6 Best Briggs And Stratton Snow Blowers

Waking up to a foot of heavy, wet snow is a different kind of problem on a farm. It’s not just about getting the car out; it’s about clearing a path to the barn, the chicken coop, and the woodpile. When your morning chores depend on it, a cheap, plastic snow blower just won’t cut it. You need a machine with a reliable engine and the guts to move serious weight, and that’s where Briggs & Stratton’s reputation is earned.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Choosing a B&S Blower for Farm-Tough Snow

When you’re clearing snow on a farm or homestead, you’re not dealing with a smooth, paved suburban driveway. You’re working with gravel, uneven ground, and long stretches that need to be cleared fast. The right machine has to handle this without chewing up your driveway or quitting halfway through the job.

Forget about fancy features like heated hand grips if the core machine isn’t solid. Focus on three things: the engine, the auger, and the build quality. A powerful engine provides the torque to throw wet, heavy snow instead of just clogging. A serrated steel auger will bite into icy plow piles, and a heavy-gauge steel frame will withstand the abuse of rough terrain.

The decision often comes down to balancing clearing width with maneuverability. A wider machine clears your path in fewer passes, saving precious time on a cold morning. But a narrower, more nimble machine is better for weaving between buildings or clearing tight spots. There’s no single right answer, only the best fit for your specific layout.

B&S 1697300: Maximum Power for Wide Driveways

This is the beast you bring out for the long haul. With a 30-inch clearing width and a massive 420cc engine, the 1697300 is built for properties with long driveways or large yards that need clearing. It’s designed to move a high volume of snow quickly, cutting down your work time significantly after a major storm.

The power behind this machine is its main selling point. It doesn’t just clear powder; it chews through and throws the heavy, wet stuff that typically clogs smaller blowers. If the town plow regularly buries the end of your driveway in a wall of icy, compacted snow, this model has the torque to break it apart and get it out of the way.

However, all that power comes with a tradeoff. This is a large, heavy machine that requires significant storage space and can be a handful to maneuver in tight quarters. It’s overkill for a small property, but for anyone measuring their driveway in hundreds of feet, it’s a tool that turns an all-day job into a one-hour task.

B&S 1697293: A Balanced 27-Inch Performer

Not every property needs the biggest machine on the market. The 1697293 hits the sweet spot for many hobby farms with its 27-inch clearing width and a capable 250cc engine. It offers a significant step up from smaller models without the bulk and fuel consumption of the largest units.

This model is a true workhorse, capable of handling deep snowfalls without feeling unwieldy. It’s wide enough to clear a decent path quickly but remains nimble enough to navigate around equipment or garden beds. The balance of power and size makes it a practical, all-around choice for properties that get regular, heavy snow but don’t have a massive area to clear.

Think of this as the reliable farm truck of snow blowers. It’s not the flashiest, but it has the power you need for 95% of winter storms. It will reliably clear the path to your outbuildings and won’t struggle with six to twelve inches of fresh snow, making it a dependable partner for the entire season.

B&S 1697294: Dual-Stage for Icy, Compacted Snow

Understanding the value of a dual-stage system is key to surviving tough winters. The 1697294 excels here. Its first stage, the serrated steel auger, aggressively breaks up hard-packed snow and ice. The second stage, a high-speed impeller, then launches that snow far away from your path.

This two-part action is what separates serious machines from homeowner-grade toys. A single-stage blower simply scoops and throws, which is fine for light powder. But when you’re facing frozen slush or the icy wall left by the road plow, a dual-stage system is non-negotiable. It prevents the chute from clogging and ensures you can keep moving forward.

The 1697294 is built around this principle. It’s designed specifically for the challenging conditions that stop other machines in their tracks. If your region gets a lot of freeze-thaw cycles that create layers of ice, this blower has the mechanical advantage needed to slice through it.

B&S 1696847: Reliable Engine for Long Winters

At the heart of any good snow blower is an engine you can trust to start in the freezing cold. The 1696847 is built around a proven Briggs & Stratton 208cc engine, focusing on reliability over bells and whistles. When you have animals waiting to be fed, you can’t afford to spend 30 minutes wrestling with a pull cord.

This model embodies the "start and go" philosophy. It’s equipped with an electric start for no-fuss ignition, but the engine itself is designed for consistent performance in harsh weather. It provides steady power to the auger and drive wheels, allowing you to maintain a constant pace even as the snow gets deeper.

While it may not have the raw power of the larger 420cc models, its efficiency and dependability make it a smart choice. It’s a machine you can count on season after season, which is often more valuable than having the absolute most power. Reliability is the most important feature when a blizzard hits.

B&S 1696614: Compact Power for Tighter Spaces

Bigger isn’t always better, especially when you need to clear narrow walkways or paths between sheds and coops. The 1696614, with its more compact 24-inch clearing width, offers serious dual-stage power in a more maneuverable frame. It’s the perfect solution for properties with complex layouts.

This blower gives you the ice-breaking and throwing power of its larger siblings but is much easier to turn and navigate around obstacles. Storing it is also simpler, as it takes up less precious space in a crowded garage or barn. It proves that you don’t have to sacrifice performance for a smaller footprint.

Don’t mistake its smaller size for weakness. This machine will still handle significant snowfalls with ease. It’s an excellent choice for those who need a powerful tool but whose primary challenge is maneuverability, not clearing a massive, wide-open space.

Snapper 1697311: Easy Handling on Uneven Ground

Snapper is a Briggs & Stratton brand, and this model showcases their shared focus on robust engineering, but with an emphasis on user control. The 1697311 is a standout for its excellent handling, particularly on the uneven, gravel-covered surfaces common on a farm. Its drive system is designed for superior traction and easy turning.

When you’re fighting for grip on a slick, unpaved driveway, a machine that’s easy to steer makes all the difference. This model often includes features like a responsive drive control that lets you change speeds on the fly, helping you power through deep drifts and then slow down for careful maneuvering. It reduces the physical strain of fighting the machine, letting you work longer without fatigue.

This is the blower for someone who values control as much as power. If your property has slopes, tight turns, or a mix of surfaces, the easy handling of the Snapper will be a game-changer. It’s a reminder that how the power gets to the ground is just as important as how much power the engine makes.

Key Features for Clearing Heavy, Wet Snowfall

When you cut through the marketing, a few features truly matter for dealing with farm-tough snow. Looking for these specifics will ensure you get a machine that works as hard as you do.

First and foremost is a dual-stage design. The auger breaks, the impeller throws. This is the only way to effectively handle icy, compacted, or wet, heavy snow without constant clogging. A single-stage machine is only suitable for light, fluffy powder on a paved surface.

Next, look for these critical components:

• A Powerful Engine: Look for engine displacement (cc) over horsepower. A 250cc engine or larger will provide the necessary torque.
• Serrated Steel Auger: The teeth on the auger are essential for biting into ice and hard-packed snow. A smooth auger will just slip and polish the ice.
• Adjustable Skid Shoes: On a gravel or dirt driveway, you need to set the auger housing slightly above the ground to avoid throwing rocks. Metal skid shoes are far more durable than plastic ones.
• Electric Start: This is a simple feature that you will be thankful for on every sub-zero morning. It’s a must-have for reliability.

Finally, consider the chute control. A remote crank or joystick that lets you change the chute’s direction and angle from the operator’s position is a massive time-saver. Stopping to manually adjust the chute every time you turn is inefficient and frustrating, especially in windy conditions.

Ultimately, the best snow blower is the one that fits your land and your winter. Don’t get sold on features you don’t need; focus on the fundamentals of power, build quality, and design. A well-chosen machine isn’t just a convenience—it’s a critical tool that keeps your farm running, no matter what the sky throws at you.