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

I was using a Ariens 1128 and did so so by putting it into high (fast) gear to blow snow/slush.

Are Toro units any better in this sitation?

TIA

Kevin

PS Richie how was your 828LXE??

In response to the original question, my new 2005 Toro 828 LXE has not clogged or even bogged down in the 4 or 5 storms we have had here in northern NJ this year. Regardless of the type of snow it has thrown it all with ease, even the large mounds of slushy wet stuff at the EOD.  My drive is adjacent to a cross street and the plows come down and go either right or left and always leave a pile at the EOD, the Toro hasn’t met a challenge it couldn’t beat yet.  The machine is a monster.   This doesn’t necessarily make it better than any of the competitions machines but it is very impressive and hasn’t disappointed me yet.

I’ve owned a Toro since 1985 (Toro 521) and had been looking for a little more power for the last couple of winters.  After looking at a number of models from other companies I came to the conclusion that most were using the same basic design for the last 40 years or so.  They all looked basically the same just different colors, sizes and control locations.  What impressed me the most about the Toro brand was their innovations such as the Power Max Auger system and the Quick Stick Chute.  Even back in 1985 they were innovative with the barrel style auger meant to meter  the snow intake and reduce clogging (which it did!!).

Some may be concerned with the “plastic” chute, but having had one since 1985 with no problems it wasn’t an issue for me.  It might have been nice to have an engine with more recent technological advances, however the Tecumseh engine was the same basic design as I had on my 521 only bigger and more horses.  The engine on the old machine always started with just 2 pulls regardless of my years of neglect (no oil changes, no tune-ups, no summerizations, stale gas, not even changing the spark plug), so there is probably something to be said for that engine model.  The only repair I ever made was to replace a worn auger belt.  I also considered the 726 or 826, but really liked the Free Wheel Steering on the 828, definitely makes it easier to hulk around a piece of equipment which weighs over 200lbs and not have to play with wheel locks.

In a word no.

All snowblowers have difficulty with slush.  What helps here is HP but even then only to a point.  You do what you gotta do to get the job done.  If that means cruising in the high gear so be it.  Each storm is different, none clears the same.

No need to start second guessing your 1128.....

C

Richie,

Toro not  American made?  Are you certain? I just rechecked every label I could find on my machine and they all say "The Toro Company, Bloomington Minnesota".  Nothing to indicate they were built anywhere else. I know they're all dual-labeled in French, but I just figured that one (U.S.) facility was making machines for sale in both the States and Canada.

In answer to your other question, I am happy with the 7 hp R*tek. So far it runs fine. I'm confident it will be more than enough to handle the snow I'm likely to get (we almost never get more than 12 inches at a time...has only happened twice in 27 years). Folks who routinely have to deal with more snow may decide they need more power. If it should happen that we do get a real heavy blow, I think the 726 will be ok...it just might take a little longer to do the job. My only regret is that I didn't buy a snowblower years ago, and if I could buy another Toro tomorrow...I would.

AZ

Toro not  American made?  Are you certain? I just rechecked every label I could find on my machine and they all say "The Toro Company, Bloomington Minnesota".  Nothing to indicate they were built anywhere else. I know they're all dual-labeled in French, but I just figured that one (U.S.) facility was making machines for sale in both the States and Canada.

I thought it was not a good thing for Toro to be seen as making their stuff outside of the US also.  Many have spent a good bit of money on Toro, Simplicity, and Ariens products to the exclusion of Honda, just because they believed  the Toro, Simp, and Ariens to be American made. So I sent Toro an E mail asking about the 828LE. Toro said they make their "power products" in Windum, MN.

Ritchie, please help me here. Is Toro blowing some smoke up my butt?

I have a Toro in the garage, I bought it with the Kohler over the Kawasaki. I sure hope the Toro I bought was made in the US.  I hope all Toros, Simps, Ariens, and Hondas are made in the US.

AZ