If you don’t get a ton of snow in your area but still don’t want to shovel, you might be in the market for a single stage snow blower. While heavy duty machines have their perks, you don’t need to splurge to get an effective machine.
Knowing the ease of use and the capabilities of a snow blower is essential before making a purchase. A single stage snow blower comes in many forms, and each type has different features and benefits.
What Is A Single Stage Snow Blower?
A single stage snow blower is one that clears snow using a quick, swift action. It essentially gathers up snow as it is moved forward, and shoots the snow into another area to clear it out of the way through a chute.
Are Single Stage Snow Blowers Self Propelled?
Most single stage snow blowers are not self propelled. That being said, you might occasionally find one that is, and as snow blowing technology gets better, there is hope that this will become the standard.
Modern snow blowing machines tend to be designed more often with helpful features to make operation much simpler, especially for those who might not have the strength to push a heavy machine.
Some single stage snow blowers have a feature known as auger assist, which will help clear the snow a little bit easier.
Are Single Stage Snow Blowers Heavy?
A single stage snow blower will probably weigh anywhere between 50 and 150 pounds. This seems like a lot, but it is less than many two stage or three stage snow blowers.
As long as you are not trying to clear more snow than it can handle, or push it along rough terrain, it should not be overly difficult to operate, and it is much easier than shoveling.
Will Someone Who Is Older Be Able To Operate A Single Stage Snow Blower?
A good point of reference when someone is unsure of whether or not they can handle a single stage snow blower without a self propeller is how they are able to use a lawn mower.
Generally, they will be comparable in weight and ease of operation. If the person is able to mow the lawn with a standard sized lawn mower, they should be able to use a single stage snow blower.
Are Single Stage Snow Blowers Gas Or Electric?
One of the perks of only needing a single stage snow blower is you have way more options for either gas or battery powered snow blowers. An electric snow blower comes with a battery that can be charged.
Thus, you are not having to purchase gas and push out toxic gas fumes into the air every time it snows. Electric snow blowers also tend to be easier to start and are much easier to maintain.
How Much Snow Can A Single Stage Snow Blower Clear?
Every model is a little different, but a typical single stage snow blower should be able to clear about 6 inches of a snowfall with general ease. It is recommended for those who live in areas with light snowfalls, as well as for homeowners who don’t have a lot of land to clear.
These smaller machines can also be used to clear decks, balconies, or smaller walkways.
How Well Does A Single Stage Snow Blower Work On Ice?
A single stage snow blower can generally clear snow with ease if it’s not too hard or heavy, and can get through slush. A single stage snow blower will not be able to break down a lot of ice, however.
If the snow is particularly hard or riddled with ice, you might need to break it down a little bit with a shovel so the snow blower can clear the area more easily.
What Is The Average Price Range Of A Single Stage Snow Blower?
A single stage snow blower can cost you between $300 to close to $1000 on average. It will depend on the features that your snow blower is equipped with, as well as how it operates.
Is Having A Single Stage Snow Blower Worth It, Or Should I Splurge On A 2 or 3 Stage?
What kind of snow blower you have really depends on your average snowfall in your area, and how easy or difficult it is for you to clear snow.
Some people will find it helpful to have a single stage snow blower on hand, as well as a larger capacity machine for the occasional heavy downpour of snow. This way, they can pull out the single stage snow blower as much as possible, rather than having to drag out a large and bulky machine every time it snows.
When Is A Single Stage Snow Blower Not Recommended?
If your walkways or driveways are made with rough, loose material such as gravel, a single stage snow blower will be difficult to maneuver across it, regardless of whether or not it is self propelled. You will probably also run out of gas or battery power before you can clear a long or expansive driveway.
If you regularly see snowfall above 6 to 8 inches, a single stage snow blower will probably not do you any good. A driveway that is steep or has a large slope might also be an issue for your single stage snow blower.
When Is A Single Stage Snow Blower Usually Recommended?
A single stage snow blower is great to have if you have a decent amount of sidewalk to clear, or if you’re that friendly neighbor who helps clean the sidewalks in your general area. A single stage snow blower is more than efficient to get these narrow pathways cleared quickly and easily.
They are also great for flat surfaces that need to be cleared, as you don’t have to worry about any snow blower parts scratching or damaging your surfaces, such as wooden decks or patio stones.
Single stage snow blowers are also ideal for clearing up ramps, as they are much easier to push and pull up and down those inclines.
Hi, I’m John Stephens, chief editor and writer for Totalgardener.com. I’ve been gardening and raising animals for over 15 years starting with a small backyard plot in Northern Virginia where I grew corn, potatoes, squash, and using a high mulch technique called the Ruth Stout Method. I also raised ducks and small mammals for meat and eggs in a movable pen similar to the ones used by Joel Salatin. I later moved to Colorado where I experimented with growing greens using aquaponics inside. I eventually added a microgreens setup and home sprouting operation. I’m excited to share everything I’ve learned plus more from the other local gardening and animal raising experts I know.
