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Single vs Two-Stage Snow Blowers: What is the Difference?

Single vs Two-Stage Snow Blowers

Single vs Two-Stage Snow Blowers

If you live in a snowy area, then a good snow blower is an important investment. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to tell the good blowers from the bad ones. To make things worse, it can be difficult to figure out what kind of blower you need.

For example, there are single-stage snow blowers and two-stage snow blowers. Do you know the pros and cons of each snow blower so that you can figure out which one you need? If you’re not careful, you might spend a lot of money on the wrong blower.

That’s where we come in. We’ve put together a guide to help you learn everything important about these different blowers. And after you read our guide, it will be easier than ever to pick the right model!

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Overview of Single-Stage Snow Blower

To decide whether you need a single-stage snow blower or not, you need to understand the pros and cons. Our overview will provide you some much-needed info to help you make that decision!

What is a single-stage snow blower?

If you haven’t used a snow blower very much, it can be hard to pick between a single-stage and two-stage blower. In fact, you might have a basic question: what are these “stages” all about?

As the name implies, a single-stage snow blower takes care of snow in basically one step. The auger (a specialized blade) helps move the snow through a discharge chute in a single motion. In a two-stage blower, there is a fan that helps discharge the snow farther than the single-stage blower.

Honda Power Equipment HS720AMA

What is it best for?

Deciding between different tools usually starts with another simple question: what is the problem you are facing? Once you know the problem you are trying to solve, you can discover which solution is best.

For example, a single-stage snow blower is best for smaller jobs. That means things like sidewalks and driveways. If you’ve got a bigger challenge in mind, you’ll need a two-stage blower.

Is it easy to store?

The worst part about tools is finding a place to store them. That brings us to another big question about the single-stage snow blower: is it easy to store?

Generally speaking, the answer is “yes.” Most single-stage blowers are compact and easy to store, though you may ultimately prefer the advantages that come with the slightly-bigger two-stage blower.

Pros

  • Good for small jobs
  • Compact
  • User-friendly
Cons
  • Can’t handle bigger jobs
  • Fewer features than a two-stage model

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Overview of Two-Stage Snow Blower

A two-stage snow blower can take on bigger jobs than a single-stage model. But is this the right model for you? Our overview will help you discover the answer!

How does it work?

Obviously, a two-stage snow blower has more moving parts than a single-stage blower. But do you know exactly how this kind of snow blower works?

We’ve already covered one important difference: with a two-stage blower, there is a special fan that helps direct the snow through the discharge chute to send it farther than the single-stage blower.

And the auger on this kind of blower does not actually make contact with the surface of the ground. That gives it a few more advantages when it comes to certain surfaces in certain areas.

YARDMAX YB5765 Two-Stage Snow Blower

How else is it different from a single-stage blower?

Aside from the fan, are there other differences from the single-stage blower? One big difference is that the two-stage blower usually has power wheels that make it easier to move around.

On the downside, the two-stage models tend to be bigger and heavier than the single-stage models. That might be an important consideration when you need to put the blower back in storage.

Can you use this in more areas?

Earlier, we mentioned that two-stage blowers are better for larger areas. But can you actually use these blowers in more areas? As a matter of fact, yes!

Remember how we said the blades of the two-stage blower doesn’t make contact with the surface? That means you can use these blowers on dirt or even gravel without doing any damage to the blower itself.

Depending on how much dirt and gravel you have around your home, a two-stage blower may be the best bet.

Pros

  • Handles larger areas
  • Can work with dirt and gravel
Cons
  • Harder to store
  • More expensive

How to Choose the Right Blower

Now you know a bit more about both single- and two-stage snow blowers. And that brings us to the big question: how can you decide which one is best for you?

Budget: As always, it all comes down to factors ranging from your budget and your home to your preferences. If you simply want to save money, then you’ll want a single-stage blower. It is simpler than its two-stage cousin, but also the best way to save cash.

Need: Similarly, those that just need the snow blower for small areas should stick with the single-stage model. If you’re just trying to clear your driveway of snow in the morning, a two-stage blower is overkill.

If you have a larger area to work with, though, you definitely need a two-stage model. And if you have a lot of dirt and gravel around your home, the two-stage model is your only real choice.

Ultimately, choosing between blowers presents a familiar dilemma to your average handyman. A two-stage snow blower is more versatile and more valuable. But only you can decide whether those extra bells and whistles are worth the additional cost.

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Conclusion

Now you know the differences between single and two-stage snow blowers as well as the pros and cons of each model. And now it’s our turn to ask you a question: have you decided on the kind of snow blower that you need?

Only you can make the call as to which blower best suits your own needs. But we’ve got our fingers crossed that this guide helped make your decision easier!

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