Tips may help you buy snow thrower you need

Already sick of shoveling? Here are things to consider before you shop for a snow thrower, courtesy of Ace Hardware spokesman Lou Manfredini:

Two-cycle vs. four-cycle: A two-cycle engine requires that you mix the gas and oil together before adding it to the tank. A four-cycle engine has separate tanks for gas and oil.

Single-stage vs. two-stage: Single-stage units clear the snow in a single action, by drawing it up and out from the auger to the shoot. Two-stage throwers move the snow first to the back of the unit, then out the shoot. Two-stage throwers are better for heavy, wet snow, and usually require fewer passes to clear an area.

Horsepower: A five- or six-horsepower model may be needed for large driveways, but a three- or four-horsepower thrower should be adequate for smaller jobs.

Manual vs. electric start: Electric starters plug into a wall outlet and start with the press of a button. That makes starting the snow thrower faster and easier, especially when it’s very cold.

Clearing width: For a good all-purpose show thrower, Manfredini recommends choosing one that clears a path 20 to 24 inches wide.