Winter is here and you know what that means, it’s time to break out the heavy artillery to tackle that snowy driveway and sidewalks. But wait, before you go all out and buy a machine to clear your snow, have you ever wondered what is the difference between a snow blower and a snow thrower? Well, you’re in luck because we’re here to break it down for you in a fun and informative way.
Snow Blower – “big gun” Snow Clearing
Think of a snow blower as the “big gun” of the snow-clearing world. It’s the heavy-duty machine that can handle the wet, heavy snowfall like a boss. It’s powered by either an electric or gas motor and uses an auger and a fan to collect and blow snow out of the machine. The auger is a spinning blade that cuts through the snow and collects it into the machine, while the fan then blows the snow out of the machine through a chute. Snow blowers are typically powered by gas or electricity and come in a variety of sizes and styles. They are great for clearing large areas of heavy snow and can handle wet, heavy snow with ease. They are typically more expensive than snow throwers and are better suited for commercial or large residential properties.
Snow Thrower – “Sniper” Snow Clearing
Now, on the other hand, a snow thrower is like the “sniper” of the snow-clearing world. It’s a more compact machine that is often powered by electricity. It also uses an auger to scoop up snow, but instead of using an impeller to blow the snow away, the snow throwers push the snow out of the way. A snow thrower is smaller and more maneuverable than a snow blower and it is better for clearing small areas or for spot-clearing. Their small maneuverability also means that they can be more easily used on uneven terrain.
Similarities & Differences
With the definitions out of the way, here is a detailed list of things that are different between snow blowers and snow throwers:
- Engine Power
Snow blowers have a greater engine and therefore more power than snow throwers. But as is typical with any machine that produces lots of power, a snow blower also requires greater amounts of juice. The 200cc large engine inside of these machines are powered by diesel or petrol and work seamlessly in cutting through large tracts of deep snow.
On the other hand, snow throwers typically function on battery or a wired electrical connection. Their engine size is small and therefore, they produce less power. These machines are perfect for clearing snow in small areas. - Clearing Width
Speaking of areas, a snow thrower can clear snow in an area of about 22 inches in width. This means that a few rounds of the machine will clear out the snow in your driveway.
A snow blower can clear snow in large swaths with its clearing width extending to 26-30 inches. Additionally, it is not deterred by large swaths of deep snow and does not require many adjustments when maneuvering. - Maintenance and Storage
Maintaining and storing a snow blower is more hectic than a snow thrower. There are two primary reasons for this. A snow blower can be very large compared to a snow thrower and therefore takes lots of storage space in your garage. There are so many moving parts in snow blower that it requires significant technical knowledge to repair. While a snow thrower usually does not have as many moving parts. Although, repairing it is also not a walk in the park, it is comparatively much easier than repairing a snow blower. - Features
Since the snow blower is a bigger machine, it also has better and more advanced features. With most snow blowers, you can expect cool features such as heated handgrips, adjustable chutes, power steering, and deflectors. While these features are can also be found in snow throwers, they are not as common. - Single-stage and Two/Three-stage
Most snow throwers are single-stage while snow blowers are two or three-stage machines. A single stage machine merely cuts through the snow and discards it to the side, kind of like a lawn mower. Two-stage snow blowers have an auger that collects the snow and an impeller that throws the snow out of the chute. Three-stage snow blowers have an additional accelerator that breaks up the snow before it reaches the impeller. Three-stage snow blowers can be more efficient for heavy snowfall, but also more expensive. - Price
Due to the size, power, clearing width, extra features and stages, the snow blower is significantly more expensive than a snow thrower with prices of snow throwers deviating between $300-$500 in comparison to the $700-$2000 price range of snow blowers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both snow blowers and snow throwers are effective tools for removing snow from your driveway and sidewalks. However, they have some key differences that make them better suited for different types of jobs. Snow blowers are better for large areas of heavy snowfall, as they are able to clear a wide path and can handle larger snow drifts. Snow throwers, on the other hand, are more maneuverable and are better suited for smaller areas or for clearing sidewalks and steps.
Ultimately, the choice between a snow blower and a snow thrower will depend on the specific needs of your property and the type of snowfall you typically experience. If you have a large driveway and live in an area with heavy snowfall, a snow blower may be the better choice. However, if you have a small driveway or only need to clear sidewalks and steps, a snow thrower may be more practical. It’s also worth considering your own physical abilities, as operating a snow blower can be more physically demanding than a snow thrower, and your budget, as a snow blower is considerably more expensive than a snow thrower. In short, a snow blower is like a bazooka and a snow thrower is like a rifle. Both have their own unique set of benefits and drawbacks. So, whether you’re more of a bazooka or a rifle kind of person, now you can make an informed decision and tackle that snow with confidence.