Hi Tags:
There are a variety of options for 3ph snowblowers. First there are forward facing and rear facing. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Then there are single stage and two stage. Single stage use the speed of the auger to dishcarge the snow while a two stage use the auger to feed the impeller. There are also twin auger machines.
Most snowblowers are two stage so the following comments are geared that way, but the same principles apply to single stage machines. There are two factors that determine the effectiveness of a snowblower - discharge velocity and fit between the impeller and the drum. Discharge velocity is a function of the rotating velocity and diameter of the impeller. You need to consider how far you want to throw the snow. In my case I want to throw the snow about 100 feet so I need a discharge velocity of at least 5000 feet/min. My snowblower has a 20" impeller that I run at 1000 rpm which gives me a discharge velocity of about 5200 feet/min.
The fit between the impeller and the drum also affects the throw. The larger the gap, the more leakage and less throw. The fellow that made my machine gave me a rule of thumb to use - it was that a machine in good shape will pick up a dime at the bottom of the drum and carry it to the point of dischage a quarter turn later. Over time the blades of the impeller will wear and the drum may become damaged from rocks, etc. If it gets to the point that the impeller blades can't pick up a quarter, it is time for a rebuild. The throw of my machine had become much less than I thought it should be so I rebuilt it last year by putting a sleeve in the drum. When I put it back together I ground the impeller blades to give a 0.020" clearance between the impeller blades and the drum. That fixed the problem. Of course, the wetter the snow, the less throw a machine will have.
You also have the choice between new and used machines. There are a lot of good used machines around but you have to check the condition of the gear boxes, drive chains and sprockets, impellers and drums carefully. There are also considerable differences in quality of new machines - I have seen some with gaps between the impeller and drum as large as a quarter inch.
Then there are other ammenities. Snowblowers frequently blow snow where you don't want it - in your face. Therefore the question of protection becomes an issue. A cab is nice but pricey. Another option is remote control of chute direction and discharge angle. Some machine have electric controls for one or both while others use hydraulics.
Finally there is the quetion of power. My rule of thumb is 5 hp per foot of snowblower. With the amount of power you have, you shouldhave no problem with a 6 foot or even 7 foot plow.
Hope this helps.
