What is the difference between a single-stage and a two-stage snow plow?

Anyone looking to buy a snow blower will soon find that the choice tends to narrow between what are known as one or two stage snow blowers. There are some manufacturers that also make what are known as three-stage snow blowers, and these will be discussed and mentioned at the end of the article.

There are also some manufacturers that make small or compact tractors that can be converted to snow plows with various snow plow attachments, but most of the mentioned snow plows are standalone machines.

The way any snow blower works is, in essence, pretty simple. They suck or suck snow at the front of the machine and then discharge it through what is known as a ramp, through the top of the machine in a direction away from the ground from where the snow is being cleared.

This process is at the heart of the distinction between a one-stage and a two-stage snow thrower. A single stage snow thrower will simply draw the smow in as described above, and discharge it. A two-stage snow blower will have an additional element, normally thought of as something of an impeller, which is used to break up hard chunks of snow or ice once they have been fed into the machine and before they are discharged as more . malleable chunks of snow.

A three-stage snow thrower was mentioned earlier. These were very common a few years ago, and there are still some manufactured and many older models available. The main element of a three-stage snow thrower is that it contains an additional auger, located above the main one, which helps to break up hard pieces of snow or ice before they disperse through the discharge chute.

This distinction goes to the essence of what a snow thrower does, and it is really important when deciding what type of snow thrower to buy, as it must be understood for what type of snow it is to be used and on what type of terrain. will be used in.

Both types of snow blowers can be used for any type of terrain or yard or smallholding, depending on the distinction just mentioned in terms of type of snow and type of terrain.

Single stage snow blowers are typically used in terrain where the snow is quite fine and flaky, often described as up to 8 or 9 inches thick, and where the ground underneath is quite soft.

Two-stage snowplows are used much more frequently when the snow is much thicker, usually much harder, and possibly very icy in certain places. They are also used where the soil underneath is likely to be harder, possibly gravel or asphalt.

The other consideration with any one or two stage snow blower is whether to use normal tires or to use a snow blower that has some kind of track, similar to a tank, that can provide much greater stability. This is really an issue as to what type of terrain the snow thrower will be used on and what will provide the best type of traction for both the snow thrower and the operator using it.