The Snow Joe Ultra SJ618E is another 18-inch corded electric snow thrower from the Snow Joe company. How does it compare to the better known Ultra SJ620? Which 18-inch snow thrower should you buy?
What size electric motor does it have?
It has a 13-amp electric motor, which is the usual size for this kind of electric snow thrower. However, it is very important to use an extension cord that is rated for 13 amps or higher. If you use an extension cord that is rated for only 10 amps, then the motor will struggle and might even burn out. Needless to say, its snow throwing performance will also be poor.
If you multiply the 13 amps of the motor with the 125 volts of the electrical outlet, you get 1625 watts. A 16-gauge outdoor cable usually has a maximum wattage of only 1250 watts and only 10 amps. This is not enough to safely power a 13-amp electric snow thrower!
Snow Joe actually recommends a minimum wire gauge of 14 for a 50-foot extension cord. Anything thinner and you will risk burning out the electric motor or be sorely disappointed by poor performance in the snow.
Snow Joe recommends a minimum extension cord gauge of 12 for a 100-foot cord. It does not recommend using a cord that is longer than 100 feet. You might buy a 12/3 100-foot extreme weather extension cord if you need to clear a small driveway or walkway. This type of cord can provide enough current and length to get the job done (find cord at Amazon).
How much snow can it throw?
It might be able to clear up to 550 pounds of snow per minute. It is a single-stage snow thrower because it only has the rotor blades which cut and throw the snow out of the discharge chute. The auger rotor has only two blades, which are made from abrasion resistant plastic.
The auger rotor can clear an 18-inch wide path through a snowfall. Its clearance height is 8 inches deep. Therefore, its maximum snow clearance depth is definitely no more than 8 inches deep. However, I suspect that it might only throw this amount of snow if the conditions are perfect and the snow is completely dry and powdery.
I think it would perform best with around 6 inches of light snow. Wet snow will definitely be a problem for this electric snow thrower and will clog the auger and chute. The maximum snow throwing distance achieved by its chute under perfect conditions is said to be up to 20 feet. Who knows how far it will throw wet snow? Probably only a few feet.
The Snow Joe Ultra SJ618E is probably not the best choice for clearing a driveway, unless it is a short and narrow driveway. It seems like its size and lightweight design are better suited for clearing walkways, patios and decks.
Snow Joe Ultra SJ618E versus SJ620
There are a few minor differences between these corded electric snow throwers from the Snow Joe company. For example, the SJ620 has a slightly higher clearance depth of 10 inches. Its auger has four plastic rotor blades instead of only two blades. It also has a 13.5-amp electric motor. Therefore, it can throw a little more snow: up to 650 pounds per minute. The SJ620 weighs a few pounds more, and it is also more expensive than the Ultra SJ618E.
So, which one of these 18-inch corded electric snow throwers would I buy? I might buy none of them because there are slightly larger models available that are still affordable options.
For example, the Snow Joe Ultra SJ625E can clear a 21-inch wide by 12-inch deep path through the snow. It has a steel auger with two rubber blades and a 15-amp electric motor. It also has a small 3-watt LED light.
Therefore, you can get a 21-inch corded electric snow thrower with a little more power for a few dollars more. However, you would probably have to use a thicker 12/3 cold weather extension cord to provide enough power for the 15-amp motor.
Snow Joe Ultra SJ618E: Verdict
If you need a corded electric snow thrower for blowing away a light, fluffy snowfall of no more than 8 inches deep, then the Snow Joe Ultra SJ618E is an affordable option. Just make sure that you understand its limitations and that you get an outdoor extension cord which can handle 13 amps. You might purchase the Ultra SJ618E online at Amazon.