Two Stage Blower vs. Single Stage Blower

[Bruker]

I know the difference between a two and single stage snow blower but what are the advantages of each. I'm guessing a single stage is less expensive to manufacture, maintain and works well in light snow. However the two stage cost more to build, has more moving parts but works better in heavy snow and probably throws it farther too.

[Mick14]

I have both,a Simp. sno-away 4hp single stage and a J.D.2 stage 8 Hp. in any type of snow ,the Simp.is the superior unit,it throws slush or power much further.i heard that the reason for the 2 stage being most common now is it considered safer --the exposed augers going so much slower--may not be true,but i'll go with the single.

[comet66]

I think the 2 stage may be better some place where you get a lot of very deep snow. But I have been through 3 ft. deep drifts and not had a problem with my single stage unit. I handles Michigan snows very well.

[Alpha8D]

I've had both. A 4hp single strage Jacobsen 2 cycle, a 5 hp and a 7 hp Jacobsen 2 stage. The only disadvantage I see in the single stage it tearing it up if you hit things that go bang in the night. That single stage has a lot of momentum and will bend something before a shear pin can react. The 2 stage will break shear pins before the obstacle get to the part that's really moving fast. Advantage of single stages as stated by others (and I agree) is you can dang near pump water with them. I presently have the 42" single stage on my tractor and the 7hp double stage walk behind. I also picked up a free old 2 stage Gilson that has an 8hp Briggs and is built like a tank. The front punkin is robust and it caries 5/16" shear pins, one on each auger.

[Jason]

Hi I run a 2 stage blower on my 1920H Agco Allis, and it really does a good job moving the snow whatever the type. There are hardly any single stage blowers around my area anymore,Everyone has gone to 2 stage blowers in my area to help move the canadian snow away. If we did not get as much snow, I would have went with a single stage. Take Care Jason B

[RickS]

I have a 7012H with a 42 inch single stabe blower. I can throw snow 30 to 45 feet with ease. The blower does not care if the snow is heavy or not. It handles heavy wet snow to dry fluffy snow. The only problem is with heavier snow I need to slow down, but the tractor handles the snow without a problem. I have even blown snow backed by an F350 snowplow. The motor didn't even slow down. Kent has a very good picture of his tractor blowing snow. His blower is a single stage and it moves the snow. Also look for pictures of UCD's blower. Don't be fooled a Simpicity single stage blower will out clear almost everything. Rick.......

[mwells]

I have a 1920 with a 2 stage, it works great, throws the snow 45 ft. I also have a B-12 with a 3 belt single stage, I sped the auger up a bit and it throws the snow about 30 ft. I've never had a drift I couldn't get through with the single stage, If I were buying a new one, I would probalby go with the single stage, they work just as well, and theres alot less maintence on them.

[MPH]

I've dicussed this with my brother ever since I got the my first Simplicity single stage going. He couldn't believe the way it threw snow, I send him pictures with a tape measure laid out. He has a single on his walker mower he uses at his shop, finally came to the conclusion its the depth of the paddles, ie small dia core shaft, that make the Simplicity work so much better then some other singles.

[Alpha8D]

I just found the following on the Gilson site. It's quite informative. "·SNOWTHROWER: Also called a single stage machine. The snow is gathered by a high speed auger. When the snow reaches the centerpoint it is hurled upward by the auger and thus THROWN. There are fewer moving parts in these machines but they are all moving very fast so damage can be very sudden and severe. This design is almost always used in tractor attachments because of its shorter overall size. · SNOWBLOWER: Also called a dual stage machine. The snow is gatherd by a low speed auger and fed back to a high speed impeller that BLOWS the snow up the chute. The lower speed auger is less prone to sudden damage and is generally protected by shear pins. A worm driven auger is preferable to a chain driven one. A worm drive will have a small gearcase between the auger leads griven by a shaft coming through the center of the impeller. A snowblower is preferable under almost all conditions. Remember that you will get the greatest throwing distance when you throw to the side that continues the arc generated by the direction of impeller rotation. "

[Karl_Brandt]

I have a single stage snowblower on my AC 919H and a TecoMaster 4hp (same as Simplicity sno-away)single stage snowblower. Also a 8hp ariens,MTD 2 stage snowblowers. Single or two stage as long the snowblower moves the snow,is ok.^:D Karl [url]www.simplicityva.com[/url]

[MikeES]

"Snowthrowers" have a bad reputation from all the other manufacturers. If they were all built like a Simplicity there would have no reason to even offer a dual stage blower. I have not seen a "thrower" on any other tractor (I have witnessed 8 other tractors) that works as well as the Simplicity.

[Kent]

If you want to see some "action shots", here's a couple of slideshows: My 3112V with 42" blower from last year: http://flickr.com/photos/kentthomas/sets/1351788/show/ The Big Ten that I had with a 36" blower from about 3 years ago: http://flickr.com/photos/kentthomas/sets/1350426/show/ Those of you down south, like Roy, just enjoy your warmer winters... :D Actually, if the wind isn't blowing, I enjoy using the snowblower in deep snow better than any other use of these tractors... nothing makes an old Briggs growl like about 10" - 12" of snow....

[Roy]

Kent, no need for a snowblower leaves room in garage for other goodies. :D:D