Single Stage snow throwers from Canada

[dnw64]

I used a single stage blower for 18 years. 48" on a 14 HP Case 444. It always got the job done, but often it was with great difficulty.

Without a side-by-side comparison it's hard to say, but since having two other 2-stage blowers (one an Ariens 32" 14HP walk behind and the other a 50" on my 23 HP GC) I would always choose a 2 stage over a single stage simply from the throwing distance standpoint. Now if distance is not a big deal (for instance it's basically just a long driveway) I could see a single stage, being slightly less complex, as a good option. I can also see from an engineering position that it might possibly use less power.

Is this more of an "old school versus new school" kind of issue? Like Carburetor versus Fuel Injection? I'm positive there are 2-stage blowers out there that are worse than a really great single stage, just as there are FI systems out there that fail absurdly compared to a well tuned carburetor.

But it seems to me that there is much better potential for a 2-stage system over a single. Same as with FI vs. Carburetor.

 

[CalG]

What are the advantages of a single stage blower over a 2 stage?

The single stage units can be significantly lighter weight in the same build quality.
This can be important for front mounted equipment on smaller machines.
I've been very pleased with the years of performance provided by the 48 inch single stage unit fitted to my Bolens HT.

I have been looking for a 72" for the Hurlimann, and wish the units shown here were not so far away. ;-)

 

[leonz]

Using the Reist 1000 series 48 inch single stage throw thrower with the 13 inch auger as an example and why it is better better in my "opinion".

It takes 20 percent less power to remove the same 13 inch depth of heavy snow pack.
The gear box delivers power to the solid cross augers chain drive and the cross auger rotates at
450-500 RPM to pull snow into the center and be thrown up and out through the chute and out.

The single stage auger on the single stage Reist snow thrower can be slowed down or sped up by changing the driven and drive sprocket size.

The chain drive for the cross auger has a roller chain tensioner sprocket acts as a snubber sprocket to provide tension to the drive chain and the sprocket arm has a rubber tensioner.


2. the solid cross augers short height ribbons convey all the snow they contact to the center paddle where it is
thrown up and out of the chute and spout rather than push it forward away from the snow blower
like the smaller front and rear mounts do.
a. The solid cross auger can be moved to the rear to reduce the distance from the auger ribbon to the auger
housing.

b. the Reist snow casters have a center deflector plate in front of the throwing paddle to stop
the snow from being thrown forward.

c. The single stage snow thrower has no secondary impeller fan to rob power from the power take off.

The series 2000 and 3000 single stage augers are also in a much larger diameter and width of cut and tractor horsepower range.

The negatives about two stage snow throwers in my opinion:
Two stage snow casters weigh more than the single stage snow throwers.
Two stage snow blowers use 20 percent more power due to the impeller fan.
Two stage snow blowers push snow away from the housing all the time in deep snows.
Any residual snow pile left is harder to get rid of because the cross augers continue to push the snow away until you speed up to capture it. But that is not really possible when you are near a busy road or street.

My 2006 single stage high speed Toro Snow Pup with the Power Paddle barely grunted when the John Deere snow blower died due to belt failure during Winter Storm Stella and cleaned a foot deep snow pack that was left with more than half the 2 car driveway with less than a pint of 2 cycle 25 to one mixed fuel.


The single biggest advantage is the greater power available to throw snow as the solid cross auger carries the snow to the chute and toss it out the chute at 500 plus RPM without a second stage impeller. with 3, 4, 5 or 6 impeller paddle fans.

 

[bumperm]

Since lining my front mount blower with UHMW Polyethylene, no more clogged anything. Range increase, already good, up about 25%. In slush, it throws an almost solid stream as if it were extruded.

 

[leonz]

Its so nice to see the interior of your impeller housing lined with the slick sheet material you are using.
it eliminates the need to install one of Clarence's impeller kits.

I will be doing the same thing on the 44 inch John Deere snowblower I have.
I just have to decide whether to leave the drain holes in the bottom open or close them
up with a partial sheet in the housing. I will be using a lot of the pancake head bolts I bought from
Gemplers to do that. I will be buying a leftover sheet piece of the slick sheet material from
www.hornplastics.com

 

[buickanddeere]

Now there is a good idea

 

[FatTire]

None.

None? Perhaps not in your application, but if you need to cut into deep hard packed snow that has been deposited during high winds (40 mph+) or has been previously plowed and refrozen, single-stage units dominate. Also for spring clearing when your piles or banks are in the freeze/thaw cycle and you want them gone and finally have time to do it, a single stage cutter is the tool of choice, IMHO. Nothing against 2 stage units, I have one too, but I think part of the reason for their market success is that many of us (me included) just like to see snow shoot far.

 

[FatTire]

Since lining my front mount blower with UHMW Polyethylene, no more clogged anything. Range increase, already good, up about 25%. In slush, it throws an almost solid stream as if it were extruded.

Such a nice job! I wonder why blower manufacturers don't offer that as an option.

 

[Oldoak]

Such a nice job! I wonder why blower manufacturers don't offer that as an option.

Probably because most people would not want to pay the additional cost. Sure some would, me included, but not enough people to make it cost effective for the manufacturer.

There are also industrial spray-on Teflon or poly coatings which wear much better than steel that can be applied by the snow thrower manufacturers.

 

[FatTire]

Probably because most people would not want to pay the additional cost. Sure some would, me included, but not enough people to make it cost effective for the manufacturer.

There are also industrial spray-on Teflon or poly coatings which wear much better than steel that can be applied by the snow thrower manufacturers.

Do you happen to know if any offer the spray-on as option? (Or standard?)