| Shoveling snow is good exercise for the young, | | | | than a foot or so. |
| but after a certain age it only makes sense that a | | | | Two Stage |
| snow blower be used to clear that mass of stuff | | | | As its name implies, the two stage snow thrower |
| blocking your sidewalk. There are two kinds of | | | | gets rid of the snow in two stages. An auger is |
| snow blowers. | | | | used to break up the snow first, and then it is |
| If you live in an area which gets a great deal of | | | | sucked into the impeller and blown out through |
| snow, you probably own a snow shovel and get a | | | | the discharge chute. This type of thrower is used |
| lot of exercise shoveling all that beautiful white | | | | if your area typically gets snowfalls of more than |
| stuff off your sidewalks. If you're fit, then | | | | a foot or more at a time. |
| certainly you'll have no problem with that | | | | Properly used, a snow blower can save you a lot |
| shoveling...unless you've got three sidewalks and a | | | | of time and back ache. There are many |
| driveway to do! Everyone reaches a point when | | | | manufacturers, including Honda, John Deere, |
| its best if they don't do that kind of hard physical | | | | Sears-Craftsman and Toro. The best time to buy |
| activity - and that's where the snow blower | | | | a snow blower is after the season has ended, |
| comes in. | | | | when they all go on sale. |
| A snow blower is a machine that does all the | | | | Qualities to consider when buying a snowblower |
| work for you. You simply stand behind it and | | | | are its clearing width, throwing distance, and the |
| push. | | | | poundage of snow it can handle at one time. |
| There exist different types of snow blowers - | | | | Take care |
| single stage or two stage. Most homeowners will | | | | Whenever you use a snow blower, it is |
| only need a single stage machine - rental property | | | | imperative that you wear ear protection and eye |
| owners who have a responsibility to their tenants | | | | goggles. |
| will be the ones who most likely use a two stage | | | | As with any bladed tool, snow blowers can be |
| machine | | | | dangerous if not used properly. If your snow |
| Single Stage | | | | thrower jams...turn it off and disengage the clutch. |
| A single stage snow thrower works with a single | | | | Even then, do NOT reach in with your hand to |
| high-speed "impeller" - usually two or more curved | | | | clear the jam - use a sturdy stick or broom |
| plastic paddles - that suck the snow into the | | | | handle to do the job. A lot of people each year |
| machine, and then forces it out of the discharge | | | | use a finger to a snowblower blade because they |
| chute into the adjacent yard. These snow blowers | | | | do not follow these simple precautions. |
| are very light and not fit for snowfalls of more | | | | |