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

I'm going to add a single stage snowblower to my my snowblower collection.  I'm down to 3 models:

1. Toro 2450, 141 cc 2 stroke engine: $569

2. Toro 221, 141 cc 2 stroke engine: $800

3. Toro 421, 195 cc Tecumseh OHV engine.  This is a euro-spec. model that was destined for Europe but the dealer I spoke with has a few left over.  Price is $880.

All 3 versions are none electric start.  Price wise, I like the first one but the other 2 have the power propel drive system.  Does that make a difference?
The Tecumseh engine seems fabulous but will parts be available after Tecumseh went out of business last year?

The power propel system is already on the 2450. The Power Curve auger looks the same as the 221/421. Maybe the 221/421 is more highlighted "Power Propel" redundancy is used by Marketing folks to justify the higher price.

If you are considering the 421 at $880, I would recommend checking out the Honda HS520, also a 4 stroke engine, at the similar price point.

The Toro 2450 GTS is a good buy if price is a major consideration. The 2450 is compact and lighter to maneuver. The 221/421 is round and heavier to accomodate both a 2-stroke and larger a 4-stroke engine size. It is priced higher with convenience features such the Quick Chute and Zip Deflector, nice to have in the long run, even the initial higher price difference compared to the 2450 is shocking.

The 221 and 2450 are equal in terms of their ability to move snow. The engine is the same - the 221 is just a newer chassis with some neat features (better chute control) and the ability to accommodate a larger, heavier, weaker 4 stroke motor. Weaker? Yes. The R*Tek in the 221 and 2450 will out-throw the tecumseh (and the 4 stroke honda single stage) all day long. Talk to the lawn boy guys and the landscapers who run them (the R*Tek is a piston-ported version of the Lawn Boy Duraforce motor) - they reserve the Duraforces for the longest, wettest, thickest, meanest grass that stalls out all the other 21 inch commercial mowers (honda/briggs/kawasaki powered). That 4 stroke wont seem so appealing when you have to take the snowblower apart to change the oil every year. The reason the 421 is rated at 1800lbs/minute vs 1700lbs/minute is marketing, pure and simple. If you go back a few years and look at the CCR3650 (basically a 2450 with better chute control) you'll see that it is (under)rated at 1800 lbs/minute. They claim a HP difference between the 2450 and the 3650 but this is untrue - disassembly of the units show the exact same motor with the exact same carburetor and exhaust configuration - and this carries on up to the 210/221 as well. So....if the 3650 with the same motor as the 221 and 2450 was rated at 1800lbs/minute, why the change? ;-)

Here's some pics of my units as well as some disassembly pics to show I'm not making things up :-)

Disassembled 2450 to check the exhaust and carb


2450 and 221 side by side



2 Duraforce (R*Tek Lawn Boys)

superbuick wrote: Thanks for the response superbuick.  It's very informative and educational.  I notice, from the photos, that you have the 2450 and 221.  What differences do you notice between the two models.  Does that pivoting scraper on the 221 really take the pushing out of using the snowblower like Toro claims?

Yes, I'm interested in how well that pivoting scraper works too. Apparently, it was implemented many years ago. Very few or only one manufacturer actually had it.

The difference between the two models during operation is simply the chute control.  The zip chute is far superior - effortless and super fast at changing directions.  The 2450 uses a very rudimentary manual hand control.  For $230 savings though, I could deal with it just fine.

Both models propel themselves vigorously through the snow and clear to the pavement.  I do not notice the pivoting scraper making a difference one way or the other.  The 2450 does an excellent job as-is.  Either one of them will easily meet your needs for pulling you right along - no pushing required until you get to deep EOD stuff.