Plow it Yourself: Residential Snow Plow Options

Meyer Home Plow

If you're looking for a new way to clear snow from your home, a snow plow can be a great option to takeover or compliment what you're doing now.  Most people think of municipal or commercial trucks driving through their neighborhoods clearing the streets leaving it safe for drivers.  However, there are a variety of ways for the typical homeowner to employ the use of plow blades to cut down on time spent clearing snow.  Snow plows come in all shapes and sizes.  Depending on the equipment you already own, you have several options to strap on a plow – riding mowers, ATVs, snow blowers, or your own personal car or truck.

Tractor Snow Plow Blade

A commonly used option is attaching a plow blade to your riding mower. If you have a large enough area to clear that you're considering a plow, chances are you have a lawn you're already mowing with a zero turn mower or lawn tractor.  So why not make the most of that riding mower?  These plow blades require the installation of a sub frame, but many consumer grade models include this with the blade; larger garden tractors may require a separate purchase.  They start at around $310; a good investment to get the most out of your riding mower (as opposed to having it sit in the garage all winter).

Another great way to get more use out of the equipment you already own is by attaching a plow blade to your ATV or UTV.  ATV snow plows require mounting kits, but some manufacturers include them with the plow blade.  Given the additional power, traction, and ruggedness provided by an ATV, they are a little more versatile than going the tractor mount route. Many of these have the ability to be used year round, so you can also move dirt and gravel in spring, summer, and fall.

Two-stage snow blowers are great at removing lots of snow in a short amount of time.  However, they do not clear all the way down to the pavement, leaving a small layer of snow.  Conversely, when there is only a small amount of snowfall, a two stage snow blower loses its effectiveness by not being able to pull in all the snow.  In comes the slush plow, which attaches to the front of a two stage and utilizes the snow blower’s drive system to effectively produce a self-propelled snow plow.  This setup works very well for moving snow and slush up to 5 inches.

Residential snow plows are gaining in popularity with expanded compatibility, increased ease of use, and a competitive market driving down costs.  Some manufacturers like Meyer Home Plow have plow blade setups not much unlike what you’ll find the commercial guys using, apart from the durability (these are not designed for commercial use).  But if you have a lot of driveway to clear, they are a huge time saver.

Nordic Auto Plow

Another option is one of the more innovative inventions of late when it comes to snow plow blades, the Nordic Auto Plow line.  These plows are designed to simplify the process and create a more universally fitting product that does not require hitches or hydraulics for installation & use. They utilize straps & hooks to attach to the front or rear of cars & light SUVs (yes, even coupes & sedans).  This is one of the most affordable ways for a homeowner to quickly and easily clear large amounts of snow in a short amount of time.  Running at about $570, a Nordic Auto Plow will be a less expensive option than many 2-stage snow blowers.

The World of Toro Snow Blowers

Let’s introduce you to the world of Toro Snow Blowers.

Toro is based out of Minneapolis, so it’s safe to say they know snow.  They are one of the few snow blower manufacturers that produce the 3 main styles of snow blowers – electric, single stage, and two-stage.  While their two stage models are quality machines, they are best known for their electric and single stage models.

 

Toro Electric Snow Blower

Toro electric snow blowers come in three sizes, the 12” Power Shovel, the 15” Power Curve, and the 18” Power Curve.  The Toro Power Shovel is a great tool to have if you only receive very light snowfalls, or for use on stairs, porches, and decks.  The 1500 & 1800 Power Curve models handle more snow than the Power Shovel, and can move between 500-700 pounds of snow per minute.  These models are all suitable for snowfalls of 4 inches & less.  The Toro 1800 Power Curve is the most popular of these models.

Toro Single Stage

Toro single stage snow blowers are gas powered and can handle more snow than their electric powered counterparts.  They come in 18” & 21” sizes, each size with a few options for electric start & chute styles.  They have slightly redesigned the single stage line up for 2014-2015 to feature larger engines.  In years past, the model numbers looked like “418ZE” & “621QZR” – the models have simply migrated to the larger engine sizes, so “418ZE” is now “518ZE”, and the “621QZR” is now “721QZR.”  The perennial pick in this lineup is the Toro 518ZE (formerly 418ZE).

Toro 2-Stage

If you’re looking for a little more power to help you conquer the snow, consider a two-stage Toro snowblower.  With features like an anti-clogging system to regulate snow intake, commercial gear case to withstand stress & eliminate need for shear pins, as well as power steering, these snow blowers are built tough for harsh winters.

Snow Blower Styles

Snow blowers come in all shapes and sizes, but which one is right for you?  There are a few basic types of snow blowers, each serving their own purpose.  On the smaller side, you have electric and single stage gas powered models.  Two-stage and three-stage snow blowers cover the larger options.

Toro 1800 Power Clear

Electric snow blowers are good for light, fluffy snowfalls and are very easy to use and maneuver.  They require no gas or oil, just a long, outdoor rated extension cord.  New to the market are cordless snow blowers from Snow Joe, which are equipped with lithium ion batteries and can run up to 40 minutes on a single charge.  However, if you typically receive snowfalls of more than a few inches, or have wet, heavy snow, you’ll probably want to move up to a single stage gas powered unit.

Toro 518ZE

A single stage snow blower can handle heavier snowfalls than electric models, typically up to 6 inches.  While not great at handling really wet & heavy snow, they will be able to handle the majority of moderate snowfalls.  Toro snow blowers are very popular in the single stage category, and have a wide range of options to meet your needs, including electric start, quick chute and the Power Propel drive system.

Ariens Deluxe 28+

2-stage snow blowers can handle the heavy stuff.  They feature metal augers capable of powering through heavy, wet snowfalls up to 18 inches.  Ariens snow blowers are the leaders in the 2-stage category, and offer one of the largest selections on the market.  They cover everything from basic models with just the necessities, to professional grade models with all the bells & whistles.

Cub Cadet 3526SWE

3-stage snow blowers are capable of grinding through the compacted snow & ice left at the end of the driveway by city plows.  They feature an extra forward facing auger for drilling through the tough stuff.  Cub Cadet snow blowers are the only 3 stage models on the market, and produce a few different sizes that even include a track drive model for 2014-2015.

BE PREPARED: Winter 2014-15 May Not Be What You Expect

Now, I'm no fortune-teller, but I do follow current events - especially when they relate to weather.

If you're living in the Midwestern or Southern United States, you'll want to be sure you have a two-stage snow blower available and operable come the end of November or early December.

According to The Weather Centre, here are the predictions for 2014-15 winter in the U.S.

For the Pacific Northwest: A warmer than normal winter with around average precipitation is currently favored, due to the state of the Pacific Ocean and choice analog year. Snowfall is projected to be slightly above normal.

For the Southwest: A warmer than normal winter with above average precipitation is currently favored, due to expected high pressure along the West Coast and an enhanced subtropical jet stream. Snowfall is projected to be around average.

For the North Plains: A cooler than normal winter with average precipitation is currently favored, due to the expected Pacific set-up and choice analog years. Snowfall is projected to be around average.

For the South Plains: A cooler than normal winter with slightly below average precipitation is currently favored. Snowfall is projected to be slightly above average.

For the Midwest and Great Lakes: A slightly cooler than normal winter with around average precipitation is currently favored. Low confidence. Snowfall is projected to be below normal. 

For the Ohio Valley: A slightly cooler than normal winter with slightly below average precipitation is currently favored. Snowfall is projected to be slightly below normal.

For the Southeast: A cooler than normal winter with wetter than normal precipitation is currently favored. Higher than normal confidence. Snowfall is projected to be above normal.

For the Mid-Atlantic: A cooler than normal winter with above average precipitation is currently favored. Snowfall is projected to be above normal.

For the Northeast: A cooler than normal winter with above average precipitation is currently favored. Snowfall is projected to be above normal.

 If you don't already have a snow blower, now is the perfect time to buy one as the newest models are out and the prices are great!

If you already do own a snow blower, now's a great time to start it up and cycle some fresh fuel through it, change the oil, and add some fuel stabilizer to make sure you don't have any problems this winter when you need it most.

Snow Blowers of the Future?

Ever wish you had your own personal snow removal service to take care of slushy cold messes for you? The best part of waking up may be your coffee, but the worst is having to shovel the mountain of snow in your driveway before trekking through the same said frozen crud to get to your favorite place in the world - work.

By the time you make it home, you'll likely have to start all over again. By the time you're finished, you're exhausted and ready for bed. Then, if you're lucky, you wake up the next morning to do it all over again.

It doesn't have to be that way! Snow blowers make clearing your driveway and sidewalks much easier and much faster. They even come with electric start and hand warmers. If you don't want to be snowed on, you can also get an attachable snow cab to protect you from the wind and snow.

The really exciting news is a breakthrough in snow blower technology. Istanbul Technical University mechatronics associate professor, Emin Faruk Kececi invented a remote-operated snow blower robot called the SnowBYTE. It's a small, all-wheel drive, gas/electric snow blower with electric start that you can operate from the warmth of your home. The gas engine powers the snow blowing system (front blades and snow blowing chute), and electricity powers the all-wheel-drive motors that move the SnowBYTE up and down your driveway and walkways.

If you want to sit on your sofa with your feet up, that's fine. The SnowByte features an integrated camera system which provides you a view of what's being cleared away as you go. So even as you're lounging on the couch sipping your hot cappuccino, you can still navigate precisely where you want the machine to go.

The SnowBYTE is still in development mode, and the prototypes have not been perfected yet. The biggest problem is that it's compact and lightweight. Without the size and weight of a full-sized snow blower, it cannot effectively handle deep, heavy snow. 

This may be a fun alternative for lighter snow, but for the real thick stuff you should probably stick with a 2-stage snow blower.

Power Sweeping

Whether you have a large driveway, several walkways, or even a parking lot that needs to be swept clean, a broom will be insufficient for large jobs.

While power brushes are popular for commercial snow removal, all-season power brushes are very effective for sweeping gravel, salt residue, leaves, grass clippings, and other debris from dry surfaces.

These are great machines for cleaning large surface areas quickly and effectively. You won't have to spend hours sweeping with a broom and watching the debris blow right back where it came from.

Power brushes consist of rotating wire bristles that literally flick every bit of dirt and debris away with speed so you can be certain the job is done right. They're perfect for small businesses that like to keep their lots and walkways clean, and even better for cities looking to keep their sides streets, alleys and sidewalks clean year-round.

When to Get a Good Deal on a Snow Blower

The majority of snow blower manufacturers only make a set amount of snow blowers each season. Once they're sold, they don't produce anymore until summertime because they're making lawn mowers.

Large home improvement stores only stock up on as many as they project to sell, and rarely have any left by the time spring rolls around. They do this because they don't want any leftover stock that has to be discounted.

New snow blower models are usually introduced in May or June, but aren't being produced yet. However, you can back order a brand new snow blower before it's released.

By back ordering a new model of snow blower that's just been introduced, you tend to get a nice discounted price. You also get a brand new snow blower, which is arguably much better than settling for a used model that may have problems and that doesn't come with a warranty

Later, as winter is approaching, you'll receive your brand new snow blower at just about the same time as others are starting to shop around. You may be the first person in your neighborhood prepared for that unexpected early-season snowfall.

If you're interested in buying one now that's still in stock, you can find a better selection at Snow Blowers Direct than you can at a big box store.