A track driven snowblowers are those that are equipped with tracks instead of wheels. These are highly recommended for removing snow off steep inclines. The tracks give the machine sufficient traction to give it a good grip on the surface. These are more ideal for all-terrain applications than a wheel-driven machine. The disadvantage, however, is that tracks can be cumbersome if the area you are cleaning requires many turns.

Like the brush-equipped snow blowers, track driven models are not very common. Thankfully, some well-known brands produce some good track driven offers. One of these brands is Honda. Usually, track driven models cost from $1000 to $2500. If you can’t find one, you can also buy a compatible track drive conversion kit, which is available from Honda and Ariens. A conversion kit costs $400 and above.

Single stage snow blowers are designed for clearing snow off flat, medium-sized, paved walkways, driveways, and patios with snowfall of around 4 to 8 inches in height. These are relatively lighter than two stage snowblowers but are heavier and more capable than electric snow shovels.

Although capable of handling moderate to heavy snowfall, the difficulty is in maneuvering these smaller and lighter machines in deep and heavy snow conditions. Furthermore, most models have 20 to 22 inch clearing width and comes with rubber-edged auger to keep surfaces safe from scratches. The advantage in using a single stage machine is that they can scrape safely down to the surface, while two stage machines don’t touch the surface and usually leave a thin film of snow.

Single stage machines are called such because they only have an auger, which means the snow only passes through a single removal stage, which is the auger, before getting thrown from the chute. Some single stage models come with gas engines, while some with electric motors. Gas-powered models are more common because they maximize the power that a single stage machine can provide.

These, however, require more maintenance, especially since most have 2 cycle engines. If you want to reduce the need for maintenance, look for single stage models with a 4 cycle engine.

Thankfully, though, you don’t need to contend with a power cord. Single stage models, however, are not ideal for cleaning gravel surfaces since the auger can throw stones when the auger comes into contact with the surface. And since most come with light-duty wheels, these machines are not made for steep inclines.

You can already buy a good single stage snowblower from a good brand like Toro for around $700, and other well-known brands also go down to $400 if you’re on a budget.