Most snowblowers don't have an aircleaner. Not needed because no dust is raised in snowy conditions. Often there is some kind of "stove" to pass air over the muffler or engine to preheat before going into the intake. Prevents carburetor icing.

Also, slightly off point, snowblowers are one of the few areas where EPA waivers 2 cycle motors, on grounds that air quality is better in winter, and snowblowers run many few hours per year over their lifetimes.

Thanks. That just seemed weird to me.

I wondered about the 2 stroker too. I am debating that now. Get the 4 stroke or the simplicity of the 2 cycle.

We have an Ariens snowblower, Tecumseh engine, with plug-in electric start feature. There is no battery. But it has a rubber primer button, and a choke on the carburetor. So far, I have been able to set the choke, prime the engine, and start it on the first pull, manual pull cord. I have never had to go get an extension cord, and use the electric start feature. This is a 4 cycle engine, the unit is 3 years old.