It’s almost that time of year again, just after our week of fall comes winter. With winter comes the snow. At Owenhouse Ace Hardware we stock the best brands of snow throwers. Between Honda, Toro, and Ego we are sure to have something that fits your needs.
Pros of Owning a Snowblower
If you’ve been thinking about a powered snow removal device for a while, there is not a better year than this one. The thick, heavy, wet fall snow can be a backbreaker with a normal shovel. When you choose a snow thrower, it does all the work for you. You simply start it up and walk, magically clearing a path. Snow throwers are also a huge timesaver. What could take hours with a shovel will now take only a few minutes. We have options for every size of the walk and driveway. Do you get big drifts? We have blowers that will cut them down with ease. A whole lot of sidewalks? We have blowers that will make quick work of them.
What’s the difference between a single-stage, two-stage, and hybrid snowblower?
Looking at a bunch of snowblowers in the store can be daunting. They come in all shapes and sizes. Owenhouse can make it simple to pick the right one for you. Let’s focus on the three main types of snow throwers:
Single Stage:
These are the most basic of snow blowers. The small engine drives rubber paddles to clear the snow. Because the paddles make direct contact with the ground, you will get great results and near 100% snow removal. The paddles also help drive the snowblower forward, but they are usually not truly self-propelled. These should only be used on smooth cement and asphalt surfaces. They excel at clearing sidewalks and small driveways blowing snow up to 25 feet. We stock both 4 cycles and battery-operated single-stage snow throwers.
Two-Stage:
These are the bigger machines. They utilize an engine that spins both an auger and a centrifugal wheel that propels the snow away. These blowers range in size from 20” wide up to 32” wide for optimal clearing. If you have drifts or a gravel driveway, these are the machines that you should be looking at. Two-stage snow throwers will naturally leave a very thin layer of snow as there are no paddles to touch the ground. These blowers will toss the snow up to 50’ away. Two-stage throwers are also always self-propelled.
Hybrid:
Unlike hybrid cars, this refers to the design of these snow throwers. They are bigger like two stages but have a hybrid auger with rubber paddles. The auger will break up the thick snow and the rubber paddles will toss it up to 35’ away. These units should be used on smooth surfaces. Hybrid snow throwers are always self-propelled.
Snow Blowers We Carry at Owenhouse Ace Hardware
We sell and service three brands of snow throwers at Owenhouse:
Toro:
These snow blowers come in single-stage, 2 stage, and hybrid. From 18” single stage to 26” two-stage machines, we have a Toro that will fit any of your needs.
Honda:
We stock Honda in both single-stage and two-stage. Our two-stage Honda snow blowers are all driven by hydrostatic transmissions and tracks. These big boys are best for very large or hilly terrain.
Ego:
This year we welcome Ego battery-operated snow throwers. These things are marvels of engineering with enough battery power to clear all your sidewalks and driveway on a single charge. Don’t be worried about power, Ego battery power rivals even the strongest gas engines in the same size machines. All of our gas-powered machines are available with electric start as well so if you have tennis elbow don’t fret.
Pro Tips and Maintaining and Caring for a Snow Blower
Routine maintenance is a breeze with snow blowers. Once a year you will want to change the oil and maybe the spark plug. As far as gas goes, we recommend any high octane gas with the least amount of ethanal possible. Modern gas can start to degrade in 60 days so we also recommend fuel stabilizer in each tank. If service is not your thing we have the best mechanics in the valley for taking care of your small engine equipment. We offer free delivery and pickup each fall on our snow throwers so you don’t even need to leave your house to get your equipment in tip-top shape for the season.
Contact One of Our Local Experts for More Help and Information about Snow Blowers!
Give yourself a break this winter by investing in a snowblower. If you’re ready to level up from hours of back-breaking snow shoveling, our team of experts is here to help you find the right snow blower for your landscape (and for your budget). Choose from brands like Toro, Honda, and Ego, and rediscover the joys of a snow day!
