Hey there, how is fall going by you? I would describe fall as “brief” here in Chicagoland. We actually had snow on Halloween. It was gone the next day, but it will be sticking around soon enough. With that in mind, now seems like the perfect time to check out the new SKIL 40V 20 in. Snow Blower and SKIL 40V Electric Snow Shovel. Both of these items come with the new and improved SKIL PWR CORE 40™ 40V 4.0Ah Lithium Battery.
Today we’re digging into the highlights and features of these new items. We don’t have snow to test them out (yet), but will go over the best uses for these items.
Guide
- 40V PWR CORE Battery
- 40V 20 in. Snow Blower
- 40V Electric Snow Shovel
- Snow Blower vs Electric Snow Shovel
- Value
- Final Thoughts
SKIL 40V Battery
Before we talk about the snow blower and electric snow shovel I think we need to take a look at the battery platform for these items. The blower and shovel are powered by the SKIL PWR CORE 40™ 40V 4.0Ah Lithium Ion Battery.
The most standout feature of this battery platform is that it was designed to power OPE up to 25% longer and have double the battery life of previous SKIL 40V batteries. The charger offers 15 minute recharge times.
A SKIL PWR CORE 40™ 40V 4.0Ah Lithium Battery and Charger come with both the SKIL snow blower and electric snow shovel.
Battery & Charger
- Product Name: SKIL PWR CORE 40™ 40V 4.0Ah Lithium Battery
- Model #: BY8708C-01
- Features: Get 25% longer runtimes and double the battery life thanks to innovative battery cooling tech that wraps each individual cell for temperature management. Made with a durable, shock-resistant design, easy-to-read LED charge status, and recharges within 15 minutes.
- Price: $149.98
- Where to Buy: Amazon, Lowe’s.
- Learn More: SKIL site
SKIL 40V Snow Blower
- Product Name: SKIL PWR CORE 40™ Brushless 40V 20 in. Single Stage Snow Blower Kit
- Model #: SB2001C-10
- Features: Cordless electric snowblower throws snow up to 30 ft. Chute has a turning radius of 180° for users to aim or change direction in. Each pass clears a 20 in. wide path with ease thanks to its rubber-tipped steel auger. The quick-fold steel handle makes for compact storage.
- Demo: TIA Video.
- Price: $449 with 40V battery and charger included
- Where to Buy: Amazon
- Learn More: SKIL site
SKIL Electric Snow Shovel
- Product Name: SKIL PWR CORE 40™ Brushless 40V 12 in. Power Head Snow Shovel Kit
- Model #: PSS1200C-10
- Features: Remove snow from driveways, decks, or patios with ease. Launches snow up to 20 ft., creates 12 in. wide paths, and offers two speeds. Great for getting into smaller areas or parts of your property that a snow blower can’t easily get in to.
- Price: $279 with 40V battery and charger included
- Where to Buy: Amazon
- Learn More: SKIL site
SKIL 40V Snow Blower VS Electric Snow Shovel
Before I compare these I have to start with these are two very different winter OPE products. I can easily see someone owning both of these products and this is not a one without the other situation. Instead, I’m just going to tell you the best times to use each and who would use them.
Benefits of a Snow Blower
The SKIL 40V 20 in. Snow Blower is a single-stage snow blower, also known as a “snow thrower”. That just means there is no fan to assist with the ejection of snow. Either way, snow blowers and throwers are cumbersome machines. They are meant for heavy-duty snow removal. They clear a wide path. A single-stage snow blower is great for removing a few inches of snow at a time. For snow storms, it is a good idea to clear snow every other hour. A two-stage snow blower can tackle those thicker piles of snow.
Either way, this snow blower is great for removing snow off larger surfaces and works in smaller areas like paved walkways. Snow blowers are pretty much essential for homeowners where I live.
Summary
Ideal for clearing large surfaces like driveways and paved walkways, and clearing a few inches of snow at a time.
Benefits of an Electric Snow Shovel
Snow blowers are great, but again they are big and they don’t fit everywhere. While an electric snow shovel is clearly smaller than a snow blower, it is great for finessing around areas. I think it’s particularly suitable for clearing snow around cars.
Driveways are not the only large surface that it snows on. Decks and patios still get covered, but it’s not always easy or advisable to use a snow blower on those areas. Because electric snow shovels are so lightweight you can easily carry them to your backyard, use them on your porch, and overall access areas that are harder to get to with a snow blower.
Summary
Great for clearing snow from smaller and more intricate areas. Can easily be carried and lifted to other locations. Electric snow shovels are a great “assistant” to snow blowers for homeowners. However, may be enough for people in apartments or condos who want to easily move smaller amounts of snow throughout the year.
Value
Both the SKIL 40V Snow Blower and SKIL 40V Electric Snow Shovel are priced either right on par or below comparable products from other brands. The SKIL Snow Blower in particular is currently the same price as a similar model by RYOBI, but the snow blower from SKIL comes with a battery and charger and the RYOBI model does not.
The SKIL Electric Snow Shovel also priced right on par with a comparable model by RYOBI. I have not personally used the RYOBI model. However, from the photos the Electric Snow Shovel from SKIL appears to have a more heavy-duty construction.
Final Thoughts
The new SKIL 40V 20 in. Snow Blower and 40V Electric Snow Shovel come in at a great price. I’m excited to see how they perform this winter with the help of the new and improved SKIL PWR CORE 40™ 40V 4.0Ah Lithium Ion Battery.
