Snow Joe sent the new cordless two stage snow blower.
I’ve had a chance to unbox it and get it ready for snow. Enjoy the video.
Feel free to ask any question in the comments below.
I’m in the process os comparing it to a typical 24 inch gas snow blower. I should have that video done by Novemeber 8th.
If you decide that this Snow Joe is the right snow blower for you the best price is here – on Amazon: Snow Joe iON24SB-XR 80V Max 5.0 Ah Cordless Self-Propelled Two-Stage 3-Speed + Reverse Digital Drive Snow Blower
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dennis carpenter
the gear plate was sitting loose on top of the discharge opening. There is nothing in the assembly book or in the video about how to secure it on top of the discharge.
Paul
Hi Dennis, Watch the video until 4:50 or so. Are there six bolts sticking up through the gear plate? I think mine has 4 with wingnuts and 2 with regular nuts. If those bolts are there I think there are black plastic clips under the plate. Go ahead and bolt the blue metal discharge chute to the gear plate. It should be right and work fine.
If those bolts are not there please contact your seller or contact Snow Joe to get the replacement parts..
ArkSnow
Love your site and your feedback!!! I had a small Toro push blower for a previous smaller driveway that just died.
I live in Glenwood, MD. My driveway is paved, slight grade, and about 650ft single car width. I like your write up on the Toro SnowMaster 724 QXE but started to wonder if it might be right size?
I also do have a John Deere x320 lawn mower and was debating this used attachment:
http://salesmanual.deere.com/sales/salesmanual/en_NA/lawn_equipment/attachments/sku23045_44_snow_blower_x3_x5.html
Any thoughts?
Paul
Hi ArkSnow, The snow blower for the X320 is overkill for your area. In addition to the snow blower you will need weight and chains to even move it around the driveway. You also have to be very careful buying used. Those snow blowers have a lot of parts that normally stay on your tractor. If the previous owner did not remove all those parts they can easily cost you 2-400 dollars for the parts. Finally a John deere snow blower is expensive to buy-even used.
Instead for your area and the amount of snow you get I suggest two items. First a snow blade, weight, chains for your tractor. Use that for most of the snows you get. Then buy the SnowMaster and use it to clean up after the blade, and handle the 10-12 inchers you may get once in a while.
ArkSnow
That makes tons of sense! Thank you Paul!
Bruce
Hi Paul,
I purchased a Toro 826 OXE model (37781) last winter and I’m noticing a serious flaw with it and wondering if you’ve run into this before or heard about it or maybe one of your readers have noticed this as well. The snow blower will startup with no issues the first time with just a single pull. However, once the snow blower has run for a little bit and “gets warmed up” and I turn it off. When I try to restart the snow blower I cannot get it to restart at all. Even when I use the electric start, the motor will just crank away. If I leave it alone maybe about 30 minutes or so… I haven’t really timed it, but once it seems to cool down the snow blower will restart again. Any ideas? have you run into this issue before with your vast experience with these machines?
Paul
Hi Bruce, Vapor lock is fairly common with all the “snow” engine – not just the Toro’s. I suggest talking to your dealer and see if they have a local fix. You can also talk to DonBoy73 here for a permanent fix. https://www.facebook.com/Donyboy73-The-Small-Engine-Doctor-on-Youtube-234040803408166/?fref=ts.
Dodd Cooper
Hi Paul. I was at Lowe’s today and saw the new Snow Joe 80V 3-Stage 5Ah snow blower. In searching the internet, since this machine is relatively new there are no reviews as of yet and I was wondering what your thoughts are if in indeed this cordless machine actually works. The only video I saw seems to be the one from the Snow Joe company itself and that tends to be somewhat propaganda because they are in business to sell machines. I am from Windsor, ON across from Detroit, MI and get usually average to below average snow in the winter. I currently have a gas powered machine (21″ 205cc) but when I saw this Snow Joe machine today it intrigued me. The interest in wanting to replace the gas power, it sometimes is a pain with starting as a result of over flooding and the machine won’t start. So I thought this cordless machine could resolve that issue. My only skepticism I have with entertaining the cordless, does it really work like the Snow Joe video says it does? My fear is it will bog down with deep & wet snow. Does it really blow 13″ deep stuff as advertised. I greatly appreciate your advise before I plunge and spend the $899.00 CDN that Lowe’s advertises for this machine.
Paul
Hi Dodd, I have one here and have put an unboxing review on youtube. You know I don’t just unbox this stuff but I go through why it may be a good choice for you. You can watch it here: Snow Joe iON24SB-XR 80V Cordless Self-Propelled 2-Stage Unboxing
How does it blow snow? How does it blow snow to a typical 24 inch 208 cc 2-stage snow blower? I hope to find out tomorrow. They are forecasting my first 6-9 inch snow so hopefully I will get enough to test the Snow Joe out.
By the way, I have sold a lot of Toro SnowMasters in your area and people love them for the wet snow you usually get. http://movingsnow.com/2016/it-snowed-2015-toro-snowmaster-snowmaster-824-qxe-test-on-pavement-gravel-and-turf/ and http://movingsnow.com/2015/2015-toro-snowmaster-724-qxe-824-qxe-picture-review/
Dodd Cooper
We all are going to get this snow storm tonight, tomorrow & early Monday morning. Please try this machine and email me a copy of the video. If it work’s for you then definitely it work for me. For now, I will use my gas powered blower to tackle this storm tomorrow. Thanks. Dodd
Paul
Hi Dodd, Here is the new video. Snow Joe iON 80V 2-stage tested in snow – Is it for you?
TheShoveler
Hi Paul, thanks for this site and the information! I live in a suburb of Philadelphia and shovel the snow off of my almost 1800 soft driveway (measurement taken when we resurfaced the driveway). The driveway is sorta 7 shaped (as opposed to L shaped) with a roughly 70ft single car entry way that has a gentle decline from the road to the “landing” in front of the garage. While I enjoy shoveling, I have learned that I cannot keep up with more than 12 inches at a time. And if the snow does not melt, I eventually end up with 3-4 ft snow walls that I can’t lift the snow over. With the area’s average snow fall at 22 inches, the EGO snow blower looks attractive, but my friend wants to borrow the snowblower for his driveway (I borrow his 42″ deck lawnmower all the time) and I’m not sure if the EGO will cover it. The Toro 724/824 QXE look like good options, but HomeDepot has a 24″ Ariens sub brand SnoTek snow blower (model # 920402) for $100 less, a massive review count (1423 now) and above 4 star rating. I don’t want to overspend, but I also don’t want to shoot myself in the foot (I bought a 21″ push mower and it takes forever to mow my half acre yard). The 24″ size looks about as big as I can manage in my garage with both cars parked.
Paul
Hi TheShoveler, If you are considering going cordless the EGO system is arguably the best because they have a full line of equipment to go with the battery. They even have a 21 inch self-propelled mower! Buy the Snow Blower / battery kit and then purchase the mower/battery kit later on and you will have enough batteries for most snow and for mowing all your yard. The EGO will charge in 40 minutes so you should be able to do you drive, charge the batteries and then let your neighbor use it. EGO 21 in. 56-Volt Lithium-Ion Single Stage Electric Snow Blower with (2) 5.0 Ah Batteries
For the amount of snow you get the Toro 724 QXE will be the fastest. It will throw snow farther than the EGO and will easily handle 14 inches compared to the EGO’s 8-10 inches. It has automatic locking differential that lets it have power to both wheels and still be easy to turn. Because you operate it more like a walk-behind mower than than snow blower it’s fast. You can usually clear a driveway 40-50% faster than a comparable 2-stage.
The EGo and the Toro 724 QXE will not work on gravel or turf.
Yes, the SnoTek is a great value economy snow blower. It’s been around for quite some time now and it works well for the amount and type of snow you get. It will work on all surfaces and will handle 24 inch drifts. It weighs the most so it will handle the end of driveway frozen snow plow pile better than the other two. Both wheels are driven all the time and it can be hard to turn for small people. For the size of your driveway (and your neighbor’s) it will last a long time.
TheShoveler
Hi Paul, Thanks for the advice. I went with the Toro 724 QXE and we had only two snowfalls where the snow blower was needed.
The first snow fall featured slushy snow that was melting. The Toro handled it quite well, but the chute jammed up when I directed the chute to the extreme right/left. This was of course was easy to fix.
The second snow fall was a bit more trying as we had snow followed by a mix of sleet and freezing rain. As a newbie, I wasn’t sure how to handle it. I tried to force the blower to pick everything up. This was no good as I was trying to move 4 layers of mush where each layer down was heavier than the one above. Since the blower is not that heavy, it kept riding above the heavier layers and I kept trying to force the blower to clean everything in one go. This didn’t work well. The solution was to let the blower ride up over the lower layers and then hit the lower layers on a second pass. Given the snow density, it took me nearly two hours to finish cleaning up my driveway. The blower shuddered to a halt two or three times while hitting the end of driveway snow pack. After doing my driveway, I did my friend’s driveway. The second time was not as hard since I wasn’t trying to move everything in one pass.
Would the 824 have done better on the heavy wet stuff? The 724 made my job easier. I was not dead tired after either snow fall. I would have never cleared my driveway after the second snowfall.
Tomorrow, I’m going to drain the fuel tank. Toro’s youtube video suggests using fuel treatment while running the last tank down before putting the blower away. My fuel was already treated with Sta-Bil. Do I need to use the fuel treatment when running out the remaining fuel?
Paul
Hi theshoveler, There is not one snow blower that will throw all types of snow and you just ran into the one type the Snowmaster doesn’t like on your first outing. Don’t be concerned.
There is no snowblower that won’t plug on the wet stuff. The Snowmaster is actually the best and it very rarely clogs.
The only reason why I won’t give the Snowmaster the #1 rating like sweethome.com did is because it is lightweight. That makes it really easy to use until you get that “one snow” that’s really wet and heavy. Then it doesn’t have the traction to push through the deep stuff. One you make one pass though you can then take 1/2 or 1/4 passes and it will do fine. The 824 throws more snow farther but it still weighs the same so it has the same issues on the wet, heavy stuff.
Since the Snowmaster does not have a fuel shutoff draining the tank is the best option. Yes, use the fuel with the fuel stabilizer in it. The stabilizer coats the inside of the carb keeping it from oxidizing.
Mike M
Hi Paul,
First off your site is great I just subscribed! I live in West Chester, PA and am looking to buy one this year. Growing up in the same town I was accustomed to the Craftsman models, the latest being a 5+ yr old 2 stage professional 28″ which was ok but I am looking for a more refined machine.
I am leaning towards either the Toro 928HD or Ariens 28SHO. I noticed on the Toro site under the commercial tab that they also make a 926HD but its not for sale. My guess is that its no longer available. I am a bit hesitant on going down to a 24″ model and am concerned that the 826HD won’t suffice with the lower cc engine.
Note: I tend to buy equipment that is more than capable to do the job. I prefer to spend a little more up front for piece of mind. That being said my budget is around $1500.
My driveway is a single that opens to a double garage. it’s approximately 75ft. long. Any help would be appreciated. I am short 5′ 4″ but had no difficulty handling the older Craftsman.
Thanks,
Mike
Paul
Hi Mike, I have no problems suggesting the Toro Power Max HD 826 OXE Model 38805 (link to ACME). With Toro’s anti-clog system they don’t need as much HP to do the same job as the other designs. I get about twice as much snow as you and I would select that one for my 2 car, 80 foot drive.
It has all the features and capacity of the 928 except heated hand grips.
Mike M
Thanks Paul. I have never ordered from Acme. Are they reputable? Disregard, I just made the purchase
Paul
Hi Mike, Acme Tools, Northern Tool, Tractor Supply, Farm & Fleet, Mill’s Fleet Farm all started about the same decade. Acme in particular is a family owned business that has a wonderful reputation for taking care of you over the last 50 years. You may not know them but I’ve done business with them for at least 40 years.
Mike M
ok, thank you.
Colin
I have a question about Toro’s lack of shear pins. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? If a piece of gravel from my gravel drive gets in there, what will happen? Thanks, Colin
Paul
Hi Colin, The Toro design doesn’t use shear pins and it doesn’t need them. Everything is tough enough to handle a frozen newspaper or large rock. If you do find something large enough to stop the auger/impeller the belt just slips. It’s a great design.
Patty
Hi Paul,
I’m in Worcester MA. I have about a 3 car driveway (wider near the house, then narrows near the street). Driveway is paved and flat. I’m a woman, 57, 5’6 and 120 lbs. I’ve always shoveled out myself, but looking for a little help this year. I’m looking at electric models, for ease of maintenance and because storage is an issue. I plan to keep it in a corner of my kitchen, so gas isn’t an option. I’m looking at the Snow Joe and EGO models and wonder what you would recommend – I’m assuming the EGO since it’s on your top 20? Price isn’t a big issue; just want something I can handle pretty easily. And if you recommend the EGO, is the model with the (2) 5.0 batteries adequate, or should I go with the higher 7.5? I do get plow pile at the end of the drive, and I’m assuming with electric that I’ll still need to do some of that by hand. Thanks for any recommendations you can provide. Thank you and love this site!
Paul
Hi Patty, You actually get twice the snow than the average person in the U.S. gets so I would never suggest just a single stage snow blower for your area. But, I also have to say the EGO electric is a lot better than shoveling by hand. Just so you know, a 2-stage machine can be left outside. Just cover it with an old blanket or cheap tarp and they start right up. That said,
You didn’t state how long your driveway was so I can’t say which size batteries you need. I know the 7.5 AH appear very expensive. So, I suggest buying the machine with the 5 AH. Then think about buying an extra set of 5 AH. (total four) That way you can be using a set and when you drain them, put in the new set and put the first set right on the charger. That way, If you do have a lot to do you can basically go 2 1/2 sets of batteries before you completely run out.
By the way, I don’t recommend the 2-stage snow joe electric for you. The single stage EGO is a better machine.
Patty
Thanks Paul! The driveway is pretty small, about two car lengths (I guess about 40-50 feet). I can usually do it by hand in under an hour, unless we get a few feet, so it sounds like the 5 AH batteries would be ok. I realize in a big storm I would have to do it several times with the electric…pretty much what I do now by hand. So it sounds like extra batteries would be a good idea.
Last year I was looking at the gas Toro Snowmaster 724; I really like it, just don’t like the idea of leaving a $700 item outside. It’s not a particularly bad area, but I know a more than a few people who have had missing snowblowers. How do people usually secure them outside – just a chain and padlock? I guess I’ll need to rethink this…Thanks again Paul!
Paul
Hi Patty, many people just put them behind the house but I would use a bicycle cable lock. They are a lot more difficult to cut.
The EGO is the first cordless electric to have close to the same power as a gas unit so don’t be afraid to get it if that’s what you really want.
But the SnowMaster is a better choice for your snow. Feel free to ask any other questions.
Patty
Thank you Paul, I appreciate the advice!
Donny
I recently moved to Silverthorne, CO, where the average annual snowfall is 100+ inches and as such, am in the market for a snowblower. Our driveway is roughly 1800 sqft. of flat concrete (40x30ft in front of the garage with a 20x20ft area for extra parking off to the side and a 20×10 area leading out to the road), along with a 50ft long sidewalk leading up to the door. Locals have told me they recommend a unit with tracks as opposed to wheels and I’m inclined to believe them. I’ve read a lot of your articles on the newer ones, but I’m unsure what would be the best fit. Also, if I could get a used one and save some money, I’d definitely be down with that. I’d just like to know if you consider that a good option vs new and how old is too old (5 yrs? 10 yrs?) on a reliable unit like Honda, Ariens, etc. I also read your notes about the Hondas having problems last year, but I couldn’t find any details or articles. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
Paul
Hi Donny, I started writing my response yesterday but it what I wanted to say was not getting down on paper in a positive manner. So I’ll try today.
I don’t like suggesting used snow blowers unless you are a very good mechanic yourself. First, most people can’t judge how long they have had a snow blower. They say, “a couple of years” and it ends up being 10 or more. Second, most all of the used machines have ethanol issues. Either they don’t have the right fuel lines or they sat and the carbs are all clogged up. If you have a mechanic work on a snow blower “because it won’t start” it usually $250 or more nowdays. Third, Track drive snow blowers are very rare and all of the older track drive snow blowers either had issues with the steering clutches. In the case of the Honda’s they had excellent engines but no electric start and no power steering.
I’m a fan of track drives myself but before I discuss them…the Toro PowerMax HD and the 2016 Ariens Platinum snow blowers have the weight of the machine over the drive wheels. They have the most traction of the wheeled units. They are about half the price of the Honda 28 inch with tracks and electric start. (electric start comes standard on all the other brands, Honda wants to charge $300 for it in addition to the exorbitant price they charge for the machine in the first place. I suggest a 28 inch Toro PowerMax HD or an Ariens 30 inch Platinum. (You can add tracks to the Ariens at any time) Both of these have the power and capacity to handle your 100+ inches. I have a feeling the Ariens Platinum 30 will move snow twice as fast as your neighbor’s Honda. The Tor is considered a commercial machine.
One note: If you buy and Ariens, make sure you get a 2016 model. They have gray wheel rims. They changed the balance on them and the 2016 models have better traction. Ariens also has a Professional model that still costs less than the Honda’s but has more capacity and long life.
Track drives: I like the Husqvarna ST330T. The item on Amazon is sold through Acme Tools and they are one of my trusted retailers. The Ariens track drives are only available through your local Ariens Dealer.
Troy-Bilt also makes the
. You may be able to order it through Lowes but Northern Tool is a retailer I trust. This snow blower has the same size engine as the Honda’s, has a better track drive and has a proven transmission. It throws snow about 40 feet (a Honda, Ariens, Toro will throw 50) But, you can buy it for half the price of the Honda. I highly recommend it if you need a tracked snow blower but are on a budget.
FREE SHIPPING – Troy-Bilt 28in. Storm Tracker 2890 2-Stage Electric-Start Snow Blower – 277cc 4-Cycle Engine, Model# 31AH74P4766
One final note: Be careful reading reviews of the Honda 2-stage machines. The snow blowers were rebuilt and introduced for 2015 – 2016 and had a 100% recall because of a transmission issue. So very few were used to actually blow snow. Any reviews you read where the review states “I’ve had it for 2 years” is for the old unit.
Alex
Hi Paul,
Thanks a lot for a wonderful site and great reviews. I’m about to purchase my first snowblower and am learning everything from your site as I’ve never operated a snowblower.
I live in the DC area, in Sterling VA (11 miles east of Dulles International Airport). The average annual snowfall listed on the site your provided is 23.9 inches. Most snowfalls we get are below 10 inches.
Thanks to your extensive reviews, I’m pretty set on the Toro SnowMaster 724 QXE.
However, you mentioned that it doesn’t do well on grass and gravel.
The snowblower will sit in a shed about 40 ft away from my driveway (18×50 ft long).
The portion between the shed and driveway is covered of river jack rocks. I don’t need to plow this area except perhaps to get the snowblower to the driveway and back. Would the snowmaster handle this short distance fine (if I’m careful) just so that I can get to the driveway, or should I just shovel this segment out?
I’m considering leaving the snowmaster on my deck which is 5 feet away from my driveway (separated by a gate), by covering it with a cover of course when snow is expected. The rest of the time if would be in the shed.
Should I go with the Craftsman 88173 instead, although I really really like the Snowmaster?
Paul
Hi Alex, personally I would figure it out because the 724 is exactly the best choice for you. I like your idea of covering it up with a cheap plastic tarp outside.
A.P.
Sorry to hijack Alex’s post, but I have tried endlessly to find how to initiate a comment on a thread and couldn’t find out how to do it. Finally saw the Reply button on this thread and decided to go for it.
Before I begin my point, I would like to thank you Paul for what seems to me to be the most comprehensive and helpful snow blower review site I have come across in my entire research process. You sir are a true hero to the likes of me who are total novices in this matter.
Now about my situation. Me and my wife are new and first time home owners at the age of 35. I am not at all “handy” and am currently in an “analysis paralysis” situation after reading all the info on your excellent website and specifically the Twenty Best Snow Blower article from October 7th 2016. I have a 19 ft x 53 ft asphalt driveway and a long concrete sidewalk that goes around the front and side of the house since my property is on a corner lot. You can fit 4 cars (2×2) easily on the driveway. I have no grass areas or gravel to clear that I can see (I have pictures, but don’t know how to post them). I’m in the 19067 area code, and the average annual snowfall listed on the website you provided is 23 inches.
I have narrowed down (if you can call it that) to the following 5 options in order of most to least likely:
1) Snowmaster 724 QXE
2) Craftsman 88173
3) Snowmaster 824 QXE
4) Craftsman 88694 (Recommended by Sweethome article and cheaper than #5 currently, why?)
5) Snowmaster 88394
Based on your article, I believe that the 724 QXE should suffice, but I am quite hesitant to pull the trigger on such a substantial purchase without some more information. As I mentioned that I am not a handy person and would like your recommendation as to which of the aforementioned options would be the most reliable, easiest to use, and easiest to maintain from what I have mentioned of my situation. Would I still use TruFuel that you recommended in the maintenance section for either of QXE models for storage?
Sorry again for the hijack and even if you don’t reply to this please accept my thanks again for the research you have already done and the wealth of information you have already provided to me.
Paul
Hi AP, It’s hard to find the reply section on some articles because I don’t have comments turned on for the older articles. It helps to keep the trolls off the site.
I’ll talk about the Craftsman’s first. The 88173 is 24 inches the 88694 is 26 inches and the 88394 is 28 inches wide. The 88173 does not have power steering, a remote deflector control and smaller tires than the 88694. The reason the 88394 is more money than the 88694 is it has a larger engine and is 2 inches larger. The 88394 and 88694 have the same size tires.
The only difference with the 724 and 824 Toro’s is the larger engine on the 824.
By the way Sweethome had a difficult time deciding on the 88694 or the 88173. The 88694 won out because of the quiet engine and power steering that makes it easy for anyone to use. The SnowMaster had not come out yet when they wrote their intial review.
I feel the Toro 724 QXE is the best choice for you. You don’t get that much snow and if you live in a subdivision or in trees you don’t get deep drifts over 24 inches or so. I’ve been in your area many times in the winter and it will do a great job for you. The biggest advantage of the 724 over the Craftsman’s is it’s so fast. You will be able to clear you paved surfaces twice as fast as you can with the 2-stage Craftsman’s. The 824 gives you more power but it’s not needed.
Yes, the 88173 is at a really great price this weekend but over the years you will like the Toro better. Feel free to ask any other questions.
A.P.
Paul, thanks for your answer. Snow is coming this week so I will be buying the 724 QXE per your suggestion tomorrow. I will try to find the link on this website so that you can get any “credit” for it if possible.
In terms of maintenance I had questions for you after I get it.
1) Is there any initial maintenance that I should perform while/before doing a first use? Fuel cleaner, stabilizer etc.
2) What in season maintenance should I do while using the snow blower during this snow season to keep it performing at its best
3) What end of season maintenance should I perform at the end of the season in 2017. I have read your article about using a fuel stabilizer and changing the oil in the spring etc.
The article addresses end of season maintenance mostly so I’m mostly looking to answers for questions #1 and #2.
Also, for the 724 QXE should I do some or all of the maintenance steps that you have listed in your article “Buying a new snow blower FAQ’s”
Paul
Hi A.P. There is very little maintenance on the Snow Master. The engine really needs no maintenance until spring and the rest of the machine is basically maintenance free. I suggest Sea Foam or another fuel stabilizer with moisture control and a sealed gas can. Here is the Gas Can I like. No-Spill 1405 2-1/2-Gallon Poly Gas Can. I have the 5 gallon myself.
Here is a link through Home Depot. If Home Depot is out don’t worry about a link, just go to your local dealer and get one. I make enough to run this website.
Toro SnowMaster 724 QXE 24 in. Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower
Alex
Thanks Paul. I’m going with the Toro 724 QXE.
I know protection plan is a personal choice, I personally prefer Sears plan. But I can’t determine if the plan from Homedepot is a good idea ($130 for 3 years, supposedly all is covered after manufacturer warranty expires)
Do you have any experience, feedback from others, or suggestion on the actual service provided/ benefit received under the HomeDepot protection plan, and whether it’s a good idea on this Toro 724.
I intend to follow your instructions for gas, sealed gas can, fuel stabilizer, end of season empty gas etc….
Paul
Hi Alex, Great, please let us know how you like the SnowMaster after a couple of storms. I really like the one I have here and if I could figure out how to use it easily on turf and gravel it would be the only snow blower I’d recommend for most people.
I’ve had no one complain about the Home Depot plan but…
if you are going to buy in-store I suggest talking to the department or store manager and ask them specifically how repairs are handled with the Toro snow blowers under their plan. Each brand is a little different and some areas of the country are different.
John
Hi Paul – I am debating between the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO and the Toro Powermax 928 OHXE. I am located in NJ 07920. I have about 200 feet of sidewalk and entry walkway. Drive is single entry but 3 wide parking area. Total drive is about 200 feet. I would also like to clear a dog path through grass around the house for the dog. He is 175# and blew out a knee in last year’s blizzard. Interested in your recommendation between the two or other brands. I am intrigued by the Toro 824 Snowmaster, but our local dealer doesn’t carry or recommend. We get a full range of snow from 3-6 inches, and big dumps as well. Thanks in advance.
Paul
Hi John, either one would do a great job on the big dumps and won’t be too awkward for the lighter snows/ I’d spend some time with each dealer and pick the dealer I like the best. I’m wondering if that Toro dealer is interested in staying in business? The SnowMaster is the most popular snow blower Toro sells right now. UNfortunately the SnowMaster is only designed for hard surface so it won’t work on the dog path.
Joel
Hi Paul, I purchased a Husqvarna ST224 this week (11/14/16). The serial number indicates it was made on 09-28-15. Should I be concerned with the belt issue the 2014 models have? Also Thank you for the great reviews and because of you I went with Husqvarna. I did not see the belt issue reported until after I purchased it.
Paul
Hi Joel, You are very welcome. No, you are ok. Just so you know the belt issue was mainly with the 27 and 30 inch snow blowers.
Tom Anderson
Hi Paul, every year I find myself out shoveling and tell myself next year I’m getting a snowblower. We’re fast approaching the season, and I want to invest in a good machine. I live in Sandy, Utah with a 60′ x 20′ drive way. I also help a few neighbors with their walks and driveways. One challenge is my drive-way has a steep slope enough for the kids like to sled down. I greatly appropriate your advice.
Paul
Hi Tom, You typically get more snow than most of the U.S. For example Chicago averages about 60 inches – you get about 95. Because of that I suggest a heavy duty residential grade snow blower. You don’t have a large area to clear so a 24 inch is a good choice. This quality and cost is around $1000 and will last years. There are many Toro and Ariens dealers in your area. In addition Home Depot is a good place to buy those two brands. Both snow blowers have power steering, don’t clog and can handle a deeper snow and the end-of-driveway snow.
Here are a couple of links at Home Depot:
Ariens Deluxe 24
Toro Power Max® 826 OXE (37781). Note: If you go buy in-store make sure you get this model.There is another one for $100 less that does not have power steering. The one without PS is listed as 826 OE
Tom Anderson
You’re a tremendous help. Thank you!
MightGoWithJoe
Thanks for the info Paul, do you know how fast the 3 speeds are? (especially interested in the slowest speed for deep snow) Know how long of an area would need to be cleared and how long the batteries last (40 minutes) but not sure how many batteries it would take. (Feet per second / minute of snowblower self propel) Unfortunate to hear about the lack of tread on the tires, any suggestions for chains? Thank you!
Paul
Hi MightGoWithJoe, I am doing three articles. This first one is the Unboxing video you just watched. The next will be a walk around review and the third or more will be using it in snow. So, I am working on the article that will answer all those questions and I don’t want to “spill the beans” until it’s published. I’ll also add a direct comparison to the other 24 inch snow blowers on the market.
Please sign up for the newsletter (the blue box on the right) and you will get the article as soon as it’s done.
p.ps. I’m trying to figure out why my wife’s iTunes are different on her iPod verses her computer. (I hate iTunes)