DIY snowblower: functional technique from simple tools
With the onset of cold weather, snow removal becomes an urgent problem for many owners of suburban real estate. In the presence of a vast local area, a shovel is not the best solution, and the purchase of snow removal equipment can be a very expensive purchase. A self-made snowblower will help out in this situation. This option is especially suitable for residents of suburban settlements and suburban areas. Therefore, try to make a useful unit yourself from old tools. And our review will help you do this.
The content of the article
- 1 Snowblower: what it is and scope
- 2 Buy or do it yourself
- 3 Types of snow removal equipment for the home
- 4 General principle of operation of snowblowers
- 5 Comparative analysis of electric and gasoline snow blowers - advantages and disadvantages
- 6 DIY homemade snowblowers for home
- 7 How to choose and buy a factory snow blower: prices, catalogs, models
- 8 Useful and interesting videos on the topic
Snowblower: what it is and scope
The snow blower is a versatile equipment for automatic cleaning of snow embankments in large areas. A snow blower for home saves a lot of time and frees a person from hard work.
Self-made structures are suitable for clearing the adjacent areas of shops and cafes. Also, this technique is used by utilities and all kinds of enterprises.
Snow removal equipment has the following advantages:
- no complicated maintenance required;
- if necessary, repairs are carried out quickly and without large financial expenses;
- the technique is easy to operate.
When choosing a snow blower, you need to pay attention to the following factors:
- Bucket volume.
- Engine power.
- Travel speed.
- Fuel consumption if the equipment runs on gasoline.
- Launch methods.
For small areas, an auger snow blower is suitable, which is compact in size and operates from an outlet. To clean large areas, you will need a screw-rotor unit with a multistage gearbox and a large bucket. This equipment can handle even snow drifts.
Conventional snow blowers are made up of controls, an engine, and a rugged body. Also in the design there are spiral devices for cleaning snow.
Buy or do it yourself
If you are "gnawed" by doubts about buying a snow blower or making it yourself, then pay attention to the following aspects:
- it is necessary to calculate the planned scope of work;
- it is important to take into account the time of using the equipment. The volume of the tank, power and performance depend on this;
- physical capabilities of the person who will operate the device. It depends on this to choose - electric start or manual control;
- it is worth paying attention to the level of management and mechanization.
If you decide to make a snowplow with your own hands, then pay special attention to the choice of the engine. The motor must be of winter design and start at subzero temperatures. An important point is the choice of auger design. This element should be smooth and with a pronounced pattern.
It is worth paying attention to the gearbox that transmits torque to the ejection impeller and augers. The snow discharge chute is equally important. It should not be metal, but plastic.
For small plots less than 50 sq.m. compact electric or battery models are suitable. If the drifts are more than 30 cm, then in this case it is worth picking up gasoline structures. The self-propelled engine will make it easier to clean any areas.The equipment can be equipped with additional functions: heated handles, brush installation, folding handle, electric starter and headlight.
Types of snow removal equipment for the home
By engine type, snow blowers are classified into electrical and gasoline devices. According to the method of cleaning from snow, the models can be two-stage and one-stage.
Designs are also divided into the following varieties:
- self-propelled ones have a tracked or wheel drive in the device;
- non-self-propelled models, which are controlled manually.
Non-self-propelled units are suitable for small areas, since they are moved on their own. Such designs are notable for their low power and have such advantages as economy, accuracy and power.
Self-propelled equipment can be tracked and on wheels. Tracked models are classified as professional.
General principle of operation of snowblowers
A snow blower is a small mechanism that includes the following elements:
- screw - rotating mechanism;
- impeller - blades in the form of a spiral;
- engine - power device;
- case with shrouds, with the help of which the snow is ejected.
With the help of an impeller, the snow moves into the intake casing and then transforms into a fine fraction, and then flies out through a pipe with rounded casing.The ejection of snow masses is carried out using a special regulator. You can change the direction using a special handle.
Single Stage Auger Machine
One-stage equipment is designed for cleaning small areas. Most often these are non-power devices. This type of technique requires pushing and is therefore suitable for physically strong people. The advantage of the equipment is its low weight and excellent maneuverability.
Two Stage Auger Machine
Two-stage designs have more powerful motors. They move under their own power, on a wheel or caterpillar traction. This technique allows large areas to be cleared of snow. In this case, even ice can be removed. The snow is scooped up with a bucket and then scattered by a rotor or auger. The throw distance can be up to 15 meters.
Comparative analysis of electric and gasoline snow blowers - advantages and disadvantages
Consider the features of electric and self-propelled gasoline snow blowers.
Petrol self-propelled snowblower
The special advantage of gasoline equipment is in engine power. Models of such snow blowers are equipped with two-stroke and four-stroke engines. Gasoline equipment has a metal body, a caterpillar drive, a screw-rotary device and a snow pick-up bucket. The weight of the gasoline unit is 60 kg.This technique can even break up packed snow. Gasoline models are expensive and at the same time economical in fuel consumption.
Gasoline models may differ in the following nuances:
- the presence of several screws;
- movement is done by tracks or wheels;
- headlights for work in the evening.
Electric snow blower
Electric models are more affordable. They are easy to move and transport. The equipment does not need any special maintenance. Rubber pads on the auger blades protect the track and pad surfaces from damage. The disadvantage of the design is the inability to move independently. This technique is especially important for clearing freshly fallen snow.
Pluses of electric models:
- the device is relatively quiet;
- no need to refuel;
- low weight of equipment;
- there is no smoke during work;
- excellent efficiency and low cost.
But there are also certain disadvantages. For example, low power, small radius of influence and the need to constantly monitor the cable.
DIY homemade snowblowers for home
You can save significant money by making a snow blower yourself. At the same time, drawings can be found on various specialized sites or you can choose one of those offered by us. Assembling a useful unit is not so difficult if you understand the principle of operation of equipment and its structure.
If you need to remove snow from a small area, you can make a rotary or auger model. Before starting work, you should decide on the type of engine. The motor can be selected from chainsaw or trimmer.
How to make a do-it-yourself auger for a snow blower
An important part of the snow blower is the auger. These are blade rings attached to the drive shaft. A pipe 80 cm long is suitable as a shaft. In the center, you need to cut a hole where a shovel will be placed for feeding snow. The snow is reclined thanks to the rotation of this pipe.
In this case, you will need to make a friction ring for the snow blower with your own hands. In this case, it is worth using ready-made drawings, according to which you can cut rings. The blades are made of sheet steel. In this case, 4 discs are cut out, which are pulled out in the form of turns. Then the finished spirals are welded to the spiral. Metal spacers are fixed along the edges of the pipe. Below you will find detailed stages of the work.
Do-it-yourself snow blower from a chainsaw
It is worth noting the advantages of a chainsaw design:
- low cost of elements;
- outstanding equipment performance;
- production of basic units from available tools.
A chainsaw motor is used as a driving element. The engine is disconnected from the frame. In addition to the engine, you will need a screw housing, a shaft and a screw surface of the screw. The body is made of sheet metal. For the shaft, you can take a pipe with a diameter of 20 mm. The helical surface is made of sheet iron.
You can start making the body from the sides. In this case, two circles are cut out of the metal. A metal sheet bent into a semicircle is welded to the side parts. Holes are made in the side parts where the auger mechanism is inserted. The frame is made by welding shaped pipes to the frame. In this case, the power plant must move along the frame, and also be fixed in the desired position. The handle with the throttle valve removed is fixed to the frame part. Taking into account the type of relief, runners or wheels are attached to the frame.
How to make an electric snow blower from a trimmer with your own hands: video with explanations
You can also make an assembly from a trimmer, but not any will do. electric scythe... Don't use a curved bar trimmer. More powerful are devices with a straight bar.
To make an assembly from a trimmer, you will need a special tool - a grinder, a drill and welding machine.
Here is the sequence of work:
- the body is made of a metal barrel, which is cut at a distance of 15 cm from the bottom. A hole is made in the center where the protruding gearbox will be placed;
- a hole is made on the sides;
- the snow outlet should be located in the center of the structure;
- it takes 4 blades to make a rotor. In this case, 4 plates are cut from a piece of metal, which should be cut in the shape of a blade. They need to be welded to the trimmer disc;
- The snow deflector can be made from different parts of the barrel. To do this, you need to cut out a rectangular strip. The blank should be bent and the side parts welded;
- a blade is made of sheet material;
- the snow deflector is made in the place where there is a hole for snow discharge. The paddle is attached at the bottom. The gearbox is bolted and the rotor is mounted like a trimmer blade.
Getting started on your own, you need to study the following recommendations:
- to prevent foreign objects from getting into the auger, bolts and safety bushings must be used;
- when arranging a one-stage structure, the gutter must be placed on the side and on top of the body.
How to make a similar design can be seen in the video below:
Also, the main stages of assembling a snow blower are clearly presented in the table below:
Rotary snow blower manufacturing
For self-manufacture of a rotary snow blower, you will need the following elements:
- fuel tank;
- throttle control cable;
- motor with a silencer.
To complete the work you will need lathe... It is needed to fit all the parts.It is worth considering the main stages of a snowplow device:
- installation of the screw device;
- assembly of the rotor;
- installation of the case;
- arrangement of the frame.
First, the nodes are made separately, and then assembled into a whole unit. Rotors are made of sheet metal. It is necessary to draw circles on the sheets using a compass. To make the blades, you need to take a part from an electric motor as a basis. The blades are welded to a steel disc. To assemble the frame, you need to weld pieces from a metal corner. All elements of the frame are fixed with bolted connections.
Do-it-yourself snow blower to the walk-behind tractor
The use of motoblocks for equipping a snowplow is also popular. Mounting a homemade snow blower to a walk-behind tractor involves attaching the engine to a quick-release platform.
In the table below, you can clearly see how the installation of a snow blower for a walk-behind tractor is performed:
If you follow the instructions exactly, then it will be a pleasure to remove snow with the help of a homemade walk-behind tractor.
How to choose and buy a factory snow blower: prices, catalogs, models
Functional units are produced by such well-known brands:
- Daewoo;
- Hyundai;
- Honda;
- Husqvarna.
Among the Russian companies, it is worth mentioning Interskol, Energoprom and Kalibr. The table below shows prices for some of the popular models of snowblowers:
To make sure of the reliability of the models presented, we will also give a few reviews from real buyers from well-known forums:
Review, Seona, Vladimir: Electric snow blower HUTER SGC 2000E - irreplaceable in winter in snow!
Advantages: Small size, maneuverable
Disadvantages: Short wire
Hello everybody! Now summer, it seems, a snow blower is not a topic, but it's time to start preparing for this snowy time of the year ...
More details on otzovik: https://otzovik.com/review_3412235.html
Review Oldman 785, Moscow: Snowblower Varyag SB-652 - A good snowblower for a personal plot, cleaning paths, entrances to the house and garage.
Advantages: Self-propelled snow blower with electric start and headlight. Good performance, convenient and intuitive control.
Disadvantages: Needs minor technical improvements, requires careful and careful use.
If we say that a lot of snow has fallen this year in the Moscow region, it means to say nothing! There was no such amount of snow, probably for five years ...
More details on otzovik: http://otzovik.com/review_4513520.html
Review FNO 500, Omsk: Snow blower Caliber SNUB-9.0 / 62ED - A good snow blower with sufficient power for snow removal
Pluses: Excellent performance, good start-up in cold weather, convenient control.
Disadvantages: The candle is often dirty, the tires harden in a slight frost and slide on the hard crust despite the large tread
I have a summer cottage 100 meters long, it happened so. From the entrance to the parking lot 50 meters ...
More details on otzovik: https://otzovik.com/review_5731303.html
We hope that our review will help you make a high-quality snow thrower for a walk-behind tractor or other snow removal equipment. Well, if you have any questions or want to share your own experience in making such equipment, then you are welcome in the comments.
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Owners of private houses or summer cottages in winter often have to face the question of what snow removal equipment for home and summer cottages better in terms of price and quality. We will talk about this in the article.
Useful and interesting videos on the topic