Snow Blowers for Business Owners: Must-Have Tools for Winter Maintenance

Keep your business running efficiently all winter long

If you’re in an area that gets hit with blustery weather during the winter months, you’re probably familiar with the challenge of trying to clear out snow and keep your business accessible to customers.

To do that, you need the right tools. Shovels will work in some situations, but snow blowers are a more effective solution when you have a lot of ground to cover. If you’re searching for the right snow removal tools to keep your business running efficiently throughout the winter, this guide will point you toward the best snow blower for your needs.

The case for snow blowers

You might be asking yourself if you really need a snow blower. After all, vehicle-mounted snowplows can cover a lot of ground, and paths can be cleared with a shovel and some determination. That said, neither of those options can handle mid-sized spaces efficiently. Government snowplows stick to public roads, and a truck with a snowplow mount still needs a lot of room to operate. Conversely, clearing a private parking lot with a shovel might take hours of manual labor, and that time and effort could be better spent elsewhere.

That makes snow blowers the ideal middle ground. In addition to being a better choice for parking lots and driveways, they’re also better for heavy or wet snowfall. For example, if the skies dump several inches of snow on your doorstep, taking a first pass with a snow blower makes it far easier to follow up with a shovel.

Think of snow blowers as an investment. If you can find room in your budget, you’ll potentially save a significant amount of time over the course of the winter. You might also save money if your alternative is to hire commercial snow plows to clear your bigger spaces. At the same time, business can continue uninterrupted because employees and customers can safely make their way to the building. 

Gas vs. electric snow blowers: Which one is right for you?

Gas snow blowers

Gas snow blowers are typically more powerful than their electric counterparts, allowing you to remove deeper, heavier snowfall with less effort. Additionally, because they don’t need to be connected to a power source, they allow for plenty of mobility. If you’re in an area that regularly sees heavy snowfall, like the northeastern United States, a heavy-duty gas snow blower may be your best option.

Of course, you should also consider the potential drawbacks. Gas snow blowers produce emissions. They’re also quite noisy and require frequent maintenance, from refueling to oil changes to part replacements. Not all gas models are equally powerful, either; they come in three stages:

• Single-stage snow blowers are best for confined, level spaces with six to twelve inches of snow. They can handle light and wet snow and discharge up to 35 feet from their chutes.

• Two-stage snow blowers use an auger and an impeller fan to discharge snow up to 60 feet. They can work in greater depths and handle icy snow. Two-stage models also typically have more durable wheels that make them easier to operate on unpaved or uneven terrain.

• Three-stage snow blowers are the most powerful option. In addition to handling everything a two-stage blower can, three-stage models can clear tall snowdrifts and walls left behind by snow plows.

Ultimately, the winter conditions in your area and the space in which you operate will determine which stage is right for you. 

Electric snow blowers

Electric snow blowers aren’t as powerful as gas models, but they’re more eco-friendly, make less noise and are typically easier to maintain. If you’re only dealing with the occasional snowstorm or don’t have as much square footage to cover, electric snow blowers fit the bill.

Be aware that corded electric models will require access to an outlet, which could limit your range. You can get around this with battery-powered snow blowers, but those batteries have limited run times. Electric snow blowers only come in single-stage models, so if you’re used to more than a foot of snow, you’re likely better off with a two-stage or three-stage gas model.

Understanding snow blower maintenance 

The amount and kind of maintenance a snow blower requires depends on whether you choose a gas or electric model, but either way, it’s a good idea to store it in a clean, dry place. Clean the exterior regularly with hot water (after disengaging the power source) and allow it to cool down before putting it away. Don’t use corrosive cleansers, as they can damage the exterior. 

For gas snow blowers, check the oil level before each use. Operating snow blowers without enough oil can damage the machine, sometimes irreparably. You’ll also need to change out the spark plug and air filter occasionally, so be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. 

You should also carefully follow instructions if you’re using a battery-powered snow blower. Some may recommend charging the battery fully before each use, while others may not. Batteries often have specialized storage instructions as well. They tend to drain more quickly in the cold, so while an outdoor shed or drafty warehouse might be appropriate storage for the snow blower itself, batteries should be kept indoors. 

Winter prep starts with Walmart Business 

When you’re ready to invest in a snow blower, a Walmart Business+ membership can help. Our selection of gas and electric snow blowers makes it easy to find the right model for your winter preparation needs, and you can take advantage of free shipping.¹ When it’s time to stock up on winter prep supplies like deicer and winterization kits, take advantage of additional benefits like fast delivery from local stores on orders over $35² and 2% back in Walmart Business Rewards.³ That could add up to savings of over $500 a year!⁴ Click here to learn more.

¹ Excludes most Marketplace items, freight and certain location surcharges.

² Restrictions apply. 

³ Rewards can only be used toward future purchases on Walmart Business. Additional terms apply.

⁴ Savings based on 1 free $35+ delivery order vs. $9.95 fee and 1 free shipping order under $35 vs. $6.99 fee biweekly, plus 2% Walmart Business Rewards on monthly order >$250 (average value of $400).