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Why Are There No Shear Pins on Toro Two-Stage Snowblowers? I get asked this question all the time. Yes, there are two bolts in the front augers of a Toro snow blower but they are not shear pins. They are simply there to attach the auger to the auger shaft.
That is NOT a shear pin
Here is a video from Toro to explain more:
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jmf1964
My 726 oe got jammed yesterday and broke the drive gear in the gearbox right in half, this is the second time this has happened since I bought it 4 years ago. I had to remove the auger/impeller assy and take the gearbox apart to replace the gear. it would have been much easier and cheaper to just replace a shear pin. This is a terrible design in my opinion.
Sue Linscott
I have a toro power max 724oe. I purchased it in 2015. Of course our first snow today it starts up auger spins but it’s not throwing snow. The part behind the auger heading to the shoot( maybe called the impeller) is not turning. Any thoughts on what could be happening? I’m a girl that needs my snowblower working. Thanks for your help!
Paul
Hi Sue, I suggest taking your snow blower to a Toro dealer. If the front auger is turning but the impeller is not the shear bolts that hold the impeller to the shaft are probably broken.
NickI
Which is better the Toro 826 PowerMax 2 last years model 37797 with the Plastic chute or the Ariens 24 deluxe. The dealer has some left over Toro’s and said they are just as good as the Ariens. The Ariens is a little more money.
Paul
Hi Nicki, The cast iron gear case on the Ariens is indestructible so the Ariens uses the shear pins only for major debris (like running into a chain-link fence) so you may never break one.
– The Toro gearbox is also extremely strong so Toro’s system does not use shear pins at all. It just slips the belt and/or stalls the engine if you get debris into the snowblower.
Both the Toro and Ariens snow blowers are easy to use. The only difference is the chute control. The Toro uses a joystick to control both the chute and deflector. The Ariens uses a crank for the chute and a separate lever for the deflector. So, if you are in to “joysticks” the Toro is better – if you like “simple” controls the Ariens is better.
Finally, both snowblowers handle snow well but differently. The Ariens uses a large 14-inch impeller and front auger to move the snow. It has a large discharge chute and it won’t plug. The Toro uses a much smaller 10-inch impeller and Toro’s patented ACS (anti-clog) system to off-load the snow from the impeller if there is too much inside the snow blower. It also doesn’t clog on heavy-wet snow.
Which is better? The Toro or Ariens. The only real choice is do you want a red or orange snowblower sitting in your garage…
NickI
Hi Paul,
BTW the Ariens vs. the Toro 826 OXE last years model with the plastic chute, Are the plastic chutes good or metal is preferred?
Is the Power Max® HD 928 OHXE an over kill for me with a much higher price tag for clearing snow from residential home?
Thanks,
Nick
Paul
Hi Nickl, Just so you know – Your comment won’t show up until I approve/answer it.
The Toro poly chute has been around for many years and it has always worked well but MTD ruined the reputation of poly chutes. Because of that Toro had to go to a metal chute to stay competitive with Ariens and Husqvarna. (Even MTD is going to metal)
The 826 will do a good job for you but if you don’t mind spending the extra $400 the 928 is a big jump in performance.
We had so much snow last year I had the house roof shoveled off. So I had 4-foot tall piles of packed snow all around the house. That’s about the worst snow to move. I used the 928 to clear that and it did better and faster than a $3000 Husqvarna I tried to use first.
Have you seen my videos on the 928? Here are two: Can the 2019 Toro 928 OAE Snow Blower handle deep snow? and Will Slush Clog 2019 Toro 928 OAE?
NickI
Hi Paul,
Are the engines comparable between Ariens Deluxe and the Toro 826 PowerMax OXE
Nick
Paul
Hi Nickl, They are both about 8 HP and both have a good reputation. I have both engines and they both start on the first or second pull.
NickI
Hi Paul,
The Toro 826 PowerMax-2 is 70lbs lighter than the Ariens 24 Deluxe. Does the Toro tend to walk up the snow and requires backing up more frequently because it’s a lighter machine?
The dealer is offering me last year’s model 826 OXE PowerMax-2 (37797) with the plastic chute and regular headlight. Am I better off with the newer model – 826 OAE (37799) with the medal chute and LED light which they say is brighter?
Thanks,
Nick
Paul
Hi Nicki, Two things cause a 2-stage snow blower to lift up in front. 1. A broken shear pin. 2. Not enough capacity for the speed you are traveling at.
The Toro and Ariens are both designed for more capacity than the snowblowers that want to ride up all the time. They won’t ride up in deep snow. They have plenty of capacity.
The only change between the 37797 and 37799 is the discharge chute is now metal on the 37799. The Poly chute on the 37797 is a great chute and the ONLY reason Toro changed it was because other brands plastic chutes used to break. Because of that many customers walked out the door when they saw the Poly chutes on the Toros.
Do you normally clear snow at night where there is no ambient light from your porch light, garage light or street lights nearby? Then you may want the brighter LED light.
Nicki
Hi Paul,
I’m on the fence between the Toro and the Ariens. Which one would you recommend?
Thanks,
Nick
Paul
Hi Nicki, That’s an impossible choice for me. I like them both. I suggest going to the dealer and move each one around the sales floor. Try the chute controls and see which one you like. Both are right-hand control – meaning keep you hand on the left control (The clutch/Drive) and reach up for the joystick or across to the crank with your right hand. Check out the handle height to see if one “fits” better than the other.
Mechanically, they are both equal, they are both high-capacity snow blowers with automatic steering.
NickI
Hi Paul,
Thank you for your expert advice and honesty.
Nick
Nicki
Hi Paul,
After much thought, I am leaning to purchase Ariens Deluxe 24 snowblower over Toro 826 2017 model year. It has higher intake, larger wheels, larger 14 inch impeller, brighter halogen light and it appears it has a heavy duty transmission over the toro 826 oxe. And it is much heavier than the toro.
The benefit I see with toro it’s lighter and had plastic chute with joystick, other than that I don’t see Anything else.
Thanks,
Nick
NickI
Hi Paul,
I went back to the dealer and I gravitated back to the Toro Power Max 826 OXE. The dealer showed me 2017 model – 37797. They also have the new model 37799 with metal chute for a few more dollars. I read more of your great helpful articles and I learned the new model Toro they improved their joy stick mechanism, now have wider tires and with new LED light. I understand the benefits of the plastic chute over the medal that snow doesn’t stick to it you shared with me. The dealer only has one 2017 (37797) left over and I can have It or buy the new model. Am I better off buying the latest model with improved features or it doesn’t matter buying a three year old model? What are your thoughts?
Thank you,
Nick
Paul
Hi Nickl, The 37797 is a good snowblower. But if there is only a few dollars difference I suggest getting the newer model. I don’t have a good reason why though…
NickI
Hi Paul,
Thank you for your expert advise.
Best Regards,
Nick
Nick
Hi Paul,
I am in the market for a one stage snowblower.
Is this model a good machine – Toro Power Clear 721 E21 inch 212 cc Single stage self propelled Electric start gas snow blower. Model 38753.
Are the new 4 stoke engines good?
or Should I search for a used Toro 3650 2-cycle snow blower instead? I read the engines on these machines are excellent.
Thanks,
Nick
Paul
Hi Nick, The 4-stroke engine on the Toro is very good. I have no problems recommending it.
The Toro Power Clear 721 Model 38753 is a good choice It has plenty of power and they last a long, long time. You can read more about it here: Toro Power Clear 721 Model 38753
Steveg
Which is better…Toro 928 or Ariens 30 deluxe?
Paul
Hi Steve, I have absolutely no preference between the two. What’s interesting is Consumer Reports just came out with their new list and they feel the same way. CR gave them both their highest ratings. They can both handle any type of snow and throw it a long, long way. That said,
If you are shorter than 5’8″ you may want to go with the Toro. Some owners state the handles are too high on the Ariens for short people. The Toro uses a very dependable 4-way joystick and a few owners say it’s too fast. A few Ariens owners say the chute control on the Deluxe is hard to use. (You have to reach over the dash with your right hand to use it) I have both machines and I don’t have any issues with the chute control on either one myself.
Check out the Ariens here: Ariens Deluxe 30
Check out the Toro PowerMax HD 928 here: Toro 928 OAE