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.

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.

Different aspects of snow throwers or blowers — such as type, size, and features — determine its cost. For example, prices can run from less than $100 for small, cordless blowers to several hundred dollars for larger, corded machines capable of moving a heavier snowfall.

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.

At least two inches of snow should be on the ground before considering the snowblower, according to real estate company Rocket Homes. However, it also depends on what kind of snowblower you have.

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.

Honda single-stage, two-stage and hybrid snowblowers are exceptionally quiet, efficient and easy to use. Powered by reliable Honda 4-stroke engines, they start reliably in cold weather and help power through winter.

Fortunately, three-stage snow blowers (sometimes called snow throwers) tackle that woeful winter chore up to 30 percent faster than two-stage models, Consumer Reports' tests find, in part because they can clear deeper snow with a single pass.

How many horsepower is good for a snow blower? ›

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.

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.

Heavy snow can quickly clog the chute, reducing the snow blower's efficiency. Regularly check and clear the chute as you work.

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.

All in all, we recommend the Ariens Classic snow blower to anyone looking for a machine that's a breeze to maneuver up and down hills and can cut through heavy, wet snow like a dream.

"One of the most impressive findings of our survey was just how different the life span of snow blowers can be," says Simon Slater, CR's associate director of survey research. "Some tools don't even make it to five years, while others last longer than 20 years."

Best Two-Stage Battery Snow Blowers

Two-stage battery-powered snow blowers are relatively new. They have better snow-removal speeds and throwing distances than single-stage blowers and rival the snow-removal power of similar gas-operated models—handling up to 9 inches of snow.

Both snow blowers and snow plows effectively remove accumulated snow. Snow blowers are ideal for more precise snow clearing. Snow plows, which attach to vehicles, offer increased speed and power. Snow blowers are less likely to cause accidental property damage.

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.

How to evaluate a used snowblower? ›

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.