Single-Stage vs. Two-Stage Snow Blower - Difference and Comparison

A snow blower or snow thrower is a machine for removing snow from an area where it is not wanted, such as a driveway, sidewalk.

Differences in operating mechanism

Single-stage snow throwers use a single high-speed impeller to both move the snow into the machine and force it out the discharge chute. The impeller is usually in the form of two or more curved plastic paddles that move snow towards the centerline of the machine where the discharge chute is located.

By comparison, two-stage snow throwers have one or more low-speed metal augers that break up the snow and move it into a separate high-speed impeller (sometimes called the fan). The impeller 'blows' or 'projects' the snow out the discharge chute with considerable force. All but the lightest-duty snow throwers are typically two-stage machines.

Two-stage machines for home use are usually self-propelled, using large wheels equipped with tire chains. These are usually single-purpose machines, though some are detachable front ends that can be replaced with other implements, such as a rotary tiller.

Differences in size, shape and power

Single-stage snow throwers are often light duty machines, with the exception of the enormous single stage rotary snow throwers used by railroads to clear tracks in mountainous areas.

Two-stage snow throwers range in power from a few horsepower to very large machines powered by diesel engines of over 1000 horsepower (746 kW). The large machines are used for clearing roadways and airport runways. These are capable of removing large amounts of snow quickly. Some municipalities use larger snow throwers to clear snow from streets after a snowfall, often by throwing the snow into trucks which haul it away.

Video Explaining the Differences

References

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"Single-Stage vs. Two-Stage Snow Blower." Diffen.com. Diffen LLC, n.d. Web. 23 Jun 2022. < >

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