Now is the time to start thinking about how you’re going to deal with our heavy Flagstaff winters. With big snowstorms that can accumulate over a foot of snow, dealing with all of that snow weight can be a daunting task. Luckily, HomCo Lumber and Hardware carries the perfect invention for our heavy winters: snow blowers. Choosing a snow blower can take a bit of time, but once you have the perfect one for your lifestyle and your needs, you’ll never need to worry about throwing your back out again, and you can get right back to enjoying a nice cup of hot chocolate or coffee while watching the snow fall from the inside of your home. Continue reading our blog post for advice, tips, and information on the different types of snow blowers available for you.

Choosing a Snow Blower:

When choosing the correct snow blower for your specific needs, there are a few things you need to consider before completing a purchase. One important thing to know is what distinguishes one type of snow blower from another.

There are three different strengths of snow blowers. There are the first-stage snow blowers, which scoop up the snow and throw it in one motion. These are the weakest sort of snow blowers, but are good for small snowfalls and smaller areas. They also cost the least. Then there are the two-stage snow blowers, which are good for compacted, wet snow and longer driveways. These are the stage of snow blower that HomCo carries. Lastly, there are the three-stage snow blowers. These are similar to the two stage snow blowers, but more powerful, quicker, and bulkier. Generally, the two-stage snow blowers are good for residential needs, while three-stage snow blowers are good for commercial needs.

The next important distinction are the two different types of snow blowers. There are the electric ones, which can either be battery powered or corded. HomCo carries the Ego brand, which has a line of battery-powered snow blowers that you can check out online and in-store. Then there are the gas-powered snow blowers, which will generally be more powerful, but can also be a bit more finicky with maintenance. The Ariens line here at HomCo is gas powered, and is also maintained and sold by our talented Stihl team.

For our heavy Flagstaff winters, it is generally recommended that you buy a gas-powered two-stage snow blower, but if you won’t use your snow blower too often or you have little property to actually clean out, a first-stage electric snow blower may be all you need to get by. It’s still better than throwing out your back.

After you determine which type and strength of blower you want, you can think about the additions that you may want with a snow blower. Some snow blowers have power steering, some have a chute that can be controlled with a joystick, some have tractor-like treads that are great for snow blowing inclines. Think about what aspects of a snow blower would help you out the most and keep this in mind when speaking with one of our Stihl associates. They also have more information that can help you out when shopping for a snow blower.

Snow Blower Services at HomCo:

HomCo Lumber and Hardware is a certified Ariens dealership, which means that our Stihl associates are certified to work on your Ariens snow blower and have it operating like new. It is generally good to get your snow blower serviced a month or so before it begins to snow. If you’ve stored your snow blower properly as outlined in our earlier blog post, servicing should be a lot quicker and easier. If you are purchasing a brand new snow blower, the Stihl team will set up and run your snow blower before you take it home, so you don’t need to worry about whether or not it runs.

While you’re stopping by at HomCo, it is a good idea to stock up on some snow blower-related things that will make your winter a lot easier. The main thing to stock up on is shear pins. Every store in Flagstaff inevitably runs out of shear pins during a big snow storm, and you don’t want to be stuck without some, so stock up now before you need them. You’ll thank yourself later, trust us. Just make sure that you’re buying the proper length of shear pin. Other accessories will be a nice addition that may make your snow blower easier to use, but shear pins are required.

We also have different warranties on our different snow blowers. Our Ego snow blowers will have you register your snow blower online. The Ego batteries and chargers generally have a three-year warranty, while the blower itself will have a five-year warranty. If you are using your Ego snow blower for professional or commercial use, the power charger and battery will have a warranty of only one year, so make sure to get the product that best fits your lifestyle and necessities. Our Ariens snowblowers generally come with a three-year limited warranty for residential use and a 90 day warranty for commercial use. Our Stihl associates will have more information for the specificities of the warranty.

Conclusion

In Flagstaff, it’s never too soon to consider your snow blower options and the sort of machine you want to get before the big snow hits. If you need a new snow blower, or if this is your first time purchasing one, head on over to HomCo Lumber and Hardware. Our Stihl associates can answer any questions you may have, and if you want a smaller, battery-powered blower, our Lawn and Garden associates can help you with our Ego snow blowers. Whichever blower best suits your lifestyle needs, HomCo Lumber and Hardware will have the snow blower you need and the accessories that will keep it going. Head on over today, or you can shop online using our online store.

Get your driveway looking fresh and clean with a brand new snow blower for this winter season.