Snow Thrower...which one for me?

[GilBeQuick]

Does anyone here know much about snow throwers???

I'm going to purchase a snow thrower as an investment (extra cash type of thing). I'll probably only be clearing driveways and sidewalks. I was dead set on one, but now I'm not certain. The only thing I am certain of is that I'll be getting a Toro. But first, I've got a couple of questions:

What is the advantage to a 2-stage VS a single stage?
Will a 2-stage clear all the way down to the pavement?
No matter which one I get, will I still have to do any shoveling?

Depending on what the responses are, I'll either pick up the Toro 38600 or the Toro Power Max 726TE

Thanks guys,
Bryan

 

[RCDad]

When my snow thrower is broke I give her some money

 

[GilBeQuick]

Haha, but seriously, I'm in desperate need of answers. I've read just about everything I could find, but haven't found the answers to my questions.

 

[olds97_lss]

The two stage is more powerful and can normally handle more (deeper and wider path) snow, but has more rotating parts. They will almost go down to the concrete, but not quite without getting hung up on cracks and whatnot.

Also, most 2 stages are self propelled. If your going to be doing it for extra cash, that a self propelled would be the best route to take, easier on you and on the machine.

Sorry, didn't check the links yet...

Now that I have, the toro maxx is more than likely not 2-cycle and the smaller one probably is. I didn't read all the specs or anything, but of the 2, I'd definitly get the Toro maxx. Built tougher, more HP, easier on you.

My dad had one when I was a kid that was as old as I was. It was a sears something or another that he picked up at a garage sale for $50. It finally died a couple years ago and he couldn't get parts for it anymore. It lasted him almost 10 years. I don't think the gravel driveway we had helped it's life much...

Being he was a welder for 40 years, he has the knack for modifications. He designed better runners for it so it would slide on the gravel easier since they don't have any wheels keeping the front end up. He also removed the bushings on the main rotor (the churning thing in the front) and replaced them with bearings. That little modification alone really made it work a lot easier.

My brothers bought him a new one when it died. He got a MTD from farm and fleet (i think). He did the same modification on the runners, but I don't recall if this one had bearings or not. Regardless, it's a pretty good machine. I used to work on them when in college when I worked in the small engine shop for a couple years.

I've rebuilt pretty much everything with a briggs/techumseh/kohler engine on it.

I do know the people that brought in their Toro's, only brought them in once a year in the spring for a tune up. Goofy yuppies... if they would have just emptied the fuel out of the tank, they would easily go for a couple years without any maintainence. But leaving the fuel in the tank for 3-4 months would give it time to evaporate and turn into varnish. Really sucked on the little 2-cycle ones... the bottom of the fuel tank looked like blue shoo goo.

 

[Diver6127]

You need the power max. THe 38600 is what my neighbor has. Good for light fluffy snow but when the heavy stuff comes down, she's calling me becuase her's can't handle the weight of wet snow. The plastic blades don't cut it. You need a good strong impeller.

We have a really old sears one from the mid 80's. Had it since new. Only thing we had to change was the belt for the impeller drive. That is the backup one that I use as my dad uses the big Tim Allen type one for the main shoveling ... we use a Gravely. Pretty much what the commercial guys and schols use. It was given to us by someone and it cuts through the snw with a 40" mouth. I follow behind with the old one picking up what it can't get but even then, we still have to get the hard packed snow that has iced over.

We do the entire block here because the majority of our neighbors are senior citizens and women who work at the hospital. We need the big guns on our block but the actual shoveling is done in 2 passes around the block or about an hour of work.

 

[olds97_lss]

Sorry, failed to mention the ones my dad had were both self propelled and 2-stage like the Toro Maxx.

 

[Candyman]

Seeing as you're in NC, I doubt you'll be attacking any serious snow. I'm sure you'd do just fine with a single stage. Usually a dual stage is good if you're going to be clearing upwards of a foot or so of snow. But if you're only going to be clearing a few inches at a time and basically doing walkways, save some $$ and get a solid single stage. They still throw big roosts of snow which is a hell of a lot of fun...

 

[olds97_lss]

If you noticed the prices, the single stage was only a hundred or so less than the Big Boy.

Didn't notice where you lived. I'm currently in Northern Illinois now, but my dad is in Eastern IA, pretty much straight across from me 200 miles.

The 2 stage ones work best on 3-12 inches of snow. Anything less than that, you can buy a broom...

We are supposed to get between 6-12 inches tonight... glad I live in an apartment

 

[Rolex]

Toro is a great choice.
A single stage thrower has an impeller, or auger that spins at a very high speed, and throws the snow out the shoot. A 2 stage has the same auger, but it turns at a slow speed, and then feeds the snow to the second stage which is a high speed impeller at the mouth of the shoot.
Due to the speeds of the exposed auger, the single speed is VERY dangerous, and also puts an excessive load on the machine in heavy snow.
In wet snow the single stage has more of a tendance to bog down in heavy snow, and it also tends to clog up in the shoot.
The height to the asphalt is adjustable on both types, but normally it can't go lower than about 1/2 inch.
Some have little skis they ride on, and some have small adjustable metal wheels.
Will you have to do any shoveling? If you park it outside before it snows, you will have to shovel it out.
At most, you just need to skim off the sidewalks for that last 1/2 inch.
If you try to save a few bucks by getting the single stage, you will regret it the first time there's a heavy snow fall.
I've had both.
...................................................................................................
EDIT:
Boy, I was the first to see this thread, then someone came over for about 20 minutes. I just finished my reply only to find a mess of information got in before me.

 

[GilBeQuick]

Guys, thanks a lot, I greatly appreciate it!

Yes I live in Charlotte, where we do not get a lot of snow....and I realize that. But the thing around here is, every year we get more snow and ice, and when we do get snow people don't know what the crap to do with it....it's like the city shuts down. That's where I step in! We normally have 2 -4 decent snows here. Half of them will stay around for a little bit, the others will be gone is a day or 2.
I figure I can most likely make back what I payed for it this season, next season at worst. Nobody around here likes to shovel snow! Crap, I'd say only 1/4 of the people in this town even have a snow shovel. And after it's payed for, I've got a kick-ass toy to shoot plumes of snow with!

Thanks again guys, I'll place my order tomorrow.

 

[Lessen]

Did you decide on the Maxx Gil? I could suggest a better unit. I just bought this blower not too long ago for just under a grand. Check the stats. But I think a big blower like the Toro Maxx or the one I have is way more blower than you'll ever need down there. The thing about the big self propelled blowers is that you're at it's mercy. Sure they're propelled.. because they're heavy as hell... but if you're only blowin about 2-4 inches it would be more efficient to have a smaller (dare I say it) 2 cycle 2 stage that you can push. They're not so heavy that they'll wear ya out fast and you can get jobs done quicker. Now I don't really know how much snow you generally get so I could be mistakin but I think you may be about to spend more money than you need to. But if you're gonna be blowin 6 inches or more go right on ahead with the larger ones, you'll be happy you did. I watch my neighbor out there tryin to blow 6-8 inches with a little one and he's gotta peepee around with playin with the chute and goin back and forth and back and forth.... screw that poop. About 2 weeks ago we got a super super wet snow. It was literally like trying to blow 7 inches of pure road slush. No problem for the big ones. hope you get what's right for ya man. peace.

 

[GilBeQuick]

Lessen,
Yes, I've decided on the Power Max 726TE. I know it's more than I'll need, but that one will do everything....including ice, which the other one won't. Also, for about $150 more than the Toro 38600, it's a much heavier duty unit, will break up ice, can be used on gravel, and had the Quick Stick feature which is cool enough by itself to get the better model!
Probably my main concern here is ice. We tend to get a lot of ice.

I haven't put in my order yet, so my mind is not 100% made up...but pretty close. If you or anyone else has any more suggestions or info I'll be glad to hear it.

Thanks a lot!,
Bryan

 

[Diver6127]

I don't have the entire unit in a picture but we use a gravely walkbehind unit that has a 32" snow blower unit like this one

This isn't a pcture of ours but it's the same unit with attachment that we have

As I said before, it's enough to make anyone grunt like Tim Allen ...

 

[Lessen]

It looks like a decent pice Bryan but I really think it's overprice. My Husqvarna is a 4 stroke 10.5 hp beast with steering assist. Also, the chute on mine is metal, not plastic. I spent a lot of time shopping before I bought mine and I felt that the plastic ones are a pain in the ass to adjust... they're just not that smooth. I also didn't care for the types that have the left/right and up/down control all in one stick. You'd think it would be simpler but I found it a little hard to use.. mostly cuz the chute is plastic and want to bend a bit before it actually adjusts. I have two levers for the chute. the up/down lever goes up and down and the left/right lever goes.. guess what? Left and right! Oh! One more thing, you might want to find out which lever is which. One is going to be drive and the other is going to be for the auger. While shopping I noticed quite a few had the drive lever on the right side... which means you'll be using that 4-way chute adjuster with you're left hand... are you left handed? maybe you are, but I'm not. My Husqvarna had the drive on the left so I can adjust with my right hand which is much much more natural. BTW, most auger levers lock when the drive level is engaged. Just a few things you may wanna take a look at before making a large purchase. Happy shopping!

 

[lykan]

I see your question has been answered but Ill give you my peace..for reference

Single stages bite for wet snow, no matter what engine your pushing it with, wet heavy snow will just suck it down and clog the shoot,

I know because I spent half my blowing time last week unplugging the shoot. Thankfully I been sick lol.. the kids been using it hence unclogging the chute.

I see no purpose in buying a blower that "might" get you by because in reality you will be stuck with it. As I mentioned before Nothing is worse than buying a machine to cut your time down to 10% only to have to spend the 90% you saved unclogging the chute. Not to mention getting your hand in that slush there's no way it's not going to get wet and cold..uhhg.

 

[Throttle]

I live in the Buffalo area and own a Toro 824. It's 18 years old and its a beast. Toro makes a great Snowblower. As for what stage to buy, a single stage is a glorified shovel and can't through snow well at all. Any good two stage will through snow about 20 to 24 feet. When you have to clean the throat of your driveway after the plow is done, you will be happy that you bought a two stage. Also look into getting the cab attachment, it will keep you warm and dry. Good Luck on your purchase.


Scott.