It’s only the beginning of November, but snow has already fallen in Spokane, Western Idaho, Edmonton, Pipestone (Minneosta) and Kenora, meaning it’s already time to bring out snow blowers. Along with snow blowers, you can use an assortment of other snow clearing tools to make sure your drive is clear and safe for the upcoming season.

Snow Blowers

Snow blowers are by far the easiest, cleanest and most efficient tools to use for clearing snow. Their heavy-duty motors do all the hard work for you, staying close to the ground and getting at all the snow no matter how thick or heavy it is. And with a one-time cost (or a bit of ongoing cost for gas snow blowers, like the Toro Power Clear 621), all you have to do is plug in the snow blower and be on your way. Whether you opt to go the solely electric route, like using an Ariens AMP 24, or with a gas-powered Toro, Snow Blower Source has the perfect snow blower designed to suit your needs.

Salt

Your basis compound of Sodium Chloride has been used to clear snow for what seems like forever. It works by lowering the freezing point of snow and ice, keeping it at a liquid when it would normally otherwise solidify. If water freezes at 32F, you can use a 10% salt solution to bring down the freezing point to 20F, and a 20% salt solution to get a freezing point of 2F. The ice immediately around the salt starts to melt and because water naturally likes to occupy the lowest space possible, the melting area spreads and clears more ice. The downside, of course, is if the weather outside is colder than what you can manipulate the freezing point to be, salt loses its efficacy and you have to use more.

Sand

Although it looks like sand melts snow and ice much the same way that ice does, the process is fairly different. Snow and ice have a hard time retaining light- and heat/energy from the sun’s light- so it tends to reflect most of the heat and energy that hits it. But when you put darker-colored sand on top of snow and ice, it does retain heat and energy, bringing it up to a higher temperature than the snow and ice underneath it. And if you place a warm object on top of a cool object, the heat from it will transfer through until both objects are the same temperature. Because sand gains heat very quickly, placing a layer of it on top of snow is an easy and efficient way of melting it. However, it does leave behind a dirty-looking mess that needs to be cleaned up, but the grittiness of sand-on-snow makes driveways and sidewalks a lot easier to walk on.

This winter, clear your property with one of Snow Blower Source’s Toro or Ariens snow blowers and get the peace of mind you deserve. Not only is shipping insurance included on every product, but the shipping costs itself are free for the lower 48 states.

Using a snow blower to clear your drive is infinitely easier than shovelling it, but when it comes time to buy one, how do you know what to get? Buying a shovel is easy; you pick one by color or by material. But a snow blower presents more challenges. In this blog post, we’ll explore the ins and outs of getting an electric or gas snow blower, and which one is better suited to your needs.

Electric Snow Blowers

If you’ve got a short driveway or live in an area that either doesn’t get a lot of snow or gets light, powdery snow, an electric snow blower may be the better bet. Quiet, gas-free and powered by an electrical cord, these snow blowers are designed for light loads and quick clears. A snow blower like the Ariens Two-Stage Electric has a charge time of 45-60 minutes, giving you plenty of time to clear the snow.

But while one charge won’t clear as much as a tank of gas, and you do have to mindful of the cord, electric snow blowers are light, mobile and easy to store. You also don’t have to worry about changing the oil or tuning it up like you would a gas snow blower, which definitely translates into a low-maintenance winter.

Gas Snow Blowers

Living in an area like Minnesota or Wisconsin will almost always call for a gas snow blower, a machine that can clear heavier loads. Gas powered snow blowers have an engine inside to literally muscle through wet, heavy snow, making them efficient clearers for anything Mother Nature throws their way. But the power comes with a price: gas snow blowers are loud- really loud- because of their engine, and that engine needs to be cared for on a regular basis. Things like oil changes and cleaning the fuel and air filters aren’t optional, they’re a must if you want to keep your gas snow blower in good working condition.

The news is far from bad with gas snow blowers, though, as they’re heavy-duty workhorses that can easily handle blizzards and snowstorms. And with no cord to worry about, all you need to do is fill up the machine with gas and you’re good to go. A snow blower like the Toro Two-Stage Power Max was born for snow, with it able to clear up to 2,200lbs per minute. It also features rugged 16-inch tires, a pivoting scraper to get all the snow, and a Quick Stick control that lets you change both the chute direction and reflector without stopping. And in case you run low on gas or just want to take it out for a quick spin, the Toro Power Max also comes with an electric recoil start.

You can’t lose with these promotions from SnowBlowerSource.com! Get the best deals on Ariens and Toro snow blowers, plus extended warranty or money-back promotions. Free shipping on all orders to the lower 48 U.S.No tax on any orders shipped outside of Minnesota.

There are people out there who are snow-clearing purists and believe that snow should only be shovelled off the driveway. But at Snow Blower Source, we have only two words for them: “Bah, humbug!” Snow machinery has come so far in the time blowers have been around, it’s almost a shame not to use them. And when you take into account how many more people who shovel don’t clear snow safely, suffering all sorts of health-related scares and injuries, well the verdict seems pretty clear to us.

Fewer Back Injuries

When you’re shovelling snow, all that weight can add up pretty quickly. A shovel with wet snow on it can weigh 15lbs, but how many people fill up the shovel with that much snow, empty it, and keep going? With the tendency being to clear a line from Point A to Point B, the weight you’re pushing around will quickly exceed that and it’ll feel like you’re trying to lift a small elephant.

.

Because shovelling snow is like weight lifting, all that work is going to put undue pressure on your back. A better solution is to use either a single-stage or double-stage Toro or Ariens snowblower and let it do the heavy lifting for you. Even though the machines start around 54lbs, there’s a strong engine inside of there that’ll take the brunt of the task.

Less Chance of a Heart Attack

In the cold, your blood pressure and heart rate go up all on their own. Add in the strenuous exercise that shovelling snow brings, and people with medical conditions are doubly at risk. The Heart and Stroke Foundation advises that people who have had a heart attack, stroke or heart surgery not to shovel, citing statistics that people who have died from snow shovelling have usually suffered a heart attack.

And here’s where Snow Blower Source once again comes to your rescue. If you’ve got a small property but need to clear snow off your deck, walk or patio, the Toro Electric Power Shovel is just the thing for you. All you have to do is plug it in and go, and keep adding years to your life.

Save Your Muscles

While shovelling snow may seem like a glorious show of how strong you are, WebMD reports that between 1990 to 2006, 195,000 people were treated in emergency rooms for snow shovelling-related injuries. The most common ones? Muscle, ligament, tendon, and other soft tissue injuries. And while maneuvering a snow blower may look tough, just check out this video of how easy it is to work an Ariens Deluxe Snow Blower:

And just because we’re that confident in our snow blowers, shipping is free to the lower 48 states!

Every winter, millions of excited winter warriors pull out their snow blowers and get to work. And for the most part, they’ll be okay. But every now and then, you hear about an accident in the news involving a snow blower. It’ll probably be a 44-year-old male whose amputated the tips of his fingers; this is what happens 90% of the time. But if you’re careful and remember smart snow blower safety, you should be okay.

Preparing for a Safe Season

The easiest thing to do is get everything ready ahead of time. Read your Ariens or Toro snow blower manual, make sure your snow blower’s in good working order, and make sure your three-wire grounded system looks good.

.

And this goes without saying, but make sure you don’t drink or do drugs before you take your snow blower to your driveway. No matter even if you’re using a Single Stage Toro Electric Start, a snow blower that only weighs 58lbs, the heart of a beast beats inside and can do serious damage.

While You’re Clearing Snow

Like driving a car, always be on the lookout for what’s in front of you, behind you, and on both sides. The last thing you want to be doing is running over the cord, the signed Denver Broncos football you forgot outside or, worst yet, a child.

If you do get the snow blower caught on something, turn it off and disengage the clutch. By cutting power to the machine that’s gotten snagged on something, you’ll be that much more able to check out what’s going on. But give yourself a five second count first to allow the the blades to stop spinning. If there’s compacted snow, use a broom handle to poke it loose. Even though you’ve turned the machine off, a blade can still rotate unexpectedly and possibly hurt you when your guard’s down.

Most Common Snow Blower Mishaps

The biggest cause of snow blower injuries is the impeller, a little piece of metal in the exit chute that spins really quickly. When snow overloads the chute, the impeller can stop. A curious snow blower will stop the machine, turn it off…and reach in to clear it. Broom stick. Reach it with a broom stick.

The most affected group of injured snow blower users are 44-year-old men, with the tip of their middle finger being amputated on their dominant hand (it’s the longest finger). After that, multiple amputations are next most common, followed by general amputations and avulsions.

This winter, Snow Blower Source wants you to be able to enjoy your Ariens or Toro snow blower, but we need you to be alive and uninjured. Just take a couple extra minutes to make sure you’ve got good snow blower safety going on and enjoy working the best snow blower on the planet.

.

As the mowing season winds down, it’s time to think about how you’re going to keep the driveway clear when snow flies this winter. If you’re looking for the best deal on a snow blower, head over to SnowBlowerSource.com, our partner store, for can’t-miss Ariens and Toro snowblower promotions. See below for details!

Ariens Snowblower Promotion

Any Ariens 2 stage snow blower purchased between August 1 and November 15, 2013 will receive a free 5 year warranty! This is an upgrade from the standard 3 year warranty offered on Ariens snowblowers.

Details:

• Warranty Extension to 5 years on Ariens snow blowers
• For a limited time only, receive a free warranty extension from Ariens from the standard 3 year warranty to an unbelievable 5 year warranty!
• All Ariens 2 stage Snow-Thro® models qualify (Sno-Tek™ and Path-Pro™ excluded).
• Includes all qualified, registered purchases from August 1, 2013 through November 15, 2013. Customers must purchase and register their snow blower during the promotion timeframe.

Toro Snow blower Promotion

Afraid that you’ll buy a snow blower and then it won’t snow much this winter? Put your fears to rest with Snow Blower Source’s Toro promotion.

Details:

• If it snows 10% or less of the average for your area, you will receive the promo price of your machine back!
• If it snows less than 50% of the average for your area, you will receive a 10% refund of the promo price.
• Any Toro snow blower purchased and registered between August 1 and November 15, 2013 is eligible for the promotion.

Snow Blower Sale at SnowBlowerSource.com

You can’t lose with these promotions from SnowBlowerSource.com! Get the best deals on Ariens and Toro snow blowers, plus extended warranty or money-back promotions. Free shipping on all orders to the lower 48 U.S.! No tax on any orders shipped outside of Minnesota.

Unfortunately, the day hasn’t yet arrived when you get use your snow blower, stow it in your garage for the warmer months, and have it working like it’s brand new next year. Until that happens, you, my fellow intrepid snow warrior, must give your Toro snow blower a little bit of love.

Engine

You could probably just use your two-way snow blower in one direction, and you could probably even rewire some doohickey that’ll allow the snow to blow out of a different hole. But when it comes to your engine, the heart of the machine, there’s no getting any related problems.

How to Maintain

Keeping your engine oiled (and keeping the oil clean!) is one of the easiest ways to prolong the life of your engine. But don’t forget about your spark plug, either! This little piece is vastly under-appreciated but hits high above its weight in importance.

Belt

The part most responsible for keeping all the little pieces together, your Toro snow blower belt should be in good working condition for it to clear snow effectively. This is one part that people tend to neglect until it’s too late, but that’s okay- you’re obviously not one of them if you’re reading this!

How to Maintain

If you notice your Toro snow blower isn’t clearing snow like when you first bought it, check your belt for wear and tear. Many people wait until it’s broken which is bad. Show your neighbors you know a thing or two by changing your belt regularly.

Scraper Bars and Paddle Kits

Such a fancy title for such a simple, yet such an essential component area of your Toro snow blower, Einstein even came up with an equation for it. The math is a little tricky, but it essential means that the more you put the bottom of your snow blower into contact with hard ground, the more it’ll wear out.

How to Maintain

Ever wondered why, other than outgrowing them, you have to replace your shoes? It’s because the constant contact with concrete scrapes a bit of the sole away little by little until holes appear. The scraper bars and paddle kits are the same, and need regular replacement.

Skid Shoes

Unless you’re one of the lucky few with a perfectly level, perfectly smooth driveway, your snow blower is liable to veering and lurching into the cracks…unless you’ve got skid shoes! Heavy duty and designed for wear and tear, skid shoes help you regain a sense of control when clearing snow.

How to Maintain

With this one, you’ll have to rely on timing more than sight because if you go with the latter, you run the risk of scratching up a pretty driveway surface. When the skid shoes start to go, so does your driveway surface. Change them regularly and keep your driveway looking smooth and new.

All it takes is a little bit of care and attention in your snowblower maintenance, and you can keep your Toro snowblower efficiently clearing snow longer than everyone else on the block. Just remember the saying, “A stitch in time saves nine!”

Toro Power Max 1028 OXE Electric Start Model 38663 Two Stage Snow Blower 2014

It may seem like winter’s still far off, but now is the perfect time to buy a snowblower: the air is still relatively warm, there’s no snow on the ground to deal with, and it’s always easier to plan farther in advance. The closer you wait until snowfall, the more likely you’ll be to make a rush decision and miss out on the snowblower that’s right for you.

Buying a snowblower isn’t about getting the fanciest-looking piece of equipment on the block, it’s about buying a tool that’ll most efficiently clear your driveway. All snowblowers clear snow, but like buying a comb versus a brush depending on how much hair you have, snowblowers are the same.

Single Stage Snowblowers or Two Stage Snowblowers?

Starting off with the most basic ones, single-stage snowblowers are perfect if you have a relatively small driveway and don’t receive much snow (re: the opposite of living in Minnesota). They come in two different kinds, recoil and electric, and picking one depends on whether or not you want to use an electric cord or just straight gas.

Toro Commercial Power Clear 721 R-C Recoil Start Model 38751 Snow Blower

Some good choices for single stage snowblowers are the Ariens Single Stage Electric 136E and the Toro Electric Start 418 ZE, both perfect for their easy size and weight.

But if you live in a more Minnesota-like area, a two stage snowblower is able to handle a heavier load. Two stage snowblowers have bigger engines which are more capable of a larger snow intake- something that is overkill for 4″ of snow on your property.

To efficiently clear your driveway of snow, check out the Toro Electric Start Two Stage 928 OE, a compact beast of a machine that’ll get the job done but won’t break your wallet. On the Ariens side, their Platinum 24 Electric Start checks off a lot of boxes, making it a great machine for many different tasks.

Recoil or Electric Start?

The benefits of an electric start snowblower are obvious: it’s environmentally friendly, the power can be quicker to cut off in case of an emergency, they’re perfect for smaller drives and they can also be started by recoil. The Ariens AMP 24 Two Stage Electric Snowblower is quiet and features 6 forward and 2 reverse speeds, giving you more than enough to handle a decent snowfall.

But recoil start blowers have their benefits, too. They have great manoeuvrability, you’re never going to run over the cord, and you’ll never worry about the cord being long enough to keep supplying power to your snowblower. Try the Toro Commercial Power Clear 721 R-C Recoil Start for a powerful machine that’ll clear enough snow to build a tobogganing hill.

To get the best deal possible, check out our snowblower sale on Toro and Ariens snowblowers, plus an extended warranty or money-back offer if it doesn’t snow. Free shipping on all orders to the lower 48 U.S.! No tax on any orders shipped outside of Minnesota.

For those of you who live in an area where winter snow doesn’t get too heavy (less than 8-10 inches) and your medium-sized driveway is flat and paved, a single stage gas snowblower will more than do the job. Switch to a single stage electric if you’ve got a shorter driveway and less snow (about 4-6 inches). But beyond that, how are you supposed to decide which single stage snowblower is best for you? Check out the side-by-side product reviews of Ariens’ single stage snowblowers to narrow down the choices.

Ariens Path-Pro SS21 938030 136R 21″ Single Stage Recoil Start Snowblower 2014

• Engine: 7.0ft lbs (136cc Ariens AX)
• Starting system:recoil only
• Snow-throwing: 3-25ft
• Clearing width: 21″
• Housing height: 12.2″
• Tires: 7.5×1.75″ Semi-pneumatic diamond tread
• Fuel tank capacity: 2.9qt with 1 forward speed
• Measurements: 53.1″(L) 21.6″(W) 40.9″(H) 86lbs

Ariens Path-Pro SS21 938031 208R 21″ Single Stage Recoil Start Snowblower 2014

• Engine: 9.5ft lbs (208cc Ariens Ax)
• Starting system: recoil only
• Snow-throwing: 3-35ft
• Clearing width: 21″
• Housing height: 12.2″
• Tires: 7.5×1.75″ Semi-pneumatic diamond tread
• Fuel tank capacity: 2.9qt with 1 forward speed
• Measurements: 54.3″(L) 21.6″(W) 40.9″(H) 90lbs

Ariens Path-Pro SS21 938034 136E 21″ Single Stage Electric Start Snowblower 2014

• Engine: 7.0ft lbs (136cc Ariens Ax)
• Starting system: recoil or electric
• Snow-throwing: 3-35ft
• Clearing width: 21″
• Housing height: 12.2″
• Tires: 7.5×1.75″ Semi-pneumatic diamond tread
• Fuel tank capacity: 2.9qt with 1 forward speed
• Measurements: 54.3″(L) 21.6″(W) 40.9″(H) 86lbs

Ariens Path-Pro SS21 938032 208E 21″ Single Stage Electric Start Snowblower 2014

• Engine: 79.5ft lbs (208cc Ariens Ax)
• Starting system: recoil or electric
• Snow-throwing: 3-35ft
• Clearing width: 21″
• Housing height: 12.2″
• Tires: 7.5×1.75″ Semi-pneumatic diamond tread
• Fuel tank capacity 2.9qt with 1 forward speed
• Measurements: 54.3″(L) 21.6″(W) 40.9″(H) 90lbs

Ariens Path-Pro SS21 938033 208EC 21″ Single Stage Electric Start w/ Remote Chute Snowblower 2014

• Engine: 79.5ft lbs (208cc Ariens Ax)
• Starting system: recoil or electric
• Snow-throwing: 3-35ft
• Clearing width: 21″
• Housing height: 12.2″
• Tires: 7.5×1.75″ Semi-pneumatic diamond tread
• Fuel tank capacity: 2.9qt with 1 forward speed
• Measurements: 54.3″(L) 21.6″(W) 40.9″(H) 97lbs

So now that you have all the specs broken down, how does it all translate into the perfect snowblower for your home? If you’ve got a relatively small driveway and sidewalk, or if the closest electrical outlet is pretty close to the end of your driveway, go with a snowblower that’s small and an electric start. They’re lighter, get the job done, and blow the snow away easily when you don’t have too much space. Electric start snowblowers are also great if you’re either concerned about the environment or have visions of throwing out your back each time you bend down to yank the start cord.

But if you’ve a little bit more space, or if the closest outdoor electrical outlet is farther away, go for a recoil start snowblower. They’re a little heavier, but only by 10lbs or less- the weight of a sack of potatoes or two small Chihuahuas. Likely, you won’t be lifting your snowblower often, if at all, so the extra weight will hardly be noticeable.

For more information on Ariens Single Stage Electric Snow Blowers, click here.

Winter will be here before you know it! Get ready for snow season with a brand new snow blower from SnowBlowerSource.com. We have the best deals on Ariens and Toro snowblowers! See the promotions below for more details.

Ariens Snowblower Promotion

Looking for a snowblower that’s durable enough to last through many winters to come? Any Ariens 2 stage snow blower purchased between August 1 and November 15, 2013 will receive a free 5 year warranty! This is an upgrade from the standard 3 year warranty offered on Ariens snowblowers.

Details:

• Warranty Extension to 5 years on Ariens snowblowers
• For a limited time only, receive a free warranty extension from Ariens. Instead of the standard 3 year warranty, you’ll get an unbelievable 5 year warranty!
• All Ariens 2 stage Snow-Thro® models qualify (Sno-Tek™ and Path-Pro™ excluded).
• Includes all qualified, registered purchases from August 1, 2013 through November 15, 2013. Customers must purchase and register their snow blower during the promotion timeframe.

Toro Snowblower Promotion

Murphy’s Law says that if you buy a snow blower this winter, it won’t snow enough to need it. Put your fears to rest with our Toro snowblower promotion. You’ll get your money back if it doesn’t snow!

Details:

• If it snows 10% or less of the average for your area, you will receive the promo price of your machine back!
• If it snows less than 50% of the average for your area, you will receive a 10% refund of the promo price.
• Any Toro snowblower purchased and registered between August 1 and November 15, 2013 is eligible for the promotion.

Snow Blower Sale

Don’t lose out on the best deals around! Our snow blower sale on Toro and Ariens give you the best price around, plus an extended warranty or money-back offer if it doesn’t snow. Free shipping on all orders to the lower 48 U.S.! No tax on any orders shipped outside of Minnesota.

Ever wonder what the difference is between a two stage snow blower and a single stage snow blower? As this Ariens snow blower video demonstrates, you can get the job done a lot faster (and with a lot less frustration) with a powerful two stage snow blower.

Some of the comments left on this YouTube video complained that the two snow blowers weren’t comparable machines. They were right. They weren’t meant to be. Although both snow blowers cost $600, the two stage Ariens snow blower clearly outperforms the single stage model, which is exactly what it was designed to do.

If you live in a region with only light snowfall, a single stage snow blower may be all you need, but if you’re in the snow belt, we recommend an Ariens two stage snow blower. The difference—as you can see in the video above—is obvious when the two machines are compared side by side.

The Ariens two stage snow blower can dig through the heap at the end of your driveway after the city plow goes by. It can also get your driveway clear faster than a less powerful single stage model.

Ariens Professional 32 Snow Blower

One of the most powerful Ariens snow blowers is the Ariens Professional 32 Electric Start Model. This machine features a powerful Briggs and Stratton engine, 32″ clearing width, and a 12V battery for easy startup even on the coldest winter days. The Ariens Professional 32 snow blower can power through deep drifts and packed snow without the back-and-forth “ramming” needed by less powerful models.

It can throw snow up to 50 feet, keep your hands warm with built-in handwarmers, and light up the area in front of you with powerful in-dash headlights. The automatic traction control and 16″ directional snow tread tires keep you on track, even in icy conditions.

Two Stage Ariens Snow Blower Sale

Don’t miss our end-of-season deals on Ariens two stage snow blowers. These powerful machines get your driveway cleared fast—even the end of the drive after the plow’s gone by. Get free shipping and a 3-year limited consumer warranty when you purchase your Ariens snow blower from SnowBlowerSource.com.

We offer insured shipping through FedEx and pre-scheduled delivery times to make sure you don’t miss the delivery. Compare our prices with our competitors—we guarantee you’ll come back to SnowBlowerSource.com! Best prices around.