Tractor Models

John Deere’s most powerful consumer snow blowers consist of a unit that attaches to the front of your tractor. Users can operate the snow blower right from the comfort of their tractor seat. The blower uses power from the tractor’s alternator, connecting to the power ports on the side of the tractor. The blower can be lowered during operation and lifted to move to a new plot or for storage purposes. If the terrain is particularly rugged, tire chains can be attached to the tractor’s wheels. The main element that picks up and removes the snow is called the auger. The auger is the twisted metal piece at the front of the unit. It turns rapidly, picking up any snow in its path and forcing it out the chute (single stage). Higher end blowers supplement the auger with a device called the impeller (double stage). In this type of system, the auger picks up snow from the ground and the impeller forces it out the chute. This results in a more powerful system capable of picking up more snow and throwing it farther.

Push Blowers

John Deere makes another type of snow blower that is more accessible to consumers with more conventional needs. for clearing snow from sidewalks, dirt plots, driveways and more, a push blower is the best choice. These systems are powered by a gasoline engine usually under 10 horsepower. A feature I recommend is the electric engine starter, which can be quite handy in starting an engine in the cold. Large rubber tires allow for easy pushing through even tough terrain. These John Deere snowblowers are controlled by a series of levers on a control panel located at the handle. Adjustable handles are a handy feature especially if you’re going to be pushing it around for an extended period of time. Special plastic cabins are available which enclose the user in a box protected from flying snow. With the wide variety of quality machines available, anyone can find a John Deere snow blower model for them.

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Single And Double Stage

John Deere Push Blower

Snow blowers use up to two components to pick up and throw snow, an auger and an impeller. The auger is the screw-like part on the business end of the blower. Single stage models use an auger to pull snow off the ground and force it through a discharge chute. These blowers generally run on a 5-8 horsepower engine and have a clearing path of between one and two feet (generally 20-22 inches). These systems do not require as much power as a double stage, but require more passes to complete a job and don’t throw the snow as far. Homeowners that get less than 75 inches of snow per year do well with a blower of this power. The single stage models are perfect for clearing snow from driveways and sidewalks.

Double stage John Deere blowers are the next step up from the single stage. These models use an impeller combined with an auger to pick up and throw snow. First, the auger picks up the bulk of the snow, and then a powerful impeller blade sucks it up and forces it out through the discharge chute. Instead of just an auger doing the work, an impeller gives the machine an added kick to throw snow farther and pick up faster. Of course, more power is needed to do this, which is why these blowers pack a more powerful engine (around 8 horsepower). You can also expect to have a larger clearing path, resulting in less passes needed to cover a given area. All John Deere snow blowers are equipped with wide diameter, high tread wheels to make them easy to push through tough terrain. Models with an electric start make it easy to start up the engine even in cold weather.

Large Snow Blowers

Tractor Mounted Blower

So far, we have talked about small and medium sized blowers, but what if you have a huge plot of land to cover? Large John Deere snowblowers are actually attachments which connect to your John Deere tractor. Both single and double stage models are available. When purchasing, make sure that the blower is compatible with your tractor model. Some tractor blowers are equipped with hydraulic lifts which lift and drop the attachment at your command. The discharge chute is located at the top of the system, angled to shoot snow either left or right. The larger blowers are only used by people with large areas of land or driveways to cover. They can be quite expensive, but are well worth it if it saves you hours of shoveling every day.

Features To Consider When Buying

Electric Starter

Electric starters are not included on every John Deere model, but I recommend getting one. Even motors designed for cold conditions can be difficult to get going. These starters run on 110v wall power and plug into any electrical outlet. With a press of a button, the engine starts up just like an automobile. Pull-cord starters get the job done, but have a tendency to wear out over time, requiring a handle replacement.

Handle Bar Height

It may seem frivolous, but getting a snow blower that sits at a comfortable height is essential, especially if you’ll be using it for 30 minutes or more. Certain models even have adjustable handles so you can find the perfect height for you. Padded rubber handles are an added bonus and provide better grip in the wet snow.

Tire Chains

Although more of a tractor accessory, John Deere tire chains are a must if you have a lot of snow to haul. The added weight of pushing the snow can reduce traction on your wheels. The tire chains grip the ground better than tires alone.

Plastic Cabins

Plastic cabins are used on both the tractor and push John Deere Snow Blower. They are a plastic box cover which has clear windows on all sides. If you work in a crosswind, having this protection becomes a lifesaver. There’s nothing worse than being cold and wet. As you may know, blown snow can shoot in all directions, even with the most precision-made discharge chutes.

John Deere 400

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