How well does a single stage snowblower work?

[Inspectorjoe 471]

Over the years, I've had four Wheel Horse single stage snowblowers, but for several reasons, I've never actually used one. I currently have a C-145, a C-175, a short chute blower in good shape, a 42" plow in fair shape, two walk-behind blowers and a 1947 Farmall Cub with a 54" blade. I've eliminated one shed and will soon be eliminating another, greatly reducing my covered storage space, so I have some decisions to make. I can use the two Wheel Horses with a blower and blade, or I can use a walk-behind blower and the Cub and blade. 

I've used two-stage walk behind blowers my entire adult life, and know how to get the best out of them. My reservations with a single-stage WH blower are the limitations of a single stage unit and the short box height compared to a walk behind unit. It's not unheard of to get an occasional 30" snow in my area, and there may be times I have to wait for it to stop before clearing it.

I welcome thoughts on this. The link is to the Cub plowing snow. 

https://youtu.be/JBIIPo699f0?si=9dvoNTFctLXiVtqT

Edited November 5 by Inspectorjoe

[ebinmaine 67,899]

@Maz91 you may be interested in this thread. 

@OldWorkHorse you've run a Wheelhorse Single Stage. Any comments? 

 

[OldWorkHorse 3,045]

I've used a single stage short shoot for about 4 winters now and it moves some snow with my 314-8. Havnt met anything it won't chew though sometimes just got to go slow and it throws it a very good distance. Hit slush a few times and it will bog down but still throws it's. I do have a worn belt on mine that has slipped a few times so with a new belt might even be a bit better. I've blown snow 3+ inches deeper than the face of the blower still no issue. I've recently upgraded to a single stage tall shoot hoping that will be just as good. 

[ri702bill 8,421]

It's all about speed -WOT on the blower auger, but SLOW forward motion. Low range 1st or 2nd gear on an 8 speed tractor works best.

My 32" blower is a 1963 model - those tractors came only as 4 speeds. The manual tells you to use the clutch to "adjust" the forward speed.... My 854 has the Unidrive from a C81 8 speed  .

 

 

Edited November 5 by ri702bill

[TonyToro Jr. 1,482]

I’ve been using my C-145 with a tall chute single stage blower now I think for 3 or 4 seasons. Works great with the lighter snow and wet. As long as it isn’t slush it will throw it. (In the videos it was like a foot of kinda wet snow but mostly powder.)

[peter lena 8,682]

@Inspectorjoe  moved a lot of snow with the single stage , also enhanced / verified the drive set up , again the PTO drive , AND RELATED MOVEMENT POINTS ARE CRITICAL FOR ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT EASE . agree on the type of snow , I  am right on the wet / dry snow loading, area also have a walk behind blower , dry snow rarity , is terrific with blowers , also have a plow set up on another horse , lubrication faced plow blade , moves / slides snow with very easy angle sliding . another thing I notice is people  using their  stuff at hi speed , wrong gear , @ri702bill  plows like I do , always looking / sensing  traction / loading , I  also "  plow with the sun angle "  knowing the sun will be at areas throughout the day , move snow , to sun side of driveway , starts melting , goes to street drain , that blower frame / pulley movement area , can be lubrication enhanced , on the rusty " movement spots , also those idler pulleys are known to lubrication fail , " what could you possibly do ?  my blower auger chain drive is adjusted and chain / open gear  aerosol , works at EVERY MOVEMENT AREA . auger moves easily pto down drive belt , no screaming clutch engagement . mention this , movement  related , drag / rusty spot on any  attachment point . went after , every drag point , eliminated them , problem tracking , will show you the way / you have to change / improve the movement hang up point , pete   

[Ed Kennell 38,374]

I have used short and tall chute single stages to clear several of those 30" snows that we used to get.   They work best in the deep dry snows.  Not so well in the 3" slushy stuff we get now.

For the singles to work efficiently, the housing must be kept full.   To do this, the ground speed must be varied and IMO, this can only be accomplished with a Hydro.

I sold my blowers 5 years ago as we have not had a decent snow in 10 years.   I do have a dual stage that will probably never be used....got it in a trade deal a couple years back.

If you ever get one of those 30"ers Joe, call me.    I would love to use this dually before I sell it.

[ML3 1,244]

I guess it depends on how much snow you typically get. Where I live snowfall has been significantly less than normal last few years.  I sold my single stage along with my C105. Just didn't perform well especially in heavy, wet snow. Right now i have a 2stage Toro walk behind snowblower.  My plan is to get a 520H with a 2stage. 

 

We get "lake effect " snow events that can dump every bit of a foot + of snow in a short time. A 2stage is definitely needed at least in my area.  

 

[Ed Kennell 38,374]

1 minute ago, ML3 said:

My plan is to get a 520H with a 2stage.

Come to the big show next year.    My 520H with heated cab and dually Ber Vac may be there for sale.

[ML3 1,244]

2 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

Come to the big show next year.    My 520H with heated cab and dually Ber Vac may be there for sale.

I plan to attend. I been there the last 2yrs. The Ber Vac is the bad boy of the 2stages. My dad has one on his Troy Bilt GTX20. It's a beast of a snow removal machine! 

[AMC RULES 37,134]

https://youtu.be/PX4qUILtQ1Y?si=rxHZEFH55QBiXrY6

[ebinmaine 67,899]

23 minutes ago, AMC RULES said:

https://youtu.be/PX4qUILtQ1Y?si=rxHZEFH55QBiXrY6

 

 

Craig that link doesn't work automatically but if I highlight it my phone has an option to click "open". 

 

Good stuff there.  

 

[wallfish 17,051]

The more HP the better the performance. Going too slow of a ground speed will clog them up MUCH faster if it isn't powder. Too small of an engine won't allow it get loaded up enough in the wet stuff to perform well. Yes, they will still work even with an 8 hp. But there is a very noticeable difference when using a 12 and up. I tried going from a 16 hp down to a 10 hp and and changed it back quickly because of the noticable difference in performance. 

My opinion, big engine and a good ground speed, just fast enough until the engine grunts just a little, that seems to be the "sweet spot"

[AMC RULES 37,134]

But...

it is working there in your quoted link. 

 

[Handy Don 12,330]

12 minutes ago, wallfish said:

engine and a good ground speed

Applies equally to walk-behind two-stagers. Gotta keep ‘em well fed but not choking!

 

[Ed Kennell 38,374]

55 minutes ago, wallfish said:

My opinion, big engine and a good ground speed,

                                              I used my single tall chute on my C-12 Hydro.   It worked but ran out of HP in the deep stuff.    On the 520H...no problem.

 

 

 

 

Good ground speed means keeping the housing full of snow.    To do this, the ground speed needs to be varied to match the depth of the snow and this can only be done with a hydro.

The hydro lift is also a must for us old guys.

Edited November 5 by Ed Kennell

[ebinmaine 67,899]

27 minutes ago, AMC RULES said:

But...

it is working there in your quoted link. 

 

 

 

Yeah I saw that as soon as I hit submit. 

Odd ehh?

[Inspectorjoe 471]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I'm sorry I haven't been back with a response. Last week, I went to work in the afternoon and ended up going in for emergency major abdominal surgery at 3:30 AM. So far, the recovery hasn't been very easy.

 

I think I'll put the blade on the C-145 and the blower on the C-175. They're both hydros. 

 

I guess I'll put the Cub up for sale, as much as I don't want to, but it takes up a lot of space for something that has such a limited use over the year. It really does a great job plowing, and it's fun to use. It has a very, very low serial number and is still in its original paint and decals, so I'd really hate to get it wet if I don't have to. And being the 308th Cub made and still being original, it has a manual lift which works surprisingly easily, but I don't know how well I'll handle it after this surgery.

[rjg854 11,396]

I  you're feeling better.