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This picture review covers the Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE. The Toro 724 QXE is identical except for a smaller engine so read this review if you are interested in that snow thrower. I’ll warn you upfront – this is not a “feel good” review where I tell how much you will love to own this snow blower. It will be a features review and we will get into considerable detail about the snow blower.
This review is my opinion only. I did not contact Toro about any of the details in this review.
Update: I’ve had a chance to use the new SnowMaster! Here is a link to my video: 2015 Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE Test on Pavement, Gravel and Turf.
First Report From An Actual Owner of the new 724 QXE! Submitted on 2015/11/22 at 7:01 am | Detroit Michigan – 20X60 driveway that slopes to one side/
Paul, I ordered a 824 on November 2nd and it was still in the box yesterday when the snow prediction went from “2 to 4 inches” to “8 to 12 inches.” Very simple assembly with just 3/8 and 7/16 wrenches. I went through 8″ of very wet snow without a problem. No slipping or sliding sideways like my previous single stage. I find this unit a easier to use than a two stage. It’s more like a self-propelled lawnmower. Easy to turn, easy to pull back.
Update Dec 2016:
The Toro SnowMaster is available at your local Toro Dealer and The Home Depot:
Home Depot: 724 QXE Model 36002 Toro Snow Removal SnowMaster 724 QXE 24 in. 2-Stage Gas Snow Blower 36002 212 cc
Home Depot: 824 QXE Model 36003 Toro Snow Removal SnowMaster 824 QXE 24 in. 2-Stage Gas Snow Blower 36003 254 cc
Click Here To Check Out Toro Snow Blowers at Acme Tools:
Buy Toro Snow Blowers at Acme Tools
Your Local Toro Dealer: Toro Dealer Locator.
I am not going to cover the SnowMaster 724 ZXR (36001) in this article
Who is this snow blower for? Anyone with a hard surface driveway. It’s designed to work on blacktop, cement, pavers, cobblestone, patios and decks. All the parts that touch the surface to be cleared are poly or rubber so you won’t mar your stained concrete driveway of nice deck. Even though the SnowMaster is the same width as Toro’s 24 inch 2-stage snow blowers they claim it will clear snow 30% faster. I’ll tell you why their claim is true later on in the article. This snow blower will handle all types of snow including heavy snow, wet snow, slush and light dustings. Toro claims it will handle snow up to 18 inches – we’ll see – I have a feeling the practical limit will be around 15 inches. Toro states it will throw snow up to 40 feet but remember all snow is different. It will throw “ideal” snow 40 feet but wet snow and slush won’t get thrown that far. Just use the 40 feet as a reference number when comparing this snow blower to other models.
From Toro’s Operator Manual: This machine is intended to be used by residential homeowners or professional, hired operators. It is designed for removing snow from paved surfaces, such as driveways and sidewalks, and other surfaces for traffic on residential or commercial properties. It is not designed for removing materials other than snow, nor is a model with a pivoting scraper designed for clearing off gravel surfaces.
I have a feeling many people who’ve never owned a snow blower will buy this model so I am going to go into more detail of setting it up and using it than I normally do. If you purchase it through The Home Depot and have it shipped for free to your home – it comes in a box. Let me know in the comments below if I went to far, didn’t go far enough or want a different method of review all together.
Why did I pick this model for myself? I like to have two snow blowers. I have a large 2-stage for clearing those 4-20 inch snow falls, my gravel side driveway and a patch of lawn out back for my dogs. I also like to have a single stage to quickly clean those “light dustings” off my front drive. A single stage is more convenient, faster and easier to use than a 2-stage for light snows. My front driveway is not that big. 16 by 60 feet. My single stage is getting a little tired so I decided this is a good time to try out the new Toro SnowMaster. It’s advertised as a single stage snow blower with “two stage technology” so it should be just perfect for my front drive.
Toro manufactures four different types of snow blowers. Single stage snow throwers, the SnowMaster, 2-stage residential and 2-stage heavy-duty. They also make 2-stage ride-on units for universities and municipalities.
This snow blower currently has no competition. It fits somewhere between a single stage and a 2-stage machine. Ask me in the comment section below and I will help you decide if it is a good choice for you instead of a single stage or two-stage snow blower.
I usually purchase one or two snow blowers each year for MovingSnow as base-line units to compare the other snow blower to. This year the economy unit I purchased a this Toro 824 QXE through my local Toro Dealer Eau Claire Lawn Equipment
When you first look at the Toro SnowMaster you can see right away it’s different. It looks like a two stage with the tall discharge chute and tall intake, but then you quickly realize it’s a single stage.
The front intake opening is 18 inches high. This is probably higher than your old snow blower and will allow you to go through deeper drifts.
The second thing you notice is the lack of levers and knobs and switches on the handles.
This is not an expensive snow thrower but Toro did not skimp on any of the details. Heavy duty control cables and clamps. I’ll show you examples throughout this article.
It won’t take you long to get used to this view. The operator’s position has a clear view of what is going on in the front. This snow thrower is no harder to use than your Toro Personal Pace mower! Do you see the black bar under the Loop Personal Pace handle? I will talk about that in later pictures.
Many of you will buy the SnowMaster from Home Depot and will either have it shipped to your home for free or pick it up at your local store. Because of that I asked Eau Claire Lawn to give me one in the box so I could experience the same conditions that you will. Based on previous experience I brought my wife’s van to carry it home. I was just going to slide it in the side door and head home. Guess What! The box the SnowMaster comes in was a lot larger than I had expected! She has the back end of the van full of “stuff” and the rear seat in so we ended up taking it out of the box before I left. At least I didn’t have to get rid of all that cardboard. The easy way to get it out of the box is to open the top of the box and pull out the cardboard corner supports. Then using a utility knife cut around the entire bottom of the box and lift the box off the snow blower. The chute and chute control rod are laying in protective cardboard on the top of the snow blower. If your SnowMaster came assembled you can skip these pictures and go right to checking the oil in the engine.
You will like putting the SnowMaster together. Set up is just two steps – unfold the handle and install the chute.
I raised the handle and tightened the bolts before I took the SnowMaster out of the van. It’s easier to lift that way. The SnowMaster is considerably lighter than a 2-stage snow blower (about 125 lbs.) but you still want someone to assist you with the lift.
Unfold the Handle. Toro has designed the assembly so that the cables should come right up with the handle but check them anyway as you lift the handle to make sure you don’t kink one. You will have to loosen both finger nuts and pull the handle lock (gold j-shaped bolt) out 1/2 inch to raise the handle up all the way. You don’t have to take the finger nut all the way off. If the j-bolt does not move wiggle the handle up and down – side to side. It will move. Once you have the handle raised all the way up push the j-bolt into the bottom hole and tighten the finger nut.
Here is what the j-bolt and finger nut looks like after it’s assembled.
The second and last step: Take the chute out of it’s cardboard protector and slide the long steel chute post into the square hole right in front of the engine. You can’t see it but the hole is tapered so the rod fits correctly the first time. Take the longer bolt (in the plastic bag this manual was in) and a locknut. Put the bolt through the hole in that bracket you just stuck the post in and tighten the nut. It’s a lock nut so tighten it just enough so the post and bolt don’t rattle when you shake the chute.
Here’s what the chute post looks like with the bolt and nut in place.
Look at these four steps and then move to the next picture below.
You found the black rod? One end is flattened and has two holes. Stick the OTHER end into the chute as show in the picture. Turn the rod with your hand as you are pushing it into the hole and the rod will pop in correctly. Go to the next picture.
Do you see how the flat spots are on one side of the rod? Align the rods just like the picture so when we put the bolts in it will be one straight piece. If your rod does not look like this pull it back out of the chute and turn it 180 degrees. Grab two of the remaining bolts and two lock nuts for the next picture.
Those bolts are carriage bolts and you only need one wrench to tighten them. Look at the bolts and you will see a square shoulder. Look at the two rods and you will see one set of holes are square. Put the bolts through the square holes, through the round holes on the other rod and then tighten the two bolts. Go to the next picture.
Ok, you still have one bolt, nut and screw left. In this picture you can see where one of the cables is held up with a clamp. You will see that cable hanging right below the rod you just installed. Take the remaining carriage bolt and put it through the square hole. Put the clamp on the bolt and then tighten the nut. Just one more screw in the next picture and the snow blower is assembled!
There is a cable hanging down by the right wheel. Lift it up and you will see a clamp on it. Then look at the snow blower just in front of the right wheel and you will see a hole. Put the screw through the hole in the clamp and then tighten the bolt into the hole. That’s it! You are Done! Go ahead and play with your new chute. Before you put gas in it let’s check a couple more things though. If you move it around at this point use the black bar under the Personal Pace handle. If the SnowMaster makes a clicking sound – pull back on the Personal Pace handle and it will quiet down.
Let’s cover the Toro engine next. In my opinion the 212 cc engine on the 724 is plenty for this machine and I was very surprised that Toro decided to offer a larger engine. Of course I had to feed the “Tim-the-Toolman” in me and buy the larger engine!
Before you do anything else check the oil. The SnowMaster comes with oil in it and the oil level should be correct. To check the oil get a paper towel and the loosen the Yellow cap on the left side of the engine. By the way, the engine also has two gray caps. These engines are made to be used in many different applications but the gray caps are not used on the SnowMaster – just ignore them.
Here is the procedure in the manual for checking the oil. Go to the next picture to see more.
Unscrew the cap and pull the dipstick out of the engine. Wipe it off with the paper towel and stick it back in. Don’t screw the cap down. This engine oil is checked with the cap/dipstick just resting on the threads. I like to leave it sit there for about 10 seconds. Pull it back out and check the oil level. The oil is new and a light amber color so you may have a hard time seeing the oil on the stick. If you do just lay the dipstick flat on the paper towel and watch where the oil starts to soak into the towel. A flashlight also works to show the reflection of the oil on the dip stick. The level should be correct. By the way: I’m a big fan of using 5W-30 Synthetic oil. The 212 cc uses 17 ounces (about 1/2 quart) the 252 cc uses 24 ounces (about 3/4 quart)
One of the biggest features to me on the SnowMaster is all of the engine controls are on the right side of the engine – out in the open – and easy to get at. The “mitten grip” started handle is located so you can stand in the operator’s position behind the SnowMaster to start it.
Let’s go around the engine – starting with the electric start. To use just plug in a 3-pronged outdoor extension cord. You can use a 16 ga cord up to 50 feet long, 14 ga up to 75 feet and a 12 ga up to 100 feet. If your shed is farther than 100 feet you should move your SnowMaster closer to the outlet. By the way: Electric starters on snow blowers are designed for intermittent use. You will burn up the starter if you let the starter run and run. That means push the red button for 5 seconds then let it sit for 5 seconds. It it does not start in 10 reputations – stop and figure out why. If your SnowMaster is operating correctly and you have followed the starting procedure it will start in the first two or three tries. We’ll get to the starting procedure soon.
The working end of the electric start. I like the cord wrap to keep everything neat and tidy. It’s in the details.
The part you’ll never see. I removed the protective cover to show you the engine output pulley and belt. The SnowMaster uses the new style high strength, flat belts. This belt will not dry out. It has plenty of strength to handle the power. This belt drives both the transmission and an output shaft for the working part of the snow blower. I expect that you will never have to replace this belt.
Moving around to the back of the engine. There is a nice, large hole in the engine shroud to change the spark plug.
One of my biggest pet peeve’s on snow blowers. Toro did it right! An easy to use oil drain. The pipe even has a flat spot far enough out so that you can hold the pipe with a wrench and loosen the drain plug. People, it’s in the details….I can’t find any area of this snow thrower where Toro cut corners to cut costs.
On the right rear corner of the engine – under the black cover is the carburetor. Do you see the two screws? If you are the type who has to remove all the fuel from your snowblower for storage the screw with the Phillips head is the drain screw. If you forget and let the fuel go stale in your SnowMaster you can remove this screw and drain all the gas out of the SnowMaster. Of course please be careful – it will take a 1/2 hour or so to drain.
Finally, Starting the engine. ALWAYS follow the starting procedure and the engine will start every time! The Toro engine has no throttle. It is designed to run at the correct engine speed to blow snow well. It is designed to shut off from “full throttle” without a cool-down period at idle. You turn the engine off by pulling the red key out of the engine. To start it. 1. Push the black primer bulb three times (make sure you cover the little hole in the center) 2. Move the gray lever (choke) all the way to the left. 3. Pull the starter rope or push the starter button. It should start and run very rough. If it has not started after five seconds on the electric start or 4 pulls on the handle push the primer bulb three more times and repeat. 4. Once it starts it will run very rough and probably blow gray/black smoke out the other side of the engine (muffler) Move the gray choke lever to the right and the engine will smooth out and come up to the correct speed (rpm) NOTE: If the engine stopped before you had a chance to move the choke lever to the right – move it now and pull the starter rope 3-4 times. It should start. If it did not start walk away from it for 5 minutes and then start the procedure all over. By the way: I sometimes forget to insert the key. It won’t start without the key pushed all the way in. If you turned off the engine and it has only been off for 5-10 minutes it will start without choking it. Just reinsert the key and pull the starter rope.
Moving around the snow blower. I removed the plastic cover in the center of the SnowMaster so you could see the workmanship. Toro used their famous one-piece frame to make this snow blower as strong – yet lightweight as possible.
Closeup of what’s under the hood. With Toro it’s all about the details. Remember how easy it was to insert the support for the discharge chute. The reason was Toro designed the bottom support so it slid right in! I’m impressed – I hope you are too!
The other side. The black box is the enclosed jack shaft for the front auger. You will never have to get in here to work on the machine or do any maintenance.
Moving around to the front. Here’s a quick comparison of the intake height of a typical single stage on the left to the SnowMaster. The SnowMaster will handle that end-of-driveway drift in one pass. Yes, they are always trying to photo bomb my picts.
Two stage technology. This is a play on words. The part of the SnowMaster that throws the snow is a single stage system but it is different enough from a conventional single stage snow thrower that I won’t give them too hard of time about it. With this front auger the outer areas grabs the snow and quickly sends it to the center. The center then throws it out the chute. Next Picture:
The center section is slightly cupped and curved. This allows this section to grab the snow and throw it out of the chute easily. The slight curve allows it to get most of the snow into the center of the chute.
As the snow is thrown off the center section of the auger, the back of the housing channels it into the chute. The black piece at the top in this picture (called a kicker) catches any snow that didn’t make it into the chute and forces it back down into the auger to be thrown again. This smooth tapered area is a big feature in how well the Toro SnowMaster gets the snow into and up out of the chute. It’s one of the reasons why it’s faster than their two stage snow blowers. What makes this system unique is all the smooth tapered surfaces. Most single stage snow throwers have corners and edges inside the housing that don’t let the snow flow freely through the snow thrower. In fact a few that I have used throw more snow out the front than they do out the chute. The SnowMaster is one of the best designs I have seen.
The chute hangs off of this bracket. The bracket is metal. The gears are self lubricating and covered to stay out of the ice and snow.
It’s in the details. Commercial grade cables. Heavy duty ends. Protective boot over the cable. Heavy duty clamps, springs and brackets.
Under the chute control. This is made from the same tough sub-zero poly as the chute. Ask any dealer if he has ever seen one of the gears wore out.
Just another angle. Here is what the snow sees going into the chute.
And what the snow sees as it leaves the top of the chute.
By the way: The SnowMaster uses sealed ball bearings. No grease fittings to forget or bushings to wear out. This snow thrower is about as maintenance free as you can get.
Toro uses a compression scraper on many of their machines and the SnowMaster is no exception. This scraper “gives” a little so it will ride over small cracks and obstructions. I show you more detail in the next picts.
I’ve tipped the SnowMaster back on the handles so you can see the scraper. When you are cleaning a smooth surface the edge rides on it to give you a clean, clear path right down to the pavement.
When you hit an obstruction like a crack in the cement or a rough spot in your asphalt the scraper flexes up and doesn’t get caught like a metal scraper will. You will be able to clear right down to the pavement most of the time. You won’t get the bone-jarring jolt that you get from a 2-stage when the 2-stage gets hung up on a crack. I know, it’s plastic…..but…
The scraper is made from a hard wearing plastic and reinforced the entire length with the channels you see here. These scrapers don’t crack or break and wear as well or better than than a steel one. Toro has been using this system for years and it works well.
Another picture showing all the wear points on the scraper
The skid shoes are metal and poly. They are made of the same dense material as the compression scraper and will last. This snow blower is so lightweight compared to the 2-stage machines that these skid shoes will give a much longer life. They will not scratch your pavers or stained concrete.
The SnowMaster uses a hanging chute. What that means is all the surfaces that stick on your old 2-stage and normally wear out on your old single-stage won’t. There are no load bearing parts other than the support up on top to wear out or rust. Most manufactures use this technology today because it works so well.
Big hole, solid workmanship. There is nothing flimsy about this chute. In fact many of the parts are used in the Power Max and Power Max HD snow blowers.
Chute Controls. People, it’s in the details….I can’t find any area of this snow thrower where Toro cut corners to cut costs.
No, it’s not the plastic you buy at Walmart. This is not the plastic the old guys complain about. This poly is rated to over -100 degrees and guaranteed for life. It won’t crack or break.
Extra braces as needed. People, it’s in the details….I can’t find any area of this snow thrower where Toro cut corners to cut costs.
Rubber boots, cast eyes, rust resistant coating on the springs, heavy duty cable clamps. People, it’s in the details….I can’t find any area of this snow thrower where Toro cut corners to cut costs.
If you ever have to change the auger belt it’s under this easy to remove cover. Three screws and it’s off.
If you ever have to change the belt it very easy to do. You remove the black pulley, have someone engage the auger handle and then remove the belt. Slip the new one on and reinstall the black pulley. This whole system is tough enough that I have a feeling you will never need to change the belt. In this picture the belt is shown in the tightened position.
Personal Pace cable and controls. People, it’s in the details….I can’t find any area of this snow thrower where Toro cut corners to cut costs.
Lock nuts on all fasteners. People, it’s in the details….
Extra support under the scraper bar. People, it’s in the details….I can’t find any area of this snow thrower where Toro cut corners to cut costs.
No sharp edges on the metal. Ok, I just like this picture…
Carbon Cold Drawn Steel Axle. The axles from the transmissions are carbon steel, cold drawn rounds. In terms of mechanical resistance, this is a good compromise. The shaft itself is not rust treated, so you should expect it to rust over time, which is normal and has no negative impact on the life of the transmission.
Let’s talk about the tires. I first thought the tires were too small. But they are not for two reasons. 1. The SnowMaster is a lot lighter than a 2-stage snow blower. Because it’s lighter it does not need big tires to get enough traction. 2. It’s for use on hard surfaces. You won’t be trying to clear your lawn or trying to clear loose gravel. Because of that you don’t need tall tires. These tires are actually bigger than the old Noma snow blower my neighbor still uses.
Deep Lug Tires.
The Personal Pace transmission with automatic steering. I like this transmission a lot. I expect to see this tranny on more snow blowers next year. Toro does not sell anything until it’s met their extremely high quality standards so don’t be cautious about buying this new model. This transmission has been tested and tested and tested in real world conditions for over three years. By the way: If you are moving the snow thrower around the garage and it’s making a clicking sound, pull back on the Personal Pace handles and the sound will go away.
A size comparison of the Toro SnowMaster to a 21 inch lawn mower
A size comparison of the Toro SnowMaster to a 21 inch lawn mower
A size comparison of the Toro SnowMaster to a 21 inch lawn mower
What else would you like to know? Please ask in the comment section below.
Jim
I bought a new Snowmaster 824 QXE in 2023. The Chute Rod is only 22.5 inches and seems too short to fully seat in the chute to turn it side to side. Does anyone know if there is a longer version?
John Collins
Hi Paul – I live in Maine with a 450′ gravel driveway and my plow guy just retired. I have a 28″ Craftsman 2-stage that has worked well in clearing the walkways and the driveway when needed, except in very wet slushy snow. I’m thinking of buying this to use in addition to clear the entire driveway. I realize they say it’s not for gravel, but I wonder about putting the shoes all the way down and leaving an inch or more of snow which is fine with me. The gravel driveway is extremely well packed, not loose, so I don’t think it would be much of an issue. And I don’t need a world class plow job, I just need to get out and think this being so fast and efficient, that it would do a great job (along with my 2-stage, if/as needed). Am I too optimistic? Thanks, I have found your articles and videos VERY helpful 🙂
Paul
Hi John, The SnowMaster will not work on loose material of any kind. 1. The skid shoes are not adjustable. How this machine works is the scraper bar cleans down to the pavement. The skid shoes are just there to help the scraper bar to not get caught on cracks in the pavement. The skid shoes with the scraper bar are easily replaceable and wear out at about the same rate. Yes, the skid shoes only have a 1/4 inch slot for adjustment to match up with the scraper bar as it wears.
If you want to stay inexpensive and have a snowblower that will handle most of your snow the Toro 826 OHAE is the best choice. Sell off the Craftsman. (though 450 feet of the driveway is a lot to clear with a 24-26 inch snowblower. You will have to make three round trips to get a path wide enough for your car. That’s about 1/2 mile of walking each time you need to clear your drive)
Jay Mastroianni
Paul, I have the 724 qxe and love it. I unfortunately broke a piece of the auger off when I inadvertently hit a raised metal cover that was in a neighbor’s driveway. The machine never stopped and actually still works well, but a 4 inch piece is broken off. I ordered a new Auger from Toro and have it. What is involved in swapping the new auger out? Is that something a dealer should do? From your pics it seems like it would be pretty accessible, just need to know what steps are involved. Thanks for any help you may provide.
Paul
Hi Jay, Go to YouTube and search “replacing paddles on Toro Snowmaster” Nothing may come up but there will be 100’s for replacing the paddles on the 721 PowerClear. The procedure will be similar.
greg fritz
Hi, is it ok to leave the key in the snowmaster when not in use. thx
Paul
Hi Greg, Yes, you can leave the key in. I strongly suggest taking it out if you have any people around who may try to start and hurt themselves.
George
Hi Paul.
I’ve decided to add a snowblower to the must have list this winter. My paved driveway is about 300 ft and I plow the driveway. At the house, I have a cobblestone walkway (about 30′) which needs clearing. Try as I might to back drag with the plow, I inevitably wind up with piles of snow getting dumped on the cobblestone walk.
I also have a 20′ path across the lawn which is alternating bluestone with narrow grass strips in between which I need to clear.
I wanted to get something easy to maneuver (not getting any younger) yet heavy/powerful enough to move what I inadvertently dump on the walk with the plow and to clear the path across the lawn.
I had been looking at the Cub Cadet 24 and 26HD and the Toro 826. I don’t want to “under” buy nor overbuy. What do you suggest as “just right”?
Thanks for any advice-George
Paul
Hi George, The Cub Cadet 2X 26 HD is a good choice. It comes with poly skid shoes so it won’t scratch your pavers. The Toro 826 is also a good choice. It’s one of the most popular snowthrowers on the market. Toro offers poly shoes for that snowblower.
Joshua DeLong
Hi Paul,
I appreciate all of the valuable information on this site. I just became a homeowner for the first time last winter and I’m new to the world of snowblowers. I got a little electric snowblower for Christmas last year, but it doesn’t seem up to the task for the snows we get in Superior Wisconsin. Snow here can be wet and heavy when it comes off the lake. I’m planning to get a real snowblower this fall and would like some help deciding. I have a 4 car asphalt parking pad, a couple of concrete walk ways, and the city sidewalk in front of my house. I’m interested in the Snowmaster, but I also have to clear a path over the lawn between the front of my house and the back and I’m worried that it would give me problems since it’s designed only for paved surfaces. I’m also considering a two stage such as the Ariens Deluxe 24 or Compact 20. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Paul
Hi Joshua, The best “small” snowblower for the heavy/wet snow you get is the (Ariens Deluxe 24 in. 2-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower with Auto-Turn Steering Home Depot Link). It has a lot more capacity than the Ariens Compact 24 and won’t clog on wet snow. The AutoTurn makes it very easy to use.
The Ariens Compact 20 is very hard to find.
Paul Landry
Hi Paul: I have 3 year old Toro SnowMaster 724 that only throws snow spasmodically. The auger spins when I engage the lever but only occasionally will generate enough force to actually throw snow. I am using it in 4-5 inches of light powder so it’s not under heavy load. Mostly it just pushes the snow in front of me but inexplicably will go into action for a few feet of driveway. When this happens, the snow goes 5 or 6 feet. The auger lever doesn’t have any slack in it, the auger paddles are in good shape and the engine is working fine. I’m stumped!
Thanks,
Paul
Paul
Hi Paul, Use your manual (or go here https://www.toro.com/en/homeowner/snow-blowers/snowmaster-724-qxe-36002) to remove the belt cover. Inspect the belt and the tension spring for the idler pulley. Move the auger lever to make sure the belt is actually tightening. If the problems is not under that belt cover I suggest bringing it to a dealer.
Jason
Hi Paul! Thanks for the fantastic review. I live in SW Wisconsin and am torn between two Toro’s, the Snowmaster and Power Max. Both have 252cc engines and the same chute controls. The biggest difference are the stages. We average about 43″ of snow a year so both would work well I think. My driveway is 20′ x 50′ with a normal slope. Which one do you recommend?
Paul
Hi Jason,
If you are the type who gets right out and clears the driveway the SnowMaster is a good choice. It has automatic steering and plenty of power. It will handle the snow you get. On the other hand, it uses a floating scraper bar so it won’t clean driven on snow down to the pavement.
The 824 uses a metal scraper bar so it will clean down to the pavement. It handles the end-of-driveway snow well. On the other hand, it has a locked-solid axle so it’s harder to steer and turn.
If you want a snow blower that cleans down to the pavement, is easy to steer and can handle anything you get in your area the Toro PowerMax 826 OAE has the metal scraper and automatic steering.
Mike
Hi Paul, Thanks for your review. Looking at the serial number, this review is for the 2015 model. I know not much has changed for the current, 2019 model (serial numbers starting with 40431….). I live about 25 miles North of Chicago and 5 miles West of Lake Michigan. My driveway is rectangular, 3 car length and 3.5 car widths. I have had a great classic single stage Toro, model CCR2000E 4.5hp, for over 20 years and am deciding between the SnowMaster 724 and 824 QXE. My current one still works beautifully, but I am ready to upgrade to handle the throw from the middle of the driveway and at the bottom after the town plows add additional height and snow weight. With the current Toro promotions (through 1/31/2019), the net price difference (excluding tax) is $50. What are your thoughts on which engine size to go with?
Thanks a bunch and happy holidays. You have excellent content on here!
Paul
Hi Mike, The same model snow blower can be made for many years so a 2015 SnowMaster® 724 QXE (36002) is the same as the 2018 SnowMaster® 724 QXE (36002). That said, When it comes to snow a bigger engine is usually better. The 824 will throw farther and bust through deeper drifts faster than the 724.
David DiRamio
My driveway is not the steepest, but does have a fairly good slope to it. How does the 824 perform on slopes?
Paul
Hi David, I’ve had a few people state that the SnowMaster has two faults for driveways with a slope. 1 – It’s too lightweight and doesn’t have good traction going uphill 2. It wants to go faster than you can walk going down the hill. With the Personal Pace drive, you can’t hold it back going down the slope especially if it’s slippery.
So I can’t recommend it for driveways with more than a normal slope.
Jim
Thank you for this excellent review, if only for pointing out which screw is the carburetor drain, something that is not clear in the manual at all.
We used this blower over our crap ass winter here in upstate ny, and it was pretty good. Excellent if there’s about 3-6 inches of snow, and fast. The machine is very light which is great since the kids can use it, but can be a detriment when it sort of “floats” over snow.
Honestly the biggest gripe I have with the thing is that the black rod for chute controls goes right over the gas cap. This makes putting gas in with a standard spout really frustrating. Sometimes it seemed like more gas went on than in the machine. Fixable, yes, but a simple design flaw. Thanks again.
Donald Dickstein
I left the fuel in my machine by mistake last year and now my machine will not start. I drained the tank and refilled with fresh with no success. With fuel in the tank, I removed the drain screw on the bottom of the carburetor bowl but no fuel came out. I am thinking the fuel filter may be clogged but I can not find it. Any suggestions ????
Paul
Hi Donald, Snow throwers don’t have fuel filters – or air cleaners. The SnowMaster also does not have a fuel shutoff. So, the most likely problem is the needle valve in the carb is full of gunk from the old gas separating. If you are handy you can remove the carb, clean it and install a rebuild kit. Or – install a new carb. If you let your dealer repair it they will install a new carb. A new carb is cheaper for you than the labor they would have to charge for a rebuild.
Thomas
I notice your review doesn’t actually include any use of the snowblower. I have one of these and when it comes time to move snow, I spend as much time shoveling the same area that I ran this snowblower over as I do running the snowblower. Kind of makes it pointless to own. I certainly expected more from an $800 machine.
Paul
Hi Thomas, yes, it had not snowed yet when I posted this review. If you would please use the search box above and search for SnowMaster you will find other articles that do discuss using it in snow. You can also go to my Youtube channel and see if in action Paul Sikkema on YouTube.
It is very hard to remember to update 2-5-year-old articles but in the latest articles this year like the “Top Twenty List,” I am very specific that the SnowMaster is a very easy and fast snow thrower but it is not for everyone. If you drive over your snow before you clear it, if you have to clean right down to the pavement, if get a lot of deep heavy snow and if you want to clean your lawn for your dogs it’s not the best choice.
So, depending on where you live a single stage gas powered like the Toro 721E or a 2-stage like the Toro PowerMax 826 OXE may be a better choice.
Did you use this review that I wrote in Oct 2015 to make your decision to buy this snow blower or did you get your info from another article like the Wirecutter 2016 article?
Mike M
Hi Paul, awesome site. I just used my new snowmaster 824QXE on the Bomb Cyclone snow we got in NYC, and loved almost everything about it. One sticking point is that the discharge chute does not always respond to the chute control when rotating from one side to another. Many times I had to stop the machine, hold down the blue knob and use my hands to rotate the chute. The control works flawlessly in a heated garage but gets stuck in 23 degree weather. Is that a common issue? Should I maybe try silicone spray on where the chute contacts the main body? Tnx!
Paul
Hi Mike, Sorry, your comment got stuck in the spam folder. That chute control should work flawlessly. I suggest having your local Toro dealer inspect the control and see what needs to be adjusted/replaced.
Jim Sirks
Hey Paul, thanks for the recommendation. From another article, I saw that you also really liked the Husqvarna ST 224P, but my local shops were all sold out. My local ACE had the TORO Snowmaster, so I went to take a look. My last blower was a monster 2-stage TORO, and I’ve got to admit that this looked puny next to the old dog. But I took a chance and I’m glad I did. WOW, does this thing throw snow! And fast! We’ve got about 8″ down right now and I did my 2-car driveway and 400′ of sidewalk (corner lot) in about 5 minutes! Are you kidding me?!! It’s fairly quiet, light, and extremely maneuverable- like pushing a lawnmower around. Sure, it’s probably not going to eat frozen plow drifts like the bigger beast, but I live in Battle Creek, Michigan, and we are plagued with snow bands off of Lake Michigan sometimes on a daily basis. Being able to do my property and the neighbor’s in under 15 minutes will be amazing! BTW, my 13 year old son just took it down the street to make a few bucks…
Tonya
HI Paul, just looking for a snow blower for Long Island winters. Would like something light weight and easy to use since I am a 50 year old woman. I have a 4 car driveway and about 100 feet of walkway to clear.
Paul
Hi Tonya, If you want light weight, easy to use and powerful enough to handle the heavy, wet snow you can get I Suggest the Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE. The extra power will help a lot with the type of snow you get.
Mike Smith
Hello. Never needed a snowblower but have just moved to Spokane, WA and need one. Record snowfalls last season and want to be over-ready rather than under-ready. Have around 2700 sq.ft. of relatively flat cement driveway but am told by neighbors that I need something that will handle the plow-berm at end of driveway which quickly freezes.
I am retired at 63 due to health issues and no longer able to man-handle heavy equipment.
I need a self starter with easy reach controls and the ability to turn around the machine at end of passes. I also don’t want to find my purchase to be a disappointment half way thru the season. My income is fixed, but it seems likely that to get what I want it will be in the $650 to $850 range.
Have researched 1-stage and 2-stage blowers to death at this point and need to make a decision. The Toro SnowMaster series looks promising due to quality, ease of use, and new faster 1-stage that is like a 2-stage. Also considering 24-inch 2-stage units – Honda, Toro, Troy-Bilt, Craftsman (though none have power steering at that size), and a Yardmaster or Snow-Tek.
Your thoughts and guidance would be appreciated. Thanks.
Mike
Paul
Hi Mike, I think the SnowMaster will be the right snow blower for you. Spokane averages about 45 inches a year so the SnowMaster’s capacity fits. It also has power steering and is very light weight so it’s easy to use.
The SnowMaster 724 QXE 24 in. Single-Stage Gas Snow Blower with the quick chute controls is a good value and a good choice.
Be aware – it will handle the end-of-driveway snow but it won’t be as fast as doing it as a 2-stage. Because of it’s light weight just take half-passes and it will get it done. The same goes if you get 12-14 inches of heavy, wet snow.
rob
Hi Paul,
I’m thoroughly confused and overwhelmed by all these choices, thanks for this service!
I live outside Danbury, Ct., I’m 59, male, tall, in good shape. Driveway is slight slope (which becomes painful with snow!), wraps past house to 2 car garage and turn around, with slight slope downward. Street to front of house (the incline) is about 50 ft., with maybe another 75 ft to garage.
I was a newbie last snow blower purchase and of course got the wrong machine, a single stage Yard Machine 21″ (please, be kind…), and not surprisingly it’s been outclassed by anything but 2 or 3 inches of snow.
The trauma of this experience has led me to want a machine that can make a previously torturous chore….routine broken belts, and finally, an ER visit for a hand injury that resulted from my pushing too hard, and my hand swelling up to the size of a base ball for 3 weeks.
I want a machine that will be easy, easy, easy….power everything, I want to merely walk behind the machine giggling, but also reliable enough so I don’t get stranded mid job by some belt tearing or other mechanical malfunction. I do not mind over compensating for my previously bad judgment, especially since I’m not getting any younger…although would like to keep it under $1000.
Also, we typically get 6-12 inches of snow per storm, some as high as 20 inches, so I want to be prepared for the worst without over spending. I also have no need to be Tom the Tool Man here, I just can’t figure out which machines fit my needs.
Please make recommendations.
Paul
Hi Rob, Danbury averages about 45 inches a year so in theory any of the 2-stage snow blowers are a good choice. But, like you mentioned, you have been getting at least one 20 incher every year for the last few years so a snow blower that can handle the deeper snow well and the typical 1-12 incher’s is a plus.
A 24 to 28 inch snow blower is a good width. They are not too wide and with power steering are easy to use. If your wrist is still weak I suggest staying with a 24-26 inch machine. It’s the easiest on your wrist.
I’m going to suggest a 24 inch and a 26 inch model. One Ariens and one Toro. Both fit your budget. If you want a wider one write back please. Both of these snow blowers just don’t break ever and are the most reliable on the market. The Ariens use two auger drive belts and the Toro uses a special belt. On both machines the belts will last well over 10 years. Both of these use automatic power steering. No extra triggers to use to steer them.
The Toro Power Max® 826 OXE Model 37781 at Home Depot is the easiest to use. The single joystick chute control is what everyone else strives to be like. The snow blower will handle the 6-12 inchers without a whimper and is quite capable of clearing the 20 inch snow you can get. The only minor downfall for your driveway is the wheels may be a little small. If you get the machine and you have traction issues going up the hill Toro makes a set of tires chains for it. That will solve your any traction issues you may have. It’s an easy to use, lightweight, yet very tough snow blower. I get about the same amounts of snow you get and I would have no issues buying one for my property.
The Ariens Deluxe 24 in. at Home Depot has a slightly larger engine. It has larger tires and a little more capacity than the Toro. It’s also one of the toughest snow blower in the $1000 range. The only real disadvantage is the chute control is more awkward to use. You have to reach over the dash to crank the chute from side-to-side. Short people complain about reaching over the dash but it didn’t take me long to get used to it. Ariens also offers tire chains for it if your slope is too steep.
Either snow blower is a great choice and you will be the envy of all the neighbors.
rob
Thanks so much, Paul. Part of my confusion is that it’s hard to get past all the hyperbole about some of the models and the features…I should not consider the Toro 724? It sounds..perfect. Although so do your recommendations.
Paul
Hi Rob, the 724 is too lightweight. It will handle the lighter snows but you’ll be out there all week with an 18-20 incher. It runs out of traction quickly with wet, heavy snow. I have one here but I keep a heavy-duty 2-stage for wet snow, heavy snow and the 17 inch plus storms.
rob
That’s what I needed to hear! The Ariens Deluxe 24 handles easily and it won’t be overkill on those 5 inch snow falls ?
Paul
@Rob, No, it will be just fine. You may want to install the Ariens poly skid shoes. The poly won’t scratch your driveway.
rob
Edit: I see Home Depot has the Cub Cadet 24 2X on sale @ $699, is this a comparable machine to the Ariens and the Toro you rec’d?
~Robert
Paul
Hi Rob, No, the Cub Cadet 2X, Troy-Bilt, Craftsman, MTD, Yard Machines, Remington, Columbia, Husqvarna 200 series, etc. are all good snow blowers for the 10 inch and less snows. They will plug on heavy, wet snows and the 2o incher’s will keep you out on the driveway for hours. But you wanted a machine that would handle the incline and the 20 inch snows without over spending. The two I suggested fit those requirements perfectly.
The machines I suggested will both last a long, long time and won’t ever give you any problems, broken belts in the middle of the storm or other irritating issues.
By the way, there are more expensive machines than these two if you really want the absolute best.
rob
Thanks so much, Paul, I really appreciate this! 2 last questions: If you had to pick the Toro v. the Ariens, which one?
And the Ariens doesn’t come std. with skid shoes?
Paul
@Rob, The Ariens comes standard with metal skid shoes. They are very durable but if you have a nice driveway they may scratch and leave brown rust marks. It that is a worry then purchase the optional poly shoes.
Nope, I can’t pick for you. I suggest going into a Home Depot and playing with each one.
rob
Edit: (They’re both 2 stage, sorry..)
Other than the wheel size, is there any inherent disadvantage to the Toro, or any inherent advantage to the Ariens?
Paul
Hi Rob, sorry I’m late to answer. The SnowMaster compared to the Ariens it’s really a personal choice. The Snowmaster is faster for the lighter snows but the Ariens will always handle any snow you get.
Lisa
Hi Paul,
What a great public service you are providing! I live in Mountain Lakes, NJ and recently moved to a house with quite a bit of driveway. We have always shoveled. We got 12″ last week and it took a combined 10 man hours to shovel our large drive which has a circle and a long straight part and includes steep slopes. I do not know the square footage but the driveway can accommodate 12-14 cars. Time for a snow blower! I am 5’2″ and need to be able to manage the blower myself since my husband frequently travels. This makes the Snowmaster very appealing but I am concerned about the slope and the width of the driveway. I would appreciate your opinion. Thanks in advance!
Paul
Hi Lisa, Mountain Lakes is a beautiful area of this great country!
According to the climate data you only average 29 inches a year so a 2-stage snow blower really isn’t necessary most of the time. The 12 inches you got is more of a fluke than anything. The lightweight SnowMaster is a great choice because it will save you hours of time when you get 2-6 inches yet it will still be able to handle that 12-14 inch snow fall if needed. When clearing 2-6 inches you can literally clear snow as fast as you can walk.
It’s biggest advantage for you though is that it’s easy to use – as easy as using a self-propelled walk-behind lawn mower. Just start it, grab the handle and go. The Toro SnowMaster 724 QXE and 824 QXE are both easy enough to start with the pull rope but they also have the electric start if needed.
Slope and width: The SnowMaster is light compared to the 2-stage machines – and about half the weight. If you can easily drive your car up the slope in the winter the SnowMaster will have no problems clearing 2-6 inches going up the slope but it may lose traction trying to clear 10-14 inches. In that case go down the slope, then just go back up the slope in the path you just cleared. In other words, don’t try to blow snow going uphill. Even doing the task that way it will save you hours over shoveling and will still be faster than most 2-stage snow blowers.
If the driveway is two cars wide you can always go across the drive – just like you do now when shoveling. You won’t have any issues with traction then. You can go forwards clearing the snow, then just pull it back to take another pass. It’s unique in that it completely free-wheels when you pull it backwards. The is no resistance pulling it backwards (It does not have or need a reverse)
I understand you have a large driveway and most of the time I would suggest a 28-34 inch snow blower for it but: You don’t get that much snow most of the time so having a huge snow blower is a waste of money. 2. The big snow blowers weigh 2 -3 times more than the SnowMaster and would be much harder for you to handle. 3. The SnowMaster is so quick on the 2-6 inch snow that you can get done faster with this 24 inch machine than you could with a much larger snow blower.
Either the Toro SnowMaster 724 QXE or the 824 QXE will do a good job but the 824 does have quite a bit more power for the heavier snows. You will be glad you spent the money on the extra horsepower when the next big “Armageddon” comes.
Feel free to keep asking questions
You are welcome to buy at your local Toro dealer. If you want to buy through The Home Depot here are the links:
Toro SnowMaster 724 QXE at Home Depot
Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE at Home Depot
Peter Macaluso
Wyckoff, New Jersey average home with driveway and small patio
Paul
Hi Peter, You don’t average a lot of snow, about 25 inches a year so the SnowMaster 724 QXE will work very well. The nice thing about the SnowMaster is it’s fast for those 2-6 inch snows but is still quite capable of clearing the Nor’easter you get once in a while.
Tom
I live in Providence, RI, so we get the winter Nor’Easters like last weekend (2/10/2017). I live on a corner lot and the side sidewalk gets piled up from our skillful plow drivers. I have had a Toro single-stage (CCR 2450) for about ten years and love it. Because of…life, I did not get the two-stage blower I wanted for this season. I had my heart set on the Toro Powermax HD 826 OXE, but Toro discontinued it. I’ll buy the 28 inch model, but I’m wondering if I should wait until this season is over to buy instead of buying now. What do you think? Thanks for all of the useful information you provide.
Paul
Ho Tom, I wasn’t aware that that model was discontinued. The best deals are usually in Sept-Oct.
Snow blowers don’t have model years so any leftover stock just hangs around the warehouse. As far as I know Toro is not changing the HD line so you won’t find any clearance sales this spring.
Albert
Hi Paul,
thank you so much for your thorough reviews here! Immensely helpful.
In reading the one about the Toro 724QXE and all the comments below I ended up a bit confused and hope you can help me out. We have a vacation home in the Lake Tahoe area and, while the past few years we had depressingly little snow, last year and this winter have produced the average of 3-400″ of snow up on the mountains. I would guess that at our house we get somewhere to 1/3 to 1/4 of that amount, so probably in the 75-100″ range. Sometimes 1-2 feet in one storm.
Now, I think in some of your comments above you have recommended 2 stage blowers for areas that get >50″ of snow. On the other end, I only have to clear my driveway (two car garage, and only about 35 feet long; a litle bit of a slope; and I only need to throw the snow over to either side, when clearing from the middle; so about 8-10 feet or so. In one of the comments you mentioned that the only advantage of a 2-stage over the Snowmaster is that they throw snow farther. Given that, and that the snowmaster is actually faster and also lighter, would you still recommend the snowmaster for my situation? And if not, any recommendation (ideally one I can get at the local HOme Depot) would be greatly appreciated.
One other thing to mention is that we sometimes can only get to the house some time (days) after a storm moves through. So the snow may be old and there may be a berm on the street side from the street clearing.
Thank you in advance for your help!
Albert
Paul
Hi Albert, The safe bet for me is to suggest the 2-stage Power Max 826 OXE (link to THD). It has the auto turn trans like the SnowMaster and will push through old snow and the snow plow drift at the end of the driveway. In your case the lightweight of the SnowMaster may not work.
Don’t worry about the extra weight. The snow blower is balanced well and very easy to use. It will last a long, long, long time.
Albert
THank you so much.
One quick follow up: in one of the answers below you also recommended the Ariens Deluxe 24. Which seems to cost about the same at HD (I would need both shipped to the house which is probably preferable anyway). How does it differ from the power max 826 oxe? It is narrower of course but otherwise the specs seem similar.
Thanks again.
Albert
Paul
Albert, I couldn’t decide on which one of these two machines is better if I had too. The Toro has a 4-way joystick that is the best in the industry. The chute is warrantied forever. It won’t clog.
The Ariens has a simple to use lever discharge system but some people complain about having to reach over the dash to use it. It has an all metal chute. It won’t clog.
I normally suggest going to each dealer and buy from the one you like the best. If you buy through HD and have it shipped you have to be able to take it out of the crate, read the operator’s manual and set it up. It’s up to you to get it set up and running correctly.
Don Reiter
Hi Paul, I’ve been very impressed with your reviews, comments, and photos. I’m hoping I can get your helpful opinion. I’m looking at the Toro 724 Snow Master for my place in Calgary, AB. I show that we get 51″ of snow each year, usually fairly small dumps. I have a double car garage, with about a 2 or 2 1/2 driveway. I wanted to get an idea of if the 724 would be ‘big’ enough, or if I need the 8hp. Thank you so much for your help.
Also, now that you’ve had your 824 for a while, how do you (still) like it?
Don
Paul
Hi Don, If you don’t have deep, hard drifts or big end-of-driveway pile to deal with everytime it snows, it sounds like the 724 will work. Of, course more power is always better…
If I could use the 824 on turf to clean a spot for my dogs it would be the only snow blower I need. I live in a wooded area so I don’t get drifts. Plus, I live on an emergency route so the snow plows come past every 15-30 minutes when it snows so my end of driveway pile is always small.
Personally, I’m not a big fan of the Personal Pace but there are 100,000 plus owners who say they like it. I don’t use it enough and I never get used to the fact that you just grab the handles and start walking. You don’t have to push them to make it work.
Don Reiter
Thanks very very much Paul, I called around, and while HD says they would price beat, when I just called them, they wouldn’t. So I’m very happy to support a local dealer, and am getting the 824 for $1199 on sale (regularly $1399). Might be more HP than I need, but with the sale, it’s the same price as the 724, so I’m going to grab it. Of course, they’ve just announced that it’ll be +4 this weekend, so all that snow will melt.
Paul
Hi Don, Great! Well my 1-3 inches this morning turned into 10 by the end so you never know about winter. When you get a chance let us know how you like it.
racerx9
Can you show exactly which screw to remove to drain all the gas. I ran it “dry” but there is still some gas in the tank. It wont start, but id like to remove all the gas.
Paul
HI racerx9, If you are standing behind the snow blower the carb is on that end of the engine under the black shroud. I usually tip the snow blower up on it’s nose to see it. There are two screws on the carb bowl. You want to remove the one with the Phillips/hex head.
Jill G.
Hi Paul,
Your review, comments and illustrations are so helpful, thanks! Sounds like you don’t think it’s absolutely necessary to remove the gas from the carburetor (once the rest of the gas is out and the machine stops running), is that right? If it will prolong the life of this great machine I’ll do it but if it won’t really make a difference, I’d prefer not to.
Thanks,
Jill from Boston
Paul
Hi Jill, I always run a fuel stabilizer in my fuel. That way I don’t have to worry about draining the gas. If you don’t have fuel stabilizer in it now mix up a batch in your storage can. Fill the tank on the SnowMaster. Run the snow blower for about 5 minutes and that will mix the stabilized fuel into the carb. You’ll be good until it snows.
Jill G.
Excellent, thanks Paul!
Rodney
Hi Paul. Thanks for the informative information. I have ordered the Snowmaster 824 QXE from the dealer here in Halifax, NS. We do get the occasional “big storm” but not to the extent that the more northern parts of Canada get. The dealer has the machine but I didn’t want delivery until the cover that I ordered comes in because I’m going to have to keep it outdoors most of the time and I wanted the custom cover for it. The over is pricey but one has to protect their investment.
I ordered the 824 before even seeing your page. I have a level, paved driveway that will hold 4 cars. I was going to get the PowerMax but I can see now that it would be overkill and the 824 sounds like the perfect model for me.
Because of your information, I now feel assured that I have made the right decision as to my choice. Of course, I’m looking forward to getting it in a week or so but I could wait until next winter to use it….lol. Of course, my wife calls it “another toy”..:)
Once again thanks…..Rodney
Paul
Hi Rodney, You are welcome. DO NOT show her how to use it! You’ll never get a chance to play with it if you do. It’s as easy to use as a lawnmower and she will be clearing the snow all the time!
Rodney
Thanks for the quick reply. Well, if the wife wants to use it, I’ll just stay inside and watch football!!!….Take care….Rodney
Karl
Paul,
Thanks again for your help in making the choice of a new machine. I went with the Snowmaster 824QXE because no one ever complains about too much horsepower… And the Toro dealership here set it up, delivered it and gave me a walkthough of its features on delivery.
As for my location, I am really close to the old Lincoln highway, but US 30 is bypassed a few miles away. I am not near Clinton and am just on the east side of Cedar Rapids.
I do really appreciate all the time you put into this site and the insightful reviews. It really made me a much more informed buyer.
Thanks again,
Karl
Paul
Hi Karl, Excellent! I bought the 824 myself and I love it. Telling me where you live brings back great memories. This was long before the bypass was put in but when I was a kid we used to sell cattle to the meat packing plants in Waterloo. I always got to ride along in a semi for that trip. There used to be a huge truck stop (to me) at the junction of 30 and 218 and we always stopped there to eat. For some reason the pies were always better at the truck stops than they were at home…..
Karl
Paul,
Thank you so much for all the effort you put into these reviews. The details allow the reader to really make an informed choice.
I have a 20-year-old single stage which which has worked hard, but is now really beginning to rust out and it’s time to decide on a replacement for next season. I live in eastern Iowa, about 20 miles north of Interstate 80. The snow we get here in the heart of winter is typically the Alberta clipper type bringing as many as 6 inches of the light, fluffy stuff. Deep snow falls are relatively uncommon with a storm in excess of a 12-inch accumulation occurring about once every two years and storms dumping more than 18 inches are more like once in a generation. But the problem more toward the beginning or end of the season when wet, heavy or slushy snow or even accumulations of sleet pellets. The old single stage doesn’t handle this well and I’ve had to resort to breaking up the end-of-driveway plow furrows with a spade, even for some of the lighter snows.
My driveway is only about 50 feet long tapering from triple width down to double width before reaching the curb plus about 160 feet access sidewalk. But, I need to drive the snowblower up a curb (while clearing the plow furrow) to reach some of the sidewalk. As the descendant of a mailman, I appreciate their labor and, if the snow is deep, I like to clear a path across the lawn and clear access through the plow furrows for them.
With this in mind, I’d think the Toro SnowMaster might be a good choice as it has plenty of power and the auger-paddle design is a vast improvement over the single-stage designs of 20 years ago. The question is whether this is enough or whether I need to get into a two-stage model. If I go with the two-stage I’m leaning toward the Husqvarna ST324P mainly because of the hydrostatic transmission.
So, the question is whether the SnowMaster is likely to be enough or whether a two-stage is a better choice. Further, whether driving up over the curb is better done with the SnowMaster because I’m less likely to break stuff.
Thanks
Paul
Hi Karl, So you live somewhere along Highway 30? East or west of Dewitt? Sorry, most of my relatives live around Clinton :).
If your driveway is protected so you don’t get the 4-6 foot drifts then yes, the SnowMaster is a good choice. It will handle snow up to 18 inches well but if you get deeper than that a lot you may want the 2-stage Husqvarna. I Know you said you don’t get many snow storms with deep snow but I also remember the drifts the side roads can get out of town.
If you could clear across your lawn with the single stage then you will be able to use the SnowMaster. Again it is not designed for the lawn, but I have used it on lawns more than once myself.
It handles wet heavy snow and slush a lot better than a 2-stage. The Husqvarna ST324 does better than most 2-stages for the wet stuff, but I still like the SnowMaster.
The best thing about the SnowMaster compared to the ST324 is how fast it clears the 6 inch and less snowfalls. It will literally clear as fast as you can walk.
Mike
Hello, I live in Buffalo, NY. I could use your opinion on what you think of the Toro SnowMaster. I have been researching 2 snowblowers, the Toro SnowMaster 724 QXE and the Toro Powermax 724 OE. I am leaning toward the SnowMaster because it has the Personal Pace system, automatic steering, and a wide chute which help prevent clogging whereas the Powermax does not. I have a 2 car garage with a driveway that can park up to 6 cars. I live on a main road and get a lot of end of driveway snow because the plow will come down my street about 4-5 times a day. This leaves a lot of old compacted, heavy snow with chunks of snow and ice mixed in. I like the SnowMaster but am afraid it will not handle my end of driveway snow as efficiently as the Powermax might. Sometimes the snow in my driveway will sit for 8-9 hours after it snows until I come home from work to clear it out. In your opinion, how well do you think the SnowMaster will cut through compact, heavy end of driveway snow say a foot and a half high? Would you recommend this model for my purpose or do you think I would be better off buying the Powermax. Thank you for your reply!
Paul
Hi Mike, From what I know of snow in Buffalo neither the SnowMaster or the PowerMax is enough snow blower. My first choice would be the PowerMax HD 826 OXE. Most of the areas around Buffalo get 2 or 3 feet at a time and the 724 OE will just take a long, long time to clear all that snow.
If you don’t want to spend $1400 on the PowerMax HD take a serious look at the Ariens Deluxe 24. It has the capacity to handle your snow and it’s just a little more money than the 724 OE.
Michael
My question is very similar to the above question from Mike in Buffalo. I live in Fargo, ND, and live on a residential corner lot (lots of sidewalk). Double driveway, that can probably fit four large vehicles. We have gotten between 15-20″ of snow so far this year, and temps have been VERY cold. I’m looking at Toro snowblowers because (a) I have a Toro lawnmower, and (b) my local dealer is very good to work with and I want to give them the business. I’m currently going back and forth between the 724 QXE and the 724 OE, but are these not “strong enough” for my climate? End-of-driveway snow can become very deep, compacted, and icy if I don’t get to it right away. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Paul
Hi Michael, My quick answer is the 724 OE is a decent choice but you may wish you had more power for the deep drifts. Just so you know the 724 OE does not have power steering.
Take a look at the Power Max® 826 OXE (37781). It has the auto steering like the SnowMaster and the right amount of power so that you will really like it over the next 20 years. It’s only $200 more.
Pinto
Thanks Paul!
Pinto
Thanks for this wonderful website. It’s a great resource for researching snowblowers. I live in North Jersey and our driveway is asphalt, flat about 65ft long and 10ft wide, though I usually only clear about 25ft into the drive way plus the apron and sidewalks. I am wondering if the Snowmaster 724 QXE would be a good fit. Would I need the power of the 824, or perhaps something different all together.
Paul
@Pinto, The 724 QXE will work for north Jersey. I only recommend the 824 if you get two or three 15-18 inch snow falls every year.
Jim Shaffer
I have been spending an inordinate amount of time over the past few weeks researching snowblowers. I just wanted to tell you that, without exception, this has been the most thorough, informative, and helpful article that I’ve EVER seen, not just on snowlblowers, but on any such product.
Thank you, Paul, for an amazingly helpful column….the photos, the narrative, and the video clips have most definitely allowed me to make my purchase decision.
Jim Shaffer
Martinsburg, WV
Paul
Hi Jim, You are very welcome. Feel free to stop back later and tell us how the Snow Master is working for you!
Michael K
Is it true that there are no shear pins on the 724QXE? How does that work??
Paul
Hi Michael, There are no shear pins on single stage snow blowers. For two reasons that I can think of. One the paddles (auger) are spinning a lot faster than a 2-stage machine so the majority of the time it will just bounce off an obstruction. Two, they use a belt to drive the impeller so if something does get wedged into the machine the belt will slip or break.
Marlene elliott
We have some gravel in part of the driveway. Should the scraper be removed or can it be raised. We have the Toro 824 qxe.
Paul
Hi Marlene, Do Not remove the scraper.
If your ground is frozen I would not adjust the skid shoes at all. You will get a few rocks but not enough to worry about. The snow thrower is so light it will glide over 95% of the gravel.
Even with the scraper set for cleaning cement it is picking up less rocks than the larger and heavier 2-stage machines I have been comparing it against.
John
Great review. Couple of question:
1. Can me and my wife (both average size and strength) lift it up and load it into our suv (Honda Pilot)
2. Can the handle bar easily lowered and the chute control rod easily detached? What is the height with the above done? The height clearance of my suv is about 30″.
Paul
Hi John, 1. Yes, it weighs about 120 lbs. 2. No, and the real problem is the chute itself. The chute is 37 inches tall. 2 bolts to split the chute rod, 2 bolts to remove the chute and 2 bolts to lower the handle. It’s a 10 minute job with the right tools.
Kevin
I live in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. I have about a 50-60 foot long concerte driveway. We can get some heavy wet snow. I can get the 724 model with pull start for 650 or with electric start for 750. Would this model be better then a model I could get from Menards called a Remington? It is a 24 inch also 2 stage with electric start for $600 but I can right now get 11% off in a mail in rebate.
Paul
Hi Kevin, What happens if something goes wrong with your Menards Gas engine purchase? If you put gas in it – it’s yours. You have to find a repair center to get it fixed. Where do you get parts for your new Remington?
The 724 QXE is proving to be almost twice as fast as 24 inch 2-stage. It’s a lot easier to use. A Toro is serviced by any Toro dealer and parts are easily available.
Paul Alico
Paul, Just set up my new Toro 824qxe. Question: Do the skids have to be adjusted initially?? I notice the scraper bar sets on the level concrete as it is sent. With it touching down, will it be a problem, as I have a couple of slabs of concrete, that always caught my older Toro 534 2 Stage?? Should I just try it first, to see how it handles those areas, before making any alterations to the way it is delivered?? Thanks so much.
Paul
Hi Paul. You should be able to leave the skids down on the SnowMaster. I would not adjust it unless it is catching a lot. The scraper has some give in it and it should ride over those cracks. Tor calls it a Compression Scraper. I have a few metal expansion joints that always catch on a two-stage and the SnowMaster glides right over them. The scraper is made to clear right down to the pavement and still last a long time.
Tony300S
So I took the leap and ordered my Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE online (Mutton Power Equipment) back in early December 2015 after weeks of research and reading online reviews (Thanks Paul!) and finally got to break it in this weekend in the “Blizzard of 2016”. Before I get into its actual use, I did want to note a point of caution as far as the new in box transport/delivery goes.
At some point my shipping carton must have been turned on end, because upon delivery inspection there was oil inside the box. It looked worse than it really was in the end (about 1oz), but these units do ship pre-filled with oil in the engine, so any severe tipping in the backward position will cause oil to leak out of the overflow tube. After topping off the oil, filling with gas and a quick setup (30 min max) the SnowMaster fired up on the first pull (have yet to use electronic starter).
During my 1st dry run after setup I was surprised how quiet the SnowMaster idled, and how clean it ran, no smoke like the 2-stroke units I have used in the past. The forward motion of “Personal Pace” was a bit jerky at first partially due to a slight learning curve of the feature, but also because there was no snow to actually control/slow the initial acceleration on dry asphalt. I also learned that you do not need to set the choke to the start position for re-start if the engine is still warm, it actually won’t start in this position, so just keep it in the run position under these circumstances.
Fast forward to Jan. 23-24, 2016 we get hit here in NJ with the “Blizzard of 2016” and my Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE got its first taste of snow…. 16-18+ inches at that day one, and another 4-6 the next day! Well I’m happy to report she ate it all up and barely broke a sweat . My driveway is about 120′ long, basically flat and double width, some snow drifting took the snow level above the intake, but a quick 2nd pass and it was down to pavement again. The majority of the snow was light with some damp layers at the bottom which it threw 25+ feet EASY! End of driveway snow was cut through with only the slightest bit of restriction, but I’m really glad I went with the bigger (252cc) motor because this is where it shines! I even went as far as running the fully frontage of my yard (200′) in the road on 8-12″ (half-width pass) of pre-plowed snow and the SnowMaster chewed it right up and spit it out 10+ feet, while my neighbor gave up with his bigger 2-stage on the same snow.
So to sum this snow blower up, I would call it the game changer of 2016. I’m so glad I invested my time and money into this SnowMaster 824. Just like my Toro Recycler mower, it has yet to let me down. Great Toro build quality and design, ease of maintenance and most of all, proven dependability. I have run my 824 QXE for about 4-hours now and it has never clogged or stalled no matter how hard it was pushed. Personal Pace and the “Quick Stick” are awesome, and you have to remind yourself this is work at times because it’s really that fun and easy to use. Just point it and walk, no speeds, gears or heavy machine to struggle with. I’ll be recommending this Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE to everyone for years to come! A+++
Paul
Hi Tony, That’s great to hear! I don’t want the snow you got but I really want to use a SnowMaster to clear it! I’m glad you like your new machine.
Josh
Paul,
Thanks for quick response.
I asked the question on Snowmaster 724 as – it does not seem to be true 2 stage snowblower – it does not have the fan/impeller which becomes the 2nd stage of the throw process. Without that step – can it be called as true 2 stage snowblower and can it handle the heavy load?
I like 724 as it has lightweight and the speed but if it cannot throw the snow like 2 stage – it may be better to go for powermax.
Hope you can clarify this.
Thanks
Paul
Hi Josh, You have to read “companies” advertising very carefully. Toro uses the term “two-stage technology”. It is not a 2-stage snow blower although it’s proving this weekend that it will do as well as most of the residential 2-stage snow blowers.
So it is a single stage snow thrower. It is different than you typical single stage in that the front auger is taller and the front is open. That allows it to throw snow farther than a single stage and can handle deeper snow.
The front auger has two parts. The outside is like a screw and pushes snow to the center. The center throws the snow. Those two steps is what Toro calls the “two stage technology”
Don’t blame Toro for strange and confusing advertising. Cub Cadet is the master at word-smithing and have been doing it for many years.
Josh
Hi Paul,
Thanks for your review.
I have single stage snowblower but with some heavy snow 4-6″ – it cannot throw the snow far enough and gets clogged with wet snow.
I was planning to buy a 2 stage snowblower for my 2 car driverway and some 80 ft sidewalk. However in eastern PA – we got 30″ snow – this is not common – but wanted to see if can 724 will handle such occasional snow?
I saw my neighbors 2 stage snowblowers worked fine My concern is I am going from 1st 1stage machine to another single stage machine.
With $50 more – should I got for Toro Powermax 724 Or Tro-Bilt storm 2410 which is $150 cheaper?
Thanks
Paul
Hi Josh, The Toro PowerMax 826 OXE is one of my favorite snow blowers. It’s a great 2-stage and is a little bigger and more powerful than the 742 OE or Troy-Bilt Storm. It has the automatic steering and Toro’s quick chute so it is very easy to use or anyone else in your family. It will handle most wet, heavy snows and would do OK to good in this mess you got this weekend. It will handle it better than the other 2-stage machines in your area. At $999 it’s a little more money but it will give you many years of use.
Here is a link to Home Depot so you can check it out. Toro Snow Removal Powermax 826 OXE Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower 37781
Between the Toro 724 2-stage and the Troy-Bilt I suggest the Toro.
Dan
Thanks Paul for getting back so quickly. I will take your advice and invest in the 824. You have a great forum here and it really helps to have hands on experience and recommendations. Keep up the good work!
Dan Richardson
Hi Paul I have had a single stage Craftsman 21 inch 5 HP snow blower for the past 13 years and with literally no maintenance it has served me well (maybe a few extra pulls to begin the season). My concern is with the end of driveway piles which in the past has been a chore to do mostly with a shovel as the Kenmore couldn’t handle it. I was considering the Cub Cadet 2X 524 SWE 24 inch until I read your review on the Toro Snow Master 824 QXE. My hesitation on the Cub Cadet is twofold: storage in my one car garage and weight. When snow is predicted I place the snow blower between the end of the car and garage door with only inches to spare, so the 240 pound Cub Cadet would be difficult to lift and move, lift and move until clear of the car. The Snow Master would be considerably lighter and take up less space so that would be the ideal choice. I live in northern New Jersey and average about 30 inches of snow a year but with the possibility of 1 to 2 feet occasionally. My main reason to purchase new is to deal with the EOD piles as I am 69 years old and don’t want the extra exertion. Have you had a chance to deal with the EOD piles with the Snow Master 824? or perhaps any of your many contributors? Also would you chose the 824 over the 724 in my situation or should I deal with the 2 stage Cub Cadet. Thanks for you advice.
Paul
Hi Dan, I just put up a video using the SnowMaster here: 2015 Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE Test on Pavement, Gravel and Turf. I go through what I like and what you will have to learn to use it.
I suggest getting the 824. That engine has plenty of power to handle the EOD snow. I live on an ambulance route and it won’t plug even with the wet slush I get from the snow plows. I feel it will handle the big occasional snows as well or better than the Cub Cadet but it will clear 2-6 inches a lot faster than Cub Cadet. The Cub Cadet is a good machine but the SnowMaster is so much faster. It’s more like using a lawn mower than a snow blower. It’s a game changer for areas that get 20-40 inches of snow a year.
Richard
You state, “The wetter the mix the faster you need the 824 going in order to get some compaction.” Could you please explain how it is beneficial to have “some compaction”?
Paul
Hi Richard, Steve commented that he was trying to throw about 2 inches of slush. If he went slow it didn’t pick the slush up well and throw it. He figured out the faster he walked the better it threw that stuff.
It’s like trying to clear 1 inch of snow. If you try to blow it with your snow blower it doesn’t do a good job, but if you take a shovel and push that snow into a pile or windrows then the snow blower does a good job of throwing it.
Steve
Finally got to use my 824 QXE in conditions I have never had to clear before. We got about an hour of snow, several hours of ice pellets followed by hours of freezing rain….then the temps went well above freezing.
Driveway had 4 types of snow/ice/slush/water. Initially figured it was a manual job but it was simply too heavy and waterlogged.
At the road I had 6″ of hard snow and ice. A neighbor who thought I wasn’t home had gone over it with a 2 stage but it failed to clear the bottom 2″. The 824 cleared the remaining 2″ without a problem.
At the house I had about 5″ of snow/ice pellets. The 824 cleared to the ground and threw the snow/ice pellet mix about 30′.
Another area was solid slush. The 824 cleared to the ground and threw the slush about 25′.
The remaining area was very watery slush, more melted than not. The 824 cleared to the ground and threw the watery mix 10-15′. Some did just dribble out but this was more water than slush. The wetter the mix the faster you need the 824 going in order to get some compaction.
You can really feel (love) the lightness of this machine. Not having to shift speeds is awesome. Didn’t think any blower would handle these conditions well but the 824 did very well.
My bet is that this machine will handle much deeper snow than expected.
colin
Hi,
I’m debating btw the Toro 724 QXE or the Cub Cadet 208cc 24-in Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower which is on sale for $888 in canada.
I’m in the toronto/mississauga area and live on a corner plot with 3 car garage. any suggestions?
thanks
Paul
Hi Colin, The average snowfall for Mississauga is a lot like Chicago – about 45 inches a year so either snow blower can work. But do you usually get a lot of 2-6 inch snow falls or just a few deeper 10-20 inch snows? If you mainly get a lot of lighter snows than the Toro will work well. If you do get deeper snows and it is fairly wet and heavy then the Cub Cadet is a better choice. The Cub Cadet won’t be as fast as the Toro clearing lighter snow but it will do a much better job clearing the deep stuff. If you like to throw your snow as far away from the driveway as possible the Cub Cadet will do a better job.
Tom Durks
Bought the 824 QXE two weeks ago and it finally snowed yesterday in Chicago. Wet heavy snow that actually started getting crusty by the time I got started after work. I couldn’t be more happy with this machine. I did 4 older neighbors including my own as I always do, driveways and walks and parking spaces out front, and was done in a hour and a half compared to nearly 2.5 hours with my old Toro 21 single stage. This machine had no problem throwing the “lower directed” wet stuff 20 o 25 feet or more and I know it would have thrown it the 35 ft. or more…this was 5″ wet heavy snow. Very pleased, surprised and happy I researched and took the chance on this semi 2 stage, personal pace thrower. I sound like I have stock in Toro… just very pleased, and then some. I don’t usually do reviews but with Paul’s opinion on this machine making me happier I bought this…I had to give my two cents. Don’t be afraid of the of the 824 if your in the snow belt area, I believe the extra HP is worth the $100. Got mine on line from H.P. for $849.00 total including a 10% discount I finagled from the on line rep. Thanks, Paul!
Tom.
Jean
Hi Paul,
I live in Columbus, Wisconsin and just purchased a Toro 824QXE to replace my old snow blower. Your review was very helpful. I got home during the storm last night and my old and well used Toro CPR Power Light 16 would not start, so I had to shovel by hand. That gave me time to decide it was time to buy a new snowblower! I had some drifted snow to clear with the 824QXE this morning. I found it very easy to use, and got the hang of the Personal Pace pretty quickly, but I too noticed that the machine was not clearing the snow down completely to the surface of the driveway. I see someone else had that issue, so I will call my dealer and ask them to adjust the scraper as you suggested. Overall its great and very easy for a small woman to use. Thanks for the review!
Vince
Rich – When you tried to restart and it wouldn’t what position did you have the choke in? In may not start if you are in the choke position when the engine is warm. Keep it in run position. I had it die out a few times in wet heavy end of driveway stuff and was able to restart again without incident. Just don’t prime or use choke if its warm
Rich Visotcky
Picked up a SnowMaster 724 QXE a month ago thanks to your reviews and just got to run it though it’s paces. Up in Milwaukee and we had a storm drop about 5″ of snow/sleet on us. Heavy stuff, but I didn’t know just how heavy at the time. I could barely lift a 24″ pusher full of the stuff (and not overfull) during my cleanup. Boy was I glad I had this machine.
This was it’s first run. This is also my first snowblower. I’ve got a driveway about 12 feet wide, 40 feet or so long – that we park in. Here’s what happened…
First thing I had to get used to was the kick of the personal pace. Pushing it like you’re moving a big piece of machinery will make it zoom! Zoom it went, whipping snow high into the air and tossing it a good 20-25 feet in front of me, with the chute aimed high. What a joy it is to move that chute! Much easier than anything else I tried in stores. This is definitely what I signed up for! Occasionally from how thick this stuff was, it’d slow down, shudder a bit, and throw 4-7 feet. I was also met sometimes with the snowblower climbing upward and not scraping well. Perhaps I need to adjust the skid shoes? That would also get the wheels spinning in the wet snow. Backing it up, which was a breeze, then attacking it again with a little speed would put things back on track.
Turning the SnowMaster is really easy. Soon as I got a little room I could put it anywhere. With a hand on the static bar and a light touch on the personal pace, I could get right up next to the cars. The personal pace was also great for moving through cleared areas to get to a new work spot very quickly.
Driveway done, I moved to the sidewalk…and ran into trouble. Not long into the walk I hit a section that was packed down from neighbors walking on it, and the 724 QXE stalled trying to dig through it. Tried to get it going again on the spot twice, no dice. Brought it back into the garage, tried the electric start a few times with no luck. Let it sit for 10 minutes and tried again with the electric. First few attempts weren’t going. Let it sit a bit longer. Tried electric again, noticed it wanted to go, but 5 seconds wasn’t getting the job done. Primed one more time, let the electric starter run long (8-10 second) and it kicked back to life. Oh the relief!
Knowing my enemy better, I could anticipate the slowdowns and prevent a stall. Still picked up that heavy snow and whipped it clear away. Finished the job beautifully. Cleared my neighbors sidewalk I was having so much fun.
If I didn’t have this snowblower, I’d still be shoveling and taking the day off tomorrow to go see the chiropractor. This is exactly what I wanted a machine like this for. Handle the heavy stuff (with care) more like a two-stage and the speed and maneuverability of a single stage. Looking forward to a deep powder trial.
Thank you, Paul, for all the great advice and information that you provide to so many people.
Paul
Hi Rich, Thank you for such a thorough review! I was wondering how it handled really wet snow and it sounds like it works well. Just so you know, none of the snow blowers handle the really wet stuff well so 5-7 feet is about right. Other residential machines would just plug the chute.
I’m going to talk to the engine manufactures to see if they have any insight as to why these new engine won’t start right after a stall. It almost appears that they get vapor locked and they have to cool down for 50-30 minutes before they will start again.
I know it’s going to take me a few passes to get used to the Personal Pace also. Your experience with the Personal Pace is about the same as everyone else. It takes a little getting used to but once they do – they love it.
I wouldn’t adjust the skid shoes unless the SnowMaster is getting caught on cracks in your pavement. If you raise them up then it won’t clean down to the pavement.
You review has me excited to get out and use the one I have here this morning!
Raphael
Rich, I ran into the exact same problem, my 724 QXE stalled, and cannot be started again until probably 30 minutes later. Have you figure out the cause? Thank you.
Vince
Paul –
Looking forward to your report after you get to use it.. One word of warning. I used it twice today. Sometime during the second use the bolt on the chute post was lost. I had something similar in the garage and was able to fix quickly. This was put together by the Toro dealer. The manual say to make sure all bolts are tight after first use. I ignored that 🙁
Make sure this bolt is tight after using. You’ll know its gone if you see the shoot levitating a few inches when discharging snow.
Paul
Hi Vince, Excellent point! I lost the entire light assembly on one snow blower last year and almost put it through the snow blower! Read through the manual to know which nuts and bolts are put on the snow blower when it’s taken out of the shipping box and assembled. Check to make sure they are not vibrating loose after the first 20-30 minutes of use and then again when you get done using it the first time. Nuts and bolts installed at the factory are torqued with special air tools so they very seldom come loose.
Vince
Used Snowmaster today in VERY tough conditions. We had about 2 inches of sleet today. Heavy like concrete. almost entirely water snow. Pulled out the 824 for the first time. It handled like a champ!
I am coming from a toro 3650 single stage. I was amazed at how far the snowmaster threw the wet heavy snow. We had a similar snow right before Thanksgiving and I used the 3650. This was much better at clearing and throwing the snow.
Some observations
It did clear down the the pavement. Being wet/stick together snow this may be an easier snow for the scrapper to get to the auger.
As many mention, if a car has gone over the snow, it doesn’t clear as well. But an additional pass or two did get it to the pavement.
There was 6-8 inches of pure slush at the EOD. If I went into this full blast, it would die out. Mind you, this was the heaviest snow imaginable. I would think almost any product this size or smaller would have an issue. It was easy to learn when to back off a little and not have it die out.
Personal pace a snap to get used to and felt great.
Easy to turn and maneuver
I am VERY pleased overall with the performance and it is indeed a great upgrade from my 3650 SS.
Paul
Hi Vince, That’s really great to hear. I thought the 8 hp was overkill but it’s good to know that it’s actually about right.
I’m supposed to get 8 inches of good snow tonight. I can’t wait to try this one out!
g2-fa67b0f09a18c50700614de439e7fec0
Hi Paul – what a great site! Okay – I purchased a 2015 Toro SnowMaster 724 QXE a few weeks ago. Use it twice and i think I want to return it. I love everything about it – it’s powerful enough, it’s proficient and blowing snow – but that 1/4 to 1/2 inch of snow it leaves behind is a HUGe deal. I have a fairly steep driveway and that layer of snow inevitably turns to ice overnight and the problem is problem is compounded. I tried raising the rails on each side but that didn’t little to help. Two of neighbors have snowblowers and they’ve offed to re-blow my driveways and do the job right – I laugh it off but a man’s dignity is at stake here! Any ideas? Any other ways to get the rubber blade to make actual contact with the concrete?
Paul
g2-fa67b0f09a18c50700614de439e7fec0, The scraper bar on the one I have here touches the ground. I don’t have any snow to clear yet but I expect it to clean down the pavement. Put is on a flat surface and shine a light from the backside to see where the gap is. If there is a 1/4-to 1/2 inch gap I’d take it back to where you bought it and have it adjusted by a mechanic.
The snowmaster is a single stage but it uses a scraper like a 2-stage machine so there is no way to adjust it so the front auger touches the ground. If you live in an area where that gets 8 inch snowfalls or less than I’d switch it out for a Toro 721 E single stage.
Myself, I have a single stage for those light snows and cleaning all the snow off the drive. I also have a 2-stage for the deep stuff we also get.
Steve
Anita
Homedepot in Canada is ridiculously overpriced.
Try Kooy Brothers near the airport or Ashot in Mississauga or Powermill Equipment in Dundas. There Toro pricing is far, far better than Home Depot. I bought my 824 Snowmaster for a price far below the price you have for the 724.
Paul
Hi Steve, The difference in the Canadian/U.S. dollar seems to be a big excuse for the wide range of prices this year. I remember when it used to be just the opposite. For a while on the early 80’s I could go to Canada and buy stuff for 70 cents on the U.S. Dollar.
Vince
Paul can you show give some more detail about changing the auger belt? Do you really have to remove one of the pulleys or will it just come off without removing anything else?
I picked up an 824 QXE this weekend and am impressed. I don’t view this as a small 2-stage. To me it’s a big single stage. It’s light and easy to move around. I am replacing a 12 year old 3650 toro that still runs well and ALWAYS started for me on one or 2 pulls, but I just wanted something new with a little more power for Chicago winters. Plus the self propel makes it easy for my teenage sons to use.
Thanks for the detailed review which really helped me decide on the purchase.
Regards,
Vince
Paul
Hi Vince, Toro uses guides and a mechanical brake so the front auger stops right away. Because of the brake part you have to remove the idler pulley to change out the belt. But – Unless you get something stuck in the front auger I expect that the auger belt will last you 10 years or longer. Toro suggests that most repairs like changing the belt be done by your local dealer so they don’t include the procedure in your operator’s manual. It makes sense they do it this way because there is probably something else wrong with the machine if you break a belt and the dealer can quickly find all the issues.
Daniel
Hi Paul,
Thank you so much for your site. I just moved to a house in Westchester County, NY ( a google search says the average annual snowfall is 27.7″) from NYC and decided to buy a snowblower. My guess is that snowfalls will generally be in the 8″ or under range with one or two a year exceeding that amount. My house has a standard sized suburban driveway that ends in an “L” that is wide enough to park 2 cars comfortably (so while the length/width of the driveway is fairly standard, the base of the “L” is about the width of 3 parking spots in a parking lot).
Based on your review, I am leaning toward the Toro Snowmaster QXE over, for instance, the Craftsman (I like the ease of use, power steering, fast cleanup time, etc.. Do you think this is a good option and is it worth it to spring the extra hundred dollars for the 824 as opposed to the 724? One of the things I am concerned about is the length of time it will take to complete my driveway since I’d guess that often I’ll be out there at 5am before leaving for work and don’t want.
Note, I have never owned or operated a snowblower before, so I’m a complete novice.
Thank you in advance for any assistance.
Paul
Hi Daniel, The only real downfall of the SnowMaster over a “real” 2-stage snow blower like the Craftsman is how far it throws the deeper snows. Some homeowners need to throw all the snow in one place or can only throw the snow to one side of the driveway. If the snow is 10-15 inches deep and heavy you may not be able to throw it all the way across your drive. So, if it really doesn’t matter how far you have to throw the snow off your drive then the SnowMaster is a good choice.
The real advantage is it is faster clearing the lighter 2-8 inch snows. I expect with a little practice you will be able to clear you snow as fast as you can walk.
The 824 gives you an extra horse. That will help you to clear the deep snows faster. I opted for the larger one myself.
Anita
Hi Paul. You have been very helpful so far .. thank you! I have searched around to see if any dealers carry the first recommendation you had for me — the Toro Power Max. I found this dealer who carries some Toro blowers but the model numbers seem to be different than what you suggested or what Home Depot carried. I have included a link to their website. If you have a chance could you take a look and see which one would be comparable to your recommendation. I have family in that area so I could pick it up over the holidays. Thanks again!!
Paul
Hi Anita, The Home Depot model has a Briggs & Stratton engine. The identical model he carries has Toro’s engine. It is the Power Max 8 hp 26″ Electric Start / 37780. Either engine is fine.
Anita
I also just noticed the Toro Power Max 724 OE for $1198 at Homedepot.ca Not sure how different this model is compared to the Toro you recommened.
Paul
@Anita, I feel that Toro is over-priced. It really has no more features than the Yardworks, Husqvarna and Poulan Pro I mentioned in the other reply. For that amount of money the Troy-Bilt is a better deal.
Anita
Thank you so much for your reply! I trust your judgment as you seem to have tons of knowledge! Unfortunately, the Toro Powermax that you recommend for us is completely sold out at Home Depot in Ontario and they will not be restocking. Do you have an alternate suggestion. I was looking at the Husqvarna 24-in 208cc 2-Stage Snowblower for $1099.99 at Canadian Tire or the Poulan Pro® 61 cm (24 in.) Gas-Powered 208 cc Dual-Stage Snow Thrower for $1199.99 at Costco.ca. These are both a little more than I wanted to afford but I may not have a choice. .. and not that I have any knowledge or preference for these machines .. just that they are closest to my price range. Do you recommend either of these or have a better suggestion?
Paul
Hi Anita, The Poulan Pro and the Husqvarna are the same snow blower – just the color and the dash is different. Personally, I would go with Canadian Tire because they have a better service reputation. You can read my review of the Husqvarna here: 2015 Update | Husqvarna Introduces a Complete New Line Of Snow Blowers!.
The Yardworks 24-in 208cc 2-Stage Snowblower at Canadian Tire is also a good snow blower. It is essentially the same as my best value snow blower down here – the Craftsman 88173. The Yardworks is made by MTD so any Troy-Bilt, Cub Cadet, or Columbia dealer can work on it or get you parts. It’s a good price at $999.
Finally, there is the Troy-Bilt 24-in 208cc 2-Stage Snowblower at $1199. It is actually a much better value than the Husqvarna or Poulan Pro because it has power steering, a nice 4-way chute, drift cutters and heated handgrips. The equivalent model down here is the Cub Cadet 524 SWE. This snow blower is one I always recommend for smaller driveways because it is easy to use and has a good reputation.
Denise
We live in the Washington DC area so not a large amount of snow and the handful of storms generally don’t drop more then 6-8 inches. Our drive, while short (two car lengths) is quite steep and curved–single car width at top, widening to two cars as it very quickly slopes down and to the left. at the bottom. It still sounds like the Snowmaster will work for us, but I’m wondering if the 824 would be better than the 724 due to the steepness of our drive. If not, no reason to spend the extra $100. Appreciate your insight and Thanks!
Paul
Hi Denise, The 824 only gives you extra power. It does not give you extra weight to get up your drive. So I agree the 724 is just fine.
Have you seen these shoes grips? Yaktrax Traction Device Winter Safety Snow Ice Anti-Slip Shoe Grips Pair – Black
Anita
Hi. I am considering buying a snowblower this season and I am way out of my comfort zone in making a decision. You have a wealth of information here! But there are so many choices. Here is my thing. I am in Canada .. an hour east of Toronto. We get an average amount of snowfall .. we are not in the heavier snowbelt areas. I love what I have read about the new Toro Snowmaster. I like that it is not huge nor complicated. I am a single mom and my 14 year old daughter has offered to clear our driveway with a shovel to pay for her cell phone 🙂 She is optimistically ambitious! She will have some help from me and my 12 year old son. We have paid someone to plow it for the last 2 seasons and I know that shoveling it is completely unrealistic because we have a huge driveway. We live in the country and it is a large circular drive with a 2 car width on one side and a single car width on the other and I am guessing it is 6 to 8 car lengths. It is really the size of 3 full driveways .. so there is a lot of snow to move. But here is my dilemma … I know that I likely should have a big blower because of the size of the driveway. However, I am not certain that I will still be at this home next winter. I don’t want to buy a large 2 stage blower for this year and then have something too big for a home in a small subdivision next year .. as this is the likely scenario. So while you will likely tell me that the Snowmaster is too small for what I need now, I also need to consider a likely move for next season. Of course, depending on where I moved, I may not even have much use for a blower, in which case I would sell it or let my kids use it in the neighbourhood to make some pocket money. I understand it will take longer to blow our large driveway now with something like the smaller Snowmaster, but time isn’t so much an issue … it is more whether the blower can do the job I guess. Our driveway has about 5 or 6 feet of gravel at the very end before the road which is also a concern with the Snowmaster. Could we let the snow build up there a bit so that we are not hitting the gravel with the blower and of course make sure we are aiming away from the house and and cars driving by? This last question may really make me sound unknowledgable .. lol. Cost is also a factor … the Snowmaster is on for $1100 (Canadian) at Home Depot which is at the top end of what I can manage to pay.Your thoughts?
Paul
Hi Anita, I looked at average snowfall around the Peterborough area and they get about 60 inches a year. This is about double of what I would recommend the SnowMaster for. But my biggest concern is how far the SnowMaster throws snow. If you get heavy, wet snows and since you have a wide driveway the SnowMaster may not be able to throw the snow off the drive in one pass. That means it will take extra passes to clear the drive.
So, let me discuss an alternative. The Toro Power Max 826 OE Two-stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower with 26-Inch Clearing Width
is showing on sale at HomeDepot.ca for $998.00. That is a great deal compared to the SnowMaster. Can your daughter handle it? Let’s discuss it.
The Power Max 826 OE is balanced really well for a 2-stage snow blower. In fact when you push down on the handle to make a turn or go into the garage it’s much lighter than a push lawn mower.
The Power Max 826 OE really only has two more controls than the SnowMaster and for a novice those two controls actually makes the snow blower easier to control. What do I mean? With the SnowMaster, to go forward you push on the Personal Pace handle. That’s great if the driveway is nice and smooth. If there are cracks or pieces of the driveway sticking up though when the front of the SnowMaster hits those cracks it catches on them and wants to stop just like any other snow blower. The problem is because you are still moving forward the Personal Pace thinks you want to go faster – this makes the front of the SnowMaster want to jump up. If your driveway has the normal amount of cracks and edges sticking up this can be very frustrating for a new user because the snow blower is bucking like an unbroken horse.
With the Power Max 826 OE you move the shift lever to a specific gear (say 2) and then you push down on the control lever on the left handle. The snow blower moves forward at a consistent pace. When you hit a crack sticking up the snow blower just stops going forward (the tires spin) and it doesn’t buck up and down.
A big advantage for a novice user is the Power Max 826 OE will go in a straight line until you turn it. Both wheels are “locked” so both get good traction all the time. When doing long driveways like yours this is means all she has to do is keep her hands on the handles and the snow blower does all the work. It has the really easy to use Quick Stick chute control and the control lever for the front auger is on the right handle. Once she gets used to the snow blower when she is walking down the drive she can take her hand off the right control and move the chute control (single hand control) while the snow blower is moving forward clearing snow.
Have her stay in 1st or 2nd until she is very used to the snow blower. And the first thing to teach her – if she gets into trouble or gets confused just take both hands off the controls – everything stops.
The only disadvantage is how the Power Max 826 OE turns. Since both wheels have power to them all the time when you turn the snow blower the inside wheel skids in the turn. On dry pavement or in your garage this will make the snow blower hard to turn but on a snow covered driveway this is not a big deal. If she weighs 120 lbs (54 kg) or so she will be able to turn it well with just a little practice. Please make sure her boots have good traction.
The Power Max 826 OE is a very rugged machine. It’s a little heavier than the SnowMaster but that is an advantage because it has better traction to push through the end-of-driveway snow plow drift easier and it will go through deeper drifts better. She won’t be able to hurt it. There are no shear pins to break and it has a larger engine than the 724 SnowMaster. The biggest advantage is it can handle deeper snow and will throw most snow all the way off your driveway. It’s also a recognized great snow blower so if you do have to sell it next year the resale value is good.
Here is the operator’s manual for the Power Max 826 OE. Read page 11 and 12 to understand how to use it. Here is the link to the Toro page on the 826 OE so you can read more about it.
Finally here is the link to HomeDepot.ca showing the $998 price. Power Max 826 OE Two-stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower with 26-Inch Clearing Width
.
Feel free to ask any other questions.
Mark K
Thank you Paul for such quick and professional answer !
Mark K
Hi Paul.
Thank you for the great review , I’m recently moved to Winnipeg and i’m looking for a new Snowblower. My drive way is 2 cars wide and 4 cars long.
Currently I’m trying to decide between two Snowblowers:
1. Toro SnowMaster 724 qxe from HD
2. CRAFTSMAN®/MD 24″ 305cc Dual Stage Snow Thrower with Briggs and Stratton engine from Sears
Now they are at the same price. I like big engine on Crafstman but i’m also like Personal Pace at Toro wich looks like much more simple to control. What is you’r advice on that ?
Thank in advance!
Paul
Hi Mark, You average over 45 inches of snow a year so I don’t think you will be happy with the SnowMaster. The SnowMaster is really just a single stage snowthrower like the CRAFTSMAN®/MD 22″ 250cc Single Stage Snow Blower with a higher front opening. Drifting, hard packed snow and snow that freezes up right after a storm will give you problems.
I know, it’s very alluring because it’s easy to use but CRAFTSMAN®/MD 24″ Dual Stage 305cc B&S EZ-Steer Snow Blower will also be easy to use.
Mike
Not that anyone would ever suggest anything so hazardous – but it has crossed my mind that I would have a lot more flexibility in hand position if I came up with some kind of a clamp/hold-down for the auger-spin-engagement lever. Your thumb speed control grip above would seem to require something along those lines. Theoretically. If it were safe.
Paul
Hi Mike, Now that I’ve thought about your comment, you are right. The day I played around with the drive I did not have the auger running. That’s one of the best things about these snow blowers, if you get in trouble just take your hands off the controls and everything stops. So it’s back to the drawing board!
Charlie
I live in the northwest side of Chicago and recently purchased the Snow Master 724 qxe. I used to own a Troi Bilt 2100 squall which after a few heavy snowfalls quickly realized I needed something with a larger intake to handle 10 and 12 inches of snow when needed. My decision to go with Toro was made because my neighbor had a Toro single stage that did an amazing Job on his driveway. It wasn’t until I went online and saw the unique features of the snow master, large intake, high speed auger, quick chute and electric start made my decision easy. I purchased the unit early November 2015. My situation in plowing my driveway sounds like Matt and I have to throw snow forward until I clear my home and the neighbors before I can throw it onto my front lawn. I was itching for snow and when we got 8 inches November 19th, I was finally able to test it out with some good heavy snow. The machine handled like a champ. The only issue I had was that my wife drove her car through the driveway so the snow master rode over the compacted snow from the tires so when I went to push down to drive the auger to try and dig it out , the personal pace feature took over ( took off ) and reminded me that this is quite a different machine. I really can’t wait for more snow and overall happy with the Snowmaster 724 QXE performance so far. I’m glad I found this website and the awesome work your doing. Great review.
Paul
Hi Charlie, I have not gotten any snow yet but I have had a chance to play with it and try it out on different types of surfaces. What I’ve found may help you.
1. It’s a single stage but it operates like a 2-stage. What that means is when you are clearing snow a scraper under the front auger cleans the drive. If you have packed on snow from a car the SnowMaster is going to ride over that like a 2-stage will. That is different from a single stage where you can lift up on the handles and the single stage’s paddles will beat that packed down snow off the driveway. No matter how high you lift the handle, the auger won’t touch the ground. If you must clean that little bit of snow off you will have to loosen it with a snow shovel or Snow & Ice Scraper.
2. Toro states that the SnowMaster is designed for hard surfaces only but of course I still had to try it out on my lawn and bumpy patio. I ran into the same issue as you found. When you are walking and the front hits something hard, the Personal Pace causes the front to jump up. I eventually figured out that I could control it though – I just had to move my hands.
I’m going to show you two pictures. The first picture is how to normally hold the Personal Pace.
To give you more control in sticky conditions I found that if you grab the wrap-around bar underneath the Personal Pace you can then push the snow thrower forward. If you grab the bar like the picture below you use your thumbs to push and control the Personal Pace. This will work for me on my patio where the pavers are not smooth and scraper blade will catch on them.
3. The SnowMaster will go 3 1/2 mph. That’s way too fast for me so I got an idea that will let me go slower and may fix the jumping when it hits something solid. It may even allow me to clear a spot of lawn for my dogs.
If you notice the Personal Pace control slides up and down on the main handles. I figured out how far the Personal Pace handle slides when I am at a comfortable walking pace behind the snow thrower. It’s about half the full movement of the control. I took a clamp and put it on the snow blower’s handle at the spot to limit how far the Personal Pace control will slide. Limiting the movement really helps to keep it from jumping on my rough patio. I’m waiting for snow to try it on the lawn.
Here is a picture of the clamp on the handle.
Here is the clamp on Amazon. ATian Camera Large Super Clamp
Charlie
Good tips. I can see Toro implementing something to limit the amount of travel on the personal pace like your clamp idea. Keep up the the good work.
Matt
Hi Paul,
I am in the price range below and have narrowed my choices down to these 4 machines. I am in the Chicago burbs, so snowfall is average, usually 5 inches or less but an occasional 10+ inch dump once a year maybe. My driveway is a single car width but its long, ~90 feet. I also cannot blow the snow to the sides for half of the driveway as my neighbors driveway is right next to mine and my house is on the other side. So I’d have to blow the snow down the driveway, and then off to one side once I get past my house for the last 30 feet.
Toro SnowMaster 724 QXE ($749) (is the electric start worth the $100 over the ZXR?)
Toro SnowMaster 724 ZXR ($649)
Craftsman 24″ 208cc Dual-Stage Snow Blower ($679)
Troy-Bilt Storm 2410 179-cc 24-in Two-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower ($599) 10% off coupon, so $540
What would you think would work best and would have the best value?
Paul
Hi Matt, For the way you have to clear your drive I don’t feel the 179cc Storm will work. It’s a good snow blower but it’s not known for blowing snow very far.
The SnowMaster’s are a little different. Re-blowing the snow causes it to get heavy and dense. Single stage snow blowers don’t do well with re-blown snow and since the SnowMaster is really a single stage snow blower you may be very disappointed at how far it will throw the snow. I know the literature states up to 40 feet – but in reality that 40 feet is under optimal snow and optimum conditions.
That leaves the Craftsman 88173. It has a larger engine than the Troy-Bilt so it will throw snow farther. It also has the 2nd impeller so it will take that heavy dense re-blown snow and throw it much farther than the SnowMaster.
Please read this article. It will help you get the best deal at Sears on the 88173: The Best Deals On Snow Blowers Are At Sears – How To Get Them!
Matt
Excellent, thanks for the advice. Do you recommend the 5 year protection plan for $189 from Sears? Or is this machine pretty reliable with recommended care?
Paul
Hi Matt, If you are not mechanical, you don’t like to work on your own stuff, or you are too busy the Sears Protection Plan is a good deal because it includes most wear and tear items. It’s not just an extended warranty like the plans from other retailers. Plus the repair is done at your home – you never have to take the snow blower anywhere. That said, The snow blower itself is a good machine. We have very few problems with defects.
So, if you know how to find the model number off your snow blower and then go to searspartsdirect.com and order parts. If you can read the manual and change the auger belt. If you have a spark plug wrench and can change the oil. If you use fuel stabilizer in your fuel – you probably don’t need the Plan.
Arthur Fried
Is the Toro Snow Master 724 ZXR and the 728 QXE the same except that the QXE has electric start.
Paul
Hi Arthur, The 724 QXE has electric start and a really nice “Quick Stick” 4-way chute control. I feel the chute control is the best in the industry and is actually worth the extra money.
Tony300S
So I’ve been eying the new Toro SnowMaster lineup since I noticed them at Home Depot, been reading all the reviews and comments, and I’m pretty sure I’m sold on the quality, ease of use and price point. I’m in NJ near the PA border with a smooth and basically level 120′ long driveway about 12′ wide as well as a few paver walkways. What are your feelings on the benefit of the 824 QXE over the 724 QXE? Should I save my money with the 724 considering the features, width and auger speed will remain the same? Appreciate the help, this will be my first REAL snow blower, had some small single stages in the past, but just moved from our old 50′ driveway I use to just shovel most the time. Thanks!
Paul
Hi Tony, I know the 724 will do the job but I know it will lug down in heavy, wet snow. I bought the 824 myself because I never want to wait for the engine.
By the way, your driveway is fairly large for a 24 inch. Yes, the SnowMaster is supposed to be fast but I would have suggested a good 28 inch 2-stage instead. I have two snow blowers, the SnowMaster for snow up to 8-10 inches and then a big 2-stage for the 14-20 inch’ers we sometimes get.
Tony300S
Thanks for the quick reply Paul. I’m kinda leaning towards the 824 for that reason, to power through the tough and heavy stuff. Understood about the larger 2-stage units, but I really don’t mind making a few extra passes, more concerned with overall build quality, ease of use and getting a nice clean pass down to blacktop. Most of our snows are at most 6-10″ generally just pretty frequent the last few years.
Jeremy
Wow, just wondering if I’m going to regret not getting the bigger engine of the 824. My 724QXE was delivered yesterday. It is replacing aToro 3650 (which I originally bought years ago because it had the more powerful engine to handle wet snow and the expected durability from the extra power). It served me well. I live on Long Island. So, is my buyer’s remorse of not getting the 824 unwarranted? Thank you,
Paul
Hi Jeremy, Your Toro 3650 was about 6.5 HP. Even though Toro won’t state the actual HP their model number says 7 hp (724).
So the 724 will do the job and I expect it will do the job better than your old snow blower. The 824 will just do it a little faster.
Jeremy
Thanks for the reassurance. I chose this over the Power Clear 721 QZE to handle the End of Driveway stuff better, in addition to being easier on my bad back.
Mike
Well Paul, we pulled the trigger on an 824 Snowmaster. Your site was very helpful in making the decision. This machine will be primarily used by my Dad in upstate NY – NW of Albany. But not so far West as to be in the infamous lake-effect snow region. He’s in his 70s and the idea of something lighter and easier to maneuver is appealing. I harbor an absolute hatred of friction-drive setups as well. So that was out of the question. Up until the Snowmaster any propelled unit without friction drive was more than the preferred budget.
We were initially thinking of a single stage. Either the Toro or Honda. The Honda we wanted to look at wasn’t available to see locally and wouldn’t be restocked until mid December. So that left us with a Toro 721 of some variety or rolling the dice on this new paradigm Snowmaster.
The two items which finally swayed our decision were the placement of the oil check/fill on the 721. It’s awful. Tucked away and down near the ground. Maybe when we were all younger but if you bend old bones over like that in the kind of cold to be expected during use – at some point your back is not going to want to straighten again. And you don’t want to skip the oil check on every use.
The second item was the awful design of the 721 in regard to the spark plug. I can’t believe Toro thinks it’s acceptable to have you remove the chute and the top plastic cowl which covers the machine every year in order to do standard maintenance on that spark plug. How much would a little plastic door – like the Honda has – cost exactly?
In the end it was those dislikes of the 721 which helped drive us to the Snowmaster. Also, it’s still not too heavy if we do need to muscle it at any point. And no friction disc. (hooray!!). Would have been nice if it had powered reverse but it shouldn’t be a problem most of the time. We’re hoping the larger intake will help with deeper snow and EOD piles.
I hope their design works as well as they claim. I know lightweight isn’t usually the optimal design choice for snow removal. Though it was part of what we were looking for. I hope that CVT lives up to their promise of a long trouble-free life as well.
We decided to go for the bigger engine as it was only a $60 difference at our local dealer. In for a penny, in for a pound.
Local dealer had the best price, free setup and delivery, and free pick-up/drop-off for any work needed in the first six months (so the entire first season – nice).
It’s such a new design. I hope you do a follow-up article on your experiences with it once we’ve had some snow to move.
Paul
Hi Mike, The only single stage that is easy to work on is the Ariens Path Pro’s. Te rest of them all have shrouds that completely enclose the engine (for less noise)
Yes, I have my GoPro and camera all ready for the first snow. I was forecast for 3 inches yesterday – I got nothing!
Richard
“Hi Tom, Here is what no one tells you. They are all worthless on wet slush. I haven’t had anyone from Chicago check in yet…”
Hi Paul,
Based in large part on your fantastic review I went and bought the Toro 824 QXE from a local dealer a couple of weeks ago. I live a mile and a half north of Chicago and just a half mile from Lake Michigan on a heavily traveled commercial street. When we got that record 11″ snowfall a few days ago, I got barely one inch, if that. It was wet in the first place and trampled by a lot of footsteps by the time I got the 824 on the slushy sidewalk. The SnowMaster barely threw it a handful of feet but the chute only got completely clogged up once. The 824 doesn’t come with a chute clearing tool so over the past few days I made one myself out of an old mop handle and an empty spray bottle. I attached a holster made out of half of a 5′ plastic tube made to go over shower curtain rods that I got for $5 from the local hardware store, put a cap on the bottom from an empty bottle and used a small awl to punch a hole in the cap for drainage. I assembled all the parts with waterproof gaffer’s tape and put a zip tie around the frame to keep it all in place. It came out very nice and I’m proud of it so I emailed you a few pictures. I hope that’s ok.
Harish
Hi, I live in Chicago and will be my first time with snow blowing. Was interested in the snow master but I read a review on homedepot that it’s throwing capability was based on how fast the machine moves (that’s how I understood the comment). With the 88173 on sale, poulan pro on sale at sears home store for 599 as well, would you recommend one of those? I will be using it must if the time and probably my wife occasionally.
http://www.bfads.net/Item/Sears-Poulan-Pro-24in-208cc-Dual-Stage-Snow-Thrower/270133
Paul
Hi Harish, Let’s talk about the 2-stages first. I have listed the Craftsman 88173 at $679 as the best value snow blower for the last 2 years. At $599 it is a no-brainer as long as you are aware it is a solid axle machine. It does not have power steering. Everything else, including parts availability, the Sears Repair Network and the snow blower itself make it one of the best deals around. The Poulan Pro also does not have power steering and it sounds like they have a good price on it. It’s also a good machine made by Husqvarna.
The new owner of the SnowMaster does not understand how his snow blower operates. The auger runs at a constant rate about 10 times faster than the front auger on a 2-stage. In fact I am going to guess that it spins about as fast as the impeller on a 2-stage. The rpm of the front auger is set by the engine rpm – not the ground speed of the snow blower. I have a feeling his real problem was he was trying to throw wet, sloppy slush. None of the snow blowers on the market do well with that kind of snow. Even the heavy-duty monster 2-stage snow blowers won’t throw that kind of snow more than a few feet – if at all. Many of the older 2-stage snow blowers just plug up. What he was observing was the snow thrower was just pushing that slop ahead of the snow thrower. Only when enough built up in front of the machine did it start to pick it up and throw it. Only with more experience in different types of snow will he be able to understand how his machine works and what a snow blower’s limitations are.
That said, I’m not confident the SnowMaster is the best choice for Chicago. My concern is not this slop you got last week but the blizzards you get every few years. It will handle 2, 4, 10 inches just fine but I don’t feel it will handle 3 feet of drifted, hard packed snow. If you live in an area that’s completely protected from the wind it should work, but if live in an area that gets the stronger winds in a storm and the snow drifts knee to waist deep it’s not the best choice.
Mike
This makes me wonder if the auger speeds on the 724 and 824 Snowmasters are the same. I’m leaning toward the 824 I think but am not sure.
Paul
Hi Mike, yes, they are the same.
Harish
Hi Paul,
Thanks for the quick response. I am wondering what features it is that I should be looking for before I buy one. I am hoping not to have to buy two :). I would preferably like one that my wife can maneuver as well (if necessary, I will be doing it primarily). Do features such as power steering help a 2-stage? In fact that was one of the reasons I was considering the Toro 724 single stage because it is lighter overall (although Home depot vouches it is 2-stage!). I am not sure I care as much about LED lights and hand warmers (I can always throw one inside my gloves like I do when I run).
Thoughts?
Paul
Hi Harish, Let’s get back to basics. How much are do you have to clear? Driveway, sidewalks, etc. Are you in the city itself and have to deal with the city snow plows and have to clear around your car? Is your driveway sloped?
Toro uses a very confusing labeling and it is easy for the kid on the phone at THD to get it messed up. The Toro SnowMaster 724 ZXR and 724 QXE are single stage. The Toro PowerMax 724 OE is a 2-stage.
If you want an easy to use 2-stage Toro it’s the PowerMax 826 OXE. Here is the link: Toro Snow Removal Powermax 826 OXE Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower 37781
Harish
Hi Paul,
I had it all written up, not sure why it did not post. Anyways, I have a 3-car garage that tapers to 2 at the end of the driveway (I live in Hoffman Estates and there are lots of homes around me but I cannot say much about drift et al because this would be the first winter there). I have some sideways to clear but nothing that is out of the order (I would say about 20 feet on each side of the drive way).
The driveway does slope down a little but i do not think it is anything out of the ordinary either. I am not sure if I missed anything here.
Paul
@Harish, Hard telling why it didn’t post. Stuff just disappears once in a while.
Thanks, I’m not confident that the Toro SnowMaster is the right choice for Chicago because every so often you get a blizzard and the drifts can get pretty deep. That said, If you are willing to work longer when you do get one of those the SnowMaster will work the rest of the time. I am confident that it will work on 2-8 inch snows and since you live in a subdivision you normally won’t get a lot of drifting.
This is a tough choice for me because the SnowMaster is new. I don’t have the experience with it to say what it’s limitations are. Yes, the Toro Snow Removal SnowMaster 724 ZXR 24 in. Gas Snow Blower 36001
is lightweight and easy to use. The open front end is a big step forward compared to the normal single stage. But will it throw well enough, is it heavy enough, does it have enough traction for Chicago snows? I don’t know – I want to say yes, but.
I know 24 inch snow blowers with power steering will do the job. I know that with just a little experience your wife will be able to use it well. The Husqvarna ST224P – 24-Inch 208cc Two Stage Electric Start with Power Steering Snowthrower – 961930122
at Amazon and the Cub Cadet Snow Removal 24 in. 208cc 2-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower with Power Steering 2X 524 SWE
are two that I recommend. I know if you can walk behind it and use both your hands you can drive it.
Harish
Hi Paul, thanks again. Will there snotek work? THD had one which had a fuel leak but I was able to take a closer look and it appeared maneuverable even though it did not have power steer probably because the wheels rotate independently. However a lot of other things did not work including the chute deflector and I was not sure if it was because abused or a general quality issue (the fuel leakage made me think the latter added to the fact that it is a no name Chinese engine and was the eco model from arien). I did read your review but wasn’t able to gather your thoughts for my specific scenario.
Paul
Hi Harish, That is abuse. Sno-Tek’s have a 4.5 star rating at Home Depot. Ariens does not build junk. They are not a great snow blower and at $649 the Craftsman 88173 is a better deal. They blow snow average, have small tires with little traction.
But if you can get that one for $500 or less and then fix it up… the leaking fuel could be a cracked hose at the least or a bad carb at the worst. If you have someone install a new carb it’s $250.
You can lock both wheels and you will have to for it to have any traction to move snow. It free wheeled on the sales floor because they had one axle pin removed.
By the way, the engine is an LCT. It’s the same brand they put on their heavy-duty machines.
Harish
Thanks Paul. Just curious, would one of the better Single stage work mot of the time, for my scenario?
Paul
Harish, The Toro SnowMaster is the only single stage I remotely recommend for Chicago. My general feeling is if you live north of Interstate 70 you should be looking at a 2-stage and you live 200 miles north of that…
Tom
Hi Paul,
Will the Snowmaster really pick up wet snow just as good as a 2 stage snowblower ? I live in the Chicago suburbs and we had a pretty nasty first snow storm yesterday and my Single stage power clear was pretty useless for the wet snow. I ran across your website and appreciate all the detailed reviews. I’m now debating between the SnowMaster 724 QXE and the Powermax 724 OE 2-Stage now. I like the sound of the Snowmaster, taking less space in my garage and ease of use but I want to make sure this would be sufficient for those wet snows, windier conditions,lighter dustings as well as the occasional one to one and a half foot blizzards we may have. What would you recommend?
Paul
Hi Tom, Here is what no one tells you. They are all worthless on wet slush. I haven’t had anyone from Chicago check in yet but I had one new owner from Detroit who tried blowing 4 inches of wet slush with his new heavy-duty snow blower. He thought his new machine was faulty because it only threw that wet snow a few feet.
Here is our conversation: “Question: The snow was not overly deep, just a few inches, but wet enough and heavy enough I decided to use the new snow blower. The machine started on one pull and did everything I asked it. All the controls work. I guess I was expecting more from it. The machine would throw the snow less than 5 foot or all but clog up the shoot out a chunk of slush the looked like 2 pop cans stacked on to of each other. It never clogged and the deeper the slush the better it would throw it. I’m assuming because it was such a small amount of snow and it was slush that any blower would work like this? Or do I have an issue with mine?
Answer: Your snow blower is working properly. When the brands say, “Up to 40 feet” they mean that under ideal conditions the snow blower will throw the snow that far. If the snow is very light or very wet they won’t throw that far. Slush is the worst and as you found out most of the time it just kind of spits it out the discharge. The older machines (why we have the anti-clogging tool) would just plug up with snow. As you also found out the more wet stuff you can put into the machine the better it throws. Myself, when the snow is that sloppy and I want to clean it off anyway I’ll just use the snowblower like a snow plow. Without the auger running I’ll push the snow into deeper piles. Once I get those bigger piles made then I’ll spin up the auger and throw it off the side.
Some snow blowers work better than others for the slush but none of them work well.”
I’m not confident that the Snow Master is the right choice for Chicagoland. As you know I lived there for 30 years and there were many years when a snow blower like the SnowMaster would not do the job. In fact, my daughter lives in the south suburbs and I gave her and her husband a single stage to use 3 years ago. After one season she asked for a 2-stage. They tell me now that the 2-stage is the right snow blower for them. Living in the northwest suburbs you tend to get a little more snow than she does.
In other words the SnowMaster would have thrown the 8 inches you got yesterday but it may not have thrown it way off to the side of your drive like a 2-stage would. It would handle snows that are less than that wet 8 inches. But that occasional 10-12 incher and the deep drifts from a blizzard it would be a lot of work to use and then you may wish you had bought a 2-stage.
I do have one suggestion. If you want a 2-stage Toro snow blower that’s as easy to use as the new SnowMaster look at the Toro Snow Removal Powermax 826 OXE Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower 37781
. It has the automatic steering like the SnowMaster and the great Quick Chute. It’s only $200 more than the PowerMaster 724 ZXR.
Tom
Hi Paul,
Thanks for the quick reply. Your detailed response really helps a lot. I am now seriously considering the Powermax 826 OXE though I was wondering if you have any other recommendations for maybe a Craftsman or any other brand closer in the $800 range that might work for me?
Paul
Hi Tom, The PowerMax 724 OE that you mentioned is a good snow blower. It’s not as easy to use as the SnowMaster or the 826 OXE because it does not have power steering.
My “best value” snow blower, the Craftsman 88173 has the same features and power as the PowerMax 724 but it is on sale this week for $599. ($180 off the normal sale price) FYI, Sears has gone to a Membership style sales. To get the $599 price read this article. The Best Deals On Snow Blowers Are At Sears – How To Get Them! It’s free to join.
If you want a good machine for the Chicago area with power steering for less than $800 I suggest the Cub Cadet 524 SWE at Home Depot. Here is the link: Cub Cadet Snow Removal 24 in. 208cc 2-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower with Power Steering 2X 524 SWE
Sunny
Greetings.. Wondering how the 2015 Toro SnowMaster 724/824 worked out with the recent snow in Chicago? My Toro Power Clear had heck of time with the heavy slush we got this past weekend.. I had to take a break before doing my neighbours driveway. Appreciate any feedback as I am thinking about the 824 SnowMaster.
Thanks & God Bless
Paul
Hi Sunny, I haven’t heard anything yet. Anyone?
Dan F
I just purchased a snow master 724 based in large part on Paul’s recommendation. I live in a western Chicago suburb. I thought it did well in the very heavy slush. No it didn’t throw it very far, but enough to clear the 2 car driveway from the center. I had to unclog it several times by lifting and forcibly bringing it down to the ground to dislodge the ice, but overall I was quite pleased.
Paul
Hi Dan F, Thank you for the update! That’s what I expected. It sounds like it had plenty of power. None of the brands will tell you that snow blowers don’t work well on slush. That’s why they say, “Up to 40 feet.”
So, throwing the slush 10-14 feet is about right. I expect that the deeper stuff it threw better. I have a feeling that many of the older 2-stage blower just clogged up and wouldn’t throw it at all.
I know it will throw “good snow” a lot farther now.
Tom
Hi Paul,
Once again appreciate all your input! I’ll be sure to purchase by clicking one of the links on your site when I decide.
Phil T
Thanks to Paul and DanF. I am also in Chicago western suburbs and usually battling the snow plow on my driveway curb whenever we get heavy snow. I’m jot real concerned how far it gets thrown as long as it gets to the lawn and piles up there! Standard 2 car driveway.
Just have a toro ccr1000-e now and it’s getting old and clogged up unless we have a really small powdery snow.
I originally started looking at the Briggs & Stratton snow shredder. Funny one dealer had it on his web site and when I went there he said Briggs were no longer making them! Funny since all the lowes stores have them. Anyways, have seen mixed reviews on them and also was looking at their higher model wiith the 250cc engine but no one seems to carry it other than online. That dealer was recommending the Husqvarna st 151 but it seems I will have the same issue with plow buildup as much current toro.
I was weary of a 2 stage from their weight. I tried a neighbors and couldn’t control it except at the lowest speed. Even then, it wore me out
The Snowmaster seems to be a good compromise. If it’s a major storm, I accept having to do multiple cleanings of the driveway.
You agree it’s better than the Briggs 250cc model?
Thanks for a great site!
Paul
Hi Phil, Yes.
Please be aware that the SnowMaster has a scraper bar so it cleans like a two stage. You can’t clean packed down snow to the pavement like you could with the CCR. If that bothers you look at the Toro 721 E.
By the way, I have a Husqvarna ST151. It doesn’t handle the plow build up as well as I like and it has one irritating habit. The little rubber scraper that cleans up behind the auger is about 2 inches behind the auger. So when you try cleaning an inside corner, say right by the side door to your garage, it always leaves this little pile of snow. In other words, I still have to get out the broom or shovel to clean up after the snow blower.
Phil T
Thanks again. Just bought the Snowmaster 724 qxe and will be delivered in a few days. They had the 721 qze right next to it.. I’m surprised only $30 difference between them. Seems like you get much more for th buck with the 724. The price difference between the 721 e and qze seems a lot for just the quick shoot control unless I’m missing something else.
Now we just need some snow! Not!!!
Paul
Hi Phil, Congtrats! I want just enough snow to review the snow blowers I have sitting here. After that I also don’t want anymore!
The 724 QXE also has electric start.
Phil T
The E fell off on the next line. I was mentioning the 721E vs the 721QZE difference was the quick shoot for $100.
Paul
Hi Phil, The chute is the only difference but I will say the quick chute is so easy to use.
Tom
Hi Paul,
Thanks for the detailed review. I saw this in Home Depot the other day and was interested in it. I live in the Chicagoland area and have a ‘U’ shaped drive way that can park around 6 cars and sidewalk to do for a corner house. I’m trying to decide between the Toro SnowMaster 724 QXE and the Powermax 724 OE 2-Stage Gas Snow Blower. Our worse snows are usually about a foot to a foot and a half but we only get those around 1-2 times a year. Most of our snowfall in the winter is around 4-8 inches. Just wondering what your thoughts might be on which one might be a better option for me?
Paul
Hi Tom, I’m not confident that the Snow Master is the right choice for Chicagoland. As you know I lived there for 30 years and there were many years when a snow blower like the SnowMaster would not do the job. In fact, my daughter lives in the south suburbs and I gave her and her husband a single stage to use 3 years ago. After one season she asked for a 2-stage. They tell me now that the 2-stage is the right snow blower for them.
The biggest problem I have with the Toro Snow Removal Powermax 724 OE 2-Stage Gas Snow Blower 37779
is it does not have power steering so if you are not that fit you may complain that it is hard to steer.
I do have one suggestion. If you want a 2-stage Toro snow blower that’s as easy to use as the new SnowMaster look at the Toro Snow Removal Powermax 826 OXE Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower 37781
. It has the automatic steering like the SnowMaster and the great Quick Chute. It’s only $200 more than the PowerMax 724.
Ralph
Hello Paul.
As the happy owner of a 2011 Toro 221QZE who lives on LI in NY, I am finding this new Toro Snowmaster very attractive for several reasons. There’s 2troke vs. 4stroke, Personal Pace, the enhanced quick shoot as well as the apparent simplicity of replacing the rubber auger on this model vs. the 221’s.
What I would like to know is your opinion on how this machine would compare to the 221 as far as capability. I am very happy with the 221’s performance but I am getting older(61) and the 221 is becoming harder to control. It’s a beast of a machine and that’s both a positive and a negative. I do have a slightly graded driveway and pushing this machine is becoming harder especially as the augers begin to wear down. I live on a busy residential street and the 221 handles the EOD ok but sometimes I have to knock it down into smaller pieces. That’s ok with me since I do not have the space for an actual 2 stage as I have no garage and I am barely able to store the 221 in a small plastic shed.
Would trading in the 221 for this machine be a mistake in your opinion? Thank you.
Great site. I look forward to reading more of it!
Paul
Hi Ralph, I do suggest the 724 QXE with the Quick Chute and electric start. The 824 has a bigger engine if you want twice the power of your 221.
Now, the SnowMaster’s auger does not touch the ground. It has a scraper bar under the front like a 2-stage. So it cleans well but won’t clean that packed down snow from a car has driven on like your 221.
The SnowMaster will be about 4 inches wider than your 221 for storage. It weighs about the same but will be easier to use because of the larger driven tires.
Because the SnowMaster’s engine is about 30% larger than the 221’s I expect it to throw snow farther and be a lot quicker on the heavy, wet stuff.
Ralph
The extra width could be a problem so I’ll have to check that. I appreciate you pointing out that dimension as I totally missed it. Getting rid of the exhaust odor of the 2stroke would be big plus so I’ll take a trip to Home Depot and get an exact measurement while keeping my fingers crossed. Grateful for the advice. Thank you very much.
mike prego
Hi paul, great site. I am a homeowner in Long Island NY so I was very interested in your quote about LI…
I am looking to buy my first snow blower after debating and not buying last year. Was planning on getting the power max 724 OE. But now after reading this review I wonder if I should be getting this snowmaster 724. I have a 2 car wide normal length long island driveway so the throw distance shouldnt be an issue. and I have an asphalt driveway with paver walkway. What are your thoughts between the two. the snowmaster is $50 less. but I don’t mind spending the extra $50 if the power max is worth it for me.
Thanks for your time.
Paul
Hi Mike, The PowerMax 724, does not have power steering. It uses a solid axle so it can be harder to turn but it will handle drifts better. Think back to last year, did you get drifting deeper than your knees? If yes, then the PowerMax is the best choice. It will handle 18-24 inch drifts better than the SnowMaster. It will handle your snow from 2-20 inches well.
The SnowMaster is faster and has power steering. It will be great for those 2-14 inch snows. It will not be quite as good as the PowerMax for the end of driveway snow. If you are forecast to really get dumped on with more than 14 inches or so on I would plan on going out in the storm to clean the driveway.
So, if you live in an area that gets a lot of wind (drifting) get the PowerMax. If you are more sheltered (in town) and want to get your snow cleared as quickly as possible get the SnowMaster.
Chris
Morning Paul,
I live just south of the Poconos in PA. I had an electric plug in last year and quickly realized that it was not going to cut it. My main concern of area to be cleared is my brand new fixed driveway. which is a 2 car driveway 21′ wide and around 65′ long and it has a very mind slop towards the road. I do get some pretty good buildup at the end of the drive from the plows usually 3 to 5 inches abouve the cuurect snow accumulation. I also have a 16×16 patio area (that is pavers) just outside the garage that leads to about 40 feet x 32″ wide concrete sidewalk that leads to a 18×10 deck (trex deck) to get to our back sliding door to enter the home. I also have about another 50 feet of concrete sidewalk around the side of the house and about 50 feet x 6 feet for a concrete wraparound front porch. I really do not have a front walkway, just grass slope to the mailbox.
I was looking at several different 24″ wide models I am interested in the new snowmaster. I would like to stay under the $900 that is the top of my budget.
I have looked at the snow tek, ariens compact, cadet 24 with power steering, and a few of the craftman options. The garage is kind of small i had a 2015 nissan altima as a rental when my car was in for repair and at 192″ length was just able to sneak into the garage.
I greatly appreciate you insight.
Paul
Hi Chris, I really feel that you won’t be happy with the single stage SnowMaster. I suggest you get a 2-stage. The wind can blow pretty well in the Poconos and the snow drifts can get very hard.
I understand you want to stay around 24 inches. I’d actually suggest a slightly bigger 26 inch machine for the amount you have to clear.
The Cub Cadet 524 SWE is a good choice. It’s a good full featured snow blower for $800. The Craftsman 88173 has less features but is a good, basic snow blower with plenty of power for a really good price.
The Ariens Compact is comparable to these two but you don’t get any more features and value for the extra price. I will always pick the Craftsman 88173 or the Cub Cadet over the Sno Tek.
mike prego
Paul,
thanks so much for the response. I am more sheltered so sounds like the snowmaster is the way to go. rarely gets drifts like that.
One last question for you, what about the snowmaster 824 vs the 724. I know the 824 has a bigger engine but you think that would benefit me at all.
thanks again
Paul
Hi Mike, The 824 will consistently throw snow farther. No, you won’t need the extra power for snow up to 10 inches. But over 10 inches you will find the 824 will keep going without the engine lugging down. Do you need it? no, But I bought the larger engine myself so I know I can blow that 15 inch-er I get once a year just as quickly as the 4 inch-er’s I get all the time.
Richard
Hi Paul, SUPER review! I love the 824 but I have two concerns. I have a 17-foot wide mouth to a driveway in the Chicago area on a heavily used commercial street and the city’s plow can be relied upon to serve up a good-sized, ugly-looking salt-slush combo after every snowfall over 4 inches. I’m hoping if I get at it quickly and then take my time the 824 would be okay to handle it. My bigger concern is that one of the walkways to the house is unusually narrow (22 inches). This walkway goes all the way back to an addition on the side of the house but nobody ever uses that entrance and I just want to clear the first 20 feet or so in order to get to the bird feeder. But the turf on either side of that walkway is a little bit higher than the walkway itself so I’m wondering if I would be able to just ride the skids over the edges of the grass, and if I try not to scrape down all the way to the concrete over that stretch of walkway but instead leave a little thickness of snow if the 824 would be okay over that 20 feet of walkway and for the 17 feet of dirty slush at the bottom of the driveway?
Paul
Hi Richard, Toro ensures me that it will handle the slush well. It may not throw the slush very far but it will throw it off your drive.
If the ground has not frozen the first time you clean that sidewalk you may find the edges of the snow blower will want to catch in the grass. It’s OK to leave a little snow on the sidewalk. Once the ground is frozen it will clear it well after that.
Do you edge that sidewalk? Myself I would edge the grass back about 2 inches on each side of the sidewalk now. (The 824 has a 24 inch cut but the skid shoes add an extra inch on each side.) The grass will grow back by the middle of May next year.
Michael Butts
Paul,
Thanks for the great in-depth reviews. I’m looking to replace my single stage Snapper. I’m clearing a 16×80 asphalt driveway, no sidewalks, in the Metro Detroit area, The drive is steep and S-shaped & my current machine tends to “wander” off the to right so it takes a lot of effort to keep it in line. Will this machine hold its line?
Paul
Hi Michael, Yes, the SnowMaster will go in a straight line for you because of two reasons.
1. The wheels are powered. Both wheels are driving so it will help keep the snow blower going in a straight line. Now if your snow is packed down from a car driving over it and the wheels start to spin it may slide sideways a little because it a nice, lightweight machine, but nothing like the single stage does.
2. The front auger does not touch the ground. This is the biggest reason your single stage wants to wander down the slope. When you clear snow with a single stage the front auger is hitting the ground most of the weight of the machine is riding on that spinning auger. That spinning auger is going to take the path of least resistance – i.e., wander down the slope. The SnowMaster uses a scraper bar underneath like a 2-stage so the auger never touches the ground.
Larger 2-stage snow blowers don’t slide downhill near as often because they weigh 4 times as much as your single stage and almost twice as much as the SnowMaster. Plus the front augers don’t touch the ground.
Michael Butts
Paul,
I ordered a 824 on November 2nd and it was still in the box yesterday when the snow prediction went from “2 to 4 inches” to “8 to 12 inches.” Very simple assembly with just 3/8 and 7/16 wrenches. I went through 8″ of very wet snow without a problem. No slipping or sliding sideways like my previous single stage. I find this unit a easier to use than a two stage. It’s more like a self-propelled lawnmower. Easy to turn, easy to pull back.
Paul
Hi Michael, That’s wonderful! With any new snow blower I am always a little nervous about suggesting it to a lot of people. I had played with a prototype but I only had about 5 minutes use. I’m really glad it is the right choice!
Aaron Debner
Paul,
I really like what I see with Toro’s new snowmaster. I feel like it would be the perfect fit for a Pittsburgh house with a large sloped driveway. But the wife just saw that homedepot has a Powersmart 2 stage 24in. 208 cc with power steering for $549.00 with free shipping (Model #DB765124). I know you don’t currently have reviews for Powersmart blowers, but I was wondering if you are working on a review for this one.This blower is insanely competitive on price and seems to receiving decently high reviews. I am concerned that I will feel the effects of paying less for a blower in future winters if I go with this Chinese made model. Let me know what your thoughts are you seem to be the wisest snowblower connoisseur out there.
Paul
Hi Aaron, When you get below $600 for a 2-stage snow blower there are a lot of trade-offs. First, the item is made as cheaply as possible. It looks like a snow blower and may even blow snow but it is very hard to use compared to the SnowMaster. It has a solid axle which makes it hard to turn. It has rudimentary controls meaning they work but you the controls are hard to use. Second, There are many complaints about quality. Holes are drilled wrong. For example, the handles are crooked. There are very few lock nuts and people complain about parts falling off. Cables and rods break the first or second time they use the snow blower. Third, your closest repair center for warranty work is in Butler. (42 miles) Parts are only available by ordering through Amerisun at the Itasca, Il home office during regular business hours. I am not concerned that Amerisun will go out of business. They are fully supported by a 550 employee factory started in 2005. (Zhejiang Dobest Power Tools Co., Ltd. No.9 Huacheng west road,Chengxi New zone,Yongkang 321300, Zhejiang, China ). Fourth, some items I specifically don’t like: The chute is not a hanging chute and may pop off when blowing heavy wet snow. The engine is labeled LCT, but it is the lowest quality engine they make.
The SnowMaster on the other hand is built to last. It uses the latest technology to give you a product that works well out of the box and will last you many, many years. It uses a premium engine and all of the controls, cables, and parts are heavier duty than the PowerSmart. I suggest putting this review on your phone and then taking her to Home Depot and compare each picture of the SnowMaster to the parts on the PowerSmart.
Please tell your wife that in my opinion buying a PowerSmart is like buying a $20 set of king size bedsheets at the flea market and expecting them to feel as good and last as long as a $200 1000 Thread Count Egyptian Cotton Sateen Sheet Set at Macy’s. You feel good because you saved $230 but you don’t feel as good about your purchase when the $20 set of sheets falls apart after the second washing.
Darrin Ross
Just checking: what about the Husqvarna ST224P? From your other comments it seem like one of your favorites, and this was the one you picked for your daughter. I ask because for the same price as the Craftsman and $100 less than the Toro, it seems to have more features (most notably the adjustable handles, better light, and heated grips).
I’m leaning towards to Toro, but is it $100 better than the Husqvarna for less features? Thanks again, Paul.
Paul
@Darin, You stated you didn’t have a Husqvarna dealer near you so I didn’t mention it. There are dealers in Streator, Seneca, Princeton and Mendota.
The Toro is so easy to use. The quick chute is the best in class and the auto-steer uses no triggers or extra stuff. The Toro’s light is in the right place to give you good lighting.
The ST224P is a good machine and has the advantage of the adjustable handles. That’s nice if you are under 5’5″ or over 6’3″. The Husqvarna lights are unique and they give you good lighting on each side of the machine. Almost all of the owners state the hand warmers don’t get warm enough. Yes, last year I gave her the Husqvarna to use but this year I would most likely give her the new Toro 826 OXE because it’s simpler to use.
If you are not going to buy online I feel a good local dealer is a key feature of any snow blower. If you have a problem a good dealer can quickly get you back moving snow.
Ricardo
Greetings Paul,
Thanks for the wealth of details in your review and first impressions. I’m writing as I Live in New England (North of Boston) and after last year’s winter my wife and I decided that a snow blower is in order. We do have a small, concrete 2 car driveway which is about 20’W x 30’L, so with the cars in there, there is not much room to maneuver and hence we have been looking for a small (as our storage room is also limited), yet powerful and maneuverable snowblower and I think this Snowmaster may be the answer to our search. IN addition it seems that I should be able to drag it up on my deck and use it to clear out the deck as well, however I do have a few reservations that I would like your thoughts on.
a) Will this be able to handle & blow out the pile of snow that the plow usually dumps in front of the cars? – Moving those piles of snow by hand last year was the ultimate deciding factor in buying a snowblower.
b) If so, do you think the 724 will have enough power or should we spring for the 824.
c) Should I go with the 88173 instead, even though its slightly bigger, bulkier and perhaps less maneuverable?
Thanks in Advance for your time!
Paul
Hi Ricardo, I really don’t have enough experience with the SnowMaster to tell you it will work well in your area. Because of last year I am only recommending heavy-duty snow blowers with high-powered engines for Boston.
That said, the area you have to clean is so small that the 824 may do the job for you. But for me to suggest it I have to say that it will only work on 12-15 inches of snow at a time and will only throw it 20-30 feet. So if you have a big storm predicted you will have to go out in the storm and clear your driveway at least twice. It will handle the end-of-driveway snow better than shoveling especially if you clear it before it freezes into a rock wall. It won’t be as fast as the heavy-duty snow blowers but it will get the job done.
My first choice for you is not the Craftsman 88173 but the 2015 Craftsman Professional 24″ 277cc Three Stage Snowthrower with Power Steering. You can read my article here: Craftsman Pro 24. This snow blower has the high capacity to blast through any snow you get. It weighs about the same as the 88173 (200 lbs) so it will not be that easy to get onto your deck.
Gene
Paul,
I live in central Connecticut. According to the record, we average about 40-50” a year. The problem is it does not come lightly. It is usually a couple of 10-14 inchers, several 6” and some light ones. So, I end up shoveling for 2-2.5 hours a couple of times a year. It varies though, about 4 years ago my driveway looked like Grand Canyon with literally no more place to put snow away and I still remember the despair of looking at 40” of snow covering my driveway in one night.
I have about 1600sqft worth of driveway and another 300+ of sidewalk, plus I have to dig the mailbox and the entrance out of snowplow pile, which adds sometimes another half an hour to my shoveling. The big issue is the incline. I measured it at about 15%. With some snow on the ground I cannot make it up to the garage in a regular car and I can barely stand on it while cleaning without leaning on the shovel. On the other hand, the AWD Subaru goes up just fine and none of the neighbors has tracks, though their lots are not quite as bad.
I am concern about not being able to handle a heavy machine on the slope; on the other hand, I am not sure if I really need tracks, which come at much higher price and limited selection.
I would appreciate an expert advice here.
Respectfully,
Gene
Paul
Hi Gene, Let me summarize: 20 X 80 sloped Driveway and 300 ft of sidewalk. You want a snowblower that has great traction and I assume will throw the snow far away from your drive.
A 26 to 28 inch snow blower will be a good size. With an average 40-50 inches you can get by with a residential snow blower ($899-$1399) but because you get that occasional big storm a heavy-duty snow blower ($1000-$1799) would be a better choice.
Ariens is always my first choice for long distance throwing but it may have little problems with traction even with chains because it’s fairly front heavy.
Husqvarna ST327P is also a good choice. It will also need chains to go up and down your driveway.
My best choice for you will be a Toro PowerMax HD Snow Blower. These have the best traction for a wheeled unit, don’t clog and throw snow very well: There are three models and you can click on the links to read more.
Power Max® HD 826 OXE (38805)
Power Max® HD 928 OHXE (38801)
Power Max® HD 1028 OHXE (38802). You can read my review of the 1028 here: Power Max® HD 1028 OHXE Review
Gene
Paul,
Sorry I put the question on the wrong page.
Your response time is incredible. Way to run the site!
Great way to summarize my saga too.
Let me confirm, you think I’ll do fine without the tracks? (e.g. I will not be dragged down by the heavy machine). Load off my mind.
Ariens 921024 was my favorite. I am not sure what the implications of front heavy would be but I will go by your opinion.
What’s the difference between 38805 and 38800?
Unfortunately, 38805 is not offered by HD (only 37781, which is not the same and is not even available). Is it ok to buy online?
Also, what does letter “H” mean in the Toro lineup?
Paul
Hi Gene, The Ariens and Husqvarna snow blowers have more weight on the front housing which makes them great for cutting through hard packed snow but the trade off is less traction. Even with chains I doubt that the Ariens will go up the slope.
The 38800 has a Briggs engine. The new Toro Premium on the 38805 is advertised to give you less problems and longer life.
Yes, Home Depot was very selective in the Toro’s they offered this year. Even worse they are running out of their allotment already.
I think you are looking for the meaning of HD. Toro has two different frame sizes the residential Power Max and the heavy-duty “large frame” Power Max HD. The HD series has heavier components, larger tires and has the best traction for 2-wheeled machines.
Tracks are great. Tracks would have no problems going up and down your driveway. Track drives are expensive and I really only recommend 2 models right now. The Husqvarna ST327T and the Husqvarna ST330T. Click on the names to order.
The ST327T is in short supply and Amazon is the only place I know that is not having stock issues. (I sell hundreds of snow blowers a year through Amazon and I never have a problem with the delivery or service after the sale)
Just so you know: The Ariens Track Drives are hard to use. The Cub Cadet/Troy-Bilt Track Drives are not heavy-duty enough for your area and the Honda Track Drives are over-priced by $1000.
Bob
Hi Paul. As others have already mentioned, thank you for the details and photos. I know you did not review the SnowMaster 724 ZXR (36001), but other than the control for the snow chute and no electronic start feature. Is there any other differences? I’m looking for a budget snow thrower that is well made. I’m willing to forego the electric start and joystick chute controller to save $100, unless someone can convince me that those two features are a must. Thanks.
Paul
Hi Bob, No there are no other differences.
Darrin
Hi Paul. Thanks a lot for the wealth of information of this website! I have learned so much this evening reading your work. I’m looking for your advisement on the best choice for me.
I am late-20’s, this will be my first snow blower. I live in central Illinois (Lasalle) not far from where you grew up, so you understand the snow we generally get. Mostly a few inches, but we do get 1-2 10+ each year it seems. My driveway is 2 cars wide and about 1.5 cars long, but it slops fairly steeply towards the garage. I also have sidewalks, but no need to do any lawn or gravel. I live off a (paved) alley, towards the end, and would like a machine powerful enough to clean up the end of the alley as needed.
For the reasons listed above I have been looking into a basic two-stage model. My max budget is $1,000, but of course less is better. I will be using it primarily, but I travel for business and need something my wife can use easily as needed.
Here is my primary question: I am intrigued by the ease of use, ability to handle wet snow, and light weight of the Snowmaster models (I’d likely get the 824). However, I am concerned that since it’s not a true two-stage model, it may have less power than what I sometimes need. Also, the lack of reverse is a bit concerning, but might be okay I suppose.
So for (essentially) the same money, I’m wondering if I should get a well-rated two-stage unit instead.
The other models I’m considering are as follows:
–Craftsman 88694 (I like the quiet engine and great reviews, but I’m not sure if I’d like the power steering levers as much as some auto-turn models)
–Husqvarna ST224P (based on your recommendations here. It looks like a great mix of features, but I do not have a local dealer, so it might be the most expensive out the door of the bunch. Also, I’d have to leave town for service as needed.)
–Toro powered two-stage (826 OXE?) (The dealer that services my lawn mower is a Toro dealer as well. It seems the toro models are well rated, although the different ones confuse me.)
–Ariens 921024 Deluxe 24 (mostly due to the brand name, This is probably my bottom choice right now, but I can be swayed)
I would sure appreciate your feedback on my current considerations and recommendation based on my situation. Thank you in advance.
Paul
Hi Darrin, I had breakfast at the Flying J yesterday morning!
The Toro 826 OXE is my first choice. It’s a good size and won’t plug on those heavy spring snow you can get. The chute control is the easiest to use and I really like the new automatic steering. By the way the 826OXE is using the new Toro engine so it’s fairly quiet. (though not as quiet as the Craftsman)
The Craftsman 88694 is a little under powered but will still get the job done. The Toro will get the job done faster. The trigger steering is the way we have done it for 20 years and won’t take too long to get used to. It is the cheapest and if you use this link you get the best price: Craftsman 88694. Be sure you sign in and/or create a Shop Your Way Rewards Account.
The SnowMaster is not the best choice because of your snow pile at the end of the alley. I’m not sure it will do well on the hard packed pile of snow the snow plow can leave behind. (I need another year of testing) By the way it doesn’t need reverse because it’s so light. Pulling it back is like pulling your push mower.
I think the Toro 826 OXE and Craftsman 88694 are good choices so I’m not going to discuss the rest.
leonard
Hello Paul I get around to inches a year in Michigan. Would this be a good snowblower for me?
Paul
Hi Leonard, Yes, that is a good choice
Denny
Hi Paul– Thanks much for the great review. Very interested in the toro snow master but I’m moving snow off of gravel and turf. Do you think if I replace the skids with 3rd party adjustable skids and adjust them all the way down it will work?
Paul
Hi Denny, there are no third party shoes available. It is not designed to gravel and turf. It won’t work well no matter what you change.
Dan F
Hi Paul, just read your review and numerous others and have a couple of questions. I went to my local Home Depot yesterday and actually purchased a SnowMaster724 QXE. It’s not being delivered until Friday, so I can still change it. My questions are:
1. You refer to this as a single stage snowblower. Toro lists it as a 2 stage. Is this correct?
2. Most important , is this the right snowblower for me? I live in the Chicago suburbs- we get a good amount of snow, but usually not excessive. I have a 2 car garage, medium sized asphalt driveway and a bit of sidewalk. After reading about these, the impression I’m getting is that this machine may leave a thin layer of snow, since the auger doesn’t contact the ground directly. I was also looking at the Power Clear QZE 721. Since I am only using it on asphalt and concrete, would this be a better choice for me- that is will it clear to the ground better than the 724? I’m sure it is powerful enough for my needs, as I borrowed a similar model last year when we had our huge snow on Super Bowl Sunday, and it did great!
Thanks,
Dan
Paul
Hi Dan, Sorry for being late. I was in Louisville last week looking at all the 2016 equipment.
The SnowMaster is NOT a 2-stage. Toro states it uses “2-stage technology” and that refers to the two parts of the front auger. It does not have a separate auger and impeller like an actual 2-stage.
I feel the SnowMaster is a better choice than a straight single stage for the Chicago area. Yes, the Power Clear will clear packed on snow but it really doesn’t handle snows/drifts/plow drifts deeper than 8 inches. The SnowMaster will handle the deeper stuff.
The SnowMaster uses a “compression scraper” so 90% of the time it will clear right down to the pavement. It will clean that last 1/8 inch of snow better that a conventional 2-stage like the 24 inch Toro PowerMax.
My daughter lives in the south Chicago suburbs and I gave her a single stage to use. It worked well on the driveway but she hated it for the sidewalks where the plow truck threw snow on them. Last year I switched it out for a 24 inch 2-stage and she loves it. It throws snow farther than a single stage and will cut through that “snow plow” snow. The SnowMaster is technically a single-stage but the way it is designed it will work the same for you as a two stage. I feel you made a good choice.
Anthony
Paul,
Thanks for the great review. You mentioned that there was a large opening to get at the spark plug. Have you tried to get a 13/16″ spark plug socket in there? I was looking at the machine at my local HD and it looks like it would be difficult to get the socket on the spark plug. Thank you. Anthony
Paul
Hi Anthony, Here you go. It’s better than most. Yes it’s 13/16 and I’m using a 6 inch 3/8 extension.
Wally
Thanks Paul for this picture, but how do you remove the spark plug boot? Is there a certain alignment position for the metal sleeve before pulling? I’ve tried a straight pull, but no luck.
Paul
Hi Walley, They are stuck on well. Just a straight pull in line with the plug and they’ll pop off.
Wally
Thanks Paul.
Carol
HI Paul. Many thanks for the review. Question – would this be too much of a machine for a 65 year old woman to handle? Interested in purchasing new Toro snowblower. I live in the midwest and need something that is able to handle the different types of snow and depths of snow. Currently looking at the Toro Power Clear QZE 21 inch electric start model.
Paul
Hi Carol, Yes! If you would like a snow blower that will handle more than 6 inches (up to 18) and is just as easy to use as a Power Clear the SnowMaster is the best choice. For the midwest I feel the 724 QXE is the best choice. You get electric start and the really easy to use Quick Chute. The 212 cc engine has plenty of power for our midwest snows.
Steve Visek
Thanks for the review. I am seriously considering this machine.
Two suggestion to make your site better:
1) Please, please, please get rid of the huge red banner at the top of the screen, or make it smaller and allow it to be scrolled up so it isn’t always in the way. It takes up a third or more of the screen and is a major pain when reading reviews.
2) Please make all reviews printer-friendly or have a printer-friendly option. Some folks dislike reading from a screen and would rather print it out, especially when the review is scrunched down to only part of the screen because of that huge red banner!
Paul
Hi Steve, Thanks for the comment. I can’t get rid of the red banner but I removed the top scroll bar so the banner doesn’t take up as much room. I’ll talk to my website designer to see how to make it shorter.
My old website design had a printer function. I’ll get that put back in.
If you have a smartphone try reading the site on that. The pictures are designed to scale for vertical or horizontal viewing and the top bar disappears. About 65% of the readers are now just using their cellphone to view Todaysmower and Movingsnow. That figure has gone from 8% two years ago to 65% today. I try to keep the site very easy to read on the smartphone and laptops.
Dave
Hi Paul
I enjoy your new photo reviews, one of your photos shows the top end of the personal pace operating cable, TORO did not include a moisture seal and that will likely cause a frozen cable in very cold weather, the top end of the rotor operating cable is also wide open to the weather.
Paul
Hi Dave, 98% of the cable freezing issues with a snow blower are down by the discharge chute. Cables up on the handles and in the rear by the transmission don’t freeze up. At least that’s my experience over the last 30 years.
The only time I really see cables up there giving you issues is when you leave the snow blower outside in the summer. Humidity and rain can cause the cables to rust. If I have to leave a snow blower or lawn mower out all the time I’ve learned to spray the cable ends with silicone grease. (not regular grease and NEVER WD40) Silicone doesn’t build up and stays flexible in all temperatures.
I’ve been buying CRC Silicone since the 70’s and it’s never let me down. CRC Extreme Duty Silicone Lubricant, 10 oz Aerosol Can, Clear/White
Dave
I went to a local TORO dealer that has been selling & servicing since 1969 to look at the 824 QXE, I asked the service supervisor for his opinion on the missing seals, he showed me a current model single stage TORO that has a seal on the rotor control cable at the handle bar end, he said before TORO added that seal they replaced a LOT of broken cables when people got frustrated and used force instead of heat on the cable, in my experience when you have to blow snow on a windy day every part of the machine and operator get covered with snow.
Paul
Hi Dave, I’m sure your Toro dealer has a lot more experience than I do. I’ll never call myself an expert. Do you live in an area that gets colder temperatures than we do in Wisconsin?
You did spark my curiosity and I looked at the PowerMax HD heavy-duty 2-stage line. There are no boots on the handle side of those cables.
At least if you do choose a SnowMaster you will have at least three years for Toro to identify a problem with that cable end and fix it if it breaks under warranty.
Jim Warner
Hi Paul this is a very through review. I have enjoyed reading all your reviews since finding this site. I guess a picture can be worth a thousand words. You really covered this machine top to bottom. I am looking for a snow blower for the first time as too many birthdays have me retiring my shovel. I live in central Va. where we get maybe 20 inches a season unless a “blizzard” gives us a big snow. My driveway is 16×90 with a 3 car parking area. I also must go off pavement some for the dog and a few other paths. I am interested in this machine but I guess I would need maybe the Toro 826 OXE or Ariens deluxe 24. Any suggestions I might consider as well? Thank you again for your great reviews. Jim
Paul
Hi Jim. The Toro 826 OXE is one of my favorite snow blowers right now. It’s got plenty of power and the same automatic steering as the Ariens Deluxe 24. I really like the chute controls. The extra 2 inches over the Ariens will let you get done just a little faster.
You can get it at The Home Depot through this link or at your local Toro dealer: Toro Snow Removal Powermax 826 OXE Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower 37781
Jim Warner
Hi Paul>thank you for the quick response to my questions. I stopped by today at my local Toro dealer and asked him to order me a 826 OXE snow blower. It will be a few weeks getting in his order and hopefully a few months yet until it maybe its needed. I will keep reading your fine reviews. Jim
Jim Warner
Hi Paul an update on the Toro 826 Powermaster OXE blower. Just picked up today at my Toro dealer and its now in my storage building waiting for snow. I am still hopeful that winter is still a few months away. It seems to be well built and it turns so easily. You can raise the front end by lightly pressing on the handles as it is well balanced. My neighbor was impressed after helping me unload it when about a half a pull started the engine. Thanks for your advice and keep up the great reviews. Jim
Paul
Hi Jim, Excellent! I Hope you do’t get snow too soon either. Chicago was surprised today with the most snow they have gotten in Nov since the 1950’s. I’m really glad the 826 OXE was the right choice. Once you get some snow through it feel free to check back and let us all know how it does.