Tools
10Much like the choice between gas and
battery power, choosing one or two
stages has a lot to do with snow volume
and the area you need to clear.
▶ One-stage blowers are so-called
because they have one curved paddle
that collects the snow and ejects it.This limits how far the snow can be
thrown, as well as the amount that can
pass through the machine. But on the
plus side, one-stage units are simple to
operate, light, easy to maneuver, and
less expensive than their bigger two-
stage counterparts.▶ Two-stage units have a horizontal
auger that collects snow and pushes
it to a rotating impeller that ejects it.
These machines can throw snow 30 to
60 feet, which makes it easier to clear
large spaces without piling snow that
you’ll just have to move again.| Power: Battery | Volts: 60 | Amp
| Width: 20 in. | Stages: 1 | Chute:ONE-STAGE
VS.
TWO-STAGE
DR POWER PRO 28
Price: $1,000 | Power: Gas | Engine
displacement: 252cc | Electric
start: Ye s | Drive system: Friction
disc | Speeds: 6 forward, 2 reverse
| Width: 28 in. | Stages: 2 | Chute:
Remote, manual
The Pro 28 two-stage snowblower
is an excellent value when you com-
pare width and throwing ability to
cost. This model’s “EZ-Turn” steer-
ing incorporates a differential in
the axle, which allows for quick
180-degree pivots with no trig-
gers to pull. Levers on the dash
panel operate the all-metal chute
and deflector. The Pro 28 fea-
in diameter—than other machines
of similar size. Turning at the same
RPM, the impeller can eject snow at
a higher speed than a smaller one.
So DR is able to achieve greater
snow-throwing distance with a
smaller engine—it pitched our wet
sawdust 38 feet.
The Pro cleared our test area in
two minutes and 25 seconds, the
fastest of any machine, and easily
cut through the dense, packed saw-
dust. That said, we felt and heard
a lot of vibration. Considering the
cost and performance, though, we
can’t complain too much.
It takes only one pull on the recoil
starter to get the Pro running. And
DR includes a set of non-marring
plastic skid shoes.74 November/December 2020
COURTESYDRPOWER;^COURTESYGREENWORKS