Electropolitan, self-propelled or non-sound snow blower working on gasoline or electricity? We suggest what type of equipment for snow cleaning is better to choose depending on your needs and budget.
Photo: Husqvarna.
Snow, of course, can be removed manually. And this was engaged in many generations of Russian dacities. But this process is long, and the work is pretty heavy. Therefore, it is not surprising that the inhabitants of the country cottages are trying to make this work if possible is mechanized. Below are the main types of equipment that help cope with the task.
Electropolitas
The simplest units are the so-called electrolopaths. They are really similar in design to ordinary shovels - they have a long handle, and below is a plastic bucket with a width of about 30 cm. The difference is that inside the bucket is a snowproof mechanism - a rotating rotor with blades. The owner of the electrolyopa simply simply maintains a tool on a snowy virgin (there is no Wheel on the bucket, but its sides have thickening to slip), and the electrolopath itself will throw off the snow for 4-6 m to the side.
Model GD40SS (GreenWorks) with automatic engine power adjustment system ECO-Boost (11 990 rubles). Photo: GreenWorks.
Electric snow removal shovel (China), power 1000 W, 30 cm capture width, weight 5.5 kg (3990 rubles). Photo: Leroy Merlin
Model ST 1131 E (STIGA), power 1100 W, grip width 31 cm, weight 6 kg (4490 rubles). Photo: Stiga.
Electropolitas are a certain intermediate link between mechanical means of cleaning the territory from snow and various snow blowers. The use of electrolopath will require some physical efforts from their owners, so it will not be possible to relax and enjoy pleasure. And their main advantage is maneuverance. Electropolito can clear the narrow and curves of the track, remove the snow between the bushes, in the playgrounds, in general - everywhere. Including in those places where the wheeled snow removal equipment will not pass. Weigh such models about 5 kg, and cost 5-15 thousand rubles.
Compact and light electric shovels (motolaople) with nutrition from a network or battery. Designed for cleaning fresh snow. Photo: Stiga.
Snow blowers
If you have a task to clean the snow with a narrow track, looping between shrubs, or a porch, it is more convenient to use an electropolitol. Uncomfortable snow blowers can be recommended for cleaning smooth tracks, paths and small (10-15 m) areas of the access road to the house. And for regular cleaning, that is, if you live in the cottage constantly and clean the track after every snowfall, without waiting until the thaw and snow will be covered. If you remove the snow from the case of the case, as well as with large volumes of work (the road is longer than 10-15 m), then you will need a self-propelled snow blower, which is able to clean, including the old, staring and the outaged snow.The choice of the type of snow blower and its performance depends on the area of the cleaned area, its configuration, the length of the tracks, as well as from the regularity with which you will be cleaning.
Most of these snowflowers are equipped with electric motors, but there are models with internal combustion engines (DVS). The latter, as a rule, differ more productive. There are no uncomfortable snow blowers with an electric motor about as much as electrolopaths, but a model with a battery and internal combustion - 15-30 thousand rubles.
Non-intended snow blowers
Uncomfortable snow blowers are equipped with a simple two-wheeled chassis, in front of the sleds there is a bucket with a snowdroping mechanism. There is already a laundry latter, 40-50 cm wide, and a snowstroke mechanism is more powerful (snow flies at 6-8 m). However, such a snow blower weighs 12-15 kg, or even more. It can be recommended by the happy owners of smooth, well-groomed sites, without bumps, rods, and the like obstacles, to overcome which with a 30-kilogram truck would be difficult.
Such uncomfortable snow blowers have proven very well when cleaning the tracks with solid and soft coating. The screws of the Rotary Snowman Mechanism in them are made of reinforced plastic and therefore will not damage the path of the track, even if it is randomly hurt. Moreover, the plastic screw provides better cleaning, as it removes the snow completely, not leaving even the thin layer.
Snow blower Electric noncommose PH 220EL (Patriot). Power 2000 W, 50 cm capture width, seizure height 25 cm, weight 52 kg (9990 rub.). Photo: Leroy Merlin
GreenWorks GD80ST Cordless Snowplow, 80 V Heavy Duty System, Battery 2 A • H. Capture width 51 cm, automatic engine power adjustment technology Eco-Boost, folding handle (34 990 rubles). Photo: GreenWorks.
Snowplow Husqvarna ST131 gasoline, single-stage purification system, power 4.03 kW, weight 44.27 kg (49 990 rub.). Photo: Husqvarna.
Lithium-ion batteries and chargers to them. Model GreenWorks 40 V. Photo: GreenWorks
Model Greenworks 80 V. Photo: GreenWorks
Self-propelled snow blowers
Self-propelled snow blowers are the most productive and technically complex devices in their group. In addition to the drive to wheels, there may be other structural improvements that make work more comfortable. List some of them.
Husqvarna St 224 Snowpressor, FRO, 4.7 kW, two-stage system, capture width 61 cm, transmission with friction discs facilitates speed adjustment (99 990 rubles). Photo: Husqvarna.
Self-propelled Wheel Snowplow SMB-650 ("Interskol"). Power 4.78 kW, manual starter, metal toothed auger. Capture width 56 cm (33,900 rubles). Photo: "Interskol"
The toothed auger allows you to break into pieces even durable ice floes. Photo: Leroy Merlin
Crawler Snapper ST 5266 PB Trac (Stiga). Engine gasoline Briggs & Stratton, power 5.18 kW, capture width 66 cm, seizure height 52 cm. Elektostar, LED headlights, electrical heating handles, remote control of the direction and height of the emission (79 990 rubles). Photo: Stiga.
Lighting system
The headlights greatly facilitate work in the dark time of the day (especially in winter).Remote Control System and Snow Emission Distance
The assembled snow mass is supplied to the so-called unloading flavor - plastic or metal pipe through which it is thrown away. The discharge belt can be rotated relative to the vertical axis and thus set the emission direction. And the range is regulated by the guide plate, with which the angle of inclination of the trajectory of the snow mass is set. In low-cost snow blowers, if necessary, change the direction and range of emissions, you must stop the equipment and manually rotate the flap with the plate, and then secure them in the new position. In more advanced smart models, remote control of the flavor and the plate with the help of the handle on the control panel are proposed. This is convenient, as it allows you to not interrupt operation when adjusting the emission.
Photo: shutterstock / fotodom.ru
Electric starter (at models with internal combustion)
Failure-free models with DVS are usually equipped with a mechanical starter-cord. Starting the engine with such a mechanism requires some physical effort. The electrical starter allows you to start the engine with a literally one pressing the button.Crawler Snowflowers with DVS are distinguished by the presence of a caterpillar chassis that provides them with the best permeability. These models are usually the most productive and power, and at a price (from several tens to several hundred thousand rubles), differ little from professional equipment.
Robot snow blower
Yes, now there is such an equipment. And the OMI Robotics OMI Plow model is produced in Russia and costs about 200 thousand rubles. - As much as, let's say, top models of tracked snow blowers. The robot snow blower can work both autonomously and in the remote control mode: the owners will be able to control the technique remotely, using the remote or through the application for the smartphone.
Note that it is necessary to remove the old, a blind-ice-ice mass with linations of stones (for example, when clearing the road) - the task is complex even for relatively powerful semi-professional models of snow removal techniques.
Photo: Husqvarna.
Rechargeable snow blowers
Recently, rechargeable snow blowers appeared on sale (GreenWorks GD80ST and GD40SB, Denzel EST-51Li, Ryobi Rst36B51). They are equipped with powerful lithium-ion batteries (36-80 V and up to 4 a • h), which allow them to work without recharging quite a long time (about 1 h). This design combines the benefits of gasoline and electrical snow blowers. The removable battery weighs about a kilogram, and it is recommended to take it and stored after work in a heated room.What a snow blower to choose: 3 important items
Electricity or gasoline?
What type of engine is preferable? The electric motor and in engine have their advantages and scope of use. The gasoline engine does not have no capacity limitations, as it is like the network running electric motors. It is not surprising that powerful snow blowers (more than 2-2.5 kW) are equipped exclusively with gasoline engines. But the main advantage of gasoline models is their independence from the network. You can clean the snow not only near the house, but almost at any distance.
The advantages of electric motors are low noise and no exhaust. Yes, and problems with the launch of the electric motor in the cold does not occur. It is not surprising that many buyers choose electrical snow blowers, despite the inconvenience associated with connecting to the network.
Working on the street in the frosty winter day by itself a difficult test, so it is very important that snow removal technique will be as small and easily managed as possible. Switches of modes of operation and speeds must be easily accessible. Photo: shutterstock / fotodom.ru
Design of wheels
An important detail of snow blowers is the design of the wheels that are installed on them. These wheels are less automotive, but can be equipped with full-fledged hyperships. The greater the diameter of the wheel and the thickness of the tire, the smaller the probability of slipping. Choose a snow blower with normal winter tires, with a deep tread. To increase the passability to the tires, you can purchase a set of chains, the same as chains on car wheels. The cost of the kit will be 1.5-2 thousand rubles.
Also, to increase the passability in a number of self-propelled models, it is possible to block the differential of the wheels. This option helps to avoid slip, if one of the wheels hit the ice. Under normal operating conditions, the differential lock is disconnected so that the snow blower can be easily rotated on the spot.
Good permeability is especially important for heavy models, because pulling out a lot of 100 kg from a snowdrift - a cotton business.
A snow blower with a plastic screw completely cleans the solid coating of the track. Sending snow emission makes the cleaning process simple and efficient. Photo: GreenWorks.
Type Shnec
Schneck is called a rod with a solid screw blade along the longitudinal axis. He is responsible for the transportation of snow. There are three types of cleaning mechanism: single-stage, two-stage and three-step. In the first swelling of snow is made due to the high speed of rotation. Such auger is designed for cleaning fresh snow. Models with a two and three-stepped mechanism are used to work with the old snow. In them, the auger rotates slowly. Its blade is equipped with teeth that brazen in the snow. Seeling and partially flipping snow mass is served on the impeller of a snowpower - this is the second stage. In some models, in order for a snowman, the ice and cloves do not fall on the snowflower, the snow mass passes additional grinding (third step).Precautions
If you get into the screw mechanism, the ice floes and stones can bring it out of order. For the protection of a screw and transmission from overloads and breakdowns, safety cut-out bolts are used that the auger is fixed on the shaft. When overloading the bolt breaks, and it is possible to replace it only for identical. Some change the cut-out bolts to the usual or from other models of screws with an inappropriate arrangement of cuts. Such methods of repair are fraught with the fact that the next time it breaks or auger, or a transmission. Therefore, it is better to be in advance for safety cutting bolts or at least find out where they can be bought for your model of a snow blower.
Photo: Stiga.