You should utilize the 1st gear when the snow is high and heavy. Listen to your machine, if it's bogging down and lights are dimming, you're overdriving the machine, doesn't matter how many horsepower you have, the engine is operating outside of its power band.
Have you ever thought the problem you have is not related to the snowblower, but the house sitatuion? Throwing recycled compacted snow is tough on any snowblower. So more power will get you another 5 feet of throwing distance, if even optimistically that. I have trouble throwing fresh snow consistently across the street with a 11 hp. There's factors like snow density, wind, ect..
At the end of the day, with a more powerful engine or snowblower, you sitll have to deal with that recycled snow, only now it's 5 feet further than what you had before.
Sorry to bring it up, but I think it will be more effective trying to keep your current machine in top operating condition, fine tune your technique and figure out your snow clearing pattern to minimize throwing recycled snow. It's not everyday you need to tackle 27" of snow.
Or you can throw money at it an see what happens. It's only money and may cure your thirst for power. That Ariens Pro 28 is only $2000, ready to go without experimenting with engines, pulleys, ect...
People want the biggest and most powerful, until there's money involved, then they evaluate it more carefully.
To put it another way, I'm sure you have done your homework prior to purchasing the your existing 826OXE, based on various factors and situation. It's the best decision you made at the time, and you had the option to get the bigger 1128OXE, for about $800 more. Was that extra power worth $800 to you then? How much does it worth now?
Very informative reponse! I don't know where to begin in response to your post......many valid points but I really want more. I have my blower on Clist for a few weeks already but imo its too early. I thought about the Ariens Pro 28 as well as the 1128OXE. IMO its much better to sell and start over. My issue is I have to sell before I buy a new one, but I dont want to get stuck w/o a blower as they seem to go very fast!
I did a ton of homework before purchasing my Toro, to be honest I only wanted to spend 800-900. I wound up spending upwards of 1600$$ between tax, delivery, cover, etc. I really thought this would be more then enough if not I mite have went a differant route.....
TORO 826OXE
