What is the best 3-stage snow blower? This is a common question among most people who want to invest in a powerful snow blower. In this post, I’ll give you a detailed answer…
In many parts of the world, the arrival of winter is a problem and a big nightmare for many homeowners. Cleaning your driveways and sidewalks can be challenging, especially in areas that receive massive snowfall.
Therefore, you’ll need a powerful machine that will make your work quicker and easier. This is where a 3-stage snow blower comes in handy.
| Snow Blower | Power Source | Clearing Width | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker 2890 | Gas Powered | 28" | View |
| CUB CADET 3X | Electric, AC | 26" | View |
| CUB CADET Three Stage Snow Blower | Gas Powered | 30" | View |
| Troy-Bilt Vortex 2490 | Gas Powered | 24" | View |
| Cub Cadet 3X | Gas Powered | 21" | View |
If you’re looking for a three-stage snowblower, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ve listed the 5 best 3-stage snow blowers along with a handy guide that will help you pick the right machine for your needs.
What is a Three-Stage Snow Blower?
Unlike 2-stage snow blowers, 3-stage snow blowers are equipped with a second auger, which adds more power to the tool. The first auger pulls snow and ice chunks into the discharge impeller fan while the other auger crushes compacted ice and show.
3-stage snow blowers can handle snowbanks up to 21″ tall and come with wide clearing widths. They are capable of throwing snow at greater distances. If your area receives heavy snowfalls and needs a powerful tool to clear your yard and driveway, a 3-stage snow blower is a great choice.
Best Three Stage Snow Blower Reviews
A three-stage snow blower is a snow thrower with three augers, which means it has three speeds for moving the snow. A three-stage snow blower also throws snow farther than a single- or two-stage snow blower.
The following are some of the best 3-stage snow blowers in the market;
Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker 2890 277cc Electric Start Gas Snow Thrower
Are you looking for a quick and easy way to clear large areas of snow? Look no further! The Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker 2890 277cc Electric Start Gas Snow Thrower is your winter weather solution and can clear up 21” deep and 28” wide in one clear pass.
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It is equipped with a 277cc OHV gas engine that has easily steerable power steering. With this snow thrower, you’ll enjoy a 200-degrees chute rotation that helps you to control snow with ease.
Features
- 277cc gas engine
- Electric start
- 200-degree polymer chute
- Power steering
Pros
- Has heated hand grips
- Powerful engine
- Maximum stability and traction
- 2-year limited warranty
Cons
- The chute control may stop working after some time
CUB CADET 3X (26″) 357cc Track Drive Three-Stage Snow Blower
This 3-stage snow blower offers more efficiency and power steering at a great price. The CUB CADET 3X (26″) is a powerful tool that is easy to control and use, with helpful features like dual headlights and hand warmers.
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It comes with a 4-cycle 357cc engine that offers more power to clear massive snowfalls. It has a 4-blade impeller that discharges snow out of the chute, and you can easily change the direction, thanks to a 190° crank chute rotation.
Features
- 357 CC 4-cycle engine
- Hi-Arc steel chute
- Steel auger housing
- LED headlights
Pros
- It has heated hand grips to keep you warm
- Large wheels for better control
- Powerful engine
Cons
- Some users reported defective drive belts
CUB CADET Three-Stage Snow Blower 3X 30 PRO
The CUB CADET Three-Stage Snow Blower 3X 30 PRO is designed to handle hard-to-break snow. This little monster will work without any problems, even in the most adverse conditions.
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It comes with a 420 cc 4-cycle engine that guarantees more power and efficiency. It has a 23×30 inches bucket that can handle more snow than any other model out there. This snow blower boasts 2 reverse and 6 forward speeds and has LED lights on both sides of the dashboard.
Features
- 30-inches clearing width
- 420cc engine
- Electric start
Pros
- Durable construction
- Powerful engine
- Ideal for wet snow
Cons
- A bit heavy
Troy-Bilt Vortex 2490 277cc Electric Start 24-Inch Three-Stage Gas Snow Thrower
The Troy-Bilt Vortex 2490 snow thrower helps you to clear deep and heavy snowfall quickly. It uses a 277cc 4-cycle gas engine to provide effortless assistance during harsh winter conditions.
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It has a 200-degree chute rotation that helps you to direct the snow to your preferred location. This all-wheel-drive system can handle any terrain thanks to its airless tires and 8-gear system.
Features
- 277 cc 4-cycle gas engine
- 12-inch accelerator
- Chute control
- 21” intake height
Pros
- All-wheel drive system
- Backup start system
- Powerful engine
Cons
- Some users complained that the chute joystick is not easy to use
Cub Cadet 3X 24 in. 277cc 3-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower
This 3-stage snow blower is among the lightest and compact models out there. It comes with a powerful engine that can crush the hardest and most compact snow.
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With this machine, you’ll not have to worry about ugly scratches on your yard’s surface, thanks to its high-quality skid shoes. What’s more, it is equipped with two LED headlights that improve your vision all the time.
Features
- 21” clearing width
- 277 cc engine
- Electric start
- Cool Blue Skid shoes
Pros
- Rust and corrosion-resistant
- Easy to handle and assemble
- High-quality lighting system
Cons
- It may leave some traces of snow on the way
Maintaining a 3-stage Snow Blower
After using the machine, continue running it for a few minutes to clear ice and snow to prevent the impeller and auger from freezing. Then, sweep off any ice or snow so that no melting ice or snow causes corrosion or rusting.
Before starting the maintenance process, ensure that you’ve disconnected its power and stopped the engine. Always wear safety gloves and goggles that will shield you from any harm when working on the snowblower. Check the pins, bolts, plates, bar, and skid shoes, for tear, wear, and tightness.
Check the snow blower’s control levers and engage them correctly. Ensure that your machine is well lubricated. However, follow the manufacturer’s instructions before lubricating it.
Before storing the snowblower, run the engine until the oil is drained. After draining the oil, refill it with fresh oil and change the filter. Clean the snowblower and scrub any part that’s prone to rust, and spray fogging oil on the engine and cylinder. After completing the above tasks, your tool is ready for storage until the next storm.
FAQs
How Does a Three-Stage Snow Blower Work?
Generally, most three-stage snow blowers are gas-powered but equipped with an electric start. Most are propelled by users, but some have self-propelled capabilities. The intake ice and snow and pass them through their augers, breaking and tearing huge chunks. Using the powerful impeller fans, they discharge snow out through their chutes for up to 30 feet.
Single, Double, or 3-stage Snow Blowers? Which is the Best?
Each snow blower has its pros and cons, depending on the circumstances. However, 3-stage snow blowers have been proven to be more efficient compared to single-stage and double-stage snow blowers.
Does Clearing Width Affect Machine Performance?
Absolutely! If your tool has a wide clearing width, the quicker it will clear your yard and driveway. Evidently, the engine should be in perfect condition.
Can I Use a Bigger Bucket in my Snow Blower?
Every snowblower is compatible with a specific bucket size. If you go for the wrong one, it may cause engine failures and jams in other parts.
Is it Convenient to Use Snow Blowers on Gravel?
This is dependent on the features of your tool. Battery and electric-powered snow throwers are not ideal for clearing snow on graveled surfaces. If you need a snowblower to operate on gravel, look for a powerful and resistant machine to operate without issues.
Best Three Stage Snow Blower Buying Guide
Buying a 3-stage snow blower is not an easy task. Therefore, before buying a snowblower, you must consider some crucial factors to ensure you get a high-performance tool.
Engine Power
Most three-stage snow blowers are gas-powered, which makes them powerful and have a long runtime. A high-quality engine means that it will be able to clear a large amount of snow. Engine quality can be classified in terms of valve configuration, warranty, brand, and displacement.
Clearing Width and Intake Height
Although most three-stage snow blowers have an intake height of 21” and clearing width up to 24-inches, the clearing width varies greatly. Some snow blowers have clearing widths as low as 18-inches or as wide as 26-inches. The best part about bigger width is that you’ll spend less time clearing snow.
Always consider choosing a snowblower with a clearing width that matches the size of your pathways. However, a larger clearing width may cause balance issues in your pathways.
Snow Depth
If your area receives light snow during the winter, don’t invest in a 3-stage snow blower; purchase a shovel. These tools are designed to clear snowstorms that result in large piles of snow. A good 3-stage snow blower can clear anywhere from 18 to 24 inches of snow, depending on the model.
Fuel Tank Capacity
A snowblower with a high fuel capacity is likely to run longer. Nevertheless, this depends on the power produced. Additionally, with a big fuel tank, you’ll make fewer fuel purchases.
Starting System
There are two main options for starting snowblower systems. An electric system needs to push a button, and the machine will start. Conversely, a manual or recoil system requires you to pull a cord to start the blower.
Headlights
Headlights are crucial in any snow blower, especially in winter, where foggy weather obstructs your vision. High-quality headlights will help prevent accidents. Some cheap models are not equipped with headlights, which may cause some inconveniences. Mostly, the headlights are placed in the center of the dashboard or on both sides.
Heated Grips
During winter, the temperatures are below 0°; therefore, it’s crucial to buy a machine that comes with heated grips. The handgrips offer sufficient comfort and prevent gloves from sticking on the grip. These heated grips are designed to keep your hands warmer. Some models do not have this feature, so you should check whether your favorite tool generates enough heat.
Conclusion
If you want to clear a large volume of snow with a small tool, you may cause damage to your machine or your yard’s surface. For this reason, you need a 3-stage snow blower that’s powerful and has quality augers to move the snow. Before making a purchase, ensure that you know the amount of snowfall you expect in your area.
Good luck!
