Engine – The snow blower’s engine uses fuel to produce rotational motion to produce the power to rotate the paddles which blow snow out of the chute.

Chute – The chute directs the snow away from the snow blower as snow is cleared from the driveway or walkway.

Alternator – The alternator produces electricity using the mechanical energy from the engine. The alternator charges the battery so it is able to start the engine.

Motor – Electric snow blowers use a/c motors to rotate the paddles that throw the snow out of the snow chute.

Starter – The snow blower is started using either a recoil type pull starter coupled to the flywheel or using a starter motor powered by a battery.

Battery – The snow blower battery is used to start the engine in snow blowers that have an electric starter.

Hour Meter – The hour meter is device that measures the amount of time that the snow blower has been in use. Hour meters are important to determine when routine maintenance is needed. They are also a good tool to use in determining how much a snow blower has been used when it comes to evaluating used snow blowers.

Frame – The frame is the chassis which secures the engine, gas tank and alternator together. Often, in the case of larger portable snow blowers, a wheel kit and a handle kit are used to make the snow blower more portable.

Fuel – the fuel is either stored in a tank or plumbed to the snow blower in the case of a natural gas or propane snow blower. In the case of gasoline snow blowers, fuel is transferred from the fuel tank to the carburetor using a fuel pump.