by Philo Gabriel

Created on: November 16, 2010   Last Updated: May 14, 2012

Especially for those who find the constant shoveling of snow bad for their back or otherwise debilitating, a snow blower can be pretty tempting.  It’s faster, and it does the bulk of the work for you.  It can be a godsend for those living in climates that get a great deal of snow.

Snow blowers can be electric or gas powered.  Most work in two main stages.  First an auger breaks up the snow as the snow blower passes over it.  Then an impeller sucks up the loosened snow and propels it to the side, off the sidewalk or whatever is being cleared.

A snow blower is a major purchase, and one that should be made only after careful consideration.  Snow blowers can differ quite a bit from each other, and there are numerous factors that are relevant to choosing the best snow blower for you:

* Price

There are snow blowers to fit all budgets.  A cheap electric snow blower with little power can be had for under $100.  But you can also pay over $2,000 for a snow blower.

* Safety

There are different safety issues with different types of snow blowers.  Electric snow blowers have cords, which can get tangled, cause tripping, and be a hazard in wet conditions.  Gas snow blowers can cause dangerous carbon monoxide build up if turned on inside a garage or other enclosed space.

Thousands of injuries, from mild scrapes to amputations, occur every year when people try to clear clogs from the chute of a snow blower.  The blower should automatically shut off when the controls are released, and should come with a tool for clearing clogs so people are less likely to reach in with their hand.

* Power

If you’re going through deep snow, or having to work up an incline, most snow blowers require a lot of exertion.  Ironically, you may end up struggling and exhausting yourself as much as if you were shoveling.  The more expensive, higher-powered gas blowers, though, are largely self-propelled and much easier to maneuver.

* Surface

Many types of snow blowers can have a problem with gravel driveways, or any surface like that that has small debris under the snow.  If the auger brushes along the ground when gathering snow, the blower can suck up a lot of gravel or other material along with the snow.  Larger, more expensive gas blowers more often are designed so that the auger does not contact the ground like that.

* Path size

Gasoline-powered snow blowers typically cover a wider path than electric, which can

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