Clearing a gravel driveway or path requires a specific kind of snowblower. Standard models can be unforgiving, often scooping up and launching the gravel beneath the snow, causing damage to your property and the machine itself. The key is finding a unit with adjustable skid shoes and a properly designed auger that can clear the white stuff while leaving the stones in place.
This roundup is dedicated to finding the right tool for that exact job. We’ve compiled a selection of snowblowers known for their durability and adjustable clearance features, ensuring you can tackle winter storms without sacrificing your gravel surface. From powerful gas models to convenient electric options, there is a solution here for every need and driveway size.
The Best Snowblowers for Gravel Driveways
- Ariens ST28DLE Deluxe SHO 28 in. Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower
- PowerSmart 26-Inch Self Propelled Two-Stage Snow Blower
- PowerSmart 24-Inch 212cc Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower
- Snow Joe SJ625E 15-Amp Electric Snow Blower
- Toro Power Max 826 OAE 26-Inch Two-Stage Snow Blower
- Greenworks PRO 80V 26-Inch Cordless Snow Blower
- Briggs & Stratton 1022E 22-Inch Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower
- Cub Cadet 2X 26-IN Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower
Ariens ST28DLE Deluxe SHO 28 in. Two-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower
The Ariens ST28DLE Deluxe SHO is a premium choice for large gravel driveways. Its robust construction and powerful engine are built to handle heavy, wet snow with ease. The 28-inch clearing width allows you to cover more ground with each pass, making quick work of sizable areas.
For gravel surfaces, the adjustable skid shoes are a critical feature. You can easily raise the clearance height to prevent the auger housing from scraping against the ground, effectively protecting your gravel from being scooped up and thrown. The electric start ensures a hassle-free beginning even on the coldest mornings, adding to its user-friendly design.
PowerSmart 26-Inch Self Propelled Two-Stage Snow Blower
This PowerSmart model combines substantial power with thoughtful features for effective snow removal on gravel. Powered by a reliable Briggs and Stratton engine, it offers a strong 2700 lbs/min snow plowing capacity, making it suitable for depths up to 12 inches. The self-propelled drive system with variable speed control reduces user effort, especially when dealing with dense, packed snow.
It includes convenient elements like an electric start and handle warmers for comfort during long clearing sessions. Like other models suited for gravel, it is designed with adjustable skid shoes, allowing you to set the ideal height to glide over an uneven stone surface without causing damage.
PowerSmart 24-Inch 212cc Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower
The PowerSmart 24-inch model is a solid mid-range option for medium-sized gravel driveways. Its 212cc engine provides ample power for most residential snowfalls, and the two-stage operation efficiently pulls in and throws snow away from your path. The compact yet capable design strikes a good balance between power and maneuverability.
This snowblower is built to handle tough conditions while being kind to your driving surface. The inclusion of adjustable skid shoes means you can confidently use it on gravel, setting a higher clearance to minimize contact with the stones below. This feature is essential for maintaining the integrity of your landscape while ensuring a thorough clean-up.
Snow Joe SJ625E 15-Amp Electric Snow Blower
For those with smaller gravel paths or who prefer an electric solution, the Snow Joe SJ625E is an excellent candidate. As a corded electric model, it requires no gas, oil, or maintenance associated with small engines, offering instant start-up with the push of a button. It’s surprisingly powerful for its class, capable of clearing up to 25 tons of snow per hour.
Its lightweight design makes it easy to maneuver on uneven surfaces. While using any single-stage blower on gravel requires a careful technique, this model’s design allows for a quick adjustment of the scraper bar height. This lets you find a setting that clears snow effectively without digging too deeply into the gravel beneath.
Toro Power Max 826 OAE 26-Inch Two-Stage Snow Blower
The Toro Power Max 826 OAE is engineered for performance and reliability. It features Toro’s proprietary Auto-Turn Control, which makes turning the machine significantly easier, a great benefit when navigating around a gravel driveway. Its 252cc engine delivers strong power to handle wet, heavy snow that can be common during winter storms.
This model is built with durability in mind, and its design accommodates various surfaces. The adjustable skid shoes allow you to set the appropriate clearance for a gravel driveway, ensuring the auger housing doesn’t act like a plow for your stones. Its robust construction means it’s built to last through many seasons of use.
Greenworks PRO 80V 26-Inch Cordless Snow Blower
Experience the freedom of cordless power with the Greenworks PRO 80V snow blower. This two-stage model offers the convenience of a battery-powered system without sacrificing performance, making it ideal for those who want to avoid the noise, fumes, and maintenance of gas engines. It delivers powerful clearing capability for a cordless unit.
For gravel surfaces, it includes the essential feature of six-position skid shoes. This allows for precise height adjustment to float over your gravel while still removing snow effectively. The self-propelled operation provides the extra push needed to move through deeper snow, making it a strong and eco-friendly contender for your driveway.
Briggs & Stratton 1022E 22-Inch Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower
Backed by a trusted name in small engines, the Briggs & Stratton 1022E is a reliable and efficient machine. With a 208cc engine, it provides dependable power for clearing driveways and walkways. Its 22-inch width offers a good balance between power and the ability to store the unit in a standard garden shed.
This snowblower is designed for user-friendly operation on various surfaces. The easy-turn technology assists with maneuvering, which is helpful on loose gravel. Crucially, it comes with adjustable skid shoes, enabling you to set the correct height to protect your gravel surface from being disturbed during snow removal tasks.
Cub Cadet 2X 26-IN Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower
The Cub Cadet 2X series is known for its exceptional clearing capability, featuring a dual-stage auger system that moves snow more efficiently. This 26-inch model is built to tackle the toughest winter conditions with power and precision. Its sturdy construction ensures it can withstand repeated use season after season.
For homeowners with gravel driveways, the unit’s adjustable skid shoes are a key feature. They allow you to easily customize the scraper bar height, creating a safe clearance that prevents the machine from scooping and throwing gravel. This thoughtful design makes it a capable and safe choice for maintaining gravel surfaces throughout the winter.
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Snowblower for Gravel Surfaces
Clearing snow from a gravel driveway is a different beast than clearing a paved one. The main challenge is avoiding a gravel-shooting, machine-damaging disaster. I’ve learned that the key isn’t just power; it’s about specific design features that protect both your machine and your driveway surface.
The single most important feature to look for is an adjustable skid shoe. These are the metal or plastic plates on the sides of the auger housing. On a paved surface, you set them low to scrape up every last bit of snow. On gravel, you need to set them high to create a gap between the housing and the ground. This gap, usually about half an inch to an inch, allows a protective layer of snow to remain on the gravel, preventing the auger from scooping up and launching stones. Look for a model that makes this adjustment easy, ideally with a simple wrench or lever, because you might need to fine-tune it as the season progresses and the ground freezes.
Next, consider the auger design. A rubberized or polyurethane auger is a huge advantage for gravel surfaces. Unlike a bare metal auger, these softer materials are more forgiving. If they do happen to pick up a stray stone, they are less likely to chew it up and throw it with the force of a cannon. They are designed to flex upon impact, often minimizing damage to both the auger and anything in the projectile’s path. Many two-stage snowblowers come with this feature, as the first-stage auger’s main job is to feed snow into the impeller.
Speaking of two-stage models, they are generally the best snowblowers for gravel surfaces. The two-stage process—where the auger gathers the snow and a separate impeller fan throws it out the chute—is inherently safer for gravel. The auger doesn’t have to spin as fast as on a single-stage model, reducing the chance of it aggressively grabbing rocks. The clearance provided by the skid shoes is also more consistent on a two-stage machine.
Finally, don’t overlook the impeller itself. A serrated steel impeller is fantastic for breaking up icy, packed snow, but it’s also unforgiving on gravel. A rubberized impeller, while sometimes less aggressive on ice, offers that same layer of protection as the rubberized auger. It’s a trade-off, but for a primarily gravel driveway, the protection is often worth it. When I’m using my machine, I always start with a higher clearance on the first pass and then gradually lower the skid shoes for a cleaner finish once a packed snow base is established. This simple technique makes all the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any snowblower on a gravel driveway?
You can, but you shouldn’t use just any model without taking precautions. A standard single-stage snowblower, which relies on a metal scraper bar to contact the pavement, will inevitably scoop up and throw gravel, potentially damaging the machine, your property, and anyone nearby. The key is to select a machine designed with adjustable skid shoes and, ideally, protective auger materials to handle the uneven surface safely.
What is the ideal clearance setting for gravel?
There’s no single universal setting, as it depends on the roughness of your gravel and snow conditions. I always recommend starting with a higher clearance, about 1 to 1.5 inches. You want the skid shoes to ride on the hard-packed snow, not directly on the gravel itself. After the first pass, you can often lower the shoes slightly for a cleaner scrape on subsequent passes, but always maintain a thin cushion of snow to protect the stones.
Are two-stage snowblowers always better for gravel?
In most cases, yes. The design of a two-stage snowblower is inherently better suited for gravel. The slower-turning auger is less aggressive than the high-speed auger of a single-stage model, reducing the likelihood of violently sucking up rocks. Furthermore, they almost universally feature easily adjustable skid shoes, allowing you to fine-tune the clearance height precisely, which is the most critical factor in protecting your driveway.
What happens if I accidentally suck up gravel?
If you hear the dreaded sound of rocks clanging around inside the auger housing, immediately turn off the machine and disconnect the spark plug wire for safety. Carefully inspect the auger paddles, the impeller, and the housing for any visible damage. Small stones might pass through with only minor scuffs, but larger rocks can bend or crack auger blades and damage the impeller. This is why the protective features discussed in our guide are so valuable for finding the best snowblowers for gravel surfaces.
Should I consider a rubber or polyurethane auger?
Absolutely. I highly recommend a rubberized or polyurethane auger for gravel driveways. These materials are much more forgiving than solid metal. Upon hitting a rock, they are designed to flex and absorb the impact, significantly reducing the chance of damaging the auger itself and lessening the force with which a stone might be thrown. It’s one of the best investments you can make for peace of mind.
Is it okay to use my gravel snowblower on pavement later?
Yes, it is perfectly fine. Once you’ve finished clearing your gravel driveway, you can absolutely use the same machine on your paved sidewalks or a neighbor’s pavement. Simply readjust the skid shoes to their lowest setting to allow the scraper bar to make full contact with the paved surface for a clean scrape. This versatility is a major benefit.