Craigslist Snowblower (2024)

FAQs

How many horsepower is good for a snow blower? ›

For occasional use, snow blowers, with around 5 horsepower and one or two speeds, are generally adequate. However, if you intend to clear large amounts of snow, want to work on slopes or if the snow is quite wet, a three-stage device with 10 hp or more is recommended.

While it makes good financial sense to find an affordable snowblower that doesn't break your budget, keep in mind that it isn't worth anything if it can't handle the amount of snow you expect to see each winter. Less expensive snowblowers, generally speaking, are made to handle smaller jobs.

At least two inches of snow should be on the ground before considering the snowblower, according to real estate company Rocket Homes. However, it also depends on what kind of snowblower you have.

When is the Best Time to Buy a Snow Blower? The best times to buy snow blowers are January, when retailers start to clear out their inventory, May, June, and early fall when manufacturers release new models and offer discounts on older ones, as well as Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Single Stage Snow Blowers

Better at Handling a Few Inches of Snow — A single stage unit will be weaker than a dual stage unit, but for many homeowners that won't matter. The difference in power determines how much snow you can handle at a time. A single stage unit can only handle a few inches of snow.

Two-stage snow blowers are great for handling all types of snow on any surface. For example, a two-stage may be an ideal choice for those with gravel driveways, since they don't clean all the way to the ground which helps avoid pieces of gravel getting into your snow blower's auger.

While a snowblower costs anywhere from $100 to almost $10,000, most homeowners will pay between $250 and $2,000, but it depends on the type you want and need. Power shovels are an economical option for some assisted shoveling while areas with heavy snow might need a large gas three-stage machine for regular clearing.

Most high-quality snow blowers will last a minimum of 10 years, while top-of-the-line, two-stage snow blowers can give you 20+ years of use when properly cared for.

Make sure you never blow snow in the direction of houses, cars, or other people. Blowing snow into the street isn't always a smart idea either. First, it's dangerous for any passing cars.

Heavy snow can quickly clog the chute, reducing the snow blower's efficiency.

What is a good size snowblower? ›

24-28 Inches: A versatile mid-range size suitable for moderate to heavy snowfall. Good for medium-sized driveways and walkways.

Drain the Fuel

​Even if the gas has been stabilized, we recommend completely draining your snow blower's fuel system before storing it away for the season. Gas oxidizes and breaks down over time, creating sludge that can build up inside your snow blower's fuel tank, carburetor and fuel lines.

Let the machine run for at least five minutes to let the engine time to warm up, fuel to run through the system, etc. Engage the drive and auger a couple times to make sure all is working as it should too.

Fortunately, three-stage snow blowers (sometimes called snow throwers) tackle that woeful winter chore up to 30 percent faster than two-stage models, Consumer Reports' tests find, in part because they can clear deeper snow with a single pass.

Horse power

For a snow blower with an engine ranging from 200 to 400 cc, horsepower outputs can range from six to mid 20s.

Looking at the horsepower that your machine has is an important aspect to choosing the size of your box plow. To push an 8 foot BOSS box plow, you'll need a minimum of 45+ horsepower on a skid steer.

Look for professional snow blowers equipped with an engine of at least 400 CCs. Pick a snow blower clearing width that fits the properties you're servicing. Biggest can be extremely efficient but it isn't always the best option for clearing diverse areas like narrow walkways.