If you find clearing giant, wet snowflakes off your driveway a hard chore, all you need is a high-quality snow blower powerful enough to get you through all snow flurries, storms, and blizzards.
To save you much time shopping around, here is a comprehensive list of the top 5 best snow blowers for large driveway:
- PowerSmart DB72024PA Gas Snow Blower – Best Budget-friendly Option
- Briggs & Stratton 1696614 Snow thrower – Best for hilly driveways
- Husqvarna ST224 Snow Blower – Best for gravel driveways
- Husqvarna ST227P – User-friendliest
- Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 30XP Snow Thrower – Best option for heavy snowfalls
PowerSmart DB72024PA Gas Snow Blower – Best Budget-friendly Option
- Electric start feature for ease of getting started
- 6 speed modes and settings for homeowners’ convenience
- Power Assist for turning on a dime with little effort in heavy snowfall
- Detailed control system for ease of operating
- Gas leakage potential
With the clearing width of 24 inches and the 21-inch snow depth, this unit allows you to handle large snow accumulations with ease.
Like other snow blowers by Power Smart, this chute can be rotated to fit each homeowner’s needs, but this DB72024PA 2-Stage device coming with 6 speed settings helps you throw further depending on what mode you are using.
The only downside is that the PowerSmart DB72024PA is pretty prone to gas leaking.
It might even regularly stall in incredibly cold temperatures. Fortunately, pros outweigh cons making this unit one of the best snow blowers for large driveway.
Product Specifications
| System Type | Two-stage gas |
| Clearing Width | 24 inches |
| Snow Depth | 21 inches |
| Cylinder Displacement | 212cc |
| Horsepower | 6.5 horsepower engine |
| Transmission Type | Friction-disc |
| Weight | 187 pounds |
| Highlight Features | Power Assist, electric start, 4 forward and 2 reverse speed variations, and versatile drive system. |
PowerSmart DB72024PA 2-Stage Gas Snow Blower is meant for those looking for an affordable unit excellent at clearing access roads.
Briggs & Stratton 1696614 Snowthrower – Best snow blower for hilly driveways
- Versatile with 5 forward and 2 reverse speeds
- Steel construction for better durability and a longer life
- 3-year limited equipment and engine warranty
- Ease of controlling with only one hand
- Not excellent at handling more than two feet of snow
- Steel skid shoes may unexpectedly leave a mark
From 208cc engine for 9.5 foot-pounds of torque to the clearing width of 24 inches and friction disc transmission, this medium-duty 2-stage snow blower is engineered to clear deep snow all the long tough winter.
However, it might have difficulty handling over two feet of snow. Some users also complained about a mark left by steel skid shoes.
Product Specifications
| System Type | Two-stage gas |
| Clearing Width | 24 inches |
| Snow Depth | 20 inches |
| Cylinder Displacement | 208cc |
| Horsepower | 9.5 horsepower engine |
| Transmission Type | Friction-disc transmission |
| Weight | 184 pounds |
| Highlight Features | Steel reversible skid shoes, Electric Start, dash mounted chute rotation, and an on panel chute deflector. |
Briggs & Stratton 1696614 Snowthrower makes light work of getting the curb in front of your property or any hilly driveways out of moderate amounts of snow.
Husqvarna ST224 Snow Blower – Best snow blower for gravel driveways
- Easy-to-adjust 6 forward and 1 reverse speed
- 12-inch steel auger for faster snow clearing
- Easy to start even in the coldest and most severe weather
- Not budget-friendly
Besides the bright LED headlight for better visibility in the early mornings or late evenings and adjustable handle for easier operation, what makes it different is the form of power steering allowing you to turn corners effortlessly.
How does it work? Every wheel on the handlebar has a trigger, which releases the drive from that wheel once being pulled in. Then, the drive located on the opposite wheel will rotate the machine.
That way, you don’t have to struggle to turn your machine around.
Though it is not budget-friendly, it is well worth your consideration.
Product Specifications
| System Type | Two-stage gas |
| Clearing Width | 24 inches |
| Snow Depth | 16 inches |
| Cylinder Displacement | 208cc |
| Horsepower | 6.34-cycle horsepower engine |
| Transmission Type | Friction-disc transmission |
| Weight | 198.6 pounds |
| Highlight Features | Remote Chute Deflector/Remote Chute Rotator, Electric Start, adjustable handle. |
Husqvarna ST224 Snow Blower is designed for those needing a performance-oriented snow blower that can clear snow from your gravel driveways.
Husqvarna ST227P – User-friendliest
- Easy to steer
- Run on quiet operation
- Effortless start even in the most challenging winter conditions
- Not perfect for handling snowfall over 18 inches
From the power steering ensuring ease of handling in turns, thus minimizing homeowners’ fatigue to its thoughtful design simplifying operation, every single feature makes it the user-friendliest option out there.
Another big plus is its 27” single pass capacity.
It does not sound much compared to the 24” single pass capacity of the ST224, but you will appreciate the Husqvarna ST227P when clearing large areas covered with 2-ft high snow in the coldest weather.
Though the Husqvarna ST227P is good at clearing big driveways, it is not perfect for handling snowfall over 18 inches.
Product Specifications
| System Type | Two-stage gas |
| Clearing Width | 27 inches |
| Snow Depth | 6-18 inches |
| Cylinder Displacement | 254cc |
| Horsepower | 8.5 HP |
| Transmission Type | Friction-disc transmission |
| Weight | 212 pounds |
| Highlight Features | Convenient trigger control power steering, heavy duty auger, electric start, heated handle grips, remote chute deflector. |
Husqvarna ST227P Snow Blower has been developed for users who need an easy-to-use machine for sidewalk cleaning.
Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 30XP Snow Thrower – Best for heavy snowfalls
- 6 forward and 2 reverse speeds for better control and optimal versatility
- Touch 'N Turn steering and heated hand grips for easy operation and maintenance
- Able to tackle any winter conditions
- Expensive
This performance-oriented snow-eating monster which has a strong 357cc 4-cycle OHV engine provides enough power to cut through the 10-inch thickness of snow.
As a plus, the clearing swath of 30 inches makes it excel at removing thick, wet, and slushy snow from pavements, pathways, sidewalks, and gravel driveways.
Were we to complain about something, it would be the high price of the Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm Snow Thrower. However, what it has to offer makes it a good value for your money.
Product Specifications
| System Type | Two-stage corded-electric |
| Clearing Width | 30 inches |
| Snow Depth | 21 inches |
| Cylinder Displacement | 357cc |
| Horsepower | 6.5 horsepower engine |
| Transmission Type | Friction-disc transmission |
| Weight | 352 pounds |
| Highlight Features | Serrated steel augers and a durable rugged steel chute, heated hand grips, Touch ‘N Turn steering, high impact, adjustable polymer skid shoes. |
Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 30XP Snow Thrower is heavy-duty equipment good at cutting through heavy snowfalls over a 3-car long and wide driveway.
How to choose the best snow blower for large driveway (buying guide)
System Type
Single-stage, two-stage, and three-stage are the three types of snow blowers.
A single-stage gas-powered snow blower is designed to handle light to medium-duty 9-in snow while a single-stage electric model is only suitable for light 6-in snow.
A two-stage electric snow blower is much better at removing 4-5″ of wet snow while a two-stage gas unit is great for medium and heavy-duty snow up to 16 inches.
And a three-stage gas machine can blow up to 18 inches of snow.
Power source
An electric-powered snow blower excels at clearing snow off fairly medium-sized driveway not exceeding 50 feet in length. Meanwhile, those having wide driveways should invest in a gas unit for more power.
Clearing Width
The greater your snow blower’s clearing width is the smaller number of ups and downs on your driveways.
By choosing a 45″ clearing width over a 22″ clearing width, you’ll cut your workload in half.
Who makes the best snow blower for large driveway?
Briggs and Stratton
Being one of the biggest manufacturers of gasoline engines for outdoor tools in the world, Briggs and Stratton has long been famous for dependable, durable, and cost-efficient products for more than 100 years.
Husqvarna
This Swedish company founded in 1689 is famous for its well-rounded, well-built outdoor power equipment meeting all users’ expectations when it comes to quality and snow-blowing performance.
FAQs
Can you use a snowblower on heavy wet snow?
Fluffy and wet are the two types of snow. While the former requires homeowners to buy a light-duty snow blower, the latter needs a beast of a powerful machine that can clear a large amount of snow in just a single pass.
Only a heavy-duty gas-powered snow blower can clear wet, heavy snowfall off your driveway.
And because of the effect of gravity on these wet, heavy stuff, you should only look for a 2-stage or 3-stage blower for the best performance in any kind of adverse environment.
However, the only tradeoff of a heavyweight machine is that the 45-inch wide clearing path makes it inconvenient to use in a small area.
How do I keep my snow blower from clogging?
Northerners who often struggle with heavy and wet snow when winter comes need a heavy-duty snow blower. However, it does not mean that the wet, heavy stuff will not clog their snow thrower or even make it stop for a while.
However, you can keep your snow blower from clogging by doing some simple steps below:
- Apply a non-stick spray coating on your chute and auger
- Take advantage of clear- out tools which often come with a snow blower as a standard attachment.
- Increase your walking speed while using your snow blower.
Tip: Don’t use hands to unclog a clogged machine!
Can snow blower remove ice?
Yes, it can, but the ease level mostly depends on the ice chunk’s size and its solidity. Running a gas-powered dual-stage tool over your large driveway is all you have to do.
While a small snow blower with little power might have some troubles breaking up over one or two small chunks, a larger and stronger tool can break up chunks of ice.
How do you maintain a snowblower?
- Regularly change gas and oil
- Change your device’s spark plug, air and fuel filter at least once a season or every 100 hours in use
- Follow the instructions of the manufacturer to lubricate the machine
- Check and replace all the worn parts
What kind of gas should I use in my snowblower?
Gas is all that 4-stroke engines require while a 2-stroke model needs a mixture of with the gas/oil ratio of either 40:1 or 50:1.
Tip: Check the manufacturer’s manual to know the type of fuel and the gas – oil ratio for each specific model.
Should you run gas out of snowblower?
Those having already added fuel stabilizer to the gas in their snow blower can fill the tank with fuel before putting their machine in storage without worrying about internal component damage.
Meanwhile, those using gas from the station should run the fuel out of their device before putting it in storage.
Can I leave my snow blower outside?
Even if you properly covered your snow blower with a heavy tarpaulin, it is not a good idea to leave your snowblower exposed to any outdoor elements.
Conclusion
Only the best snow blower for large driveways can give you peace of mind when winter comes and it starts to snow. Hope that our list above will give you an idea of at least which brand to go for.
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I’m James J. Decker, a hobbyist and DIYs and also a big of home improvement and gardening tools. I immensely enjoy how these amazing products improve productivity and efficiency, and allow me to do jobs for which I would’ve otherwise needed professional help.
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