Best Snow Removal Equipment of 2024
The Ariens Deluxe Two-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower is a winter snow beast! This model is a Cadillac among two-stage snow blowers, and Ariens’ reputation backs it for quality, power and usability along with a three-year warranty. It’s best suited for homeowners who live in aggressive winter environments, have long extended drives or want to make their neighbors green with envy. Sure, there are more expensive and larger two-stage snow blowers available, but the Ariens doesn’t disappoint.
An orange and black powerhouse, the two-stage blower is clad in a lot of steel for maximum durability. It features a 28-inch clearing width and a 14-inch serrated, all-steel auger for chewing up snowpack and tossing it a whopping 55 feet in a 200-degree discharge radius, adjustable from the operator’s position. According to Ariens, its 306cc AX306 gas-powered engine sports a two-hour run time, and a 14-inch super high-output (SHO) three-blade impeller will move 72 tons of snow per hour. An LED headlight illuminates the way for evening or early morning operation.
The snow blower’s Disc-O-Matic drive system features six forward and two reverse speeds to cut through winter conditions. It’s outfitted with deep-tread, 16-inch by 4.8-inch directional, pneumatic tires that improve the operator’s agility and grip. In addition, Ariens’ auto-turn technology senses when the user wants to change direction, making moving and turning the nearly 270-pound unit effortless. And if you’re so inclined, heated handgrips and a protective cab are among the aftermarket options you can add to this snow removal equipment.
Pros
- Big and powerful, throws snow 55 feet
- Clears a 28-inch wide path
- Six forward and two reverse speeds, assisted steering
- Three-year warranty
Cons
- Steep price point
- Large, heavy unit
- Your neighbors will want to borrow it
What to Look For When Buying Snow Removal Equipment
Whenever possible, acquire the best quality snow removal equipment that you can afford, says Tom Canete, a veteran commercial snow and ice management professional who owns Wayne, N.J.-based Canete Landscape and Snow Management. Canete counts MetLife Stadium, where the NFL’s New York Giants play their home games, as one of his many commercial clients. Before games, Canete’s team plays a vital role in clearing snow and ice from everything except the playing field.
For the average homeowner seeking ice management and snow removal equipment, the goal is to find the right tools to get the job done quickly and safely.
“Believe it or not, removing snow from a driveway is no joke,” says Canete. “It may not seem like a big deal, but there is a lot of potential for injury.” Homeowners can sustain sore muscles, strained backs and even a heart attack or stroke while clearing snow and ice. “That’s why you want to seek out those tools that will allow you to manage snow and ice easily,” Canete says.
Snow Shovels and Snow Blowers
Canete recommends a high-quality snow shovel and a snow blower for a good basic winter setup. Snow removal equipment like these are essential for tackling most winter scenarios the average homeowner faces.
“I prefer a snow shovel with a wooden handle and a plastic blade because I believe those are more durable than plastic handles and metal blades,” he says. “However, the exact style [of snow shovel] is simply a matter of personal preference, and you need to seek out an option that feels comfortable to use.”
And while he prefers gas-powered snow blowers, Canete says battery-powered technology has made great strides in recent years, making them an attractive option for homeowners. “While I haven’t had the opportunity to use [battery-powered snow equipment] professionally, I would give them serious consideration for at-home use,” he adds.
Purchasing From a Dealer
When investing in a snow blower or other piece of powered snow removal equipment, Canete recommends purchasing from a local outdoor power equipment dealer that generally stocks high-quality equipment.
“What you can purchase through a dealer will be high quality and will go the distance,” he says.
In addition to quality, Canete says a dealer has some freedom to negotiate on pricing, as well as offer attractive financing options and extended warranties. Also, an equipment dealer’s trained technicians will often assemble the equipment beforehand, and they can provide the replacement parts and offer repair and maintenance services to get you up and running in short order.
Canete adds that dealers are excellent sources of product information and have educated insights on equipment options, whether that’s a snow plow, walk-behind spreader, string trimmer, chain saw or push mower. “By purchasing through a local equipment dealer, they’ll know your [model of] equipment, stock the replacement parts you need and you’ll begin to build personal relationships with them, which are important when you find yourself in a pinch.”
And while it may seem counterintuitive, Canete advises homeowners not to wait until the eve of the first winter event to make a purchase. “A dealer doesn’t want to carry the [snow equipment] inventory all year long,” he says. “So, if you’re able to make a purchase at the very end of the winter season, or during the summer months, then you can often get a very attractive deal because they’re eager to make a sale before the next fall [equipment selling] season arrives.”
Canete also recommends keeping an eye on local online resale marketplaces, like Facebook Marketplace, for deals on quality ice management and snow removal equipment.
“It’s not unusual to find a [snow] contractor who is either getting out of the business or is upgrading their own equipment who can offer you an attractive deal on quality, pro-grade equipment,” he says. “Pros tend to take really good care of their equipment because they depend on them to make a living, and you can benefit from that.”
Snow Throwers vs. Snow Blowers
Let’s alleviate a common area of confusion and address the differences between a snow “thrower” and a “blower.” In general, homeowners and even some snow and ice management pros will use these terms interchangeably. The reason for this is a snow thrower is a general term for any machine that removes snow by throwing it out of the way, like a snow blower or an electric snow shovel. Therefore, all snow blowers are snow throwers, but not all snow throwers are snow blowers.
For the sake of this discussion about snow blowers, let’s instead consider the key characteristics that differentiate single-stage from two-stage models.
Single-stage snow blowers are typically lightweight machines utilizing an auger to scoop up and throw snow in a single motion. Today’s models are typically electric or battery-driven, but gas-powered models do exist. Overall, they are less powerful than two-stage snow blowers and are best suited for quickly clearing light snowfall on flat paved surfaces. Generally, they clear paths between one to 2 feet in width and deposit snow at distances of around 20 feet. On average, they’re more affordable for price-conscious users and are ideal for homeowners who don’t have to manage aggressive winter events.
In contrast, two-stage machines utilize a separate auger to scoop up the snow and an impeller that then discharges the snow with considerable force through a chute, depositing it at distances of up to 50 feet. Generally, two-stage blowers are gas-powered and have the added power to manage heavy snowpacks quickly over long or large paved surfaces. In addition, they are engineered to clear wider paths—upwards of 3 feet. Their beefier design makes two-stage snow blowers heavier and more expensive than their single-stage brethren, and their added complexity also requires more routine maintenance and service by a trained, often certified, technician.
Why You Should Trust Us
As a veteran, award-winning journalist and experienced DIYer, I’ve covered various aspects of the professional landscape and snow and ice management industries for the last 20 years. I’m also the editor of Snow Magazine, the professional snow and ice management industry’s leading business management publication. I also serve as curriculum and education director for the Accredited Snow Contractors Association (ASCA). In other words, I know about snow.
How We Found the Best Snow Removal Equipment
To help readers make informed decisions about snow and ice management equipment purchases, we looked at various models available to the average homeowner and DIY’er. We narrowed it down to several models we wanted to investigate more thoroughly based on online reviews, industry knowledge, overall experiences with similar products within the respective categories and first-hand use when applicable. We assembled educated conclusions and recommendations based on product descriptions, design and material quality, unique features, durability and ease of assembly and user feedback. We also consulted with Tom Canete, a veteran commercial snow and ice management professional and owner of Canete Landscape and Snow Management.
FAQ
What’s the difference between snowplowing and snow removal?
Snow removal is the act of clearing pavement of snow and ice so that it’s safe to walk and drive over, and it can involve snow shovels, snow throwers and blowers and snowplows.
Snowplowing typically refers to the action of employing a pickup truck or piece of heavy equipment, like a skid steer or tractor, to clear snow and ice from large spans of pavement. For example, various shapes and sizes of snowplows are used to clear streets and highways, retail and commercial parking lots and even residential driveways. A professional like Canete will manage snowplowing duties and apply rock salt and ice melt on a contract basis for property owners to help provide accessibility and mitigate slip-and-fall risk.
Lastly, some property owners may require a professional snow and ice management contractor to remove snow from the premises due to excessive snowfall or space limitations. Snow is often loaded into the back of large trucks for off-site disposal. Some snow and ice management professionals will use large, industrial, propane-powered snow melters. A skid-steer loader equipped with a bucket attachment will load snow into the machine where it’s melted and then discharge it into the local sewer drain.
Can you use a lawn tractor for snow removal?
Absolutely. Numerous equipment manufacturers specializing in lawn-and-garden tractors and zero-turn lawnmowers offer aftermarket snowplow kits that, with some assembly and mechanical know-how, are ideal for winter use, says Canete.
In addition, homeowners who are acreage owners or hobby farmers often employ utility terrain vehicles (UTVs)—geared more for work than recreational ATVs—to assist in managing the property. Those UTVs also have various aftermarket snowplowing and even salt/deicing spreader options.
Canete advises homeowners to consult with their local outdoor power equipment dealer for information on the snowplow options available for a homeowner’s particular brand and model of tractor, mower or UTV.
“There are a lot of good products out there that, with minimal effort, will allow you to convert your mower or tractor for snowplowing duties in the winter,” he says. “It’s a great way to extend the use of those tools you may have thought you could only use during the warm-weather months.”
What is the fastest way to remove snow?
Using the right tools and following best practices for snow removal are the fastest ways to manage snow quickly and safely, Canete says.
“I’ve seen it time and again, even among professionals, that when you try to cut corners with the wrong tools or try to power through a job at a careless pace, that’s when accidents happen,” Canete says. “If you take your time and use your tools correctly and how they were designed to be used, then you’ll make short work out of whatever is in front of you.”
Utilize one of the best snow removal equipment tools we covered on this list. Or, when in doubt, call in a local snow and ice management contractor to dig you out.
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