Convert Snowblower to Power Brush: The #1 Hack for Year-Round Utility You’re Missing!

That powerful snowblower in your garage is a winter workhorse, saving you from back-breaking shoveling. But what happens when the snow melts? For most of the year, it becomes a bulky, expensive machine that just takes up space.

This is a common frustration for homeowners. You’ve invested a significant amount of money into a tool that sits idle for three-quarters of the year. The solution is to unlock its hidden, year-round potential by converting it into a power brush.

Why a Power Brush? Unlocking Your Snowblower’s Hidden Potential

A power brush, also known as a power sweeper or rotary broom, transforms your single-season machine into a versatile, all-season cleaning tool. The concept is simple: you replace the snow-throwing auger assembly with a large, rotating brush attachment.

This conversion gives you the ability to tackle a huge range of outdoor chores. With a power brush, you can effortlessly clear leaves, gravel, and twigs from your driveway, dethatch your lawn in the spring, or sweep sand and debris from patios and walkways. It’s even perfect for clearing light dustings of snow that don’t justify firing up the full snowblower.

The Overlooked Advantage of Conversion

The primary benefit is maximizing your initial investment. The engine and self-propelled chassis are the most valuable components of your snowblower. By simply swapping the attachment on the front, you leverage that power for tasks far beyond moving snow, saving you money and valuable storage space.

The Core Concept: Is a Conversion Actually Possible for Your Machine?

Before you get started, it’s crucial to understand if your snowblower is a candidate for this kind of modification. The feasibility of a conversion hinges almost entirely on the design of your snowblower. Not all models are created equal.

The key is that the engine, wheels, and handlebars form a “power unit,” while the part that engages with the snow is a detachable head. High-end equipment manufacturers often design their machines this way, allowing for multiple attachments. Many quality two-stage snowblowers follow this design principle, making them prime candidates for conversion.

Two-Stage vs. Single-Stage Snowblowers

Two-stage snowblowers are the most likely to be convertible. These machines have a separate auger to collect snow and an impeller to discharge it. The entire front auger housing is often a self-contained unit that can be unbolted from the main frame, exposing a power take-off (PTO) shaft that drives it. This modular design is what makes swapping attachments possible.

Single-stage snowblowers, on the other hand, are generally not convertible. In these models, the auger (often rubber paddles) both gathers and throws the snow in one motion. The auger and engine are typically integrated into a single, inseparable housing, leaving no practical way to mount a different attachment.

The Conversion Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Converting your snowblower is a manageable project if you have basic mechanical skills and the right tools. The process involves removing the auger housing and mounting the new power brush attachment in its place.

Step 1: Identifying Your Snowblower’s Compatibility

First, inspect your machine closely. Look for a series of heavy-duty bolts where the large auger housing connects to the engine and frame section. If you can see a clear separation point, your machine is likely modular.

Next, you’ll need to identify the Power Take-Off (PTO) shaft. This is the drive shaft that extends from the engine to power the front attachment. You’ll need to know its diameter, connection type (e.g., splined or keyed), and its rotation speed (RPM) to ensure you buy a compatible brush attachment. Check your owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for these specifications.

Step 2: Finding the Right Power Brush Attachment

You have two primary options for sourcing a power brush: OEM or aftermarket. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) attachments are sold by the snowblower’s brand (like Ariens or Husqvarna) and guarantee a perfect fit, but they often come at a premium price.

Aftermarket attachments are more widely available and can be less expensive, but they require diligent research. You must perfectly match the mounting pattern and PTO specifications to your power unit. An incompatible attachment will either not fit or, worse, could damage your engine or the attachment itself due to mismatched RPMs.

Step 3: The Mechanical Work – Swapping the Attachments

Once you have the correct power brush attachment, the swap is straightforward. Always begin by disconnecting the spark plug to prevent any accidental starts.

The general steps are as follows:

1. Access the Drive Belt: Start by removing the belt cover, which is usually a plastic or metal shield located between the engine and the auger housing.
2. Release Belt Tension: Loosen the tension on the auger drive belt and carefully slip it off the engine pulley.
3. Unbolt the Auger Housing: With the belt removed, locate the main bolts that secure the auger assembly to the frame. Support the housing as you remove the last bolt to prevent it from falling.
4. Remove the Old Head: Carefully slide the entire auger assembly forward, disengaging it from the PTO shaft. This unit can be quite heavy, so assistance may be needed.
5. Mount the Power Brush: Slide the new power brush attachment onto the frame, ensuring the PTO shaft engages correctly with the brush’s input shaft. Secure it using the same mounting bolts.
6. Install the New Belt: The brush attachment may require a different length belt, which should be included. Route the new belt and apply the proper tension according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
7. Final Checks: Replace the belt cover and reconnect the spark plug. Your conversion is now complete.

Critical Considerations Before You Start

A successful conversion requires more than just mechanical work. You need to weigh the costs, understand your machine’s capabilities, and be aware of the potential challenges that are rarely discussed.

Aspect	Converting Snowblower	Buying Dedicated Power Brush
Cost	Moderate (cost of attachment only)	High (cost of a complete machine)
Storage Space	Minimal (store one power unit and two heads)	Significant (requires space for two full machines)
Versatility	Excellent year-round utility from one engine	Single-purpose machine
Performance	Good, but may have compromises in balance and gearing	Optimized for sweeping (balance, speed, controls)
Labor	Requires seasonal changeover (approx. 30-60 minutes)	None, ready to use immediately

Engine Power and Performance

Is your snowblower’s engine up to the task? Sweeping heavy, wet leaves or dense debris can put a significant load on the engine. Understanding your engine’s power, like knowing what 254cc is how many horsepower, helps you gauge if it can handle the sustained workload of a power brush without bogging down.

Gearing and Ground Speed

Snowblowers are designed with low gearing to provide high torque at slow speeds for pushing through heavy snow. This may not be ideal for sweeping, where a slightly faster walking pace is more efficient. While most transmissions offer multiple speeds, be aware that the available ground speeds are optimized for snow, not sweeping.

The Unspoken Challenges of Snowblower Conversion

While the conversion is mechanically simple, there are practical, real-world consequences that many guides fail to mention. Being aware of these ensures you have realistic expectations for the final result.

Weight Distribution and Balance

A power brush attachment has a very different size, shape, and center of gravity compared to a snowblower’s auger housing. This will change the machine’s balance. You may find the converted unit is more front-heavy, making it more difficult to pivot and maneuver, especially in tight spaces.

Vibration and Long-Term Wear

The constant, high-speed rotation of a wide brush creates a different type of vibration and harmonic load than an auger. While the frame and engine are robust, this different operational stress could potentially lead to premature wear on engine bearings, belts, and frame components over the long term. This is a trade-off for gaining all-season utility.

Redundant Controls

After the conversion, the controls for the snow chute—such as rotation and deflector angle—will become useless. These levers and cranks will remain on your handlebars, serving as a reminder of the machine’s primary purpose. True multi-use power units often have controls that are specific to each attachment, a feature a converted snowblower will lack.

Conclusion: Is Converting Your Snowblower Worth It?

For the right person, converting a snowblower to a power brush is an exceptionally smart move. It transforms a costly, seasonal tool into a year-round workhorse, maximizing your investment and saving valuable garage space. The project is well within the reach of a DIY-savvy homeowner.

Success depends on careful research and compatibility checks. You must ensure your snowblower is a two-stage model with a detachable auger head and then find an attachment that precisely matches its mounting and PTO specifications. If you understand the trade-offs in balance and controls, you will be rewarded with a versatile machine that serves you in every season.