Craigslist Snow Blowers For Sale (2024)

FAQs

Is it worth buying a used snow blower? ›

Buying used may save money initially, but it could prove costly if the blower is older or the brand isn't well known. Engine oil, fuel filters and oil filters may be usable across brands, but an on-off switch, auger assembly or idler may be difficult to come by for an out-of-production model or defunct brand.

While it makes good financial sense to find an affordable snowblower that doesn't break your budget, keep in mind that it isn't worth anything if it can't handle the amount of snow you expect to see each winter. Less expensive snowblowers, generally speaking, are made to handle smaller jobs.

Look for professional snow blowers equipped with an engine of at least 400 CCs. Pick a snow blower clearing width that fits the properties you're servicing. Biggest can be extremely efficient but it isn't always the best option for clearing diverse areas like narrow walkways.

Most high-quality snow blowers will last a minimum of 10 years, while top-of-the-line, two-stage snow blowers can give you 20+ years of use when properly cared for. “My father-in-law's two-stage snow blower is 45 years old and runs today as if it was new out of the box,” says Holmes.

While a snowblower costs anywhere from $100 to almost $10,000, most homeowners will pay between $250 and $2,000, but it depends on the type you want and need. Power shovels are an economical option for some assisted shoveling while areas with heavy snow might need a large gas three-stage machine for regular clearing.

There is no hard and fast rule about using a snowblower on a specific amount of inches, but most snow removal experts suggest using one on 2 or more inches of snow for best results. This will also depend on what type of surface you're working on and whether the snow is dry or wet.

“Upgrading from a two-stage to a three-stage snow blower adds an accelerator, boosting the power with which snow can be discharged from the chute,” says Misha Kollontai, one of CR's test engineers in charge of snow-blower testing.

For light to moderate snowfall, an electric snow blower may be sufficient. For heavy snow conditions, a gas-powered model may be more effective. Property size. Electric snow blowers are suitable for smaller properties, while gas-powered ones are more appropriate for larger areas.

Single-stage electric snow blowers are best for short, level driveways, decks, and walkways with snow levels of less than 6 inches. About the size of a small walk-behind lawn mower, single-stage electrics are the lightest, quietest, and easiest models to use.

When is the Best Time to Buy a Snow Blower? The best times to buy snow blowers are January, when retailers start to clear out their inventory, May, June, and early fall when manufacturers release new models and offer discounts on older ones, as well as Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Which is better 1 stage or 2 stage snow blower? ›

Single Stage Snow Blowers

Better at Handling a Few Inches of Snow — A single stage unit will be weaker than a dual stage unit, but for many homeowners that won't matter. The difference in power determines how much snow you can handle at a time. A single stage unit can only handle a few inches of snow.

For occasional use, snow blowers, with around 5 horsepower and one or two speeds, are generally adequate. However, if you intend to clear large amounts of snow, want to work on slopes or if the snow is quite wet, a three-stage device with 10 hp or more is recommended.

If the Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE is not available or if you have a gravel driveway (or you clear a lot of lawn area), we recommend the Cub Cadet 2X 26 IntelliPower Snow Blower. This model is good for regular snowfalls of roughly 6 inches to 1 foot on a two-car driveway that's up to about 80 feet long.

Two-stage snow blowers are great for handling all types of snow on any surface. For example, a two-stage may be an ideal choice for those with gravel driveways, since they don't clean all the way to the ground which helps avoid pieces of gravel getting into your snow blower's auger.

When buying used, beware of a blower sporting an aftermarket logo on the case or drive snout but with a stock bearing plate. That blower may have been thrown together using parts from several old blowers just to be sold. Another item to look at is the blower's intake surface.

Dual-stage blowers are much heavier and take up more storage space, but are more powerful and useful for tougher and bigger jobs. Single-stage blowers are smaller, lighter, and easier to maneuver, but are not powerful enough to tackle large snow removal jobs.