Snow removal machine: types, characteristics. Snowplow petrol

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Only children rejoice in big snowdrifts near the house. For adults, this means one thing - you need to clean it. Doing it manually is difficult, and it will take a lot of time. Especially if the area is large. So you have to think about acquiring a reliable assistant. And it turns out to be a snow blower. It's good that technology doesn't stand still. Because of this, there are so many products that can make life easier. Today you can buy a snow blower with different characteristics and at different prices. We will talk about how to do this below.

Why buy a snow blower

Snowblowers have a number of benefits that explain why people buy them:

reduce physical effort;

reduce the time allotted for snow removal;

the machine is easy to operate;

easy to operate, the machine is unpretentious and does not require frequent repairs

Variety of patterns

Currently, there is a wide variety of snowplows. Given hercharacteristics distinguish different types and classifications.

Depending on the mode of movement, there are self-propelled and non-self-propelled.

According to the type of power unit, there is a gasoline and electric snowplow. It is not worth talking in detail about the type of engine. Already from the name it is clear that in the first case the car moves due to the combustion of gasoline, and in the second - thanks to the electricity supplied to the motor.

According to the type of drive, snow blowers are divided into tracked and wheeled. The first option is a professional technique. The second type is more popular with individuals. Wheeled models are the cheaper option.

Self-propelled models

The self-propelled snow blower moves on its own due to the fuel supplied to the engine. She doesn't need to be pushed. The machine provides a drive. Therefore, even people who are unable to lift weights can use it.

This option is better suited for large areas. These machines have great power, are able to remove packed, wet or icy snow. Due to their power, such models are capable of throwing snow at a decent distance (up to eighteen meters). Thanks to this blockages are not formed.

The self-propelled snow blower has multiple speeds. This allows you to change the pace of cleaning and adjust the time allotted for this process.

But at the same time, the car has a lot of weight. And this means that she can slipor fall through.

Non-self-propelled options

This type of machine must be moved around the site manually. Therefore, they are most often used in small areas. In addition, these models are small in size. This makes them more manoeuvrable. At one time, the machine is able to cover a strip half a meter wide. The height of the snow layer can be up to thirty centimeters. This throws snow up to five meters away.

Manual snow blowers weigh no more than fifty kilograms. They hold on to the snow without sinking in. Power reaches six horsepower. This is significantly less than the first option.

The disadvantage of these models is that the quality of cleaning depends on the density of snow. It is best to remove freshly fallen snow that has not yet had time to pack.

The second disadvantage is that only a skilled person can drive the machine. On uneven terrain, some effort will be required to control.

Features of electric models

The electric snow blower has several serious drawbacks. All of them are associated with the need to connect an electrical cable to the device. The machine requires a permanent connection to the network. Due to this, the wires are always at hand. And this is inconvenient, and unsafe. Due to the wires, maneuverability is reduced.

In severe frosts, the electric cable can simply break or burst.

Some owners of such devices note insufficient powermachine.

Petrol snowblowers

The petrol snow blower is the most popular option. Its power reaches eleven horsepower. Depending on the specific model, the power varies.

The width of the strip captured at one time depends on the power of the machine. And this dependence is proportional. The higher the power, the wider the grip.

Ways to clear snow

Another indicator that underlies the classification of snowplows is the method of clearing snow. In accordance with it, machines are divided into single-stage and two-stage.

Models of the first option (single-stage) snow is removed by means of an auger. The auger snow blower is able to first pulverize the snow, then collect it and throw it aside.

Two-stage models have two working bodies: screw and rotor. The snow is crushed and collected by the operation of the auger. In the second stage, the rotary snow blower throws the snow a long distance.

How a snow blower works

The snow blower works according to the following principle. The running engine drives the shaft with the auger. Due to the presence of inclined blades (helical walls), the snow rises and enters a special bunker. There is a fender there. From there, the snow is thrown to the side with a certain effort. The ejection force depends on the power of the machine. The greater this force, the further the snow will be thrown.

For more comfortable operation, snowplow handles are equipped withheated. Some models are equipped with headlights. This allows you to remove snow even in the dark. This is true, since daylight hours are short in winter. And cleaning during the day is not always possible.

Electric starter can be installed. It helps to start the car during frost.

For ease of steering, select models are equipped with an adjuster to help control each wheel individually.

Ejection range and direction are controlled by the operator.

How to choose a snow blower

The right choice of snow blower is the key to successful snow removal from the yard. There are many factors to consider when choosing. Pay attention to the following:

How the engine is started (manual, automatic, combined)

The size of the bucket that will capture the snow (its width can be in the range of 40-100 centimeters)

Power and type of engine. The larger the area, the more powerful the snow blower should be

Transmission. It is responsible for performance and usability. So, to transport the machine to the place of work or, conversely, to the place of storage, an overdrive gear is used. Loose, freshly fallen snow can be cleaned by turning on the middle gear. If the snow has had time to pack or it is wet, icy, the machine should operate at a reduced speed

Tracks or wheels. Wheeled vehicles have greater speed, better maneuverability. But the cross-country ability is higher for tracked models that are able to overcomevarious irregularities

The material from which the snow ejection chute is made. The metal chute is more durable and throws snow more accurately. But the plastic element is cheaper, it does not rust, and snow does not stick to it

The distance the snow is thrown

The speed at which the machine moves during operation

Fuel consumption (for petrol models) or power consumption (for electric models)

In addition to these indicators, it is important to decide which area will be cleaned. For a small area, you can choose the screw option. It is small in size and has good maneuverability. But it is powered by electricity. For plots up to two acres, an electric car with an engine with a power of up to two kilowatts will suffice.

Large areas require more powerful equipment. For plots ranging from four to six acres, gasoline snowplows with a capacity of up to five horsepower are chosen. If the area is more than ten acres, then it is better to give preference to gasoline engines with a capacity of eight to thirteen horsepower.

For such options, you should choose snow blowers that have both auger and rotor. Such models are equipped with a wide bucket. Their gearbox is multi-stage.

Most Popular Manufacturers

The snow removal equipment market is represented by models from various manufacturers. The most popular and reliable are: Craftsman, MTD, Husqvarna, Champion, Huter, Partner, Honda.

Husqvarna is a popular manufacturer of garden and utility equipment from Sweden. The products of this company are distinguished by high quality, reliability, environmental friendliness, high power. Products under this brand are so popular that today they are sold in seventy countries around the world.

MTD is another world renowned manufacturer. Reliable and high-quality snow blowers are equipped with engines with a capacity of 3.5-7.6 horsepower. This company operates using innovative technologies. Their main goal is to satisfy the needs of customers.

Honda is a Japanese manufacturer that needs no introduction. Snowplows, like all products under this brand, are distinguished by quality, manufacturability, and reliability. Their models have engines up to nine horsepower.

For lovers of high-quality, efficient and comfortable work, snowplow options presented by the Champion company are suitable. Their vehicles can have up to five speeds and one or two reverse gears.

The Chinese company Forester produces high-quality snowplows, but at more affordable prices. The company's models have an electric drive with a power of up to 1.6 kilowatts. Therefore, they are used for cleaning small areas.

Another well-known manufacturer of electric snow blowers is Huter.

Snow blowers cost

The price of good quality snowplows can range from a few hundred toseveral thousand dollars.

A mini snow blower (self-propelled electric) costs about three hundred dollars. By adding another hundred or two hundred dollars, you can buy a self-propelled car with a gasoline engine, but with little power. For this money, you can become the owner of equipment from little-known manufacturers, designed for small areas.

If we talk about well-known manufacturers, then the cost of non-self-propelled models will start at one and a half thousand dollars. Self-propelled options are valued at over six thousand dollars.

Do-it-yourself snow blower

It is not at all necessary to purchase ready-made snowplows in the store. A homemade snow blower can turn out to be just as good, but it will cost much less. It can be made, for example, from a walk-behind tractor. To do this, you need to connect a bucket to it. On sale there are separate buckets suitable for this type of equipment. But you can make it yourself.

Another option is a plow for a snow blower. It consists of three main elements: the actual snow shovel, a mechanism that allows you to adjust the angle of inclination, fasteners to the car. Similar elements are made for imported SUVs, domestic cars, and even ATVs.

You need to operate any equipment correctly. The instructions for the snow blower will help with this. Compliance with all instructions and recommendations will keep the equipment in working condition for a long time.