When the first heavy snowfall of the season arrives, the serene white landscape quickly brings a pressing question to mind: what’s the best way to clear my driveway? For many homeowners, the decision often comes down to two powerful tools: the snowplow and the snowblower. Each has its ardent supporters and specific strengths, making the choice more nuanced than it might initially seem. Your driveway’s length, the typical snowfall in your area, and even your physical capability all play a role in determining which machine is your winter warrior.
Navigating the choice between these two methods is all about matching the tool to the task. This isn’t about declaring one the ultimate winner, but rather about understanding which one will make your winter mornings more manageable. That’s precisely why we’ve put together this practical guide on Snowplow vs Snowblower: A Guide to Their Best Uses, to help you see the clear path through the snow.
Snowplow vs Snowblower: A Guide to Their Best Uses
At its heart, the fundamental difference lies in how they move snow. A snowplow pushes snow to the side, while a snowblower picks it up and throws it out of the way. This simple distinction dictates everything from the type of snow they handle best to the amount of physical effort required from you. Let’s break down the ideal scenarios for each.
When a Snowplow is Your Best Bet
Snowplows, whether attached to a vehicle like a truck or ATV, or as a push-plow for a lawn tractor, are all about speed and power over large, open areas.
Ideal for Large Driveways and Long Lots: If you have a very long driveway or a large parking area, a vehicle-mounted plow is often the fastest way to clear snow. You can cover a significant amount of ground in a short time without ever leaving the comfort of your cab.
Perfect for Lighter, Fluffier Snowfalls: Plows excel at moving dry, powdery snow. This type of snow is easy to push and doesn’t stick to the plow’s surface, allowing for a clean, efficient clear with each pass.
Considerations for Plow Use: One of the biggest challenges with a plow is where to put the snow. After a few storms, the snowbanks along the edges of your driveway can become quite high, making it difficult to push new snow over them. Plows also struggle with heavy, wet snow or snow that has been packed down by traffic, often requiring multiple passes or leaving a thin layer behind.
The Power of a Snowblower
Snowblowers, or snow throwers, are the champions of deep snow and tough conditions. They are self-powered machines that use an auger to chew up the snow and an impeller to discharge it through a chute.
Mastering Heavy, Wet Snow: This is where snowblowers truly shine. Their auger is designed to break up dense, slushy snow that would simply stall a push-plow. If you live in an area that gets “heart-attack snow,” a snowblower is a much safer and more effective option.
Tackling Deep Accumulations: While a plow can get overwhelmed by a deep drift, a snowblower can methodically eat through it, even if it means taking smaller bites. Two-stage models, which have a separate impeller for throwing snow, are particularly effective for depths over six inches.
Precision and Cleanup: Snowblowers offer more control over where the snow lands. You can direct the chute to pile snow precisely where you want it, which is a major advantage when you’re working around cars, shrubs, or fences. They also tend to leave a cleaner surface behind, often scraping down to the pavement.
Key Factors to Help You Decide
So, how do you choose? Ask yourself these questions before making an investment.
What is Your Typical Snowfall? For frequent, heavy lake-effect or nor’easter snowfalls, a snowblower is often the more reliable tool. For areas with lighter, more frequent dustings, a plow might be all you need.
How Much Space Do You Have? A large, open gravel or asphalt driveway is plow-friendly. A smaller, more intricate driveway with turns or obstacles might be better suited to the maneuverability of a snowblower.
What’s Your Storage and Budget? A vehicle-mounted plow is a significant investment and requires a truck or ATV to operate. A push-plow for a lawn tractor is more affordable but requires storage for the tractor. Snowblowers also need off-season storage, but they are a standalone unit. Generally, for the average homeowner, a good two-stage snowblower offers the most versatility for its cost.
A Combined Approach for the Win
For some, the best solution isn’t an “either/or” but a “both/and.” It’s not uncommon for homeowners with substantial property to use a vehicle-mounted plow for the initial, quick clear of the main driveway. Then, they’ll follow up with a snowblower to clean up the snowbanks, clear areas too tight for the plow, and handle the heavy, packed snow at the end of the driveway left by the road plow. This combination leverages the speed of the plow with the precision and power of the blower.
In the end, the right tool for you depends on your unique winter landscape. By weighing the type of snow you get, the size of the area you need to clear, and your personal preferences, you can make a confident choice. Whether you’re pushing snow with a plow or throwing it with a blower, the goal is the same: a clear, safe path to start your day.