Prosumer Two-Stage Buyer's Guide

A prosumer grade two-stage snow blower gives you the obvious advantages of a larger engine, larger auger and impeller and greater snow throwing distances when compared to a consumer grade snow blower.

Prosumer grade two-stage snow blowers also come with “standard” features like interlocking controls, headlights and upgraded aluminum gear cases that would be optional equipment on a consumer grade snow blower.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t other upgraded features you will want to consider in selecting your perfect prosumer grade two-stage snow blower.

Here are a few popular features you should know about:

1. Remote Deflector Control
Most, but not all, prosumer grade models will include this feature. This feature allows the operator to move the angle of the deflector on the discharge chute up and down from behind the operator controls, eliminating the need to walk around the snow blower to make this adjustment.

Reduce blowing flakes and direct snow more accurately by adjusting the deflector up and down.

2. Chute Style
Prosumer grade two-stage snow blowers offer the same two
methods of adjusting (aiming) the discharge chute as the consumer grade models – a basic crank or a lever action control. Both types can be controlled from behind the operator controls.

A crank style control will turn a handle on a control arm to rotate the discharge chute from left to right and back again. The lever-type control gives you precise control over the direction you discharge snow and requires less effort to maneuver the snow chute.

3. Handwarmers
About half of the prosumer grade snow blowers include this feature. Again, it's just what it sounds like.

The hand grips on the snow blower will actually heat up (just like the seats in a car) to keep your fingers and hands toasty while you work outside in frigid temperatures.

4. Power Steering
It’s called “auto traction control” or “free wheel steering” or something else, but it all refers to the same thing – power steering. A power steering system allows the operator to turn and maneuver the snow blower more easily.

All systems work the same way. One tire or the other slows down or stops, to help the snow blower turn more easily. Prosumer grade snow blowers weigh 220 to 250 pounds, so power steering means no wrestling your snow blower when you need to turn.

5. Track Drive
This feature is available on a handful of prosumer grade snow throwers. Track drive snow blowers give you superior traction in any snow condition. No slipping, no sliding, just great control.

Track-drive models are ideal for hilly surfaces and inclines, rough ground and gravel-driveways, as well as clearing packed snow, like a snowbank or driven-over snow. And of course, with a track-drive snow blower, you never have to worry about flat tires or wrangling frozen or icy tire chains.