Published: 21.07.2026 · Motohill team · Updated: 24.10.2026
Short answer: for a driveway and path at a family house, choose a self-propelled two-stage petrol snow blower with an engine of about 7 HP and a clearing width of 56–61 cm. A machine like this also copes with wet, packed snow and throws it several metres to the side. If you clear a large yard or an access road, a plough blade or a sweeper mounted on a tractor, dumper or two-wheel tractor is the better tool. Below we explain how to choose, step by step.
Snow blower, sweeper or plough blade?
A petrol snow blower has its own engine and you steer it by the handles. The auger gathers the snow and the chute throws it aside. It needs no power socket, so it works anywhere on the property, even far from the house. It suits people who clear their own driveway, the path to the gate and the area in front of the garage.
A petrol sweeper brushes away fresh, light snow and cleans the yard in summer. For a thicker layer it needs a blade. One example is the Jansen MKB-500E, supplied with a snow blade: once there is more than 3–5 cm of snow, you fit it without tools.
A blade or sweeper on a vehicle is meant for large areas: car parks, access roads, farmyards. It is mounted on a tractor, loader, dumper or two-wheel tractor. The full choice is in the snow plough blades section.
What to check when choosing a petrol snow blower
1. Clearing width
This is the width of the strip you clear in one pass. For a narrow path and a short driveway, about 56 cm is enough. On a longer driveway, a wider machine (60–61 cm) means fewer passes. With high drifts, intake height matters too: on the WEIMA WWS0724BE it is 53.5 cm.
2. Single-stage or two-stage
In a single-stage snow blower the same auger both gathers and throws the snow. It works for a thin layer of fresh, dry powder. In a two-stage machine the auger breaks up and feeds the snow, and a separate impeller throws it out through the chute. That is why it handles wet, heavy and packed snow, including the ridge a road plough leaves at your gate. The 7 HP WEIMA models in our range are two-stage, with a 30 cm auger.
3. Throw distance
The further the machine throws the snow, the less often you have to move it a second time. The larger WEIMA models throw snow up to 12 m, the smallest WEIMA SD180 up to 9 m. Point the chute so that the snow goes with the wind, not onto the path, the car or the windows.
4. Engine and starting
The two-stage WEIMA snow blowers have a 212 cm³ petrol engine rated at 7 HP. A smaller engine (99 cm³, 3 HP on the SD180) is enough for a short path and fresh snow. In frost an electric starter is a real comfort: the WWS0724BE starts at the push of a button, with the recoil starter as a backup. It also has a work light and heated handles, useful when you clear snow before dawn.
5. Drive, weight and storage
The 7 HP models are self-propelled, with several forward gears and two reverse gears, so you do not have to push them. They do weigh about 72–73 kg, so before buying, check that you have space in the garage or shed and a level way in.
Snow blowers and sweepers in our range compared
| Model | Engine | Working width | Throw | Starting | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WEIMA WXS0722A | 212 cm³, 7 HP | 56 cm | up to 12 m | recoil | 72 kg |
| WEIMA WWS0724BE | 212 cm³, 7 HP | 61 cm | up to 12 m | recoil and electric | 73 kg |
| WEIMA SW600 (snow blower and brush) | 212 cm³, 7 HP | 60 cm | up to 12 m | recoil | 72 kg |
| WEIMA SD180 | 99 cm³, 3 HP | no data | up to 9 m | no data | no data |
| Jansen MKB-500E (sweeper with blade) | 173 cm³, 6.5 HP | 100 cm | not applicable | recoil and electric | 100 kg |
The WEIMA SW600 is two machines in one: a two-stage snow blower and a 350 mm brush for fresh snow. The Jansen MKB-500E sweeper has 3 forward gears and 1 reverse, and comes with a snow blade and a dirt container.
Which snow blower suits your property
Short driveway and a path to the gate. The WEIMA WXS0722A is enough: 56 cm strip, throw up to 12 m, simple recoil start. If your snow is usually light and the area small, the smaller SD180 is also worth a look.
Longer driveway, clearing every morning. Choose the WEIMA WWS0724BE. The wider 61 cm strip shortens the job, the electric starter saves effort in frost, and the light and heated handles help in the dark.
Paving stones, a yard you clean all year. A sweeper with a blade, such as the Jansen MKB-500E, or the WEIMA SW600, which combines a snow blower and a brush.
You already own a Jansen MGT-420 or MGT-600E two-wheel tractor. You do not need a separate machine. They take the Jansen 100 cm snow thrower module (30 cm auger, chute turns 190° and tilts 70°, throw up to 10 m) and the J18 blade, 1 m wide. According to the manufacturer, these attachments also fit Cedrus, BCS, Grillo and Pasquali machines with the same type of coupling. For more on choosing a two-wheel tractor and attachments, read our guide how to choose a two-wheel tractor.
Large yard, car park, farm. The hydraulic Jansen JK-130 (130 cm) or JK-200 (200 cm) sweeper on a Euro mount, CAT 1+2 three-point linkage or pallet forks. It needs one double-acting valve and an oil flow of at least 20 l/min, and according to the manufacturer it picks up dirt and light snow. For the Jansen MSK-800X dumper there is a 120 × 80 × 40 cm blade (49 kg), fitted under the load bed.
Jansen equipment arrives in a crate, partly disassembled: you assemble it yourself, and before the first start check the engine oil and top it up according to the manual if needed.
Operation: the most common mistakes
- Waiting too long. Fresh snow is the easiest to clear. Packed and icy snow needs a lower gear and several passes.
- Clearing the chute by hand. Clean a blocked chute only with the engine off, using the clearing tool.
- Old fuel and unchecked oil. Use 95 petrol and SAE 5W-30 oil in WEIMA snow blowers. Before the season, check the oil level and tyre pressure.
- Stones and gravel. On a gravel driveway work carefully and never point the chute at people or cars: the auger can pick up and throw small stones.
Frequently asked questions
Which petrol snow blower is enough for a family house?
For a typical driveway and path, a two-stage 7 HP snow blower with a 56 cm strip is enough, for example the WEIMA WXS0722A. For a longer driveway or work after dark, the WEIMA WWS0724BE with a 61 cm strip, electric starter and light is the better choice.
What is the difference between a single-stage and a two-stage snow blower?
A single-stage machine has only an auger that gathers and throws the snow, so it suits a thin layer of dry powder. A two-stage machine also has an impeller, so it handles wet and packed snow and throws it further.
Can a sweeper deal with snow?
With fresh, light snow, yes. Above 3–5 cm, the Jansen MKB-500E works with the blade from the set. For deep, wet snow a two-stage snow blower is better.
Can I clear snow with a two-wheel tractor?
Yes, if you choose a matching attachment. For the Jansen MGT-420 and MGT-600E there is a 100 cm snow thrower module, the J18 blade and the J16 sweeper. If you have a different model, call us and we will check the coupling.
What about warranty and delivery?
The warranty is 24 months. We ship by courier across Poland, free from 999 zł (39 zł below that). Delivery to other EU countries is possible; cost and timing are confirmed with the order. You can return goods within 14 days, with return shipping paid by the buyer.
Need advice?
All models are in the snow blowers and sweepers section, and vehicle attachments in snow plough blades. If you are not sure which width and starter suit your property, call +48 780 140 444. We speak Polish, Ukrainian and Russian.