If you live in an area with harsh winters, then you know how difficult shoveling snow can be. You may spend hours in the cold clearing a path from your door to the car and another path from your car to the road. If you have sidewalks in front of your property, you’ll need to clear those too. A good snow blower can make this hard job easier and help you to quickly get out of the cold.
Choosing the Right Snow Blower
There are a lot of snow blowers on the market. They come in a variety of styles. It may be difficult to figure out which one is best for your situation. The first two major types are based on what powers the snow blower. You have electric blowers and gas-powered models. An electric blower may be a good choice if you only have a small area to take care of. They don’t weight very much and don’t consume oil and gas. The downside is that they’re not as powerful as the typical gas model. Gas models can move more snow and can be used anywhere since they’re not plugged into an outlet.
The next major difference between models is in how many stages a snow blower has. They come in one, two or three-stage models. A one-stage model is fine for small areas with light snow. They may struggle with heavier, tighter packed snow drifts. A two-stage model scoops the snow into a metal auger and then throws it out of a chute. The three-stage model scoops the snow, chops it up in a center compartment and then ejects it from the chute. A three-stage blower is the most powerful model and can take care of high drifts and tightly-packed snow.
The Husqvarna ST224P is a two-stage model, but don’t let that dissuade you. This is exactly what most homeowners will need. It will cost less than a three-stage model but should work for most applications you will need it for. A three-stage model is only necessary if you perhaps have a large commercial property with tons of parking space to clear.
There are a few other features to consider when choosing a model. Some are better suited to flat terrain while others can handle steep inclines. Some are not suited for clearing snow over gravel. Take your own property and its characteristics into consideration here. Blowers with an electric starter may be easier to deal with than a recoil starter. A self-propelled snow blower with power steering will make your job easier. Drift cutters are great for getting through dense snow drifts and larger tires will help you to get through the deepest snow and over rough terrain.
Husqvarna ST224P Review
Husqvarna’s model ST224P snow blower is a 24″ model with a powerful 208cc engine. This means it will clear a two-foot path as you steer it along. Husqvarna is a company known for their powerful, well-built engines. The company has amazingly been around since 1689. They now have a long history of making engines for motorbikes and all kinds of tools and powered equipment. This company stands by their equipment with a nice 3-year warranty and a separate 5-year warranty just for the engine.
This model snow blower is a two-stage machine that can easily clear snow from concrete or gravel driveways. It features an electric starter for quick starts even in the coldest weather. The engine produces an impressive 9.5 pounds-feet of torque with a cylinder displacement of 12.60 cubic inches. It cranks out 6.3 horsepower. The unit is self-propelled with power steering for easy use. The handles have four separate heights so you can adjust them to your own size for comfortable operation. They also come equipped with heated handlebars to make the job a little more comfortable.
Adjustable skid shoes on this snow blower ensure that you can use it on just about any kind of surface. It was designed for use with any snow conditions from light and powdery to thicker, wetter snow and hard-packed snow banks. It can easily clear paths through snow that is 6 to 18-inches high. Along with the power steering, this model features a friction-disc transmission system for smooth shifting and an overall smooth operation. LED headlamps provide plenty of bright light so you can get the job done at any time of the day or night.
Heavy-duty, thick-tread 15-inch tires should get you through the thickest of snowfalls. The controls are all intuitive to use and the machine can easily be operated with one hand. A remote chute rotator and deflector adds to the easy operation of this snow blower. This machine also has numerous speeds for both forward and reverse operation. This further increases the snow blower’s ability to tackle different types of terrain. This is just one of the many things that makes the model so versatile. Nearly everything can be easily adjusted for different situations and different job types.
The Verdict
The Husqvarna ST224P is easy to recommend to anyone looking for a new snow blower. This model has a powerful engine that works fast and efficiently. It is packed with features, well constructed and should last for a lifetime of use. Husqvarna is a great company with a good reputation for standing by their products. Their model ST224P snow blower stacks up very well to the competition in its price range.
Interested In Other Husqvarna Snow Blower Reviews?
Make sure to stop by this page for a comparison of two great Husqvarna snow blowers. You won’t be disappointed!
