Shoveling a driveway or sidewalk can be hard work. This is especially true if you live on a large property with an extended path to the road. Shoveling can even be a health risk for some people. It’s hard on your back and doing any strenuous work in extreme cold can be risky. The cold constricts your blood vessels while the hard work makes your heart pump faster. If you live in an area that gets heavy snow each winter, a snow blower can be a real life saver. The right tool can make any job much faster and easier to take care of.
What You Should Know Before Buying a Snow Blower
There are several different types of snow blower. Some are electric while others are gas powered. Electric blowers are okay for small driveways near your home. They are lightweight and do not need oil or gasoline, but they are usually not as powerful. They can also have limited reach if tethered to an extension cord. They are best suited for clearing light snow.
Single-stage blowers only throw snow once. They come into direct contact with the ground. This makes them unsuitable for clearing snow from gravel paths. A double-stage blower starts by scooping up the snow in a metal auger. It is then put through a high-speed impeller that shoots the snow out of a chute. These two-stage machines are great for clearing larger snow drifts and can be used on gravel or concrete areas.
Ariens ST24LE Deluxe 24
The Ariens ST24LE Deluxe 921045 snow blower is a 24 inch, two-stage blower with a 254cc motor. The 24 inch designation means that it can create a clear path that is 24 inches wide. This specific model is gas powered so it can be used anywhere. The engine is powerful and efficient. It is able to move over 62 tons of snow per hour. Snow is blown up to 50 feet from the chute.
This snow blower is easy to operate. The interlocking handles make it possible to control with just one hand. It is self propelling which takes a lot of the work out of using the device. Starting the blower is easy too. There are no rip cords or complex starting mechanisms. An electric starter makes it a simple one-button push to get the blower going. Steering is a breeze with Ariens’ trigger-free, auto-turn system. if the electric power should fail, you can still use a recoil-pull starter to get it up and running.
The gearbox gives you six forward speeds and two reverse speeds for a nice variety that can tackle just about any terrain. The one-hand operation allows you to easily rotate the chute with your free hand whenever you need to. Another great thing about this model is that it works well when clearing snow from concrete or even gravel surfaces. A headlight provides a good source of light if you need to clear snow at night or early in the morning. The skid shoes are easy to adjust for different snow intake heights.
One nice perk to buying an Ariens snow blower is that they make so many accessories for them. You can purchase a ton of add-ons to customize this snow blower to your specific needs. A drift kit allows you to cut through tightly packed snow no matter how high it gets. A Sno-Throw cover allows you to protect the snow blower and keep it safe from the elements. Heated handlebars and a Sno-Throw cab make the job more comfortable. The cab acts like a mini shelter to help you work even as heavy snow is still falling. A protective floor mat and tire chains are also available.
Pros
- Two-stage blower.
- Good price and great value.
- Powerful and efficient engine.
- Can be used on gravel or concrete.
- A lot of accessories are available.
Cons
- It’s a bit loud, but most blowers are.
- The control layout may seem cramped to some users.
Conclusion
The Ariens ST24LE Deluxe 24 snow blower represents great value. It’s a high-quality blower at a great price. It has all of the power and features that most users will ever need. This blower is easy to use and can quickly move a large amount of snow. It’s also highly customizable with tons of nice accessories available. The verdict on this model is an easy one to make. It’s a great product that comes highly recommended. For more Ariens snow blower reviews, make sure to check out this in-depth guide.
