trouts2

      Yes.  The auger gearcase drive shaft extends outside the back of the housing.  On that side there is a large drive pulley and an  auger shaft support bearing.  Both have to be removed to get the auger assembly out.   The housing comes apart easily.   The pulley and bearing can be troublesome if they are rust frozen. 

Someone said to me the Toro barrel augers were to prevent overloading. Not so sure about that.
There are always a few snowblowers hanging around the house and I use them all to see what they are like. It's nice to get a comparison. There are a couple of driveways for clearing here, a 1000 feet of sidewalk and large grass fields next door for a test area. From using Toro's on the same day and conditions with other snowblowers, usually MTD and Ariens machines, I don't see any difference in snow collection with the different auger designs.
The older Toro's are great at burrowing parallel to sidewalk plow buildup.

>>I got it running this afternoon but cant get it to not blow black smoke when it first starts.

The needle setting is 1 turn from lightly closed. I generally do not get much response from opening the idle mix. The high speed is 1 and ½ and generally will fine tune within one eighth away from that on either side. It is not unexpected to get some black smoke especially if you are starting with choke or prime but that should clear up within seconds.

If you are starting on the first pull then it will barely smoke. If it is starting with more pulls say from weak spark or low compression then more gas will be around for extra smoke. Most engines I have do not start on the first pull without prime and or choke.

>>Shear pins or bolts, there is a long bolt w/ nut at each end of the drum auger. Are these a shear bolt?

Some say yes, some say no. The few dealers I have asked say yes. Toro's current advertising literature says there is no need for shear devices. Physically the bolts used do not look like other shear bolts but the dealers say they are. I should try breaking a few alongside some MTD shear bolts to see what happens.

>>How would I go about removing the drum type auger so I can sand and paint it? does the

>> The auger gearbox, impeller, and augers come out as a unit and can be disassembled while out of the housing.

It could be a loose belt.
It could be worn augers. If you try to stick your little finger between the back of the housing and the blade and can't then your blades are fine. If there's a very big gap then it will have a tough time.
Worn augers happen over a very long time and the performance decline hard to notice over a short period. It seems like this is sudden so probably a belt.
trouts2

Given your clearing area and location with lots of snow the YM could be a consideration just on the 24 versus 20 inch clearing width.

 

For some people storing their machine in a garage the 20 versus 24 becomes a consideration when storing it beside or between cars or in front of cars.  The small footprint can make a difference.

 

The Ariens will have a bit more robust body but not to the extent of their reputation which comes from their larger high end machines.  The MTD is not a bad machine and could last 15 years if you use it properly, store it properly, do the maintenance, and clean off the machine well after use.

 

The Ariens engine is a standard Tecumseh very good proven L-head engine.  MTD is now using a foreign made Chinese engine.  Getting any detail on these engines has been difficult but I would guess MTD has selected a reliable design and overseas maker.  Both have a lot to loose if that is not the case.  Their OHV is not a super new design introducing exotic features like a Japanese car engine.  It’s a pretty basic OHV, probably well made, and a safe bet.

If your a first time buyer there is some info at: http://www.kedawei.com/snowblower.htm

trouts2