Two-stage Snowblowers

[MASTERMOWER]

I've always been a fan of small single stage snowblowers. I currently have two Toro 2450 units, but I'm beginning to think they aren't cut out for commercial duty. Or maybe it's just that I'm abusing them? My other two snowblowers are for back-up duty, but those I've discovered are just beat to ****...ain't worth anything anymore. :alien:

Both Toros have the same problem: the metal lower blower housing bends and cracks very easily. This housing holds the plastic scaper bar, which wears (or break) too damn fast once the lower housing is bent out of shape. I bought 4 scaper bars just 2 weeks ago and they're all either worn or broken already. The other drawback with these blowers is they can't handle a wet snow worth a damn, even with new rubber paddles installed. But they are so easy to load and unload.....

So my question is if any of you guys are using a larger 2-stage blower, and if so how do you like it? We normally only see snowfalls up to 8", but we do see snowfalls of 12"+ from time to time. I'm just wondering if it's worth purchasing a two stage blower or deal with all the issues with opting for another 2450? It's time I think about buying my next blower...

[clclawn]

I've always been a fan of small single stage snowblowers. I currently have two Toro 2450 units, but I'm beginning to think they aren't cut out for commercial duty. Or maybe it's just that I'm abusing them? My other two snowblowers are for back-up duty, but those I've discovered are just beat to ****...ain't worth anything anymore. :alien:

Both Toros have the same problem: the metal lower blower housing bends and cracks very easily. This housing holds the plastic scaper bar, which wears (or break) too damn fast once the lower housing is bent out of shape. I bought 4 scaper bars just 2 weeks ago and they're all either worn or broken already. The other drawback with these blowers is they can't handle a wet snow worth a damn, even with new rubber paddles installed. But they are so easy to load and unload.....

So my question is if any of you guys are using a larger 2-stage blower, and if so how do you like it? We normally only see snowfalls up to 8", but we do see snowfalls of 12"+ from time to time. I'm just wondering if it's worth purchasing a two stage blower or deal with all the issues with opting for another 2450? It's time I think about buying my next blower...

REPLACE THE HOUSING.

we do ours about 1-2 time a year depending on how bad the winter is but some of our blowers will run 24 hours on a bad (6inch) storm. The largest snow we have had in 10 years is 8 inches, and we only get 1 or 2 most years over 5, so the speed of the toro single stage (i have 9) out weigh any gain of getting a larger one.

[spotremix]

i personally would stick with the single stage deal myself. they are easy to load and unload and in my experience so far they hold up pretty well. but then again i'm not doing the volume yet that some of you probably are. but i am removing snow with out a blade on the truck to do the drive so keep that in mind. i do everything with the snow blower.

i purchased a new single stage toro this fall, my snow blower is at that age that i should have a backup. first snow that flew i had a helper with me and he used the backup. it only made it through one house then i had problems. took into the shop and there fixing it up for $200.

needs a new paddle, scaper bar, the house MM mentioned was bend and needed fixed, needed a new belt and i assume they'll tune the thing up.

our first snow was a wet one and the new blower i have threw it pretty good but the backup wasn't fairing so well so we put the new belt i had on it. worked for about 5 min. until a piece of the scaper bar broke up and jammed the paddle burning up the new belt. put the old belt back on and it never did throw any snow out of the shoot.

[MASTERMOWER]

REPLACE THE HOUSING.

we do ours about 1-2 time a year depending on how bad the winter is but some of our blowers will run 24 hours on a bad (6inch) storm. The largest snow we have had in 10 years is 8 inches, and we only get 1 or 2 most years over 5, so the speed of the toro single stage (i have 9) out weigh any gain of getting a larger one.

I ordered 3 new lower housings yesterday, one to keep as a spare. Should be in tomorrow, right before the next snow. :alien::alien::alien:

But why did Toro design the damn thing with flimsy metal? I'm considering somehow beefing the damn thing up. Evidently I'm not the only one with bent housing issues. :alien::alien::alien:

[spotremix]

i'll back you on the toro brand jr, but you can keep your tecumseh engines. i'll take briggs any day of the week.

[MASTERMOWER]

It's that brand loyal idiot thing again.

i'll back you on the toro brand jr, but you can keep your tecumseh engines. i'll take briggs any day of the week.

Tell me Sport, what experiences had you had with a Tecumseh engine?

I've been telling you guys for years Tecumseh engines ain't too shabby. Briggs are over-rated.....I wouldn't be surprised the least if they (Briggs & Stratton) exponentially out spend Tecumseh on advertising. You're only fooled into perceiving the Briggs brand as great.

Good for you JR.

[steve-o]

I Might Have To Buy Some Of That Sheot..............

Toro power max. I have two, very good machines. Chute control is nice. Get the tecumseh engine, not real keen on the briggs anymore sadly.......Plus, it has a headlight, invaluable. One commercial job I do has 500-600 feet of sidewalk, usually done in the early am.........

here in hooterville we done had two big snows in a 10 month period. i actually got a call from a lady for snow removal on the last one which was commercial. i said no.................... i do work in there but no way i could handle that crap with a shovel and 12" of that crap. this is a new place with only about 7 complete homes. one of them retirement deals. i have to go to the head beotches house monday to do some work. maybe i'll get the whole mess, mowing, fert, irrigation, and snow removal. me and my tools are up for it.....

steve-o

[clclawn]

here in hooterville we done had two big snows in a 10 month period. i actually got a call from a lady for snow removal on the last one which was commercial. i said no.................... i do work in there but no way i could handle that crap with a shovel and 12" of that crap. this is a new place with only about 7 complete homes. one of them retirement deals. i have to go to the head beotches house monday to do some work. maybe i'll get the whole mess, mowing, fert, irrigation, and snow removal. me and my tools are up for it.....

steve-o

steve i you are making it without doing snow, don't start. It might be that i am completly beat, and not getting enough sleep, but i am starting to regret ever starting snow. Then again, we have only had 2 snows this year, but i have had to salt 12 times in 3 weeks and 4 drifting events. just not getting enough sleep lately.

[Sammy]

Did not Tecumseh go out of business ?
I think Spotty may have a valid point here.

Parts will be hard to come by if you need them.

[MASTERMOWER]

Anybody have a Toro 221 snow blower? Toro Consumer 38581, Power Clear Snowthrower, 2009 (SN 290000001-290999999)

It appears to have a different scraper bar set-up. I'm wondering how it holds up in commercial use.

Been reading the 221 has a more powerful engine and you don't need to lift up on the machine to propel it forward. Seems to me no lifting alone would help prevent some of the scraper bar/intake housing damage. Upon a parts look-up I found there is no lower intake housing to replace, rather a larger intake piece --- makes me wonder what Toro knows about this newer design vs the 2450. :alien::alien::alien:

[spotremix]

Did not Tecumseh go out of business ?
I think Spotty may have a valid point here.

Parts will be hard to come by if you need them.

if they went out of business i can see why but thats not why i prefer briggs.

i have a 21 incher with a tecumseh engine and that engine aint worth a sheot.

[MASTERMOWER]

i have a 21 incher with a tecumseh engine and that engine aint worth a sheot.

Probably because it's owned by a dip**** who can't maintain his crap. I've had two Tecumseh engines in the past that wouldn't quit running....the mowers fell apart around the engines.

[steve-o]

You Sure Are Hard On Sporty College Boy..............

Probably because it's owned by a dip**** who can't maintain his crap. I've had two Tecumseh engines in the past that wouldn't quit running....the mowers fell apart around the engines.

why do you call him names all the time? maybe we should call you names.

steve-o

[MASTERMOWER]

What a pain in the ass.

Parts arrived today. Installed new lower housing and scraper bar on both blowers. Discovered a worn belt on one blower and replaced it at the same time. Outlets coated with a little Fluid Film. Bring on the damn snow tomorrow!!!

[spotremix]

why do you call him names all the time? maybe we should call you names.

steve-o

its ok steve-o......

i appreciate you sticking up for me but i don't pay any attention to him anymore anyway.....

i have better things to do than listen to a freaktard like him anyway.