Hi Don, The SnowMaster is a single-stage and it ONLY clears hard surfaces. The 826 PowerMax will also clean gravel and turf. Check out this article I just published. I go into detail on why a snowmaster may not be the best choice. https://movingsnow.com/2020/2020-toro-snow-blowers-review/

I’m trying to decide between the Toro Snowmaster and the Toro PowerMax. I would like to get good surface cleaning and the Snowmaster seems to lead in this regard.
Your thoughts?

-Don

Hi Jim, Both snowblowers are a good choice for your area. Yes, the Deluxe 24 will do the job for you well – the Platinum 24 will just do it faster…

I am a central Missouri resident where we can get every type of snow from light and fluffy to slushy and wet. I am curious as to whether the Ariens Deluxe 24 can handle these types of snow or would I need consider the Platinum 24 sho? Your help is greatly appreciated

Jim

Hi Joe, there are quite a few great snow blowers on the market right now and Toro is one of the best choices.

If you want to move up to a 2-stage so you can get done faster and blast through the snowplow drift easily the Toro Power Max 826 (Home Depot Link) is a good choice. It is the right size for a single/2-car driveway and the amount of snow you get in the Chicago area. It will handle the “normal” snows you get and the occasional blizzard. Plus it has power steering and hand warmers!

Hi Brian, 1. There is a lot of plastic in the EGO 2-stage. That plastic appears to be the same type as what they use in everything else.
2. There are a lot of controls on the dash and some are not “glove-friendly.”
3. It requires two 7.5 AH batteries to run so if you don’t have enough battery to do the work you’ll need to buy an additional set of two batteries – that’s an additional $750!
4. They state the “power of gas.” What does that mean? The good 24-inch snowblowers have increased the engine size to 223 to 252cc (7-8 HP) and I can’t wait to see if the performance even comes close to gas. Yes, it may throw snow 50 Feet but if the snowblower is just crawling along to get that throwing distance…
5. Is it heavy enough to push through the snowplow drift at the end of your driveway.

Personally, I’m going to wait. I’ve had problems with EGO batteries and problems this year with the service that requires you to phone them. I know the Covid-19 may have had something to do with the phone issues but I still like dealing with a servicing dealer.

Hi shark dad, The two snow blowers
+are very compareable but you might as well “buy local.” The Toro Power Max HD 1232 OHXE is made right there in Minnesota!

Hi Jared, Yes, the 1030 will have the same capacity and throwing distance as the Ariens. They are VERY, VERY similar. I do like the joystick chute/deflector control on the Tor better than the system on the Ariens Deluxe.
I wouldn’t change unless you just had to have orange paint.