Removing snow debris in the yard or at a summer cottage manually is a non-trivial task that requires physical strength, endurance, and, most importantly, time. A special device - a mechanized snow blower - helps to solve this tricky problem. How to choose a battery-powered snow blower and which devices are worthy of the title of the best, we will tell in this material.
I'll tell you right away: I'm a fan of battery-powered snow blowers. With this, you do not need to inhale the exquisite aromas of gasoline exhausts, listen to the roar of the internal engine combustion or pull kilometers of extension cords across the entire section and walk with a carrier like a heifer on leash. It is enough to get the baby out of the pantry, turn it on - and you can do the job right away. And then, after removing the snow, just put the battery on charge. In addition, battery-powered snow blowers are inexpensive, weigh a little - even a child can handle it - and can last up to 30 minutes on a single charge - just enough to clean the yard.
CONTENT
- 1 Design features of battery-powered snow blowers. How are they different from other types?
- 2 Pros and cons of cordless snow blowers
- 3 How to choose a cordless snow blower? What is important to know about the design
- 4 Top 6 cordless snow blowers
- 5 FAQ:
Design features of battery-powered snow blowers. How are they different from other types?
Snow blowers can be equipped with electric motors or internal combustion engines that run on gasoline. Electric snow blowers can be powered by regular household power or a battery. The principle of operation for units of different types is very similar - the main difference is only in the type of engine. However, there are other differences as well.
Petrol snow blowers - the most expensive and heaviest, but also the most powerful. To use them, you need certain skills. In addition, ICE-powered snow blowers are quite noisy and generate exhaust fumes around them.
Network electrical devices are cheaper, quieter and do not smell, but require constant contact with the outlet to work. In a more or less large yard without a powerful and well-insulated extension cord, there is nothing to do with such a snow blower.
Finally, battery models, which usually operate on batteries with a voltage of 40 volts, combine the features of both devices.
Pros and cons of cordless snow blowers
Pros of cordless snow blowers:
- weigh little - usually in the region of 15-20 kg, which is 3-4 times less than self-propelled gasoline units;
- take up little space;
- the most maneuverable type of snow blower;
- easy to start and operate;
- inexpensive, including maintenance;
- quiet compared to gasoline;
- are characterized by high mobility and autonomy.
They also have disadvantages:
- they are less efficient in comparison with gasoline and network counterparts. The 40-volt battery may not have enough power to clear snow at zero degrees or more. Caked snow can also be a serious problem for the battery pack, so you should clean the yard whenever possible on a snow day. However, not every gasoline-powered snow blower can handle heavy snow in freezing temperatures.
- A removable battery is the most expensive design element: its capacity may not be enough for cleaning a large area, and buying a second one is almost the same as buying a spare snow blower. On the other hand, it is still cheaper than a gasoline machine.
As you can see, the pros outweigh the cons. Especially if we consider a battery-powered snow blower as a tool for clearing snow from a yard, summer cottage, parking or driveway, and not virgin lands.
How to choose a cordless snow blower? What is important to know about the design
As a rule, battery-powered snow blowers are wheeled, non-self-propelled machines. This means that the user must push the snow thrower on his own: it is too wasteful to use up the scarce charge for spinning the wheels. Therefore, such a problem of choice, as in the case of gasoline units, is not worth it here: battery snow blowers are rarely put on tracks and made self-propelled, if at all.
- The larger the diameter of the wheels, the better their adhesion to the surface and the higher the cross-country ability of the snow blower.
- Performance the battery powered snow thrower depends on the voltage of its battery. Usually these are 40-volt batteries, which last for about half an hour of cleaning.
- Augersthat remove snow can be made of rubber (the softest and gentlest option for covering), metal (the most productive type of screws, capable of grinding even hard crust) or from rubber plastic.
- Working width of capture the snow blower can fluctuate between 40-100 centimeters. The wider it is, the more productive the model is. But at the same time, its maneuverability and ease of use are lower. As a rule, household models are equipped with a 40-50 cm grip.
- Knockback height. Few people want to set up snowdrifts on their property, so it is important that the snow blower can throw snow over the fence. The average height of snow throwing for battery-powered snow blowers fluctuates around 2 meters - this is quite enough for a low fence.
Cleaning system type
Snow blowers can be one-, two- and even three-stage. Gasoline snow throwers are usually equipped with two impellers - one for capturing the snow and one for crushing and actually throwing it away.
Cordless snow blowers usually have only one impeller, which is why they are called single stage. This impeller captures snow from the ground and throws it out through a special chute. Therefore, the range of snow throwing for them usually does not exceed 6-8 meters, while for devices with double cleaning this figure can reach 20 meters.
In principle, these 6 meters are usually more than enough for a household model. It is much more important that the snow blower is equipped with a convenient mechanism for adjusting the position of the snow discharge chute.
Battery voltage
Snow blowers are equipped with batteries with an operating voltage of 40 or 80 volts. The higher the voltage, the higher the performance of the rejector.
The 80-volt model will be able to work with deeper and denser snow, grab more of it, and throw, as usual, further. The only thing is that batteries with a higher voltage both weigh and cost more than their low-voltage counterparts, so snow blowers are less common with them. In any case, 40 volts are usually enough for household purposes.
Manufacturers
Most of the well-known manufacturers of hand tools also produce snow blowers. Everyone knows the brands Husqvarna, Hyundai or Daewoo: only they are in no hurry to bring their battery snow throwers to Russia.
Greenworks is another matter. It is almost the only major international company that officially sells its battery-powered snow blowers in our pampas. We are interested in this office not so much for its "green" image as for the fact that they have a whole research center in Malmö, Sweden. That is, they understand at least well in snow and its elimination.
In addition, they equip their equipment with universal batteries, so if you already have a greenworks lawnmower or chain saw, you also have a replacement battery for your snow blower.
In addition to devices from Greenworks, I decided to include in this material a rejector from the Russian brand Sibrtech, as well as devices from STIGA and Denzel.
We will assume that we have figured out the peculiarities of choosing battery snow blowers. Let's take a closer look at the top 6 models.
Top 6 cordless snow blowers
Best cordless snow blower for price / quality
1. Greenworks GD40SB 2600607
Cordless snow blower with a price of about 22,000 rubles with a working width of 50.8 cm. A replaceable battery with a capacity of 4 Ah is enough for approximately 20 minutes of operation with a snow layer of 5-10 mm thick. This is enough to clear an area of 100-200 square meters. To get rid of snow in large areas, you can buy a second battery.
Otherwise, it is a lightweight, easy-to-use and productive device that functions effectively in any cold. Large 7-inch wheels provide good flotation and good traction. The snow blower is equipped with an automatic shutdown function in case of blocking of the rubber-plastic auger, it is assembled with high quality and shows itself well in not too difficult conditions.
All in all, this machine from greenworks clearly shows that the workers at their research center in Malmö do not eat their Swedish meatballs for nothing. Scandinavians understand snow removal like no other: their winters there are worse than ours.
What are buyers saying?
- "With a snow depth of about 5 cm, the battery is enough for about 250 m2 at a temperature of -10-15".
“My wife looked at me using this snowmower (we call it that), took it away from me, and now she likes to do it herself.”
- “The undoubted advantages are the absence of fiddling with wires or gasoline, ease of work, maneuverability, good range of snow throwing, minimum maintenance and minimum storage space in spring-summer-autumn season".
All in all, the greenworks GD40SB 2600607 is a relatively inexpensive, very convenient and maneuverable battery pack that anyone can use. Its power is enough to clean even a fairly deep layer of snow and at the same time not leave snowdrifts on the site, but throw the snow over the fence. The optimal home option from a reliable manufacturer.
Price:₽ 22 990
greenworks GD40SB 2600607
Best Cordless 80 Volt Snow Blower
2. Greenworks 80V GD80SB
This device is almost a complete copy of the model that we examined in detail above. It is produced by the same company from the same materials and using the same technologies, and most of the parts here are simply identical. Nevertheless, the GD80SB has one, but a very serious difference - the battery is not 40, but 80 volts. In terms of performance, this brings a battery-powered snow blower very close to a gasoline one, while all the advantages battery device - quiet and clean operation, light weight, compact size, ease of use, low price - preserved in place.
With a working width of 50.8 cm, this device is capable of cleaning snow up to 25.4 cm thick. For comparison, the passport indicator of the height of the capture of snow in the 40-volt model is higher than 15 cm. The power of snow discharge is similar here - up to 6 m - and is adjustable, like the height. The auger made of special soft plastic is specially designed to protect decorative surfaces during harvesting.
The set comes with a 2 Ah battery, which is enough to quickly clear snow from the paths near the house. For something more serious, it is better to use a 4 Ah battery (batteries from other 80-volt devices from the same company are great) or buy a spare one. Fortunately, the updated batteries support the fast charging function and are fully charged in just 1 hour.
A model for those for whom 40 volts is not enough and wants something more serious. Although it costs a little more, this snow blower is considered by many buyers to be the best cordless snow thrower on the market. And they are not that far from the truth.
Price:₽ 34 000
greenworks 80V GD80SB
Cordless snow blower with rubber-plastic auger
3. STIGA ST 8051 AE
This snow blower with a rubber-plastic auger costs about the same as the previous one, but surpasses it in some parameters. The snow capture width of this model is 51 cm, and, according to the manufacturer, it can work with a snow layer up to 30 centimeters high.
The snow throwing range is adjustable from 1 to 6 meters, and the throwing direction can be selected within 180 degrees. All the functionality a snow thrower needs, such as a headlight or one-handed operation, is also in place. A noteworthy model that will feel great in a country house or a small yard near a private house.
Price:₽ 22 790
STIGA ST 8051 AE
Cordless snow blower with rubber auger
4. Denzel EST-51Li
Quite a productive battery snow blower with a price of about 25,000 rubles. The snow capture width is 51 cm. The unit can work with snow layers up to 21 cm high. The smooth rubber augers grip snow well and are ready for years with careful use.
A 40-volt, 4 Ah battery will last about half an hour in shallow snow - just right to clean your cottage yard or driveway. Compared to competitors, this snow blower is a bit heavy - it weighs about 20 kilograms - but this only suggests that when assembling the device, they did not save on materials.
Price:₽ 24 700
Denzel EST-51Li
Best Cordless Snow Blower from Russia
5. Sibrtech ESB-46LI
Until now, many remain adherents of domestic brands. And the point here is not so much in patriotism as in cold calculation. After all, the products of Russian companies - even those with production somewhere in Guangzhou - usually try to adapt to Russian reality. In addition, such tools are not too expensive, and they usually do not have problems with warranty and service. This battery-powered snow blower under the Sibrtech brand also has a good balance of quality, functionality and price.
This is a single stage model with a 40 volt battery. The capacity of the supplied battery is enough for about half an hour of operation, and if you don't have time for something, quick charging, which takes only an hour, saves you. The snow capture width is 46 cm, the passport height is an impressive 31 cm (although in practice, of course, in such snow, it will most likely get stuck and ejector, and the user), and the throwing distance is 7 m.The rubber auger does its job well and is more reliable than plastic analogs. True, the price of this device bites too: almost 25,000 rubles.
What are buyers saying?
- “For cleaning fresh snow. It is more difficult to cope with caked snow. The auger is made of dense rubber, which in my opinion is more practical and reliable. The battery works for 20-30 minutes in the cold (there is still a reserve), this was enough to clean the required area. "
- "Fast charging, no wires, no internal combustion engine, ease of use, rubber auger."
A conversation about this snow blower is best summed up with the words of one of the owners: “A very convenient and practical thing. It is simply irreplaceable for a country house. "
Price:₽ 25 000
Sibrtech ESB-46LI
Best Battery Powered Electric Shovel
6. Greenworks G40SS30 2600807UA
With all the convenience, lightness, maneuverability and compactness of battery-powered snow blowers, there are still people who find these neat machines too heavy, bulky and clumsy. Especially for such sophisticated natures, there are cordless snow blowers in super light weight - electric shovels. This baby is just one of them.
The G40SS30 is a very light and maneuverable device, even compared to other battery models. It weighs only 12 kg - about one and a half times less than competitors - and is literally operated with one hand, although an additional handle is also provided here. Weight reduction was achieved due to the plastic case, ABS screw and a small battery. The snow grab width here is small, only 30 cm, but in terms of throwing distance this snow blower is not inferior to its larger competitors - up to 6 m.
A device for cleaning small areas: for example, paths or parking lots. On a single charge, this machine is unlikely to work longer than 15 minutes, but it will have time to do its job. The main thing is that the electropath is quite inexpensive - about 18,000 rubles.
Price:₽ 17 990
greenworks G40SS30 2600807UA
FAQ:
Why is a snow blower bad at throwing snow?
Most likely, the matter is in the very structure of the snow: it has caked or melted. Cordless snow blowers - and gasoline ones too - may simply lack power. Alternatively, there may be a problem with the emission system - only diagnostics of a specific unit will help here.
Why isn't the snow blower picking up steam?
Because it broke. What is the question, so is the answer. In fact, there can be a million reasons, and only a specialist in diagnostics and repair of snow blowers can tell you a specific one after examining your device.