Snowthrowers, single vs two-stage

[Buzz 502]

Which do you prefer? The pros and cons of each. A friend is looking for a snowthrower for his C-175 and said the only ones he would be interested in would be two stage because he had a Cub Cadet with a single stage that didn't work very good. I said a lot of members used single stage and seemed to like them. So... what's the pros and cons of each. :party:

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,880]

Buzz, I have never had a 2-stage blower, and deep down I want one, but I have seen them. They are BIG! In the 3 seasons that I've had my single stage blower, I haven't *really* used it, we just haven't had the snow and the plow is a little easier. Anyway, for me I prefer the single stage because it's smaller, easier to mount and store.

[MalMac 1,332]

I have got both, the 2 stage is really heavy and very hard to move around once it's off the tractor. The 2 stage is built to move alot of snow in a hurry. With that being said. In order for the 2 stage to really work right it needs in my opinion alot of horse power. The single stage does a good job too it just does not throw quite as far. But I have seen single stages hooked up to 16hp and bigger that thru the snow just about like a 2 stage. Just remember everything I have said here is my opinion with the experience that I have had with my 2 blowers. To me they are built to do the same task, just one does it more effectivly than the other.

Tim

[Irv 115]

I have the single stage on my 314-8 and don't think I could be more satisfied with anything else. It works great and blows snow, even heavy snow, as far as I could want.

[Ken B 3,189]

Which do you prefer? The pros and cons of each. A friend is looking for a snowthrower for his C-175 and said the only ones he would be interested in would be two stage because he had a Cub Cadet with a single stage that didn't work very good. I said a lot of members used single stage and seemed to like them. So... what's the pros and cons of each.

In general, I haven't had a good Cub Cadet snow thrower that ever worked very well. If the PTO is weak on a Cub forget it. I really don't think the Cub thrower is a very good example of a single stage thrower. All the stars need to be aligned perfectly for a Cub thrower to work well. I know lots of guys that have them and they've tried them and they also said they stunk. I think the Wheel Horse thrower is a much better setup. Just my opinion though. Opinions may vary.

[Jim_M 179]

I have a single stage on a 416-H and it will throw the snow 25 to 30 feet or more if the conditions are right.

I had a 2 stage a few years ago and hated it. It didn't throw the snow any further than a single stage but weighed 3 times as much.

I will admit though that the 2 stage didn't work the tractor as hard in the deep drifts. The only real advantage of the 2 stage, in my opinion, is if you get a LOT of snow in your area. With the 2 stage on a 16 horse or larger tractor you can drive right into a 3 foot drift, with the single stage I try to take smaller bites on the deeper drifts.

If we get 6" of snow or less I prefer to use a blade. If we get more than 6 inches I usually use the blower and then go back and scrape down to the pavement with a blade.