Is power steering needed on snowblower?

No, you don't need it

We do not have power steering on ours. It is not a problem. As long as the machine is moving while trying to turn it it is pretty easy. But I am also 6'1" and 230 lbs, so I have some weight to put behind it. Not sure my wife would have an easy time, but we don't have to worry about that since snow and grass are my jobs.

24" is not big enough to need it.

My 26" Toro turns on a dime without it. You just need a good feel for it, kind of like driving a standard.

"Power steering" is a misnomer. It really locking/unlocking the wheels remotely from the handles.

On many old school manual two stage machines, you have the option to either
1. let the engine drive one wheel, where the other wheel can "freewheel" unlocked
2. manually lock both wheels together for more traction

Option 1 gives you high maneuverability where you can spin the machine around on a dime, but driving only one wheel causes the machine to "crab" as you move forward so you have to force the machine to hold a straight line moving forward.

Option 2 gives you much better traction in heavy snow, but makes the machine very hard to turn because both wheels are locked to exactly the same speed. It's like trying to drive a 4WD with locked differentials on dry pavement.

If you are blowing out the typical driveway, you make the first pass to the end then have to spin 180 degrees (on a dime) to make the next pass in the opposite direction. With the wheels locked, you have to "hup" the machine around, alternating lifting the front and back ends. That's a lot of work on a 200lb+ machine. If you leave the wheels unlocked, you can just spin around easily at the end of each pass. In deep snow, driving only one wheel make the machine continuously want to turn in one direction so you have to wrestle it to move in a straight line.

"Power steering" lets you lock/unlock the wheels from the handles, so the machine is both easy to spin around at the end of each of pass, yet has great traction and tracks in a straight line when moving forward.

Try it out in the store on a machine without power steering. There's a "pin" on one wheel that lets you manually lock/unlock it to the drive axle. In the store, lock the wheels and try to spin the machine 180 degrees just as you would at the end of the driveway.

Pick up the back end of the machine off the ground using the handles and spin it around 180 degrees (i.e. tip the machine forward and lift the wheels off the ground). This is what you are doing at the end of each pass without "power steering". If you can do this easily, you don't need "power steering"

By power steering do you mean self propelled?

Quentin5 wrote: ↑ By power steering do you mean self propelled?

No. I mean power steering. It's a separate feature.

gbill2004 wrote: ↑ No. I mean power steering. It's a separate feature.

I will have to look into it, i've never heard of power steering on a snow blower, do you have a link to the one your considering?

I would say it's nice to have, but really not "needed". It sure makes the snowblower spin around fast. It's a bit of a dance to flip the chute around as fast as the snowblower turns but when you can do it the job goes that much faster, if you're in a hurry.

l69norm wrote: ↑
On many old school manual two stage machines, you have the option to either
1. let the engine drive one wheel, where the other wheel can "freewheel" unlocked
2. manually lock both wheels together for more traction

My Toro came "freewheeled". Hated it. Would always pull to one side when things got tough.

I locked my wheels (option 2) and now can muscle the machine much easier. Option 2 means I leave it in forward and forget it (I manually push the machine back). The turning radius is a little wider, but good enough for a snowblower.

Can't tell you how much time my neighbour spends changing from forward to reverse, turning left and right. I'm easily 25% faster.

Some blowers like Ariens have a limited slip differential that similar to that found in a car. It automatically releases when you make a tight turn allowing the wheels to move at different speed, but locks back up again when moving in a straight line

Power steering is just another gadget that adds to the unreliability of the machine. Keep it simple and the thing will last an eternity. I have a 27 inch beast and I have learned to turn it easily. If you have ever driven a car with no power steering, the trick is to turn while moving.

If it is a heavy machine go for it. If you are getting older go for it. Last year I sip old my 24" craftsman 2 stage 30 year old beast. Still ran well but I'm not running as well and wanted something easier to handle. Upgraded to a 29" dual stage electric drive chutes , steering controls hea5ed handles etc. If you can afford the difference spend it you only live in every. I have no regrets, the steering makes turning in tight places effortless, the snowblower pulls me I don't have to muscle it around like my old one.

Thanks for the advice guys. I decided against the power steering.

I purchased a brand new Husqvarna 24 inch gas snow blower!

I got use to the power steering using a 30" Craftsman that had it. When it came time to buying another one for my walkways and decks I ended up with a 24" Cub Cadet that had the "power steering" and heated grips. Once you get use to the feature, you don't want to go back. I guess it's too late now, but I would have spend the $100 for the PS. Good luck with the new Husqvarna!

RCGA wrote: ↑ My Toro came "freewheeled". Hated it. Would always pull to one side when things got tough.

I locked my wheels (option 2) and now can muscle the machine much easier. Option 2 means I leave it in forward and forget it (I manually push the machine back). The turning radius is a little wider, but good enough for a snowblower.

Can't tell you how much time my neighbour spends changing from forward to reverse, turning left and right. I'm easily 25% faster.

Ok I just bought a Toro and when the machine is off the wheel a locked together. It is super hard to maneuver it back in my garage, I'm basically dragging it. How do you unlock the wheels?

tatung wrote: ↑ Ok I just bought a Toro and when the machine is off the wheel a locked together. It is super hard to maneuver it back in my garage, I'm basically dragging it. How do you unlock the wheels?

Its been a few years, but I believe there's a pin on one of the wheels?

I found that it's easier to turn the machine when I give it a bit forward movement while trying to turn it. It's obviously not going to be as easy as power steering, but I find it was quicker.

RCGA wrote: ↑ Its been a few years, but I believe there's a pin on one of the wheels?

I found that it's easier to turn the machine when I give it a bit forward movement while trying to turn it. It's obviously not going to be as easy as power steering, but I find it was quicker.

Thanks I found a youtube video for a different brand and what you do it take the pin out, push the wheel in deeper and put the pin back without going thru the wheel so the wheel is not locked to the shaft.

I have this "power steering" option on my 24" craftsman and I use it ALL the time. It makes not only steering easier but maneuvering the machine when not in use easy as well. Im so use to using it now I wouldn't buy one without it.

Definitely no ... just one more thing to mess up or freeze up.

Besides, it's a great workout if your not shovelling ....