11 Best Snow Blower for Gravel Driveways [Reviewed & Buyer’s Guide]
Clearing snow off driveways is a regular task during the cold months of the year. But how to do it effectively when you have gravel driveways? Well, fret no more! We understand how difficult it might get to clear your driveway of wet and stubborn snow when you have gravel underneath. If you simply start […]
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Clearing snow off driveways is a regular task during the cold months of the year. But how to do it effectively when you have gravel driveways?
Well, fret no more! We understand how difficult it might get to clear your driveway of wet and stubborn snow when you have gravel underneath. If you simply start digging with the shovel, you will uproot the gravels, debris, rocks, and whatnot.
To do this chore effectively, what you need is a powerful snow blower. We know that’s easier said than done, given the hundreds of options that are available in the market. So, to make your job easy, we have curated this guide that has the top 11 snow blowers for you to check out.
Here, you will get a detailed description of the products, their pros and cons, and a buyer’s guide as well to help in your decision-making.
So, without any further delay, let’s get straight to the deets.
Best Snow Blower for Gravel Driveways
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
Our Top PickOur Top Pick | PowerSmart PSS2240-X Snow Blower |
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
 | Briggs & Stratton 1024 |
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
 | Briggs & Stratton S1227 |
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
 | Champion 224 cc Compact |
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
 | Snow Joe iON8024-XR |
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
 | Wen SB24E |
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
 | Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 34XP |
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
 | Troy-Bilt 24-inch Two-Stage |
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
 | Dirty Hand Tools 103880 |
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
 | Troy-Bilt Polar Blast 3310 |
| VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
If you are looking for a fully adjustable snow blower that comes equipped with flexible metal snowshoes, the PowerSmart PSS2240-X snow blower is an excellent consideration. It is a two-stage snow blower that effectively avoids rocks, pebbles, and gravel as you clear your driveways of heavy chunks of snow.
- Powerful Gas Engine: 212cc PowerSmart engine delivers...
- 2 Stage Snow Blower: strong all-steel auger cuts through...
Why Did We Like It?
The best thing about this product is that it can take care of itself while it helps you clean ice in your driveways and sidewalks. It comes with two front augers that completely break the ice but is raised high enough not to get damaged by gravel or damage your sidewalk.
Moreover, it is also equipped with adjustable shoes that enable you to decide how high or low you want to put the machine’s snow scooper. This, in turn, increases accuracy and productivity.
Also, this machine means serious business. It does a great job on snowdrifts and tall banks too. What adds an edge to it is the self-propulsion system, which allows it to easily climb up inclines and uneven surfaces.
Furthermore, you would not face any problems with the snow throwing chute getting clogged up, as it often happens in other machines.
What Could’ve Been Better?
This product will surely leave your gravel yard free of stubborn snow. However, we noticed that the reverse gear is not very smooth, and you might need to put in some extra effort when you operate it. You can also regularly grease the gear to make it run smoother.
- Highly efficient
- Affordable cost
- Easy to use
- Fairly simple to assemble
- Reverse gear can be more smooth
If ease of use and easy storage is your prime concern, Briggs & Stratton 1024 is the perfect choice. Briggs & Stratton is a very popular name in the market, and this unit is equipped with a superior quality engine among several other noteworthy features.
- 24 Inch wide clearing path with a 20 inch intake height
- Powerful 950 snow series 208cc Engine for 9.5 foot pounds of...
Why Did We Like It?
We can confidently say that this impressive model is one of the most efficient and dependable snow blowers manufactured by this brand. It comes with a 208 snow series engine that allows 9.5 foot-pounds of torque.
Moreover, it is very easy to use this product. It features a 24-inch broad clearing path with a total height intake of 20 inches that helps you clear snow with much ease and efficiency. It also has a push-button electric start that helps you to easily get it started in cold weather.
Furthermore, durability is one of its strong suits. The unit is made of a steel frame, chute, and a notched auger that can remove ice and snow like a pro. Also, the gearbox is composed of aluminum to ensure durability and long life.
Additionally, the steel reversible skid shoes really help turn plowing into a cakewalk. Irrespective of how heavy or dense the snow cover is, this unit will cut through all of it.
What Could’ve Been Better?
The performance that this product delivers is commendable. However, we were not very satisfied with the packaging as the box it arrived in seemed to be a little flimsy. For a brand as renowned as this, we really hope they improve on the packaging.
- Easy to use
- Highly durable
- Very efficient
- Smooth functioning features
- Packaging is not optimal
Next up, we have another entry from Briggs & Stratton. The S1227 snow blower is uniquely designed to help you clear all the stubborn snow on the sidewalk without worrying about any damage. But there’s more to it than just sturdiness; read on to know all the info…
- 27 Inch wide clearing path with a 20 inch InTake height
- Powerful 1150 snow series 250cc Engine for 11.5 foot pounds...
Why Did We Like It?
If efficient functioning is what you’re looking for, this product will surely grab your attention. It comes with a powerful 250 cc engine that allows a torque of 11.5 foot-pounds. With this, you get a clearing path that is 27-inch wide and an intake height of 20 inches.
Furthermore, we couldn’t help but be impressed by how easy it is to use the device. It comes with a free hand control that enables you to operate it with just one hand. And while you are at it, you can use the controls with the other hand, thereby completely eliminating the simple troubles that come with operating a snow blower.
Moreover, its chute rotation is dash-mounted and equipped with a deflector that makes it very convenient to remove any kind of unwanted snow from your yard. Also, with the 14-inch by 4-inch tires and LED headlights, no wonder your work becomes seamless.
What Could’ve Been Better?
This upgraded version is undoubtedly one of the best snow blowers that you can get to clean gravel driveways. However, if you are new to using snow blowers, you might face some difficulty in installing the product. The set of instructions that come with the pack is not very clear.
- Powerful engine
- Flexible use
- Large clearing path
- Starts with ease
- Instruction not too clear
To experience the blend of powerful performance and practicality, we suggest that you give Champion 224 cc Compact a try. It will effectively help you tackle the latest snowfall that has made a complete mess out of your driveway. With this, you will be able to clear your driveway with ease and efficiency.
- 224cc Champion gas engine - one of the most powerful engines...
- Efficient - with a 24-inch clearing capacity and an ideal...
Why Did We Like It?
What really stands out about this product is how powerful its engine is. It comes with a 224 cc champion gas engine that is considered one of the most powerful engines in its class.
Moreover, when it comes to the convenience of using this product, we are going to rate it well. It has a 120-volt push-button electric start that makes switching on the device super easy. Also, it comes with 6 forward and 2 reverse engines, making it very easy to operate the device.
Furthermore, it has a 24-inch clearing capacity and a clearing height of 21 inches. It is equipped to handle heavy snowfall and can clear snow up to 12-inch deep.
Additionally, the 12-inch carbon steel auger helps the device to smoothly cut through day-old snow or ice. Also, the powerful impeller provides a clearing distance of around 13 meters.
What Could’ve Been Better?
Honestly, we felt that the belt of this item could have been better. Unless you handle it with caution and maintain it correctly, the belt will experience quite a lot of wear and tear. So, in case you decide on getting one, always keep a spare handy to avoid inconvenience.
- Cleans snow smoothly
- Wide clearing capacity
- Easy to start
- Convenient to use
- Belt is not very sturdy
If you have used snow blowers before, you must know how difficult it is to get a good battery-powered two-stage model. Snow Joe iON8024-XR is one the best that’s available in this category. For a mess-free cordless experience, this is one of the best options for you to consider.
- Self-propelled: rechargeable two-stage snow blower
- Illuminated display: LEDs indicate direction, speed...
Why Did We Like It?
What you will really like about the product is the experience that it has to offer. With a fully illuminated dashboard display, it turns the operation into a premium experience.
It will make you feel like you are the one piloting the enterprise. The installed LEDs give you a proper understanding of directions, speed, and also of battery power level.
Moreover, this product delivers stellar performance when it comes to power and precision. Also, the heavy-duty 2-stage serrated steel auger with its 24-inch clearing breadth and 13-inch of clearing depth can easily clear about 1000 pounds of snow every minute.
Furthermore, it is very easy to throw the snow with this item. It has an in-built thumb-controlled discharge chute that can conveniently throw snow up to 32 feet and also has a rotational capacity of 180 degrees.
Additionally, it does not make any noise and will not cause any trouble in your neighborhood. And the best thing is that it has zero carbon emissions.
What Could’ve Been Better?
One thing that we wish we could change about this product is the switches. They are made of plastic and a little flimsy. With constant use, they do get stuck sometimes. However, with proper care and maintenance, you can easily fix this problem.
- Eco-friendly
- Does not make any noise
- Intuitive control panel
- Comes with a battery and charger
- Buttons are not sturdy
If you are looking for a self-propelled option, Wen SB24E is the perfect choice. This is a two-stage snow blower model with a very powerful engine. If your driveway is trapped under the snow, you do not have to worry anymore. This product has got your back.
- Clear over 1800 pounds of snow per minute with a...
- 212cc engine combines with adjustable 190-degree Chute to...
Why Did We Like It?
What we liked best about this item is its capacity. With this, you will be able to clear your gravel driveway or sidewalk of snow up to 24-inch wide and 21-inch in depth. Because of the engine which is of 212cc, it can perform such a huge feat with such ease.
Moreover, it comes with 6 different speed settings; 4 forward and 2 backward. With so much flexibility, operating this device feels like a breeze. However, the ease of use is just not restricted to this. You can easily plug the electric start engine into any regular extension cord to switch on the device.
Furthermore, its 13-inches tires are rugged snow tires specifically made to feature deep treads to make navigation easy. With tires like this, you can venture into diverse territories to clear snow.
Also, you can use the accessible crank handle to rotate the chute up to 190 degrees. This way, while throwing snow, it gets easier to aim.
What Could’ve Been Better?
Despite being a suitable snow blower that has made our job simpler, we would have liked it better if it came with a more precise set of instructions. If you are an amateur, we strongly recommend that you call a friend when installing the item.
- Very sturdy
- Comes with a chute clearing tool
- Efficient skid shoes
- Premium quality tires
- Instructions are not clear
Are you looking for a power-packed snow blower to help you with winter needs? Look no more. With Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm 34XP, you can easily remove the wettest and the toughest snow from your driveway. To know more about the features of this model, read more.
- Powered by a 420cc Electric Start gas engine with an...
- Clear snowy walkways up to 34" wide of snowfall with...
Why Did We Like It?
The size and power of this product need a special mention. It is quite compact given that it comes with a highly powerful 420 cc engine. This is accompanied by an electric start that makes operating the item really smooth.
Moreover, the clearing capacity of this device is quite incredible. It comes with a 34-inch clearing width. Its steel augers and highly durable rugged steel chute are uniquely created to help you discharge snow in one go.
Also, the 4-way flexible chute allows you to choose the desired direction for discharge and prevents any form of blowback when you are cleaning. There’s an additional chute control that helps you modify the snow’s pitch and direction with ease.
Additionally, to make operations more easy, there are heated hand grips and touch ‘n turn steering options. Also, it comes with skid shoes that are made of high impact, adjustable polymer. This helps prevent the surfaces from scuffing.
What Could’ve Been Better?
After using it for a while, we have to say that even though the performance is quite extraordinary, the steering wheel can be better. After a few months of usage, the wheel tends to get slightly jammed and requires regular cleaning and oiling for smooth functioning.
- Highly durable
- Good design
- Chute can be controlled with a joystick
- Comes with chute clearing tools
- Steering wheel can be better
We are nearing the end of our list, and next up, we have Troy-Bilt 24-inch Two-Stage. If you are looking for a reliable and rugged two-stage technology to clean snow in your driveway, this item is a must-have. It has quite a few other things to offer too. Let’s see what they are.
- 24 in. clearing width with 12 in. serrated steel augers...
- Troy-Bilt certified 208 cc OHV engine
Why Did We Like It?
This item is quite a game-changer and offers a feature that hardly any other products in the market offers. It comes with airless tires that mostly never go flat. They offer a significant amount of traction in all types of terrains and make it very easy to navigate the machine.
Moreover, it comes with a 208 cc OHV engine that makes the device very powerful. You don’t need to lose your night’s sleep over those stubborn chunks of snow stuck in the driveway. This device will clean it with ease.
Additionally, it prides itself on durability. Made out of reinforced steel, there’s no doubt that this model is pretty durable and can stand the test of time. You can use it for years without it getting damaged in the snow.
Furthermore, it is equipped with a snow cab that adds extra safety against extreme weather conditions. Also, there’s a snow thrower in the pack that protects the device when it is not in use.
What Could’ve Been Better?
What this product can improve on is the smoothness of its functioning. After using it for a few months, we noticed that it tends to get stuck between cleaning and needs to be restarted. It performs well, but with this tiny improvement, it can perform even better.
- Efficient tires
- Powerful engine
- Highly durable
- Safe against weather calamities
- Tends to get stuck
Take your driveway snow clean-up to a new level with Dirty Hand Tools 103880. If you are equipped with this item, you can very well tame the toughest of winters. Cleaning snow off gravel driveways will not be a pain anymore.
To know more, read on.
- 30 inch 2-stage self-propelled gas snow blower
- Reliable 302cc Dirty Hand Tools engine
Why Did We Like It?
The engine of this device needs a special mention. It proudly features a 302 cc dirty hand tools engine, with a clearing width of 30 inches and an intake height of 20 inches. This combined with the highly powerful and effective 3-blade impeller, helps in removing snow efficiently.
Moreover, it is very easy to start the device. It comes with two options that help you start the device: a push-button with a 110V electric start and a manual start that actually works as the backup method.
Also, the composite skid shoes come with a bevelled edge that helps to prevent damage to driveways and walkways. It is also helpful if you want to reduce hang-ups on uneven surfaces. Additionally, these skid shoes are replaceable and are also reversible. Thereby it ensures maximum life for the product.
Lastly, cleaning this device is also quite easy. It comes with an easy mount cleaning tool that you can use to clean any form of accumulation in the chute.
What Could’ve Been Better?
Assembling this product is not quite simple. Unless you have prior experience, we suggest that you call a mechanic or friend who can help with the installation process. However, once set, it runs very well.
- Efficient engine
- Easy to clean
- Simple to use
- Lasts long
- Not very easy to install
On the lookout for a snow thrower that is equipped to clear out large surface areas? Well, look no further. Troy-Bilt Polar Blast 3310 is perfect for this. If your driveway is big and filled with gravel, this machine will work its magic to clear it off stubborn ice chunks in winter.
- Powered by a 357cc 4-cycle OHV Electric Start gas engine...
- Clears large snowy walkways up to 33" wide and 22" deep in...
Why Did We Like It?
The clearing capacity of this device surely needs a special mention. With a clearing capacity of 33 inches in width and 22 inches in depth, it is no wonder that it can clear your snowy driveways within a few minutes.
Also, it is quite easy to use the device. It comes with a powerful 357 cc 4-cycle OHV gas engine and this, coupled with a maneuverable touch n’ turn power steering, makes it extremely convenient to clear large chunks of snow with ease.
Moreover, you can go for a one-hand operation with this device. So, you can use one hand to guide the device and the other hand to use to control.
Additionally, with the 16-inch X-Trac tires, it plows through the snow with such smoothness that it will leave you in complete awe.
And lastly, the crank chute is adjustable to 180 degrees and can be controlled with a remote. This really helps when it comes to displacing snow.
What Could’ve Been Better?
There’s hardly any complaint that we have with how well the machine performs. However, we were a little disheartened with the packaging. The boxes it arrived in were a little flimsy, and there were chances that something might have gotten damaged in transit.
- Excellent clearing capacity
- Powerful engine
- Easy to use
- Adjustable chute
- Packaging is not good
A good 3-stage snow blower is not an easy find in the market. With extensive research, we have managed to include one of the best 3-stage snow blowers: Cub Cadet 3526SWE. With this, you can easily get rid of wet, stubborn snow on your driveways and walkways.
- Brand New in box. The product ships with all relevant...
Why Did We Like It?
It comes with a 357 cc OHV engine that makes it a very powerful device, no doubt. The question, however, is, what is so good about this 3-stage snow blower?
To start with, it gives 50% more output than the regular 2-stage snow blowers. The heavy-duty steel auger helps you gather and shift snow easily to the centre. Also, the new induction accelerator is very efficient and chops and then pushes snow to the impeller. And the 4-blade impeller throws snow out of the discharge chute.
Moreover, single-hand joystick control also needs to be mentioned. It helps you to change the direction and the pitch and chute conveniently. With a 190-degree crank chute rotation, you know that anything is possible.
Also, this device is quite user-friendly. If you decide to clean the driveway at night, you can totally go ahead and do so. This model comes with dual LED headlights that provide superior illumination even if it is pitch-dark outside.
What Could’ve Been Better?
After using it for a while, we found out that the reverse gear doesn’t work too well. For a product as good as this one, we wished that this function would be a lot smoother. You might have to manually push the device in case it gets stuck.
- User-friendly
- Efficient joystick functioning
- High output
- Powerful engine
- Reverse gear doesn’t work too well
Gravel Driveways Snow Blower Buyer’s Guide
By now, you must have understood a few things that you should look out for when buying a snow blower for gravel driveways. You must have figured out that the engine capacity and chute operations are crucial in understanding which product is more suitable.
However, we know you still have some more doubts. Trust us, it’s normal. We are just halfway through our guide, and we must tell you that there are a few more considerations that you have to keep in mind. Knowing just the features of the products is not enough.
So to help you further, we have listed down some more considerations in this section.
Let’s take a look at what they are.
-
Single-Stage/ Two-Stage Snow Blower
Before you decide on which one to get for your driveway, get to the space, and inspect it. The single-stage snow blowers come with augers that almost touch the ground. As a result, they would not be very suitable if you have gravel in your driveway.
On the other hand, two-stage snow blowers are mostly self-propelled and generally give you an option to decide how close you want to set it to the ground. If your driveway has gravel or other similar materials, drop the idea of considering a single-stage model. Go out and grab a two-stage snow blower.
-
Size And Power
There’s never a snow blower with too much power. You do not really want to go out in sub-zero temperatures, thinking if you bought a snow blower with a higher power, life would have been simpler.
Power is determined by engine capacity, and more the engine capacity, the better it runs. For ones who have to clear large chunks of snow annually, we always recommend that you go for ones with a higher power capacity. Depending on your geographical locations and the annual snowfall your area receives, make this decision wisely.
But, do keep in mind that snow blowers with high powers are mostly bigger in size than the rest. So, if you decide on buying one, make sure that you clear up some space in the garage or shed to store it once it arrives.
-
Power Steering
If your driveway is filled with turns, power steering can really come to your rescue. In case there are some tough corners in your driveway, you really do not want to be pushing the snow blower to make the turn.
However, models with power steering are a little costly. For the ones who are looking for a budget-friendly option, buying one with a power steering might not be possible.
That said, we have a small hack for you; we say when there’s a will, there’s a way. So, if you are on a budget and you still want power steering, there’s a solution. Buy a model with normal steering and spend some extra dollars to get power steering installed.
Verdict
With that, we have reached the end of this informative guide. By now, you must know about the things that you should look for in a snow blower for gravel driveways. We hope you had fun reading it as much as we enjoyed compiling it for you.
But before saying our goodbyes, we would love to let you in on our favourites. With its highly efficient functioning, PowerSmart PSS2240-X snow blower is our overall favourite. For an affordable option that is easy to use, Briggs & Stratton 1024 is the perfect bet.
If wide clearing capacity is your prime concern, we recommend that you consider Champion 224 cc Compact.
And with that, it’s a wrap. Let us know about your favourites in the comments section below.
Until next time, happy cleaning!
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