Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Found this at an auction, bought it for $70.00.  Don't really need another blower but couldn't resist the 7hp 24" cut.  It's a 2008 model and a rare bird in design.  The ad said it didn't run but had good compression.  Looked in good shape.  Turns out it was low on fuel.  After the ride home (fuel sloshing around in the tank) and a shot of starter fluid it fired right up.  Smoked like crazy, so either it had the wrong mix in it.  Or the fuel had evaporated and left a high concentration of oil in the remaining fuel.  Will post some pics tomorrow.    I'm ready for snow already.  Hope this year turns out better than last year.
For those wanting to know.  It has a BRIGGS AND STRATTON, 084333-0199-E1 engine.

I believe the Rtek engine on the Snow Commander is set to run at a higher RPM.   That and among other things is what allows it to develop 7 hp.  It is reasonable to expect Toro to use a larger pulley to effectively turn a higher rotational mass of the auger assembly.  If you were to use a 6 inch pulley, the auger RPM would be higher and potentially increase throwing distance.  However, as that auger gets loaded up with heavy snow, it will slow down and drag the engine RPM down below the powerband.  The engine does not make the claimed 7 HP if it's not allowed to spin.

I've seen videos of the Snow Commander in action but never seen it throw snow further than the Toro 221Q or the 421Q/621Q.  I don't see it throwing heavy snow further than my Honda HS621.  I haven't seen any videos of the Snow Commander where it does better on the EOD piles versus other SS snowblower.  I've been intrigued by this unique machine for many years but never really found one at a reasonable price to buy and try it out for myself.  Also, it is heavy at 125 lbs, expensive to replace rubber paddles, and takes up a lot of space as a SS snowblower.  I won't buy a SS snowblower if it cannot pull itself up the my sloped driveway.  It is supposedly superior to regular SS snowblower for EOD, but there's no evidence to back that up.  Nevertheless, the Snow Commander has been an interest of mine because it's a rare and unique snowblower.  There's a lot of engineering there, but perhaps too much complexity and weight, but it cannot overcome its limitations as a SS and come close to the performance of a 2 stage machine. 

Perhaps you can run the Snow Commander through its paces and let us know how it compares to your CCR2000 in performance, especially the ones that comes with the Suzuki engine.   It is lean, mean, and loud machine.

Torque demand will be higher for the 24" clearing path hence the larger driven pulley.  I also suspect that the rated 7 h.p. is somewhat optomistic unless the 141cc engine is spinning closer to 5000 rpm vs. 4100 for the same engine rated at 5 h.p. There's been considerable discussion concering the Tecumseh HSK850-870 variants that claim anywhere from 4 to 7 h.p. for the same engine with virtually no substantial difference in engine components/configuration nor operating speed.  The biggest obvious difference is the label indicating claimed horsepower.   I suspect the R-Tek engine output is also more label related than anything else. 

The first thing I'd do with the Snow Commander is confirm engine operating RPM.  If it's below 5000, I'd jack it up.  

By the way, rather than using electronic tachometers as I had in the past, I now use a Sirometer and I swear by it.  That little device is so much easier to use and it's incredibly accurate.  The nice thing about it is that it can be placed anywhere on the machine to take a reading provided there's a flat enough spot to sit it.  It can also be used on diesel engines where electronic tachs don't work and the Sirometer will also measure frequency.  For the money, it's one sweet little device.

The third paddle might be there to compensate for reduced impeller rpm.   Adding the additional paddle might be there to assist in processing the snow more efficiently, thus taking smaller bites and spitting it out quicker vs.  larger volumes of snow causing more load per paddle and possibly more demand on the engine available torque.     

"I guess the difference could be in the carbs, porting, cranks, rods who knows."

Been down that road several times in trying to establish where the additional power comes from in engines of the same displacement and design.  Case in point is the B&S 305cc snow engine which is rated from 9 to 11 h.p.   Myself and others have analyzed virtually every part in every 305cc engine comparing parts vs. power rating.  Not one significant part had a different part no.  Anything that should make a difference in power was identical.  Same goes for the Tecumseh 139cc engine with variants from 4 to 7 h.p.   However, if I recall correctly, there was a difference with the 7 h.p. R-tek two cycle engine used in the rare Toro dual stage Powermax 726TE.  I've read that the 141cc engine used in that machine has an additional intake port and different piston which, if properly executed with matching carburetor and exhaust, woud make more power.  You should try to determine if the engine in your Snow Commander is the same as that used in the Powermax.  If so, there's your additional power source.

I know from personal experience, it's difficult to find any detailed information on the R-tek engines.   

Over the years, I've come to realize that in the majority of cases, the various power ratings are no more than a marketing ploy to grind more money for the same engine out of uninformed customers.  For instance, a customer walks into a showroom and sees a 28" 9.5 h.p. machine with a 305cc engine.  Two feet away is a 30" 11 h.p. machine with a 305cc engine for only $200.00 more.  Set the hook! 

It's a sales scam.  Nothing more.

Here's an interestinf video from a participant of this forum. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZdHYUeEayA

borat wrote:

My Toro 221Q R-tek engine is model no:   0842-33-0199-E8  rated at 6.5 h.p. weighing 29 lbs.

Is the newer 221 engine designed the same as the Snow Commander engine?  I.e. extra intake port?   If not, how did it get it's power boosted from 5 to 6.5 h.p.? 

JRT:

Not sure where you found your engine no. specs.  How does the 221 engine compare design-wise to the Snow Commander engine?

No need to answer JRT.  I found parts comparison on Parts Tree.  The engines are different.  I'm in agreement that the extra port is for the boost designation.  Sounds like you have the hotrod R-tek.  Sweet.  Theoretically, you should be able to squeeze some decent power out of that thing.  Spin it up to 5K rpms and see what happens.  Take a video of it in action.  I'd really like to see that. 

Just watched your video.  Very nice indeed.  I would have one reservation with your powered chute mechanism.  If your electric motor is too strong and the chute freezes, you may break something.  The Toros are generally pretty well designed to limit freezing up but it's happened to mine more than once and there is quite a bit of resistance when it does. 

Overall, I really like the looks of the Snow Commander and what you've done with it.  You've got a great piece of equipment there for $70.00! 

borat wrote: