Snow height
The maximum thickness of the snow layer that the snow blower removes in one pass. If you plan to regularly remove snow as it falls in a small area (for example, in the courtyard of your own private house), a grip height of up to 20 cm will be enough. If the opportunity to remove snow is rare (for example, in a country house where you visit only on weekends), you should pay attention to more powerful models with a height of about 50 cm.
Number of gears
The number of gears in the transmission of a self-propelled snow blower (see "Design"), in fact — the number of speeds at which it can move during operation.
Recall that upshifting increases speed and reduces torque. Thus, high gears are convenient for working with loose snow, which does not give strong resistance, while low gears allow you to cope with dense snow and crust. And the greater the number of gears, other things being equal, the more accurately you can choose the optimal speed. On the other hand, the abundance of settings complicates and increases the cost of the transmission. Therefore, when choosing the number of gears, manufacturers also take into account the overall level of the snow blower: the more powerful and heavier the unit, the more settings it usually provides.
A separate case are units with continuously variable (including hydrostatic) transmissions. They do not have fixed gears, and the gear ratio is automatically adjusted depending on the throttle position and the load on the working nozzle. One of the advantages of such systems is the almost zero probability of slipping, because. the wheels keep the torque at all times. In addition, the transmission itself can play the role of overload protection: when the auger is jammed, it disconnects it from the engine. On the other hand, stepless systems are quite complex and expensive, and automation does not always work exactly the way the user wants; therefore, this option is relatively rare.
Selectable locking differential
The ability to
unlock the differential is a mechanism that allows the wheels to rotate at different speeds.
This function is relevant only for self-propelled models (see "Design"). Many of these units do not have a differential at all, and if it is, it is locked by default — both of which mean that both drive wheels rotate at the same speed when powered by the engine. This has a positive effect on patency, but creates inconvenience when cornering: when turning, the wheel on the outside must rotate faster than the wheel on the inside. Unlocking the differential eliminates this inconvenience. On the other hand, a relatively small and light snow blower can also be deployed manually by disengaging the clutch and turning the unit on freely rotating wheels. Therefore, this function is provided only in powerful and heavy models, in which "manual" rotation is difficult.
Engine size
The size of the engine installed in a gasoline or diesel (see "Engine type") snow blower. With the same type of internal combustion engine (see above), more displacement usually means more power and more fuel consumption.
Motor power
Snowblower motor power in horsepower.
The universal unit of power today is watts, but for petrol and diesel engines (see "Motor type"), the traditional designation in horsepower may also be given. 1 HP approximately equal to 735 watts.
The higher the motor power, the higher the performance of the snow blower, the better it handles with high dense snowdrifts and icy crust. However, more powerful engines consume more fuel, weigh more and cost more, and their use is not always justified. Detailed recommendations on choosing the optimal power for a specific situation can be found in special sources.
Motor power
Snowblower motor power in watts. This designation is used for all electric models; for units with an internal combustion engine (see "Motor type"), the designation in horsepower may also be given (see above).
The higher the motor power, the higher the snowblower's flow rate, the better it copes with high dense snowdrifts and icy crust. However, more powerful engines consume more fuel, weigh more and cost more, and their use is not always justified. Detailed recommendations on choosing the optimal power for a specific situation can be found in special sources.
Fuel tank volume
The amount of fuel that the snow blower tank can hold at one time. Knowing this figure, as well as fuel consumption (see above), you can easily calculate the approximate operating time on one gas station. However, manufacturers usually choose the volume so that the operating time reaches at least 2 – 2.5 hours, so in most cases you can not pay much attention to this parameter.
Wheels diameter
Snow blower wheel diameter. Permeability primarily depends on this parameter: the larger the diameter of the wheels, the easier they will overcome obstacles in the form of curbs, stones, bumps, etc. This is especially important for self-propelled models (see "Design"); on the other hand, larger wheels require a more powerful engine. Therefore, if the unit is to be used on more or less flat terrain, it makes sense to choose a model with smaller wheels.
The smallest diameter found in modern snow blowers is about 12 – 13 cm; in the largest and heaviest models, it can reach 50 cm.
Noise level
The average noise level produced by the snow blower during operation; the actual volume may differ slightly from this figure, but these deviations are usually negligible.
Note that snow blowers are quite loud equipment, plus the higher the power, the generally higher the noise level. This parameter is measured in decibels, this is a non-linear value, so the actual loudness is easiest to evaluate using comparative tables. So, the most "quiet" modern models give out about 55 – 60 dB — this can be compared with a conversation in slightly raised tones. 70 dB corresponds to a loud conversation, 80 dB to noise on a busy city street, 90 dB to a freight car at a distance of about 7 m, 100 dB to an industrial workshop, 110 dB to a tractor motor at a distance of 1 m.
The lower the noise level, the more comfortable this model will be to use. And according to sanitary standards, the maximum noise level considered safe for prolonged exposure (up to 8 hours) is 80 dB. So if the selected unit is noisier, and you plan to work often and for a long time, you should take care of protective headphones or earplugs.
