Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Last December, out of desperation I purchased a Troy-Bilt Storm 1130 2 stage that has all the bells and whistles including hand warmers. We had been getting slammed with heavy snow and it was the only one left. I must have been desperate to shell out over $1100. Worked great until this year and with a total of not more than 20 hours use I was clearing about 6" on the sidewalk when all of a sudden it started vibrating and making a terrible noise. Long story- short...the gear box is destroyed, a hole worn right through the side, sleeves and bushings inside gearbox also worn through the metal. I noticed a shear pin that had bent but didn't break. I called a local service center who has been in business for 30 years and he told me Troy-Bilt don't buld them like they used to and that their build quality is pretty much non existent.  I asked him what he owns and he told me Toro. I compared the gearbox from the Troy-bilt to that of the Toro. There is no comparison. My TroyBilt has an 11HP motor with a scrawny gearbox and the Toro I looked was a smaller model with a smaller engine but the gear box was twice the size and much beffier. I think I will be having my Troy Bilt repaired, sell it and buy me a ToroSO.....My snow thrower advice is simply this...Call and ask the people who actually service, not sell, but service these machines and get their opinion based on your use.  I think this would be good advice for ANY purchase.   Good Luck All!  PS  The distributor that supplies the parts for the service center did not have any of the parts and they must be shipped from the manufacturer. Minimum of 6 weeks so i'm praying for sunshine.