Choosing a snow blower for a summer residence
The versatility of the machine assumes its use not only in winter, but also in summer for mowing grass in areas free from planting of a suburban area, cultivating soil for planting, transporting cargo of small weight and dimensions.
Small areas where snow is removed in an area of no more than 1-2 acres (house paths or parking spaces), an electric unit or a non-self-propelled snow blower is quite suitable. Their compact size allows them to be stored in small utility rooms or just in the corner of the garage.
Powerful petrol self-propelled snow blowers with a wide bucket for capturing the snow layer are purchased for large cleaning areas.
The performance of such machines is high, therefore it is necessary to analyze the level of snow cover and the size of the area being harvested.
It is also worth evaluating the complexity of the site relief and the heterogeneity of the height of the applied snowdrifts. Under difficult conditions, it is worth purchasing a snow blower with gear shifting. The frequency of snow removal must also be taken into account.
Cleaning can be complicated by many natural or artificial obstacles on the site, therefore, in this case, a model with high maneuverability and an automatic turning device is purchased.
For sections with a slope, caterpillar vehicles are purchased. They have increased cross-country ability and greater productivity when cleaning deep snowdrifts or large sediments. A small drawback can be considered the fact that for cleaning and moving from one area to another, you need to start the engine, otherwise moving requires great physical effort.
Types of snowblowers
Before buying, it is important to correctly determine the choice, so, according to the type of use, a snow blower for a home can be divided into:
- self-propelled;
- non-self-propelled;
- manual.
Self-propelled snow blower
Thanks to independent movement with the help of technology, large areas can be cleared without much effort. A gasoline self-propelled snowblower and its other types have the advantage of throwing snow at a distance of about 15 m.This technique is:
- caterpillar;
- on wheels.
The first models belong to professional units, while the latter are used to work in small areas. The self-propelled machine is equipped with large drive wheels with deep tread, easy to maneuver and does not slip on the surface. It is easy to set the work parameter, they do it thanks to the functional controls. This snow removal technique has the following advantages:
- self-propelled;
- two-stage principle of operation;
- there is front and rear wheel drive;
- high power;
- crawler;
- the presence of a rotary brush.
Non-self-propelled snowblower
This is the best option for owners of a small plot. The structure is located on wheels, which, thanks to the rubber auger, do not damage the surface to be cleaned. To start the movement of the apparatus, you need to apply physical force. The unit operates on a gasoline or electric engine. Snow throwing distance is not more than 5 m. Driving on deep and hard snow is problematic, therefore it is better to use such a snowblower for cleaning freshly fallen precipitation.
This snow blower for summer cottages and different territories is endowed with low power, but at the same time it has the following advantages:
- availability;
- a light weight;
- accuracy;
- low noise level;
- profitability;
- does not damage the surface;
- maneuverability.
Manual snow blower
Such gadgets are more convenient and easier to use, however, they are not able to cope with serious problems. The manual snow blower is suitable for a small area. In most cases, such a household unit captures the snow and throws it aside. The launch is carried out from the starting cord, which must be pulled out quickly a couple of times. Manual machines are of the following types:
- Self-propelled... They move due to the operation of the engine, the operator only needs to set the direction. Endowed with multiple speeds. They can clear snowdrifts up to 60 cm high.
- Hand-drawn... This snow cleaning technique is driven by the strength of the person who moves it. According to the device for capturing snow, the models are divided into: one-stage and two-stage. They are used for snow heights up to 30 cm. The average throw distance is 6-15 m.
Among the advantages are the following points:
- availability;
- light weight;
- ease of management;
- maneuverability.
What to consider when buying an electropath
If you look into stores specializing in the sale of equipment and tools for cleaning the house, then there you can find a lot of various electrical devices designed for snow removal and it is necessary to take into account a number of points at the selection stage:
The minimum motor power of the tool must be 1 kW. Naturally, it will not be a mistake if you choose a more powerful unit, however, and the specified power will be enough to spread the snow over a distance of up to six meters.
It is recommended to give preference to models weighing less than 7 kg
Choose more bulky devices with caution: although the engine drives this tool, nevertheless, some physical effort will have to be made to bring the device to the cleaning area.
Snow receiver width. An electropath is considered optimal, in which this parameter is at least 30 cm
Models that meet this requirement are the most efficient at their task.
Also noteworthy is such a detail of the electropath as the auger, which ensures the ejection of snow. It is recommended to choose such models in which this part is made of a soft material, such as wood or plastic.
An electric shovel equipped with an iron auger is less preferable for the reason that there is a danger of damaging the surface during cleaning.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Electric Snow Shovel
Knowing what this electric assistant is, it is easy to understand what advantages it has:
- Ease of use and high snow removal rate. With such a device at his disposal, the owner of a private house will have to spend only one minute to remove 100 kg of snow.
- Affordable price.
- Light weight. This feature of the electric shovel is clearly manifested against the background of more bulky snow removal devices, the most prominent representative of which are self-propelled snow blowers.
Usually, an electropath is not heavier than 8 kg. At the same time, in stores you can find such self-propelled devices, the weight of which can reach up to 17 kg.
Of the disadvantages that an electric shovel has, the following points should be highlighted:
- small thickness of snow, which they can remove in one pass;
- if the tool operates from a network in which voltage fluctuations are observed, then this can greatly affect its reliability;
- the presence of a cord, thanks to which the connection to the power source is provided, limits the area of application of this shovel;
- noise is one of the significant drawbacks of this tool, which can cause some discomfort during use, and often the electropath hums so much that it is necessary to use headphones for prolonged cleaning.
Is it worth purchasing an electric snow shovel
Naturally, if a person is not afraid of physical activity, then the usual snow removal tool, which is available in the household of each owner of a private house, will be enough for him. However, not everyone today wants to spend time and effort cleaning the snow-covered area. In this case, it would be better to spend the money on a more modern version of the snow blower tool.
Living in a private house, the owner has to deal with many tasks that are unfamiliar to an ordinary city dweller. One of them is cleaning the territory and paths from snow. Considering that in our country precipitation can exceed forecasts in volume, for someone it may become a serious problem to clear the territory of snow.
However, they can still save themselves from such time-consuming work if they purchase a more modern version of a snow removal tool - an electric snow shovel. Thanks to it, a person can clear snow from any surface in less time and with less effort.
There are also models on sale that are able to bring order to surfaces made of fragile materials without damaging them. But at the same time, the electropath does not belong to those devices that do not have drawbacks.
Strong noise and little maneuverability due to the presence of a cord can create certain difficulties with maintaining cleanliness of the local area and paths. Therefore, so that you are not disappointed in your choice, you must first answer the question of whether you really need this tool for snow removal.
Types of electropaths
Aluminum electric shovel. Seeing for the first time an electric shovel made of aluminum, most consumers perceive it as something completely fantastic. And in some ways they are really right.
Based on aircraft metal, this tool not only offers a long service life, but is also lightweight, making it more convenient to use.
The main advantages of such an electropath are as follows:
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- High level of performance.
- Resistant to breakage.
- Increased corrosion protection.
Considering what positive qualities this tool has, it is quite logical that its cost will be noticeably higher compared to its wooden counterpart. The fact that this tool is made of non-ferrous metal is sufficient reason for manufacturers to set such a price for their products.
An additional advantage of such an electropath is that wet snow masses stick well to aluminum. Having such a device on the farm, any owner will appreciate it when the time comes to clean the area from snow.
Electric shovel made of wood
Although this tool is made of material traditional for our country, however, it is still impossible to treat it as an ordinary snow removal tool.
First of all, the differences appear when you get acquainted with its wooden base, which has various metal linings. Moreover, they are present here not to give the instrument a decorative look, but to improve the mechanical and operational parameters.
First of all, the cutting edge needs such overlays, since thanks to them the tool is reliably protected from splitting and cracking.
Such an electric tool is very convenient for cleaning surfaces made of fragile materials, such as tiles. This shovel not only effectively removes snow from the surface, but also does not damage it.
Therefore, before deciding which of these options to choose for snow removal, you should answer the question of which surfaces you plan to use this tool to clean.
Popular models rating
Today, the world market is ready to offer the buyer a variety of models of electric shovels, both from well-known brands and from an unfamiliar manufacturer. In this case, the characteristics of the products will be the same, but the quality of the structural elements can have a significant difference.
Ikra Mogatec occupies a leading position in the rating of the best modern snow plows. The most popular was the EST1500 model. The body of the product is made of durable plastic that is not afraid of mechanical shock. The unit is controlled by pressing a button on the handle. In addition, the design of this model has the ability to control the discharge of snow. The base of the shovel is equipped with wheels, which has a beneficial effect on the process of moving the tool over a large area. The motor power is 1.5 kW. Snow is ejected at 6 m. The weight of a solid shovel is 4.5 kg, which also refers to positive qualities.
Estimated retail prices in Moscow
The cost of snow blowers, depending on the area to be cleaned, the width of the bucket, the installed engine and other functions, ranges from 20 to 500 thousand rubles.
Small compact models for cleaning thin snow cover (both electric and gasoline) range from 20 to 50 thousand rubles.
More powerful options for middle-class snow blowers can cost from 50 to 120 thousand rubles. They have a more powerful motor, which increases productivity, the presence of additional functions increases the cost.
Cars with increased cross-country ability and reliability from well-known manufacturers are already estimated from 100 to 500 thousand rubles.
It should be noted that all companies selling snow blowers provide warranty service. In case of a non-warranty breakdown, the replacement of a part will cost from 1 to 5 thousand rubles.
What are they?
By design, snow blowers are conventionally divided into two types.
- Self-propelled structures are usually of a two-stage type, since they are also equipped with a rotor. This component provides a snow throwing range of up to 15 meters. Snowblowers cope not only with fresh rainfall, but also with dense deposits. Due to the higher power, the physical load on the consumer is reduced. The snow blower does not need to be pushed, the equipment only needs to be guided and held. The design provides for several speed modes, which allows you to individually select the pace, taking into account the characteristics of precipitation, as well as the physical capabilities of the owner of the device.
- Non-self-propelled devices of the single-stage type work due to the rotation of the auger unit. The throwing distance in such devices does not exceed 5 meters. The devices are usually lightweight, which is convenient for less physical effort. Although the movement of the augers helps to move the apparatus, it still has to be pushed.
Snow blowers with metal augers are similar in principle to a regular household meat grinder. More powerful models are distinguished by sharp teeth, which in appearance resemble a circular. The basis for augers is of the following types:
- metal;
- plastic;
- rubber.
The auger is fixed with special fasteners, which are called shear. They alleviate the load on more expensive unit components. There are similar fasteners in two-stage products. A broken bolt can be replaced by hand. The damaged impeller must be taken to the service center.
The snow blower is equipped with a metal or plastic chute. If it is self-propelled and household, it usually has a small amount of recline. In real life, the throw distance is different. Official records usually indicate the maximum amount of discard. More often, this value is associated with the height of the snowdrifts, the strength of the wind, with the consistency and density of the snow. For example, a strong headwind throws snow in the opposite direction.
The self-propelled household snow blower is equipped with a switch handle that adjusts the distance. The manually adjustable technique is very convenient. Regardless of the direction of movement, sediments are raked from one side of the cleared area. The rotating mechanisms are covered with a protective bucket. It is located in front, its size determines the amount of capture of the snow cover. Typically, the bucket dimensions are related to the power of the engine installed on the machine. If the structures of the bucket are thin and fragile, then there may be cases of deformation of this part of the product.
The bottom of the bucket is often a scoring knife. It facilitates the movement of the snow blower. The bucket can be supported by skis, which are equipped with many modern models. The dimensions of the gaps are set by the adjusting mechanism. The design is indispensable when cleaning compacted formation. In other conditions, separate layers are often captured and scattered to the sides.
One-sided knives and skis are a frequent breakdown of snow blowers. To extend the service life, they are often turned over to the other side, thereby extending the service life. All work is easily done on your own. Difficulties can arise when reworking a product with rubber pads, as well as with a sweeping brush. Some difficulties may arise if the snow blower is rotary.
Device
A manual snow blower works by grabbing and throwing snow away from the desired location. This process can be carried out due to two factors that determine the belonging of snow-removing equipment to one of the types.
This type of unit can be one-stage or two-stage. Single stage or auger hand models rake in and throw snow through a special exhaust pipe. This is due to the screw rotation, which takes place mechanically.
Auger and rotor
The screw-type auger of a snowplow is like the knife of a simple kitchen harvester. Its working surface can be flat or embossed, it all depends on the area that will be cleaned. The working edge of the first type is designed to remove loose or wet snow that has just fallen out.
The edge of the second type, depending on the model, can be different in the number of teeth - from small details with a shape similar to a rectangle to the maximum copy of a dense garden saw. Such units can cope with snow that is stale and icy.
Metal auger
This is very important for single-stage auger units, the augers of which, in order to throw out the snow at the required distance, rotate at maximum speed.
In two-stage auger-rotor units, snow is thrown away by a rotor, which is equipped with three or six blades. The duration and intensity of work should be taken as a basis when choosing an impeller for a snow blower.
If it is made of plastic, this model can be used in everyday life. Better, of course, to purchase models with metal impellers.
During the operation of the snow blower, the auger or impeller may accidentally stop working due to the fact that solid objects fall into it. This also causes other parts of the snow blower to stop working. In particular, the motor, and it will be expensive to replace or repair.
To avoid negative consequences, the auger is fixed to the drive shaft thanks to a special safety (sheared) bolt or pin.They are designed to break (shear) if the auger becomes blocked.
Motor
Despite the fact that the market is flooded with brands that produce different types of hand-held snow blowers, absolutely not every company can boast of a productive motor of an individual design.
The power unit of the snowblower, due to the specifics of the work, must adapt to operation at subzero temperatures.
Snow blower motor
Light auger snow blowers are equipped with electric motors with a capacity of up to 3 kW. They stand out:
- Light weight.
- Low vibration.
- Environmental friendliness (no exhaust gases enter the atmosphere).
- Ease of use (no oil change required).
- Affordable price.
How to choose an electric shovel for your home?
It is important to solve a number of issues before purchasing an electric shovel in a store and take into account several recommendations:
1. It is desirable that the width of the working part of the tool is at least 30 cm.
2. If the area where the snow removal is carried out requires careful handling and there are no stones and other objects dangerous for the tool, then focus on the plastic auger
In this case, you do not have to fear that we are cleaning and the surface will be damaged by metal elements.
3. When work is carried out in areas where there may be stones, pieces of wood and other hard objects under the snow that can damage plastic, buy an electric shovel with an iron auger. But even in this case, it must be rubberized.
4. An important question is the power of the motor. Give preference to an engine with a power of at least 1000 W
If the area where the snow removal work is carried out requires careful handling and there are no stones and other objects dangerous for the tool on it, then focus on the plastic auger. In this case, you do not have to fear that we are cleaning and the surface will be damaged by metal elements.
3. When work is carried out in areas where there may be stones, pieces of wood and other hard objects under the snow that can damage plastic, buy an electric shovel with an iron auger. But even in this case, it must be rubberized.
4. An important question is the power of the motor. Give preference to an engine with a power of at least 1000 watts.
5.For small areas, it is not recommended to pick up a shovel with a large weight, you need to take into account that this is not a self-propelled device, you will have to push the device yourself. Approximate weight 6-7 kg.