it is measured in horsepower: it is usually between 4 and 7 "horses". Networked electric models are equipped with motors with a capacity of several kilowatts. The performance of cordless machines usually depends on the voltage of the battery: an 80-volt unit can handle thicker and heavier snow than a 40-volt one.
3. Cleaning levels and snow throwing range. These parameters are usually directly related to each other. The first shows how many stages the snow blower takes to shovel and throw snow. In most electrical models, this happens with one impeller and in one step - such devices are called single-stage. Gasoline models can be two-stage: in them, one impeller captures the snow, and the other crushes and throws it out. A great rarity so far are three-stage models, in which there is a third impeller for additional crushing of snow. Typically, the range of snow throwing for single-stage snow blowers starts from 6 meters, and two-stage ones are capable of throwing snow 10-15 meters. In principle, both of them have enough throwing power in order for the snow to overcome a two-meter high fence.
4. Snow capture width and depth. The first indicator usually ranges from 40-60 cm, and the second - 15-50 cm. The larger they are, the larger the snow blower, but the more difficult it can handle.
5. Passability. It is determined by the type of mover: it can be wheels or tracks. The wheels are lighter, but usually do not have high cross-country ability. It directly depends on the diameter of the wheels: the larger they are, the easier it is for a snow blower to move through deep snow. Tracks are heavier than wheels, but self-propelled tracked snow blowers are the most passable.
6. Number of speeds. Electric snow blowers are usually non-self-propelled, meaning they need to be physically pushed in front of you to drive. Not very convenient, but electricity is not consumed for movement, and you can choose the speed yourself. Gasoline vehicles are usually equipped with engines with two forward and one reverse speeds - this is convenient when you need to clear a large area of ​​snow.
7. Startup type. It can be manual, and then you have to pull the cord to start the snow blower, or electric. The second option is preferable, because with an electric starter, the snow blower starts up, like a good foreign car, from one press of a button.
8. Auger material. Snow blower augers can be:
   - plastic - in the simplest electrical models. Such auger can break off on ice or stones, so it must be used with some care.
   - rubber - a reliable and durable option, which, for example, does not damage the decorative coating of the tracks.
   - metal - capable of grinding even snow, even ice, even an unwary passer-by. The most powerful petrol snow blowers are equipped with such augers.

Top 5 best snow blowers

Best Gasoline Snow Blower

AL-KO SnowLine 55E

The products of the AL-KO company are not very well known in our area, however, in terms of price-quality ratio, they are able to furnish snow blowers of many more popular manufacturers. This model, priced at 27,000 rubles, shows good performance for its price.

There is a 4.5 horsepower gasoline engine that can, although not without difficulty, cope even with wet and caked snow. The metal auger is not afraid of either dense crust or ice. The snow capture width of this model is 55 cm, and the height is 30 cm. The one-stage cleaning system throws snow up to 10 m.

For a gasoline snow blower, this is a fairly compact and lightweight unit that weighs only 40 kg. The presence of an electric starter allows you to start the snow blower with the push of a button. Convenient and productive model for household needs.

Price:₽ 27 000

AL-KO SnowLine 55E

The best gasoline self-propelled snow blower

Huter SGC 4000 self-propelled

Gardening equipment from the Huter company is not very well known in Russia, but about this company it is safe to say that the Germans do not knit brooms. And this relatively inexpensive - 27,000 rubles - but a powerful self-propelled gasoline snow blower is a confirmation of this.

The device is equipped with a powerful four-stroke engine with 6.5 horsepower, which rotates a gear a metal auger with sufficient strength to cope with dense and wet snow and even ice. The working width here is a solid 56 cm with a height of 42 cm.

This, of course, is not a professional model, but for work on a site of a couple of hundred square meters, its capabilities will be enough with a margin.

Price:₽ 27 000

Huter SGC 4000

Best Cordless Snow Blower

Greenworks GD40SB 2600607

The Americans at greenworks are known for two main things: the image of a green company that cares about the environment environment, and a research center in Malmö, Sweden, where they develop some of the best battery-powered snow blowers in the world.

This convenient and neat device is powered by a 40-volt battery with a capacity of 4 Ah, which provides up to half an hour of operation on a single charge. Not too much, but enough to clean the paths, drive out of the garage or a small area near the house. The snow grasp is 50.8 cm wide and 15 cm high. The one-stage cleaning system throws snow up to 6 m. Large 7-inch wheels provide very decent flotation on loose snow.

With dense and wet snow, the rubber-plastic auger of this baby, of course, copes with difficulty. But it is a very compact and lightweight device that is easy to use. He is able to climb where a gasoline snow blower cannot get through, and a network one cannot reach. It's not a pity to pay 23,000 rubles for such a miracle.

Price:₽ 22 990

Greenworks GD40SB 2600607

Best Electric Snow Blower

Hyundai S 500

The Korean company Hyundai is better known in Russia as a manufacturer of cars and motorcycles, but their snow blowers are deservedly considered one of the best in the world in terms of price and quality. For example, this inexpensive electric model, which costs only 13,000 rubles, is capable of showing its class to many much more expensive units in terms of its parameters.

The electric motor produces 2 kilowatts of power at 3200 rpm - enough to clear even thick snow. The caked crust perfectly grinds a rubber auger with metal inserts. The snow grasp is 46 cm wide and 33 cm deep. The throwing range is adjustable within 3-6 m, this kid will have enough strength to throw snow over a two-meter fence.

Of the shortcomings, users only single out the not very convenient headlight setting, but low cross-country ability - here the point is in the small diameter of the wheels, 5.7 inches do not allow the device to roll comfortably on a deep loose snow. Otherwise, it is an excellent model for household needs.

Price:₽ 12 990

Hyundai S 500

Best professional snow blower

Honda HSS655ET

Absolutely the same thing can be said about Honda as about Hyundai: in our country it is much better known for its motorcycles, but the Japanese corporation's snow blowers are no worse. Compared to other devices from our collection, this big guy looks like the Hulk next to Bruce Banner.

Judge for yourself: 77 kg weight, caterpillar track, snow coverage 55 cm, and height - all 50 cm. The two-stage cleaning system allows you to shoot snow, like from a cannon, as much as 14 m. The toothed metal auger grinds any crust and even ice without a twinge of conscience. A 6-horsepower four-stroke gasoline engine calmly drags this self-propelled gun through any virgin soil - such cross-country ability has never been and never will be.

According to users, the HSS655ET starts up without problems in -30 frost and allows you to clean at least 50 acres without getting tired. So, the only drawback of this snowplow is the price of 160,000 rubles.

Price:₽ 159 900

Honda HSS655ET

FAQ:

Why does the snow blower stall?
That is why my Renault stalls - something is wrong with it. If you are not strong in engines, it is better to send the snow blower to the service.

How to check the lubrication in the snow blower gearbox?
If your snow blower has a serviceable one-piece gearbox, then it is equipped with a filler bolt. By unscrewing the bolt, you can see the amount and condition of the lubricant in the gearbox. In normal condition, the oil level should reach the filler hole, up to the thread. If the lubricant level is lower, you need to change it completely.

A maintenance-free gearbox requires disassembly in order to check the lubricant and replace it - this is done in the service.