First 2-stage cordless snow blower — Snow Joe iON24SB-XRP. The Snow Joe iON24SB-XRP 80V snow blower represents a massive shift in the consumer market for snow blowers. Up until now, electric or cordless snow blowers have been one-stage machines, primarily limited by the lack of power they can operate at. But now, with the , everything has changed. Just the snow blower. And I might add, if you are searching for a new snow blower then consider lucky. You have the opportunity to buy a machine with the power of medium gas snow blower but with all of the benefits of battery power. Watch the video and see the impressive 80V Snow Blower in Action The only difference between the two different models is simple: The Snow Joe iON24SB-XRP comes with two 6. Just to clarify, these are both 80V snow blowers but they use two 40V running in parallel to achieve its 80V power. The batteries are compatible with all Snow Joe. This translates to the Snow Joe iON24SB-XRP being able to run for about 50 minutes, which is about 10 minutes longer than the Snow Joe iON24SB-XR. The Beginning Snow Blower History Amazingly, the original company is still around today —. Snow blowers, as you probably picture them, have been around us for roughly 90 years, ever since built his first snow thrower prototype in 1925, based on a grain thresher design he first thought of way back then, in 1894. This model was locomotive in nature, which means that it required an external and autonomous train engine to be able to work and clean out the snow. After a few improvements and handful of new patents, along came the first walk-behind, gasoline-powered snow blowers which gave the masses access to this vanguardist technology — it was no longer an astronomically expensive device suited only for governments and agencies, it became somewhat of a commodity for the average Northern-Hemisphere-homeowner. Look at the wheels on this snow blower… This vintage snow blower has a beautiful style and design. For this winter season, the all-time favorite Snow Joe brand will bring something entirely unique to the table. Snow Joe will debut a couple of beast-like, two-stage, battery-powered snow blowers, the very first of their kind — the 80V Snow Joe iON24SB-XR and the 80V Snow Joe iON24SB-XRP. As we guide you through this handbook, we will talk about a handful of strongly relevant — yet easy to grasp — topics which will help you understand all the many reasons why these two snow blowers are going to change the winter power tools industry. First of all, we want to cover a little bit of the final steps of this evolutionary process. How did these rechargeable batteries come into existence? What is so special about lithium and why does it remain the single most reliable element to mold into cells capable of holding large electrical charges? How do batteries work? And finally, a brief follow-up on how rechargeable batteries evolved from being a challenging theoretical proposition to powering virtually any and all sorts of electronic devices. Very basic machines, built like tanks and probably very difficult to control. Secondly, battery-powered devices still present a considerable power gap when it comes down to comparing them with gasoline-powered motors. But will this gap tighten? And if so, when? For the sake of objectivity, we will compare these two constructions without analyzing any particular brands or models. Rather, we will dissect their energy builds as concepts, to extract a list of pros and cons for each one. To wrap this segment up, a little friendly competition between them, just to see how they will fare in real-life scenarios. Snow Joe battery vs gas Which one is more effective at snow clearing? Additionally, and for a little perspective, we will also square both of these snow blowers against a relatively similar gasoline-powered design — the. And last, but not least, a bit of food for thought. Where do we go from here? How can these brand-new innovations affect this living organism we call the market? What can we expect in a short-term future when it comes to battery-powered electronic devices? Will we ever ditch lithium as the go-to element for an efficient energy storage? As of today, the consumer electronics market is leading the charge. However, there is substantial evidence pointing out that by the year 2020, both the renewable energy along with the automotive segments will land on the podium — with roughly 38 and 30 percent, respectively. But hold on a second. How did this happen? Well, a few prototypes and patents here and there. But in reality, it all started back in 1991, when Sony launched the first ever commercial Li-Ion battery. When compared to current rechargeable batteries, the first model was somewhat inefficient, but it paved the way for this unstoppable technological rise responsible for most of our advances and discoveries from the past couple of decades. However, and before we move on, there is a highly important question to answer. The is a True 2-Stage Snow Thrower Snow Joe has engineered their own proprietary 2-stage 80V battery system. Well, lithium just by itself is not the hero here. There are endless resting electrons in a conductor just waiting to get excited. When an electric current passes through it, these electrons move from point A to point B at a speed virtually equal to that of light — this movement is what we call electricity. If you keep exciting this conductor, electrons will keep on running, but as soon as you stop the current, they will come to a sudden stop — there is no in between. Need a practical example? Just unplug your TV — the shutdown is almost instantaneous. Batteries are made up of several smaller batteries, called cells. For simplicity, picture these cells as sandwiches made up of two slices of bread, and three slices of fillings. Each of these cells has electric conductors on each side. A practical list of features all powered by batteries for a total of 80V of power. In between those slices, there are a couple of electrodes with opposite charges — the cathode + and the anode -. The cathode is made of extremely pure lithium oxide while the anode is made of graphite, which is a form of carbon. In the very middle, lies an electrolyte, which allows for the lithium ions to move freely throughout the sandwich dimension — this movement is what we understand as charging and discharging, depending on the direction. A fully charged battery is nothing more than a cell where all the lithium ions are nicely arranged throughout the graphite anode -. While an entirely discharged battery, on the other hand, is the opposite. In this case, all the lithium ions are back to their original position, perfectly aligned throughout the lithium oxide cathode +. Simply put, the concept remains the same. An electrically charged ion in movement generates a small blast of energy. As to why we chose lithium in the first place, well, after several trial-and-error tests, just because its ions present the least energy loss among all affordable elements known to date. In the short span of just 25 years, we have taken huge leaps in the energy storage field. The 1991 Sony Li-Ion rechargeable battery was not bad at all. But today, we have a much more refined process for making better, safer, and more efficient rechargeable batteries. Fire resistance, ultra-rapid recharging sometimes in just minutes , longer lifespans, and environmental friendliness. These advancements in the energy field are allowing the automotive industry to efficiently incorporate Li-Ion batteries to even their most demanding electric vehicles — the BMW i3, the Nissan Leaf, the Renault Zoe, the Tesla Model S, and the Toyota RAV4 EV. Gas-Power Snow Blowers Snow Joe vs Husavarna ST224 Each power type has their own advantages and disadvantages. For this particular match-up, we will exclude the corded-electric snow blowers simply because of their limited mobility — cordless and gas-powered tools are portable. Both of these builds have their own unique set of pros and cons, all of which you should carefully analyze before considering your next power tool addition. These tools are arguably the most versatile choice when it comes down to power and performance. Robust by nature, their engines are designed to handle medium-to-large snowfalls easily. Even the smallest one can tackle one-foot-high piles, while some more powerful machines can remove up to thirty inches of accumulated snow. Because internal combustion engines have been on the market for quite a while, these power tools — especially the newer models — are becoming more and more efficient with a longer average lifespan. Buy from Amazon However, all this extra power comes with a toll. Gasoline-powered snow blowers tend to last longer, but they also require routine maintenance tasks to keep them running smoothly — such as oil changes, filters replacements, and fuel tank purges. Not to mention regular check ups on all other spare parts, like spark plugs, fuel tank caps, rubber tires, lights, and so on. Gas engines are much heavier and louder than electric ones, and some older versions might still present that inconvenient pull-start mechanism. Battery-powered snow throwers are usually on the opposite side of the spectrum when compared to gas-powered engines. Objectively speaking, electric engines are not as sturdy as internal combustion ones, which is why their average lifespan tends to be a bit shorter. However, if you factor in oil, fuel, and every little maintenance task required on a gas-powered snow blower, you will discover that electric engines are much more efficient from the get-go. Additionally, all battery-powered snow throwers will always be much lighter, much quieter, and in most cases, much cheaper than any gasoline-powered device. Most battery-powered tools are easy to start, easy to maneuver, and easy to store. Finally, there is the environmental factor to weigh in. Like all electric power tools, these machines emit zero carbon byproducts and are virtually odorless while running. You might still be wondering which build will suit you best, after all, there are lots of factors to take into account. To make it easier on you, we want you to answer three simple questions. How much snow do you usually get throughout the winter? How vast is the area you intend to cover? And finally, on which type of terrain will you most likely be working on? However, if the storms in your area are somewhat unpredictable or, if you have a larger extension of land to cover or if you want to be able to work on both paved and graveled surfaces, your go-to choice should be a two-stage, gasoline-powered snow thrower. Overview 80V Snow Blower Two integrated LED headlights will keep your path lit at night. Learn more on Since these two snow blowers have a lot of features in common, we thought it best to discuss them simultaneously. Fully assembled, these machines both weigh roughly 106 pounds, while their physical dimensions stand at 25. From October 1st, 2016, Snow Joe will be the very first brand in the market to present a fully operational, medium-duty, two-stage, battery-powered snow blower. Both of these models share the same engine, a 2500W featuring a convenient push-start mechanism for a smooth running. The engine allows for both of these snow blowers to be self-propelled, with three different speed levels in the forward direction and one additional rate in the reverse direction. The auger is another feature shared in both of these devices. They have a top-notch, serrated, steel auger which allows you to tackle snow paths of up to 24 inches in width and 13 inches in height. Both models are able to remove up to 1,000 pounds of snow per minute and thanks to their adjustable chute — which can rotate up to 180 degrees — these blowers can toss snow up to a distance of 32 feet. Integrating the latest technology to create an innovative snow blower. Much like all other two-stage power tools, you will be able to work on both paved and graveled surfaces, removing medium-to-dense types of snow, on both leveled and sloppy terrains. Still, Snow Joe recommends the usage on graveled surfaces to a minimum, to enhance the average lifespan of these machines. The Snow Joe iON24SB-CT and the Snow Joe iON24SB-XRP also share some additional features, designed for an improved user experience. They both have nighttime capabilities, equipped with dual 0. Their 13-inch, TracAssist snow tires provide maximum traction on all surfaces, even during the toughest of winters — the recommended pressure for these tires is about 20 psi. There is just one real downside in these features — the lack of heated handles. The only actual difference between these two snow blowers is the battery type. Both have 80V of nominal voltage, but the Snow Joe iON24SB-CT presents two 40V, EcoSharp PRO, 5. On the other hand, the Snow Joe iON24SB-XRP has the same construction, except it comes with two 40V, 6. The stance and design features resemble that of a gas snow blower. This difference in amperage translates into a longer running time per full charge, in the case of the Snow Joe iON24SB-XRP — roughly 50 minutes, compared to the 40 minutes offered by the Snow Joe iON24SB-CT. Finally, the battery recharging time is also a bit different — between four and four-and-a-half hours for each 5. While technically not a difference between them, you should pay close attention to the following detail. The Snow Joe iON24SB-CT DOES NOT include batteries, nor does it include the charger — in reality, this is a handy feature if you already own another Snow Joe battery-powered tool, since these batteries are completely swappable. Well-laid out controls make it easy to control the auger. The Snow Joe iON24SB-XRP comes with two 40V, EcoSharp PRO, 6. These cells only differ in their amperage, you can still safely use any of them distinctly since their other electric parameters remain exactly the same. Since both of these snow blowers are brand-new in the market, we want to share with you the actual contents of the box, so that you know precisely what to expect in your next purchase. Video How to Assemble the Snow Joe iON24SB Remember that if you buy the Snow Joe iON24SB-CT, it will not come with batteries nor with a charger. In this case, you can work with both the iBAT40XR and the iBAT40XRP batteries — 5. As for the chargers, you can also use, the single-port and the dual-port models. Product Comparison 208cc gas engine snow blower Ergonomic design allows you to comfortably control the machine. In this segment, we want to compare these two products with one of their most similar competitors — the Husqvarna ST224, a two-stage, gasoline-powered snow blower. When it comes to weight and physical dimensions, the ST224 weighs about 200 pounds with roughly 59 inches in length, 41 inches in height, and 24 inches in width. The Snow Joes are lighter and smaller, which is always a convenient plus for both transportation and storage. In this particular case, more power does not equal to more performance. The , on the other hand, is limited to those very same standards, probably even a bit more. With a smaller, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly engine, the Snow Joe also wins this round. The ST224 comes with six different speed levels in the forward direction, plus another speed rate in reverse — recalling, the Snow Joes have three and one respectively. All three products feature an electric start mechanism, adjustable skid shoes, a heavy-duty, high-speed impeller, and they are all equipped with LED headlights to perform during nighttime. Additionally, the ST224 does come with heated handle grips, something lacking in both Snow Joes. We also want to consider the price range. A fully equipped Snow Joe iON24SB-XRP with two batteries and a dual-port charger included stands at roughly 900 dollars — the iON24SB-CT costs about 600 dollars. Heated Hand Grips are a Nice Touch Heavy-duty snow tires prevent slipping and sliding around. Much like all gasoline-powered snow blowers, you will need to perform routine maintenance tasks if you want it to keep running smoothly season after season — oil changes, fuel tank purges, spark plugs replacements, and regular spare parts check ups. Secondly, its engine is loud enough to warrant the use of personal hearing protective equipment, as with all the power tools which break the 85dB safety threshold. Also, remember to always double check with your local authorities to see if a gasoline-powered snow blower or any other power tool, for that matter is in compliance with their environmental regulations. How Dual-Stage, Battery-Powered Snow Blowers Will Reshape The Market. Battery-powered snow blowers are still in the early stages of their development, but they are already breaking ground in the energy efficient field. The mere fact that Snow Joe, as a brand, is now splitting away from the competition with these, first of their kind, two-stage, battery-powered snow throwers will most definitely warrant a technological race among all competitive market players. This is a remarkable win for all consumers because no serious company wants to be left behind. They will keep improving and enhancing their offers, while still making them affordable and practical. Starting October 1st, 2016, we will have these products readily available all across the country. Today, we have these features debuting in the market, but tomorrow we can have something entirely unique. With the of electric vehicles, the rechargeable batteries industry is evolving, too. However, these limitations are getting smaller and smaller every day. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S6 was one of the first smartphones to present a rapid-charging feature, setting the device to about 40 percent of its full battery charge in just under five minutes. After all, what sounds like science fiction today, could very well become a reality tomorrow.
