Snow Blowers

Even powered-down snowblowers can cause serious injuries. Injuries from powered-down snow blowers are very serious and happen to older experienced operators. The culprit appears to be wet snow. It clogs the augers and the impeller. When you shut the engine off rotational force is still in place because of the wet snow. If you try to remove the snow with your hand and fingers there is a high probability that you will lose your fingers.

When the clogged wet snow is removed the impeller will move and slice off your fingers. At first you may not even realize that they are gone. Never stick your hand and fingers anywhere near the auger or the impeller!

Injuries from Powered Down Snow Blowers

The best way to remove that heavy wet snow from a clogged snow blower is to use a stick or the tool that it came with. It may be frustrating and take more time but it is so much better than losing a finger.

The snow is wet and heavy. Clear it out immediately before it has a chance to freeze. If it does freeze you will not be able to unclog it until spring.

Injuries from powered-down snow blowers are increasing every year. We have not included any pictures in our posts of the injuries, however, there are lots on the internet and some of them are pretty gruesome. There are no safety warnings in the manual or on the machine. Never stick your hands anywhere near the auger or the impeller ever!

Many people lose their fingers or worse, their hands in snowblower accidents every year. Most people put their fingers or hands where they shouldn’t while the machine is running. They get sliced by the auger or by the impeller. Snowblower manufacturers advise all operators to shut the snowblower off, before dislodging any compacted snow that is impeding the snowblower. This is a pretty standard safety recommendation. Don’t put your hands or your arm anywhere near the auger or the impeller on a two-stage snowblower. Do not become a statistic for Snow Blower Finger Accidents.

But consumers are still getting injured from snowblowers when the engine has been turned off. They are losing fingers and damaging their hands drastically in many cases. A recent study undertook to find out why this was happening and it comes down to a build-up of rotational force!

Snow Blower Finger Accidents

When wet snow gets stuck in a snowblower and plugs the machine you need to shut the engine off to clear the snow. Most people know that they should use a stick or a special tool provided by the snowblower manufacturer. Use the tool clear the snow from the auger and also from the impeller.

But sometimes that just does not work. It is wet snow and difficult to remove from that area of the snowblower. In frustration, they reach in with their hands to clear the snow. Particularly from around the impeller as the picture shows above.

Since the snow is compacted inside the machine, there is a build-up of rotational force. When the snow is removed by a stick or by hand the impeller will rotate sometimes by as much as several inches. This is enough to slice off a finger or even a hand. At the very least there is going to be significant damage to your limb.

There are no warnings in most snowblower manuals or on the machine of this problem. The bottom line is never to stick your finger or hand anywhere near the impeller or the augers when the snow blower is plugged by snow. Wet snow appears to be the most significant problem. Always use a stick and be patient and work at it until the snow was removed. Better to have the stick get cut in half than your fingers.

There are lots of serious snowblower accidents every year. In some cases, operators lose a hand, fingers, or even a foot. Many snowblower foot accidents usually occur when the snowblower jams and operators attempt to clear the snow away while the engine is still running. Never stick your hand in the auger area or your foot. You’re taking a serious risk of being injured. These residential consumer snowblowers are quite powerful and capable of cutting through the hand or foot. Always take proper safety precautions before clearing snow from a jammed snowblower.

Snow blower foot accidents – Safety

The following outlines the steps you should take to ensure your safety and avoid any accidents:

• If the snowblower jams, turn it off before attempting any work to clear the jam.
• Disengage the clutch
• Wait 10 seconds to make sure that the auger and the impeller have stopped rotating.
• Always use a snow clearing tool to clear snow from the auger or the impeller. Never use your hands or feet to attempt to remove the snow.
• Do not remove any shields or safety equipment from the snowblower.
• Keep your hands and feet away from all moving parts. Wear tight-fitting clothing and remove scarves that may droop down into moving parts.
• Avoid distractions, keep a clear head and concentrate on what you’re doing.

These snow blower machines are very powerful and can sever an arm or foot in an instant.  Don’t take any chances. Always shut the machine off before doing work or maintenance on your snow blower. If the chute or the auger is plugged take extreme care while dislodging the snow. Never stick your hand anywhere near the auger. It can slice off a finger or even a hand in a second if it is under pressure from the snow blockage.

Description: this Yard Machines 208cc OHV / 24″ M63KE snowblower features six forward speeds and two reverse, a 24-inch clearing width, with a steel serrated auger drive and 12-inch impeller diameter. It has a 2-quart fuel capacity and comes with folding handles for ease of storage. This machine is adequate for most residential snow clearing requirements. At 24 inches wide it is also easy to store while at the same time making quick work of snow clearing on your driveway. It has generally positive reviews, however, some consumers reported difficulty starting the engine after one season of use. There is no way to tell if these consumers properly prepared their machine for storage and removed all gasoline.

Features:

• 6 forward / 2 reverse speeds
• 24″ clearing width
• Manual chute control
• Large 15 inch wheels provide traction
• Single Hand Steering Control
• Powered light
• Electric Starter / Manual Start
• Carb Compliant

Specifications:

• Drive type: 6 Speed friction type
• Engine: Gas 208 cc
• Stage: Two Stage
• Max power: 208 cc
• Rated speed: 6 speed
• Auger: Steel serrated
• Impeller : 12 inch
• Folding Handles: Yes
• Padded Handles: No
• Heated Handles: No
• Electric Start: Yes
• Single Hand Direction Control: Yes
• Clearing width: 24″
• Intake Height: 21″
• Weight: 218 pounds
• Fuel: Gasoline
• Light: Yes

Customer Review Summary – Yard Machines 208cc OHV / 24 M63KE

Based on reviews that we were able to find, the snowblower has 21 reviews, 48% I have a five star and 14% have four stars. The remaining 38% or three stars or less.

Consumers reported that this machine works very well. It handled hard-packed snow, deep drifts, and even wet snow. Most are very satisfied with the product.

The most significant complaint by those people who rated this machine at three or lower was that it was difficult to start. Some had trouble starting it out of the box and many had trouble starting it on the second or third time or after being stored for a season.

They also mentioned that support from the factory was poor.

The Snow Joe iON21SB-PRO 21-Inch Cordless Single Stage Snow Blower comes with a 600-watt brush less motor and interchangeable lithium-ion batteries. It will clear up to 21 inches wide and 8 inches deep snow. However, in hard-packed snow conditions some customers found that it could not handle this type of snow. Many found that the snow blower rode up on the snow. Lots of patience was required.

Description: The Snow Joe weighs only 36 pounds. It is relatively light and can easily be transported in your car’s trunk. Batteries are interchangeable. There is a powered LED light. A switch immediately starts the machine. No oil, gasoline, or noxious fumes are needed or produced making this machine environmentally friendly.

Snow Joe iON21SB-PRO 21-Inch Cordless Single Stage Snow Blower – Features:

• 600-watt brushless motor
• 21″ clearing width
• 180-degree chute control
• Powered light
• Electric control
• Carb Compliant
• No Oil required
• No gasoline required

Specifications:

• Drive type: Electric
• Engine: 600-watt brushless motor
• Stage: Single Stage
• Max power: 600 watts
• Rated speed: Not rated
• Auger: Steel auger & 2 heavy-duty rubber blades
• Impeller: Rubber blades
• Folding Handles: No
• Padded Handles: No
• Heated Handles: No
• Electric Start: Yes
• Single Hand Direction Control: Yes
• Clearing width: 21 inches
• Intake Height: 8 inches
• Weight: 36.8 pounds
• Fuel: Electric rechargeable lithium-ion interchangeable battery
• Light: Led light

Snow Joe iON21SB-PRO 21-Inch Cordless Single Stage Snow Blower – Customer Reviews

Summary Seventy-six percent of customers rated this snow blower a 4 or 5 out of 5. The remaining rated the snow blower 3 or less. Customers wrote that as long as they are patient, this snow blower will easily move lots of snow. It works best with 8 inches of snow or less. However, it will also handle more than that if you take your time.  Some customers found that because the snow blower is so light, it rides up over the snow. It also stops when the snow is hard-packed. Compared to a heavier gas power model it just did not have the power or the weight to handle all kinds of snow conditions.

Description: The Snow Joe SJ624E Electric Snow Thrower 21-Inch clears 21 inches wide and 11.8 inches deep snow in conditions where the snow is light and fluffy. Heavy wet snow presents a challenge for this snow blower(see review summary). It comes with a 14 amp motor. It must be plugged in to an electrical outlet at all times.  The benefit of this snow blower is that it does not require gasoline, oil or tune-ups. The chute can be rotated 180 degrees. This is a single stage snow blower. The auger is made of steel with rubber blades to scrape and clear the snow. The snow blower weighs 34 pounds and can be hung on the wall while being stored provided that you have suitable supports to handle the weight.

Features:

• Single speed
• 21″ clearing width
• 180 degree chute control
• No gas, oil or tune-up
• 14 amp motor
• Electric motor
• Carb Compliant

Snow Joe SJ624E Electric Snow Thrower 21-Inch – Specifications:

• Drive type: Electric
• Engine: 14 amp
• Stage: Single Stage
• Max power: 14 amp
• Rated speed: not rated
• Auger: Steel with rubber blades
• Impeller : Nil
• Folding Handles: No
• Padded Handles: No
• Heated Handles: No
• Electric Start: Yes
• Single Hand Direction Control: No
• Clearing width: 21 inches
• Intake Height: 11.8 inches
• Weight: 34.6 pounds
• Fuel: Electric
• Light: No

Customer Review Summary

The Snow Joe SJ624E Electric Snow Thrower 21-Inch had 47 reviews at the time of preparing this review with an average rating of 4.1.  Customer complaints ranged from poor quality, assembly and sturdiness to the usual unmet expectations for snow clearing. Consumers found that in heavy snow conditions i,e, wet snow, icy snow or drifted snow, this snow blower was just not powerful enough.

Consumers should really evaluate the type of snow clearing they need to do each year. If you get a lot of snow or snow that is heavy and wet, this thrower may not be able to do the job.

Description: This is a lightweight snow blower excellent for clearing snow from sidewalks, decks, and driveways where there is a light snow covering. It is quiet, does not need gas or oil, and does not need an electric chord. There are no pull chords, tune-ups, or carbon emissions to worry about. It will clear a path up to 18 inches wide and 8 inches high (see review section for the Snow Joe iON18SB Ion Cordless Single Stage Snow Blower). The manufacturer claims that this snow blower will throw snow up to 20 feet. The directional chute will rotate 180 degrees. Also, the battery is supposed to last 50 minutes, although based on reviews some consumers found that the battery would not last this long. We have listed all of the features below for your information.

Features:

• Single speed
• 18″ clearing width, 8″ inches deep
• Chute control
• Powered light
• Push button start
• No Gas or oil to deal with

Snow Joe iON18SB Ion Cordless Single Stage Snow Blower – Specifications:

• Drive type: Electric
• Engine: Electric
• Stage: Single Stage
• Max power: 40-volt lithium-ion battery system
• Rated speed: Manual
• Auger: Steel with rubber bands
• Impeller: Nil
• Folding Handles: Adjustable to meet the height of the operator
• Padded Handles: No
• Heated Handles: No
• Electric Start: Yes
• Single Hand Direction Control: Yes
• Clearing width: 18 inches
• Intake Height: 8 inches
• Weight: 32 pounds
• Fuel: Electric rechargeable cordless
• Light: Yes

Customer Review Summary

The Snow Joe iON18SB Ion Cordless Single Stage Snow Blower has a total of 395 reviews at the time of preparing this post with an average rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars. There are two significant complaints about this machine.

First, for some consumers, the battery just did not last long enough to finish the snow clearing job which can be very frustrating. Secondly, this is a machine that is really meant for light snow conditions. Light fluffy snow is really not a problem. Anytime you have heavier wet snow or icy particles, this machine did not or could not do the job.

Before purchasing the Snow Joe iON18SB Ion Cordless Single Stage Snow Blower, give some thought to the type of snow conditions you experience. If there is a lot of snow, if it is wet snow, you may want to consider another model.

Description: The Yard Machines MTD 31ABS62EE500 2 Stage 24-Inch Snow Thrower is a basic 24 inch wide snow clearing machine. It is suitable for most consumer needs with the standard driveway. This machine is also relatively small compared to many other machines and easily be stored inside your garage.  It has the standard 6 forward speeds, side crank chute control, powered light and electric or manual start capability.

Features:

• 6 forward / 2 reverse speeds
• 24″ clearing width
• Side Crank chute control
• Large wheels provide traction
• Powered light
• Electric Starter / Manual Start

Specifications:

• Drive type: Direct Disc type
• Engine: n/a
• Stage: Two Stage
• Max power: n/a
• Rated speed: 6 speeds
• Auger: n/a
• Impeller: n/a
• Folding Handles: n/a
• Padded Handles: n/a
• Heated Handles: n/a
• Electric Start: yes
• Single Hand Direction Control: No
• Clearing width: 24 inch
• Intake Height: 21 inch
• Weight: 85 kg
• Fuel: gasoline
• Light: yes

Customer Review Summary – Yard Machines MTD 31ABS62EE500 2 Stage 24-Inch Snow Thrower

There are no customer reviews for the Yard Machines MTD 31ABS62EE500 2 Stage 24-Inch Snow Thrower at the time of preparing this review. We will update this review in a few month’s time to add summaries of any future reviews.

The brand name of Yard Machines is a good one and consumers have generally been very satisfied with snow throwers, lawnmowers and many other machines of this type. You probably cannot go wrong when you purchase one of these snow throwers. Focus on the features you need to ensure you purchase the machine that will do the job for you. Many come with a lot of bells and whistles these days. They are nice to have but most people really do not need them to clear snow from their driveways. One feature that many consumers will appreciate is “single-hand control”. Driving, managing turns is much easier with this feature.

If you have purchased this machine and would like to leave a review for our readers, please do so.

Description: The Yard Machines MTD 31AH54TG500 2 Stage 28-Inch Snow Thrower is a new machine offered for sale. There are no reviews as of yet. It is a 28 inch wide machine which is a middle of the width machine. It has 4 way chute control. This snow blower also is steerable with the click of a trigger. It also comes with a chute that will not rust. Electric start is also included. This machine has lots of features that may appeal to the average consumer. However all of these things need to be maintained and kept operational to ensure you can use it on those heavy snow days.

Features:

• 6 forward / 2 reverse speeds
• 28″ clearing width
• 4 way chute control
• Large wheels provide traction
• Steering Control
• Powered light
• Electric Starter / Manual Start

Specifications:

• Drive type: Direct Disc type
• Engine: n/a
• Stage: Two Stage
• Max power: n/a
• Rated speed: 6 forward
• Auger: n/a
• Impeller: n/a
• Folding Handles: n/a
• Padded Handles: n/a
• Heated Handles: yes
• Electric Start: Yes
• Single Hand Direction Control: yes
• Clearing width: 28 inch
• Intake Height: 21 inch
• Weight: 116 kg
• Fuel: regular gasoline
• Light: yes

General Comments – Stage 28-Inch Snow Thrower

Having used an older machine for many years there are a couple of features that really appeal to the writer. One item is the heated handles. On really cold days with lots of snow to remove, your hands can become quite cold even with the warmest of mits. Heated handles would make it much more comfortable. Storage is an issue for me as well. I barely have enough room to get my car in beside the snow blower. Folding handles means it takes less room and is easier to store. Wish I had these two features.

Customer Review Summary

There were no reviews available at the time of preparing this review for the Yard Machines MTD 31AH54TG500 2 Stage 28-Inch Snow Thrower. If you have purchased this snow thrower please leave comments regarding your impressions of the machine and it’s suitability for consumers. We will update this post in a few months.

Description: The Poulan Pro 2-Stage Electric Start Snow Thrower 24-Inch comes with 6 forward and one reverse gears. It has a 24 inch clearing width which is suitable for most residential snow clearing requirements. It is also small enough to be easily stored in most garages when not in use at 24 inches wide. Customers can also start the snow blower using the electric starter, which is a huge convenience for many home owners.

Features:This is a basic machine based on the description we were able to find on several pages. It does not have folding handles or heated handles which some home owners might appreciate on cold days when they are out blowing snow.

• 6 forward / 1 reverse speeds
• 24″ clearing width
• Remote chute control
• Large 13 inch wheels provide traction
• Powered light
• Electric Starter / Manual Start

Specifications:

• Drive type: Direct Disc Type
• Engine: 208cc
• Stage: Two Stage
• Max power: 9.5 foot pound
• Rated speed: 6 speed
• Auger: 12″ diameter
• Impellar: 12″ diameter
• Folding Handles: n/a
• Padded Handles: n/a
• Heated Handles: n/a
• Electric Start: Yes
• Single Hand Direction Control: n/a
• Clearing width: 24 inches
• Intake Height: N/a
• Weight: 109kg
• Fuel: Regular Gas
• Light: Yes

Customer Review Summary

We could not find any customer reviews for the Poulan Pro 2-Stage Electric Start Snow Thrower 24-Inch. If you have purchased one of these machines, please us your comments so other readers can benefit from your impressions. We will revisit this post in a month or two to update it with customer reviews.