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aa335


Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434

I've got the 2 cycle bug going through me.
Original Message   Dec 5, 2011 5:56 pm
December is here and I'm anxiously waiting for some good snow to arrive.  I've been bit by the 2 cycle bug recently.  I have the Toro 421QE, which is the 4 cycle version of the 221Q.  I thought it may be redundant to pick up a used 221Q so I've been looking into getting a Toro Powerlite.  Plus, I can hang the Powerlite up on a wall.  the 221Q is too big and heavy to do so.

Anyways, anybody got a recommendation for a compact SS two-cycle?  If not, please provide a 7 step sure fire way to cure the 2 cycle habit.  :)
Replies: 35 - 44 of 57Next page of topicsPreviousNextNext page of topicsAllView as Outline
borat


Joined: Nov 10, 2007
Points: 2692

Re: I've got the 2 cycle bug going through me.
Reply #35   Dec 11, 2011 10:14 am
OPE guys, OPE. 
aa335


Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434

Re: I've got the 2 cycle bug going through me.
Reply #36   Dec 11, 2011 3:03 pm
borat wrote:
OPE guys, OPE. 

I hear you, but I do agree with FrankMA.  Beef is just beef, but fillet mignon is much better than hamburger meat.
aa335


Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434

Re: I've got the 2 cycle bug going through me.
Reply #37   Dec 11, 2011 3:53 pm
MN_Runner wrote:
Funny part is that the Toro 221R looked like it was 5-6 years old and not two year as the seller insisted.  I saw HS621 for sale today and it was in a sad shape.  Blue smoke and rusted out auger but the seller wanted $300.  He must been following Abbysguide on HS621.

After a while looking at CL, you can figure out which sellers are flippers and who sells their own stuff.  Flippers usually request for phone numbers and won't respond to inquiries without it.  I typically don't chase flipper ads, their prices are usually too high for what it is.
MN_Runner


Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Joined: Dec 5, 2010
Points: 622

Re: I've got the 2 cycle bug going through me.
Reply #38   Dec 11, 2011 7:10 pm
aa335 wrote:
After a while looking at CL, you can figure out which sellers are flippers and who sells their own stuff.  Flippers usually request for phone numbers and won't respond to inquiries without it.  I typically don't chase flipper ads, their prices are usually too high for what it is.

You are correct.  There are a lot of snowblower flippers especially on CL.  The Toro 221R was leaking gas really bad but the seller told me it is normal and nothing to worry about.  Then insisted that the auger rubbers and scraper bar were in top shape when they were worn out.  The guy who is selling his 928TA for $2000 must be very desperate for money as I would have hard time selling my 928WAS for that low.  I hope I can give it to one of my kids when I am at a nursing home thiking about blowing snow and waiting for trouts to find me a nice burial site.
aa335


Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434

Re: I've got the 2 cycle bug going through me.
Reply #39   Dec 12, 2011 11:34 am
Go with your instinct, if you feel something is wrong, give it a pass.  Unless you can fix it without much trouble or cost.  Depends on your comfort level.  I personally wouldn't want a complete tear down machine, nothing more than 3 or 4 hours.  I got other things around to the house to take care of so that takes precendence.

If you're going to get a Toro 221, might as well go with a QR version.   Usually, there are people moving south so they will sell off their snowblower.  I bought an HS520 from an old couple moving to Florida, there are the usual rust spots, but everything else was mechanically sound.  No dented buckets, twisted auger, ect..
This message was modified Dec 12, 2011 by aa335
GtWtNorth


https://t.me/pump_upp

Location: https://t.me/pump_upp
Joined: Nov 16, 2008
Points: 264

Re: I've got the 2 cycle bug going through me.
Reply #40   Dec 13, 2011 11:53 am
I also got the 2 stroke ss bug last year & started keeping an eye open on kijiji. Wanted something like Borat to be at hand to clean off the 16 x 24 rear deck for the dogs to do their business and to do the steps & walkway leading up from the drive to the front door. Wanted something light with handles in the right place so it could be used like a shovel.
Came across a Homelite 4/20 that seems to fit the bill for $20 in the middle of the summer. For that price I could at least have some fun. The paddles are pretty warn & it wouldn't start so I ordered a carb kit. Plan to do the carb next week so I'll let you know how it goes.

https://t.me/pump_upp
aa335


Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434

Re: I've got the 2 cycle bug going through me.
Reply #41   Dec 13, 2011 12:15 pm
I was looking into those Homelite/Jacobsen 320 /420 models too.  I remember seeing those things in my uncle's garage while I was a kid.   They were very loud and smoky, or at least it seemed like it cause my hearing and smell senses were a lot more sensitive when younger.  :) 

Jacobsen has the 320 model which has the Snow Burst feature that is kinda of interesting.  It increases the RPM when additional load is put on the engine.  Not sure if is the same implementation as a governor on today's engines.  Anybody know anything about the Snow Burst?

Might go with a Toro S620, CR20, or a Toro Powerlite.  I do like how well built those S620 / CR20 are.  That will be another vintage 2 stroke / 2 smoker added to the neighborhood.  More noise and smoke in this restrictive neighborhood.  I can see property values plummetting. 
This message was modified Dec 13, 2011 by aa335
FullThrottle


Joined: Feb 11, 2011
Points: 17

Re: I've got the 2 cycle bug going through me.
Reply #42   Dec 13, 2011 6:46 pm
aa335 wrote:
I was looking into those Homelite/Jacobsen 320 /420 models too.  I remember seeing those things in my uncle's garage while I was a kid.   They were very loud and smoky, or at least it seemed like it cause my hearing and smell senses were a lot more sensitive when younger.  :) 

Jacobsen has the 320 model which has the Snow Burst feature that is kinda of interesting.  It increases the RPM when additional load is put on the engine.  Not sure if is the same implementation as a governor on today's engines.  Anybody know anything about the Snow Burst?

Might go with a Toro S620, CR20, or a Toro Powerlite.  I do like how well built those S620 / CR20 are.  That will be another vintage 2 stroke / 2 smoker added to the neighborhood.  More noise and smoke in this restrictive neighborhood.  I can see property values plummetting. 
My dad had a Jacobsen sno burst when I was a kid. I dont know how it worked but it was a manual system. It was  like a ring on the dash that you pulled out and it reved up quite a bit. Stayed reved up til you pushed it back in. Guess it was for deeper snow when you needed it. Think it said in the manual it was a 1/2 hp more. When i used it I kept the ring pulled out all the time. Seemed to work OK at the time when most people in the area had paddle blowers also.
aa335


Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434

Re: I've got the 2 cycle bug going through me.
Reply #43   Jan 30, 2012 5:53 pm
I finally found a cheap 4 or 5 year old Toro Powerlite today, less than $50, which was what I wanted to pay.  The owner said it would not start this winter.  Starter rope doesn't recoil all the way, there's about 12 inches of hanging out.  Tried pulling the starter rope, the piston moves up and down, so no sign of it being straight gassed. Without opening up the covers, the machine overall seems to be in good mechanical shape.  Rubber auger and scraper bar still useable.  She's not a beauty, but not kicked and abused.  Anyway, I got myself a little project machine to work on.  I might replace all rusted / corroded screws and bolts and restore it excellent or almost new condition, maybe a piant job.  I probably put in about $100 in parts.  Anyways, I can always flip this machine later on CL if I get bored of it, maybe get a Toro CR20 to play around with.

I will poke around cleaning the carb to see if it at least tried to run.  Any tips on taking care of the starter rope?  Any ideas on what engine model are on these Powerlites?
This message was modified Jan 30, 2012 by aa335
borat


Joined: Nov 10, 2007
Points: 2692

Re: I've got the 2 cycle bug going through me.
Reply #44   Jan 30, 2012 6:37 pm
Sounds like a broken or jammed spring.  First thing I'd try is spraying the spring with WD-40 or similar fluid to see if that frees up the spring.   If the spring is broken, you'll have to pull the assembly off to inspect it.  Often, the spring breaks at the bend/notch that secures it to the center of the recoil.  I've had pretty good success just heating the spring end until it's red hot and putting a new bend in it.  If it also needs to be notched, a small grinding bit and a Dremmel tool will work well.

Edit:

This might be of some use to you:    http://redhouseon7th.com/redhouse/howto/2008ToroPullCord/index.html

This message was modified Jan 30, 2012 by borat
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