Shoveling and removing snow from driveways and walkways is a reality for those of us who live in winter environments where harsh weather for several months per year is a reality. It’s well known that shoveling snow can be a dangerous task that is hard on the heart and involves suddenly lifting heavy loads and twisting and turning your body while you do it.
The heavier and wetter the snow, the more strenuous the task of shoveling but the also more difficult it is even for many snowblowers to work properly, too. Since you can choose a one, two, or three stage snowblower, it’s helpful to know what you get with each option.
A 3 stage snowblower combines the snow collection auger and impeller of a 2 stage snowblower and adds an accelerator to more forcefully propel even heavy wet snow that is often difficult for 2 stage machines. An extra wide impeller further enables more snow to be removed at one time.
Depending on the manufacturer, you may see 3 stages snowblowers referred to as 3x, 3-stage, three stage or simply snowblowers that have a three stage system for removing snow.
How does a three stage snowblower work?
How does a 3 stage snowblower work in comparison to a single stage or 2 stage model? A three stage snowblower has three distinct components to remove snow so it has two stages that a single stage machine doesn’t have and it’s the third component that makes it different from a 2 stage snowblower.
Auger
The auger is the serrated metal circular rotating blades that draw the snow into the machine and deliver it to the impeller for removal through the chute. The higher and wider the intake of your snowblower the more snow you can remove at one time. The auger moves at a relatively moderate pace in a circular motion and is operated by one of the levers on the snowblower handle. The other handle operates the clutch to automatically move the snowblower forwards and backwards. A single stage, 2 stage and 3 stage snowblower all have an auger.
Impeller
The impeller is a fast spinning motor located behind the auger that actually collects, compacts and throws the snow out through the discharge chute. While the impeller on a decent 2 stage machine is capable of handling snow removal for most users’ needs, wet and thus very heavy snow can sometimes get caught in the impeller as it’s being removed and slow things down.
I haven’t experienced the impeller getting clogged very often but when it does, it’s typically for the two reasons that a three stage snowblower exists: wet snow and heavy snow.
In my experience, snow that is wet because it has started to melt can often be very difficult to remove to the point where the snow turns to soft packed ice by the time it is discharged and basically spurts out the chute rather than being shot out 20 or more feet away like usual. In my experience it doesn’t happen very often but if you get mild temperatures with heavy snowfall, you might have to deal with it.
Very deep snow may also require you to use a lower gear to move slower to account for the extra snow. You can only remove snow as quickly as your impeller and auger will allow. The lighter the snow, the farther it will be thrown, too.
A single stage snowblower doesn’t have an impeller but a 2 stage and 3 stage snowblower does.
Accelerator
The accelerator is the third component and the one that distinguishes a 3 stage snowblower from a 2 stage. If you regularly receive large snowfalls and snow that is wet and heavy, a 3 stage snowblower might be useful. The accelerator can spin up to 10x as fast as a regular auger to break down packed snow and clear it quicker than a 2 stage without the accelerator.
Cub Cadet claims that their 3 stage snowblower can remove deep snow up to 50% quicker than their comparable 2 stage snowblower as a result of the extra capacity and accelerated snow removal. Other three stage snowblowers mention 30% faster clearing of snow. So it’s a time-saver and enables you to clear larger amounts of snow, too.
So the benefits of a three stage snowblower are quicker clearing of snow and better handling of wet, heavy snow that you might experience in your local area.
Only a 3 stage snowblower has an accelerator which is what separates it from the other two models.
The heaviest snow you will deal with is at the bottom of your driveway
The worst sound and sight you experience in winter is when you’ve just finished hand shoveling your driveway and then witness the city snowplow come back and leave a foot or more of hard packed snow at the end of your driveway.
Sure, you can try to drive through it a few times to flatten it out and that might do the trick. Or you could back up into the pile of snow and damage your tailpipe or your vehicle might get stuck in it.
A 3 stage snowblower will mow through this snow better than a 2 stage although with a bit of time, a two stage snowblower will also be sufficient to clear the snow left by a snowplow in my experience. A single stage snowblower on the other hand will tend to get clogged and it will be slow work to get the job done. A single stage snowblower is not meant for this work and may or may not be capable of doing it.
My two stage snowblower needs a bit of time but it generally clears away packed snow from the snowplow with no trouble although I use a slower gear if the snow is hard-packed.
One stage vs two stage vs three stage snowblowers
While many models and specifications exist, here is what you can typically choose from with regards to single stage, two stage and three stage snowblowers.
| 1 stage | 2 stage | 3 stage | |
| Usage | Light snow, walkways, paths | Heavy snowfall, driveways, sidewalks | Anything a 2 stage can do plus heavier, wetter snow |
| Design | A single auger | 1 large auger and 1 impeller | 1 accelerator, 1 large auger, 1 impeller |
| Snow intake height | up to 12.5″ | up to 23″ | up to 23″ |
| Clearing path width | up to 22″ | 24″ – 30″ | 26″ – 30″ |
| Throwing distance | up to 20′ | up to 40′ | up to 50′ |
| Price range | $400 – $600 | $800 – $1,700 | $1,300 – $2,600 |
1 stage vs 2 stage vs 3 stage snowblowers
Choosing between a 1, 2 or 3 stage snowblower essentially boils down to several questions:
- What is your budget?
- How much snow you have to clear ie. driveway size, sidewalk, pathway.
- How much snow do you get in your local area and how many major snowfalls do you get each winter?
A 1 stage (or single stage) snowblower is suitable for clearing pathways and small driveways in areas that receive a reasonable amount of snow. A 4″ – 6″ snowfall is about the limit for this sort of machine and it will throw snow far enough that it clears sidewalks and walkways as well as small driveways. It doesn’t clear snow as quickly as a larger 2 or 3 stage machine.
A 2 stage snowblower is suitable for most people who live in areas that receive heavy snowfalls and who have driveways and walking areas such as paths or a sidewalk that need clearing several of more times per winter. A 2 stage snowblower may clear up to a 30″ wide path of snow and snow intakes as high as 28″ for many commercial models and higher in the case of industrial models. A good 2 stage snowblower can generally throw snow 20′ – 40′ away and farther in the case of professional models.
A 3 stage snowblower is good for someone who fits the stage 2 profile but who additionally gets heavy, wet snowfalls that can make even a decent 2 stage machine difficult to operate successfully. Anyone who has ever tried to use even a quality 2 stage snowblower on heavy, wet, melting snow knows that it can easily get clogged in the impeller and hardly exits the machine. The accelerator of a three stage snowblower chops up snow to increase the snow throughput and the speed at which it is pushed through the impeller.
Here’s a video overview of the differences between each type of machine and why you may consider each one.
Snowblower must-have features
Regardless of which type of snowblower you choose, here are the important features to look for and why they matter:
Must-have features
- Auto-start button: While a pull start engine cord is standard, an electric start button saves you the stress of pulling repeatedly on the start cord if the engine is flooded or is otherwise difficult to start. Again, this may help your health and make snowblower usage easier.
- Easy to access chute controls: The chute is where the snow exits and you want a snowblower that enables you to quickly adjust the direction that it throws the snow without having to bend down to access it. A chute control on the main handles panel is best. Some chute controls are joystick-like but old-school circular crank ones may be easier to operate while wearing thick gloves.
- Single-hand operation: Get a machine that enables one-hand operation: You can hold one handle down to lock both the auger and clutch in place and use your free hand to adjust the angle of the snow chute without stopping the machine by letting go of the clutch. Having used an older style two-hand operated snowblower, you may be surprised how tired your hands get when gripping two handles for 15 – 30 minutes or more. A one-hand model means you can give one hand a break once in a while without stopping.
- Multiple speeds: Look for a machine that has multiple forward and backward gears so you can adjust the speed depending on how much snow you have.
- Easy to turn: Make sure the snowblower is easy to turn and operate. A typical snowblower weighs 200 lbs – 300 lbs (91 kg – 136 kg). Modern snowblowers come with steering assist, power steering or another feature to make turning easier.
- Heated hand grips: You might also be surprised how cold and wet your hands get when gripping handles of the snowblower in a short period of time. A very convenient feature.
Nice to have features
- Airless tires: A relatively new feature on some snowblowers. I’ve never had a problem with snowblowers with air in the tires but this feature means one less thing to worry about ie. no flat tires.
- Drift cutters: Drift cutters are helpful when you live in an area that experiences heavy snowfalls or windy conditions. If your snowblower comes with them, great. If not, no worries as you may not need them. I’ve never used them and we get big snowfalls where I live.
- LED Light: If your snowblower has one, you can make use of it but in my experience a light is not necessary as snow illuminates the ground at night. Unless you operate the snowblower in a dark area, you may not need one. A nice to have but not a must have in my opinion. NOTE: If you are operating your snowblower close to cars and light is poor, an LED light could be a must-have for you.
Test the controls out in the store before buying any snowblower. Stand behind the snowblower and pretend you’re using it and see how comfortable it feels to access each control. Any machine that enables you to avoid bending down to access something will come in handy over time.
The dangers of shoveling snow
Experienced gym goers who lift weights don’t usually arrive at the gym and immediately pick the heaviest weights and start lifting them without a warm up. Shoveling snow on the other hand typically involves a person walking outside with a shovel and immediately pushing, lifting and throwing potentially large and heavy amounts of snow.
See the problem?
Add the lack of warm up to the fact that the weather outside is normally cold which can constrict blood vessels and you have a recipe for health problems, or worse. This means shoveling snow can be a dangerous activity for a number of reasons.
Add the chance that you slip and fall or pull a muscle and you have quite a few things to worry about. But more serious health concerns exist, too.
The dangers of shoveling snow related to heart health
Research
from the Canadian province of Quebec which deals with harsh winters has tied the increased chance of heart attacks particularly among men to snow shoveling. The study concluded that the quantity and duration of snowfall affects your health as one would expect:
The health risk of snow shoveling increases with more snow to remove, the heavier the total load to lift and the longer a person engages in the activity. Past research has long tied the act of shoveling snow to placing an excessive strain on the heart especially among people who are already at elevated risk for heart attacks.
More recently, research has also been done on physical injuries suffered by shoveling snow such as soft tissue injury, back injuries and slips and falls that are suffered by men two-thirds of the time and also in many cases by children under the age of 18. Slips and falls aren’t just experienced by people who shovel snow though.
When you have the need for it, a 3 stage snowblower – or even a good 2 stage machine – may reduce your health risk by doing the heavy snow removal work for you.
The liability of snow removal
At a minimum, clearing your snow in a timely manner is the mark of a good neighbor and having a snowblower will make that job easier and quicker. One concern for snow removal is the liability when you don’t do it in a timely fashion on a public area like a sidewalk. Regulations differ so you should check your local municipality but in general terms snow should be cleared within 24 hours of a snowfall.
In some jurisdictions the time frame might be much shorter which is important from a liability perspective. If someone slips and falls outside your home because a sidewalk or other public area wasn’t cleared, you may be held liable. Again, it depends on your local laws and the spirit of how laws are interpreted as in some areas, people cannot be held liable for a slip and fall since the homeowner clearly isn’t responsible for the snow falling in the first place.
In that regard, be careful not to create a liability outside your home such as a water downspout that drains water onto a public sidewalk or pathway that may freeze at night and become slip hazard.
Having grown up in a cold winter environment I can say with certainty that I’d much rather walk on an uncleared sidewalk with snow than walk on a cleared sidewalk with ice. The chance of falling on ice and hurting yourself is much worse.
The use of a snowblower additionally helps to make driving easier. I can also confirm from experience that driving in and out of a snow-free driveway is much easier and safer than one covered with a foot or more of snow especially after a snowplow has been by.