Toro Snow Blowers
Toro Snow Blowers come to the rescue during the winter. When the snow starts to fall, clearing off the driveway or sidewalks can be one of the most dreaded chores in the house. However, Toro snow blowers could help you with that task. They are harder to operate than a lawn mower but much easier than using a shovel. Plus it will help you clear the area much faster than doing it by hand.
Toro Snow blowers or Snow throwers come in a range of options. Pricing on Toro snow blowers can range from as little as $100 to well over $1000, depending on what your needs are. One of the biggest criteria for which you choose will be the size of the area that you need to clear. We’ll look at the several options that are available here. We’ll even look at the specific Toro Snow Blowers that fit in each category
Single-stage Electric
The first one we’re looking at is the single-stage electric snow blower. They are lightweight and have a small footprint. They are usually about the size of a small walk-behind lawnmower. They typically don’t have any wheels. The auger has rubber edges and as it pulls in the snow and removes it from the area, it pulls the machine forward. These are also the quietest snow remover of the bunch and since it’s electric you don’t have to keep it gassed up and maintained. You are limited by how much cord you have.
Their ideal use is for short driveways, without much of a slope; decks and walk ways. They work best with less than 4 inches of snow. Because of their small span, typically no more than 18 inches, it could take several passes to clear an area. They don’t work well on steep inclines since they don’t have any external propulsion and rely on the pulling power of the auger.
One thing to note is that these models will often pick up gravel and other debris when working. Be sure not to aim the chute towards windows or people.
Toro Snow blowers that fit this category would be the Power Shovel (38361) and the 1800 Power Curve (38381).
Toro Snow Blowers: Single-stage Gas
If you have a larger area to clear, such as longer driveways, sidewalks and similar areas, plus you don’t want to be limited by an electrical cord, a single-stage gas driven snow blower might be a better option. These are most effective up to about 8 inches of snow and they usually have a width of about 18-22 inches.
Some models come with an electric starter. They are still reasonably light and often much more powerful than the smaller electric models. Again these models are pulled along by the auger, however they do tend to pull off to the side on steep slopes. The gas engines are usually two-cycle engines and will require regular maintenance.
Toro Snow Blowers that fit into this category would be the Power Clear 221Q
Toro Snow Blowers: Two-stage Gas
Two-stage gas driven snow blowers are the power house units. These models add in a fan-like impeller that sits above the auger that sends the snow through the chute quite effectively. They get their second stage from the engine-propelled wheels. These are designed for large or wide driveways with around 8-10 inches of snow.
Most of the models are between 28-30 inches wide and their power driven wheels can handle much steeper slopes that the other models. These models are much better for gravel driveways and walks. The auger doesn’t actually touch the ground so that keeps it from picking up the gravel and sending it flying. However, they are much larger than their cousins and can be as large as a riding lawn mower. And as with the other gas models, they do require routine maintenance.
Toro Snow Throwers that would fall into this category would be the Power Throw and the Power Max.
Features
Snow Blower manufacturers have been working to incorporate new features into their machines to put them above the competition. There are several new enhancements that have made using a snow blower much easier than in the past. Let’s look at a few of the newer options available.
Controls
One of the areas where the most improvements have been made, have been with the controls. As with your typical walk-behind lawnmower, almost all the new snow blowers will have a shut off control once you let go of the handlebar grips. This ensures that if you let go, that they auger stops spinning immediately.
They also have controls that allow you to change the direction and height of the snow that is being removed from the area. On the more expensive models, you will have two controls. One controls the auger and drive wheels, while the other adjusts the chute levels. Many of the Toro Snow Blowers have these features.
Clearing Tool
Some models come with a tool that you can use to clear out the chute or the housing around the auger. However, sometimes it’s just a plastic stick. If the model you choose doesn’t have one with it, you can use a broom stick or another rod. Never use your hands or feet to clear the areas.
Electric Starter
On the gas models, some include an electric started that you plug into an electrical outlet. This makes it much easier to start, instead of having to pull a pull cord when it’s cold outside.
Headlight
Several two-stage models have a headlight so that you can continue to work after the sun sets. Also this is good for areas that have shortened day cycles during winter.
Speeds
On the single-stage devices they usually have just a single speed setting. However most of the two-stage snow blowers have up to 7 speeds for the drive wheels. This allows you to slow the device down on heavier packs of snow to keep it from clogging up.
Shopping for Toro snow blowers
When you’re out looking for a new snow blower, it’s best to avoid buying more than you really need. Toro Snow Blowers have a wide range of models and you are sure to find what you need. For most homes, a single-stage machine should be perfect. The benefits to staying small is that it’s easier to store and it will save you money. Comparing these with the bigger units, you’ll find that they can keep up fairly well with the bigger units. Don’t get suckered into more speeds. In most cases 5 speeds should meet all your needs.
What counts the most when you are shopping would be the following options. Headlight, easy starting, drive controls to allow you to disengage the auger to reposition the machine and easy controls to adjust the chute direction and height. There are many other features, but these tend to be the most effective.
Toro Snow Blowers Lead the Pack
Toro snow blowers are extremely powerful machines and they pioneered the category more than 60 years ago. Toro Snow blowers are the number 1 brand of both single-stage and electric snowblowers in the United States.