The best snow blowers for reliability and quality of work performed
High snowdrifts create serious obstacles to movement. In order not to tilt the snow with a shovel, special automatic devices have been developed that significantly speed up and facilitate this process.
We have analyzed numerous customer reviews and reviewed key equipment specifications to rank all types of snow blowers. This material will help you choose a reliable device that matches the territory and climate.
Content:
The best petrol snow blowers
Gas powered snow removal equipment is the most powerful. Thanks to the power of a four-stroke engine, such devices provide rotation of the screws and capture not only the recently fallen snow, but also already packed. Such models are distinguished by good cross-country ability, a large number of gears and self-propelled. This makes them suitable for cleaning large areas of up to 1000 m.2. The presence of a headlight allows you to work even in the dark.
Gasoline models do not have a distance limit on how far you can go from sources of electricity. Due to this, they are used not only in large enterprises, around large complexes, but also for cleaning parks and sidewalks. Here is the rating of self-propelled gasoline snow blowers, which collected the largest number of positive reviews and have acceptable characteristics.
Husqvarna ST224 | CHAMPION ST656 | Cub Cadet 524 SWE | DDE ST6561L | PATRIOT PRO 655 E | Husqvarna ST230P | |||||||
Engine power hp | 6,3 | 5,5 | 5,3 | 6,5 | 6,5 | 9,6 | ||||||
Bucket Width, cm | 61 | 56 | 61 | 61 | 62 | 76 | ||||||
Screw system | two stage | two stage | two stage | two stage | two stage | two stage | ||||||
Self propelled | ||||||||||||
Number of gears | 6 forward, 1 back | 5 forward, 2 back | 6 forward, 2 back | 5 forward, 2 back | 6 forward, 2 back | 6 forward, 1 back | ||||||
The maximum angle of rotation of the gutter ejection of snow, degrees. | - | 180 | 200 | 190 | 190 | - | ||||||
Headlights | ||||||||||||
Hand Warmer | ||||||||||||
Screw material | metal | metal | metal | metal | metal | metal |
Husqvarna ST224
Reliable Swedish equipment assembled in the USA. Engine power is 6.3 hp A two-stage screw system is used, where one row rakes snow and the second throws it out.
+ Pros of Husqvarna ST224.
- Large selection of speeds to select the optimal cleaning rate.
- Two LED headlights provide good visibility in the dark.
- The tires have a high tread X-trac, with which it is good to overcome bumps and frozen snow.
- A spatula is provided for easy cleaning of the socket.
- Strong metal screw easily cuts dense snow.
- On the sides of the bucket there are pull-out plates with clamps to adjust the height of the position - this will help to capture high snowdrifts that are not available for other models.
- The socket position is set by the lever from the operator panel.
The levers are fixed, so on soft snow you can hold the machine with one hand. - The height of the operator panel is adjustable in 4 positions for different height of the user.
- Cons Husqvarna ST224.
- The wheels always rotate synchronously - to deploy a model weighing 90 kg will have to be done on their own.
- Not the largest fuel tank of 2.6 liters is required to refuel more often.
- There is no own battery for the starter - you need to start it near the power source and transport it to the place of work already established.
- Drive belts are often torn.
- Some burst auger at the seam - poor welding.
- The mounting ears on the body do not hold well.
- The cable for adjusting the rotation of the bell periodically bursts.
- Weak wheel lock clutch.
Conclusion. This is a powerful model with numerous features that provide comfort. It is convenient to operate thanks to a wide bracket on the frame and two more handles in the form of horns. The handles are heated by the battery, which is practical for prolonged use.The bucket width of 61 cm and the screw diameter of 305 mm are perfect for cleaning large parking lots.
CHAMPION ST656
Compact snow blower with two-stage cleaning system and toothed augers. It is equipped with a bucket 56 cm wide and 51 cm high and runs on a 5.5 hp gasoline engine.
+ Pros of CHAMPION ST656.
- 5 gears for moving forward and 2 for going back.
- Roomy fuel tank 3.6 l.
- The rotation of the gutter is adjustable from the operator panel.
- In addition to the ejection side, an angle is adjusted in height.
- High Christmas tree tread provides confident travel in the snow.
- It is equipped with a motor from a well-known brand and has a resource of 500 hours, which is enough for 20 years.
- High-quality assembly with well-tightened threaded connections.
- Easy to repair - everything is disassembled to the smallest detail and spare parts are available.
- Suitable for tall people with a height of 190 cm.
- Cons CHAMPION ST656.
- Thin metal frame.
- All control handles are flimsy.
- The bucket height is not suitable for Siberia and similar regions.
- Wheels skid on packed snow.
- Dowels often break.
- The gear wheel can withstand about 4 years of operation, because it is made of soft alloy.
- Heavy sticky snow quickly clogs the ejector.
Conclusion. This snow blower stands out with its simple design and affordable price. Compared with American models, it costs three times cheaper and is suitable for clearing a large yard around a country house or cottage. A capacious tank of 3.6 liters is enough for the entire amount of work.
Cub Cadet 524 SWE
An American snow blower who gathers in Canada and Germany. It has an engine with a power of 5.3 hp, a bucket of 61x53 cm and many systems for comfortable use.
+ Pros of Cub Cadet 524 SWE.
- Large diode headlight for night time lighting.
- R15 wheels provide increased cross-country ability.
- Easy start of the engine by an electric starter.
- To direct the gutter to the other side, electrical adjustment is provided from the panel.
- The wheel differential can be unlocked, which will help to deploy the machine and clean it with snow in the corners of the territory.
- The height of the bucket is adjusted by additional plates.
- Powerful metal frame.
- Good hardy engine.
- Cons Cub Cadet 524 SWE.
- The snow blower is easy to maneuver, but sometimes it stalls - there is not enough weight to better engage the wheels with the surface.
- The gutter is made of thick plastic, not metal, as described.
- Sometimes shear bolts break from stones.
- Very slow reverse speed - it’s easier to roll out yourself.
- If you turn the gutter to the right, it will close the headlight.
- The joystick to control the position of the bell sometimes sticks.
- The cord to manually start the motor must be changed every 4 years.
Conclusion. This model is included in reliability rating of petrol snow blowers thanks to the many reviews of the owners who are not experiencing serious problems. It works for a long time without the need for repair. It is also convenient with 6 speeds for moving forward, which helps to better adjust the mode of operation depending on conditions.
DDE ST6561L
A relatively inexpensive model with a simple design. The engine power is 6.5 hp, and the bucket dimensions are 61x51 cm. It has a step transmission with rear panel shifting.
+ Pros of DDE ST6561L.
- Bucket height adjustment for harvesting high snowdrifts.
- High tread on wheels.
- Mechanical rotation of the bell from the operator panel by 190 degrees - works quickly and without fail.
- Thick rubber pads on the handles.
- Reliable engine
- Roomy fuel tank 3.6 liters.
- Starts quickly at sub-zero temperatures.
- Good factory assembly.
- Cons DDE ST6561L.
- There is no headlight - it is inconvenient to remove snow in the dark.
- It weighs 64 kg, so it stalls on rolled out areas.
- The characteristics indicate an emission range of 11 meters, but in practice it is less.
- It is difficult to remove packed snow - one often has to go through the same place several times.
- The cable tension is knocked down - you need to periodically adjust it.
- There is no electric starter.
Conclusion. This model is perfect for cleaning the road in the country to drive a car from the yard. With its help it is not difficult to remove snow at a distance of 300 m. Wheels R 14 provide good cross-country ability on any surface.
PATRIOT PRO 655 E
Snow blower with a bucket size of 62x51 cm and an engine power of 6.5 hp Equipped with a two-stage system of augers with teeth. It has a discharge range of up to 13 meters.
+ Pros of PATRIOT PRO 655 E.
- A headlight is provided for illumination in the dark.
- Stable operation of a four-stroke engine.
- Turn the gutter lever from the control panel by 190 degrees.
- Rotary ejection metal screw.
- Starting the engine with a cable or from an electric starter with its own battery.
- 6/2 speeds for moving forward / backward.
- The optimum weight of 80 kg for easy movement and elimination of slipping.
- Change the angle of ejection in height to 70 degrees.
- Adjustment of runners for cleaning high snowdrifts and protecting the metal of the bucket from stones.
- Cons PATRIOT PRO 655 E.
- No wheel differential unlock.
- The carburettor's work is quickly getting out of order - the fuel is to blame, but they could make the cleaning system better.
- You often have to change the shear bolts.
- In the cold, the return spring from the throttle assembly freezes - in order to prevent this, you will have to insulate it from above with a cloth or casing.
- The headlamp consumes the entire battery charge in 3.5 hours - in order to start in the morning you have to put it on recharge.
- The rear speed is very slow.
- Uninformative instructions for assembly and operation.
Conclusion. This is a great snow blower that even a woman can handle. It is easy to start it with one button from its own 12 V battery. Six speeds are convenient for clearing the territory and moving the device. With its help, it is easy to remove snow from all the tracks in the yard thanks to the bucket width of 62 cm.
Husqvarna ST230P
Productive Swedish model with numerous features for comfortable work. The motor power is 9.79 hp and the bucket width is 76 cm. Manual and electric start are provided.
+ Pros of Husqvarna ST230P.
- The snow blower unlocks the wheels - each can rotate independently, which simplifies turns and snow removal in hard-to-reach places.
- Tires are equipped with a special X-trac tread for improved patency.
- The operator is comfortable working for a long time in the cold thanks to the heated handles.
- LED headlights illuminate the path well no matter where the shot is directed.
- 6 speeds for fast movement on the cleared territory and confident attack of packed snow.
- Comfortable handles with wide overlays.
- The bucket can be raised higher thanks to adjustable runners.
- The height of the handles is adjustable in four positions.
- Convenient neck and drain plug for replacing engine oil.
- Cons Husqvarna ST230P.
- To start the motor with a starter from a button, you need to connect a power source - the model does not have its own battery.
- Severe for women and men with poor physical fitness.
- The tank holds 2.7 liters, so it needs refueling over a wide area.
- To capture the lower caked layers, a second pass is required.
- It works loudly - you need earplugs.
- The cables to the auger and wheels periodically break and stretch.
- When meeting with hard snow, you need to push or take from acceleration.
Conclusion. This is the best snow blower in terms of power - 9.79 hp. and a bucket width of 76 cm. It is suitable for cleaning a spacious open area, which is regularly covered with a high layer of snow. Due to the weight of 107 kg, it does not skid on ice. High tires 40 cm in diameter provide deep snow travel.
The best models of electric snow blowers
Electric snow blowers weigh less and are inferior to gasoline in power. But they are easier to store and move. Due to 220 V power supply, the range of the device depends on the length of the carry. Most often they are used to clear paths in the yard or exit the garage.
AL-KO SnowLine 46E | Huter SGC 2000E | |||||||
Coverage, cm | 46 | 46 | ||||||
Capture height, cm | 30 | 20 | ||||||
Type of cleaning system | single stage | single stage | ||||||
Screw material | rubber | rubber plastic | ||||||
Engine power, kW | 2 | 2 | ||||||
Self-propelled |
AL-KO SnowLine 46E
A simple model with a wide handle and a bracket that controls engine speed. The power of the device is 2 kW. A handle for carrying a snow blower weighing 15 kg is provided on the body.
+ Pros AL-KO SnowLine 46E.
- A cable mount is provided on the frame so as not to overload the entry point into the housing.
- The handle folds in half for compact storage and transportation.
- The snow blower fits easily in the trunk of a car.
- There is a remote adjustment of the position of the gutter with a lever from the panel.
- You can hold the engine rotation bracket and work with one hand.
- Thermal protection is provided.
- Well throws wet snow with water.
- Cons AL-KO SnowLine 46E.
- Small flimsy wheels that cannot be heavily loaded.
- The auger is rubber, not metal.
- There are no teeth on the auger, so performance is reduced.
- The snow blower needs to be pushed - he does not move.
- The parapet is not overpowered.
- It is necessary to constantly monitor so as not to run into a wire.
- Need to carry with a wire cross section 2x1 mm2.
- The lower part is scratched on ice - it is made of plastic.
Conclusion. This unit has entered rating of electric snow blowers due to the large bucket for this category 46x30 cm and an emission range of 10 m. It is perfect for clearing the sidewalk or parking in front of a store in the city, and its price is one of the most affordable. Due to the weight of 15 kg it is easy to carry it to the place of work, so as not to roll on small wheels.
Huter SGC 2000E
Snow blower from an American brand assembled in China, which explains the affordable cost. The device has a 2 kW engine and a 46x16 cm bucket. To start the rotation of the auger, a regulator is provided on the left handle.
+ Pros of the Huter SGC 2000E.
- Folding handle for compact storage.
- Small plastic wheels.
- The most affordable price.
- Silent work of the snow blower.
- It works well at low temperatures up to -30 degrees.
- Simple assembly.
- Cons Huter SGC 2000E.
- There is no lighting.
- To turn the bell, you need to stop the machine and direct the channel with your hands.
- A small bucket height of 16 cm requires multiple passages of snowdrifts with a height of 20-30 cm.
- Rotation control only with the left hand, which cannot be released.
- Not self-propelled - you need to constantly push.
- The ejection range is only 5 m.
- It is necessary to monitor the cable so as not to wind on the auger.
- The warranty does not apply to a belt that is considered a consumable.
Conclusion. This is the best snow blower for compactness. It weighs 12 kg and is easy to bring with you to clear paths in the country. It will turn out well to recline the snow in front of the garage. But it is suitable for relatively warm regions with little rainfall due to the low bucket.
Best Cordless Snow Blowers
This is the best equipment for mobility and environmental friendliness: no emissions, loud noise, no need to pull a wire. You can store it even indoors, it does not emit an unpleasant smell of gasoline and oil. But the duration of work is limited by the capacity of the battery, so this technique is not designed for large areas. It is practical to take it to clean your parking lot or just paths in the yard. It is pleasant and faster to work than a shovel.
Greenworks GD40STK4 | Sibrteh ESB-46LI | |||||||
Bucket height, cm | 30,5 | 25,4 | ||||||
Bucket Width, cm | 46 | 51 | ||||||
Screw system | single stage | single stage | ||||||
The angle of rotation of the gutter for the ejection of snow, degrees | 180 | 190 | ||||||
Battery capacity, Ah | 4 | 4 | ||||||
Voltage | 40 | 40 | ||||||
Ejection range, m | 6 | 7 | ||||||
Screw material | rubberized | reinforced plastic |
Greenworks GD40STK4
The snow blower has a 25x51 cm bucket and a mass of 18 kg. It consumes 40 V and is equipped with a 4 A / h battery.
+ Pros of Greenworks GD40STK4.
- The angle of rotation of the ejection is 190 degrees and it is changed by a switch on the operator’s side.
- Headlight for work in the evening or early in the morning.
- The wheels are larger than other cordless snow blowers.
- The handle folds down to reduce overall dimensions during storage.
- Protection against accidental start is provided.
- Thick grip on the handle and a long gas clamp.
- Well takes freshly fallen snow 250 mm high.
- Plastic auger withstands collisions with stones and curbs.
- Cons Greenworks GD40STK4.
- The headlight is attached to the handle rack - when the snow is thrown to the right, its light is blocked.
- The ejection range is 6 m, and even less in wind.
- Assembly is difficult for some - especially the installation of the gutter control lever.
- On the territory of 150 m2, one battery will not be enough.
- Charges about 2 hours.
- The claimed battery life of up to 40 minutes, but in fact no more than 30 minutes.
Conclusion. This snow blower has a long service life thanks to brushless motor technology. He also has a bucket width of 51 cm, which allows you to make wider paths in one pass.
Sibrteh ESB-46LI
Compact snow blower on the battery from a domestic manufacturer. It has a bucket of 46x31 cm and is able to recline snow by 7 m.
+ Pros Sibrteh ESB-46LI.
- Good illumination from two diode headlights.
- Thick rubberized handle.
- Control the rotation of the screw from the bracket, which can be clamped with any hand.
- Folding the main handle by loosening the clamps.
- On the case there is a separate handle for transportation.
- U-turn of the ejection pipe with the lever.
- It weighs 16 kg.
- All users mark a quality build.
- Cons Sibrteh ESB-46LI
- Weak wheels.
- The bottom of the case is plastic and scratches heavily on ice.
- The augers are smooth and cling worse to snow.
- Not self-propelled.
- It only works in the cold for 20-30 minutes.
Conclusion. With the help of this snow blower, it is not difficult to throw snow from the tracks, from a garage or a barn. A bucket measuring 46x31 cm captures a large area in one pass. For work in the evening, two headlights are provided.
The selection of goods was carried out on the basis of reviews, opinions and ratings of users posted on various resources on the Internet. All information is taken from public sources. We do not cooperate with manufacturers and trademarks and do not call for the purchase of certain products. The article is for informational purposes only.