The best two stage snow blower isn’t always the most expensive one you can find. It will be the 2 stage snow blower that matches your snow removal needs perfectly.
That requires that you know whether or not you need a one, two or three-stage blower. This brief overview will help you determine if a 2 stage blower is right for you.
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What Is A 2 Stage Snow Blower?
Snow blowers come in three different types of machine – one, two or three-stage. They can also be gas or electric-powered. You will most likely find electric options for single-stage machines, and rarely double.
Most two or three-stage machines are gas-powered. The two-stage (or three) refers to the turning process of the auger blades to churn the snow so it is lifted into the throwing chute.
With a single stage machine the snow handled is most likely powdered or light so one turn can lift the snow up to be thrown. A two-stage machine is for heavier and deeper snow. The snow is turned twice to create a lighter layer that is then thrown away from the machine. In many ways, the extra turns serve to “fluff” the snow so it is easier to remove.
Does It Really Depend On The Depth Of Snow?
Depth of snow used to really determine whether you choose gas or electric powered blowers, but electric-powered snow blowers are now more than capable of handling just about anything. The depth of snowfall is not really as much a concern as the weight.
Heavy snow is wet snow and wet snow has an increased chance of forming ice and heavy slush. This is when you have to have at least a two stage machine. If you are going beyond 21 inches in depth with heavy snow you may even want to consider a 3 stage machine too.
Tips For Taking Care Of A 2 Stage Snow Blower
There are a few tips you can learn that will make using a two stage snow blower easier, and help to make the machine last longer. The first is to always keep up with lubrication. Salt-heavy snow can do a number on the bearings that can cause problems.
The second is to make sure you are always inspecting the wires and component seals to make sure they are in good condition. If these fail you could lose your starter system, lights, and other controls.
The last thing you need to know is that you should spray the auger blades – and the interior of the entire snow compartment – with WD40 or non-stick cooking spray before each use. This prevents snow and ice from building up and keeps excessive wear from occurring on the moving parts.
How To Find The Best 2 Stage Snow Blower
One of the tricks to finding the best 2 stage snow blower is to look in the comments review section and see what issues – if any- people had with the auger system.
While electric starts and chute control are important you are buying a two stage snow blower for its ability to churn heavy snow and make it light enough to blow away.
If the reviews or the comments mention any problems with the auger blades or its design, this is not going to be the right piece of equipment for you.
Everything else that surrounds the blades is really icing on the cake when it comes to evaluating the worth of the 2 stage unit you are considering.
What Should Really Be The Deciding Factor
While reading all of the reviews is a good way to narrow down your options, you really have to do more to find the best two stage snow blower for you.
This means getting out the pen and paper (or spreadsheet) and making a list of all the features you need. Then you need to define where you will keep the snow blower during the warm months.
Just tarping a 2 stage snow blower isn’t going to be enough to protect the components from the weather year round. It needs to be able to fit into whatever shelter you have available or repair costs could mount.