It might need more effort than you are prepared to exert to pull a recoil start handle to start a gasoline engine on a chilly morning. It is much easier to plug an electric extension cable into the electric start box and then push the start button. The majority of gas-powered snow blowers come equipped with electric start. To locate the finest electric start snow blowers, I’ve spent hours browsing through various snow blower brands and types. To choose the model you want, read my buying guide for snow blowers with an electric starter.
Husqvarna Snow Blower With Electric Starter
Gas-powered Husqvarna snow blowers include an electric starter that can be attached to a power outlet so that you may push a button to start the engine. Given that batteries are frequently affected by low temperatures, the electric starting system makes sure you do not have to bother about something like a flat battery. A snow blower’s ability to start in cold weather is assured by an electric starter mechanism. I’ll now talk about two electric-start Husqvarna snow blowers.
Husqvarna ST131
Consider the Husqvarna ST131 single-stage gas snow thrower as a starting point. It features a 4-stroke gasoline engine that burns regular gas. Oil and gasoline don’t need to be combined. A 2-stroke engine could never operate as cleanly as a 4-cycle engine.
Due to its electric start method, which depends on an external electrical source via a power outlet and extension cable, this snow blower is simple to start. While it is plugged into a power outlet, you start the engine by pushing the starter button. Once the engine is running, you disconnect the extension cord. In the absence of a power source, you may alternatively use its recoil pull start mechanism.
The highest amount of snow that this Husqvarna single-stage gas snow thrower can remove from smooth, hard surfaces is 8 inches. The auger that launches snow out of its chute makes up its one-stage mechanism. You must manually spin and adjust the snow chute’s deflector. The rotation of the chute cannot be controlled by a remote lever. The auger does not actually accomplish anything to move the snow thrower. It is not a snow blower that is self-propelled, because it lacks motorized wheels and a gearbox. This Husqvarna single-stage snow thrower must be propelled by your own hands and feet to the desired position.
It appears that many owners really start their snow throwers using the recoil pull method rather than an electric one. For starting the engine, the pull start performs nearly as well as the electric start. However, having an electric start is still useful for those icy mornings when you want the snow thrower to start instantly.
The Husqvarna ST131 single-stage gas snow thrower is solidly built and reportedly user-friendly, according to owners. There is plenty of power available from the 208cc 4-cycle engine. There is no need to combine oil and gasoline since it operates on regular petrol (read the whole Husqvarna ST131 review).
Husqvarna ST230P
The 291cc Husqvarna engine that powers this Husqvarna two-stage snow blower has both electric and recoil start options. Press the red button to start the engine after plugging in the electric starter. There is no need to bother about a battery.
Key features include heated handle grips, remote chute deflector, remote chute rotator, LED headlights, and plastic skid shoes. For improved turning in circumstances of deep snow, it also has power steering with trigger control. You may raise the plastic skid shoes of the Husqvarna ST230P to a higher level than usual if you want to use it to clear snow from your gravel driveway. This may lessen the possibility of the auger blades taking up gravel.
Getting the Husqvarna ST230P ready to blast snow is not too challenging. If you perform the regular maintenance for gasoline engines, it will start the first time you use the electric push button starter or recoil pull starter. Nevertheless, a few owners have reported issues with the auger drive belt. It snapped after being used for a few times, and it took weeks to receive a replacement belt. If you’re unlucky and the drive belt fails, you may be stuck with a large snow blower that can’t remove an inch of snow for weeks. Having an additional pair of auger drive belts on hand in case the first set finally fails will likely save you a lot of headache.
The drive belt problem appears to be the only issue with the machine’s major components. Due to its broader clearance width of 6 inches, the Husqvarna ST230P is preferred by owners over the Husqvarna ST224. This additional breadth speeds up the entire snow removal process. More snowfalls can be cleared in less time. Additionally, they appreciate the heated handle warmers since they keep their hands warm when using the snow blower in extremely chilly conditions.
Read more: Husqvarna ST230P Review.
Ariens Snow Blower With Electric Starter
Ariens snow blowers are powered by gasoline engines with electric starters, except for the S18 single-stage series models, which only has recoiled pull starters. Here are two popular examples of Ariens two-stage snow blowers that have an electric push button starter feature.
Ariens Deluxe 24
The 254cc, 4-cycle Ariens AX engine powers the Ariens Deluxe 24 gas snow blower. Two throttle locations, an electric start mechanism, and a maximum run time of around two hours on a single tank of fuel are all features of this engine. A self-propelled snow blower, it has two backward and six forward speeds. It removes snow accumulations blocking the driveway or sidewalk by creating a 24-inch wide passage through them. This Ariens snow blower does not have heated hand grips.
The Ariens Deluxe 24 snow blower, according to owners, is effective at removing snow. Instead of spending hours using a snow shovel, they would prefer to utilize this snow blower. Despite being a pricey piece of equipment, the Ariens Deluxe 24 is solidly made and appears to be dependable in snowy circumstances.
Although its electric starter is the more convenient option, the 254cc engine may also be started by tugging on the recoil rope. To start, simply insert an extension cable and push the button.
Read more: Ariens Deluxe 24 Review.
Ariens Deluxe 28
The Deluxe 24 and the Ariens Deluxe 28 are comparable. The clearance width of 28 inches is the largest difference. Other features include a 254cc engine, a 21-inch intake height, self-propulsion, 6 forward speeds, 2 backward speeds, auto-turn steering, a steel chute, and a remote deflector.
The Ariens Deluxe 28 features both a recoil start and a 110-volt electric starter. However, an extension cable is not included with the snow blower when purchased. You must supply your own. The engine’s right side houses the 110-volt electric start box. A red start button and a black plastic cover conceal an electric receptacle.
The majority of owners are happy with its snow-throwing powers. For gravel and dirt driveways, it works wonderfully. If you intend to utilize the electric starter, don’t forget to purchase your own extension cord. The auto-turn steering, which makes turning easier, is popular with many owners. If this 28-inch, two-stage snow blower with electric start has caught your eye, then you may read my review of the Ariens Deluxe 28.
Honda Snow Blower With Electric Starter
It appears that some Honda snow blowers simply have recoil starter ropes, but others additionally have 120-Volt AC push button electric starters, and other models even feature 12-Volt DC electric key start similar to what you could find on an automobile.
For instance, the Honda HSS724AWD is a 12V electric key-start, 24-inch wide, two-stage snow blower. To plow through the snow, the Honda GX200 OHV engine has plenty of power. Its automotive-style DC electric key starter makes starting in cold conditions simple. No need to fear; a recoil pull-start is also included as standard, just in case.
The Honda HSS928ATD, to provide another example, is a 28-inch two-stage track-drive snow blower with a strong 4-stroke OHV gasoline engine and a fuel tank with a 1.3-gallon capacity. Tank tracks, a hydrostatic drive system, and an auger housing that is lifted or lowered by a pneumatic gas strut are some of its intriguing characteristics. The Honda HSS928ATD, in particular, features its own battery for DC electric key starting. Please be aware that the HSS928AT model has just a recoil start, whereas the HSS928ATD variant has both a 12V DC electric key start and a recoil start.
In a nutshell, electric starters are only available on model names that finish in ATD or AWD.
Conclusion
I’ve quickly looked at a handful of snow blowers that offer electric starters. However, I did not set out to compile a list of snow blowers from only Husqvarna, Ariens, and Honda as the manufacturers. That is simply how this shopping guide evolved.
Other producers of gas snow blowers that you might be familiar with are Poulan and Troy-Bilt. You may still read my product reviews for the Poulan Pro PR241 and the Troy-Bilt Storm 2625, when it comes to these manufacturers.
Which electric start snow blower should I buy? It’s a difficult decision, but I think I would go with the Ariens Deluxe 28 two-stage gas snow blower. In terms of size, power, features, and cost, it appears to be the most well-balanced option (shop now on Amazon).
Photo by Ashutosh Dave on Unsplash