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

It looks like we're finally getting some major snow in the Philadelphia area. Forcasts are all over the place but it could be upwards of 15". Along with the snow, most of which will fall in the afternoon and through the night, we will be getting blizzard like conditions and very cold weather.

I have a paved area that is about 50' x 70' to clear as well as a 280' gravel driveway. What I have done in the past, which was only one time since there hasn't been much snow here, was to set my skids as low as possible for the paved area and raised them for the gravel area (Thank you again Robmits for the gravel skids).

 I don't enjoy playing with skid heights since I'm usually hypothermic after any given time and blizzzard conditions doesn't have a good sound to it.

The question is would you experienced guys wait for the snow to completely stop and then remove it or would you do it in stages which would require multiple skid adjustments with frozen hands. Thankfully this is happening over a weekend so there are no time factors.

Thanks for the anticipated advice. I will give you a full report on the Toro's first real test.

Jerry

hi jerry,

my plan here in  north jersey is to cuddle with the bride until the snow

stops falling. 18" of snow should be no problem for your toro, in fact the

 deeper the snow the better my ariens performs.

Hi there Jerry,

For an unusual storm such as this, and assuming they are correct with the amounts and blizzard conditions, it may be difficult to keep your driveway clear no matter what technique you are using.  Even when the snow stops, the high winds are going to continue to blow the snow back onto the driveway and walkway.  The upside is that it will allow individuals many opportunities to acclimate themselves with their new machines.  The EOD snow will no doubt be huge and constantly require clearing since the snowplows are going to be working for the next 24 hours nonstop.  Just make sure you have sufficient fuel on hand to last you until Monday.  No matter what snowblower you have, you can count on them working to their limits, especially if we get these 3-5 foot snow drifts.  You have a great machine, in fact, the one I actually wanted myself.  The only reason I purchased the 828 was because I had to have the freewheel trigger steering.  Make sure you go through the instruction manual and confirm everything is adjusted properly.  I for one look forward to hearing your review in a day or so.  Take care and stay warm.

Hi Jerry,

       I didn't notice your post at first,and asked a similar question under the New England Blizzard thread. Sorry about that !  You have a nice machine there. I bought my Toro in December of '03,and they didn't have the steering capability then. So I guess we'll both find out how good the Toros do under less than easy conditions.

                 Happy snowthrowing! 

Thanks guys. It's coming down hard and fast. I have used the Toro in one 8" snowfall so I'm not a complete virgin. As far as the steering I haven't  found that to be a factor. As soon as the surface gets a little slippery it's rather easy to turn the machine right around with no great effort, both wheels driving.  I just put some weight on the inboard wheel and that unloads the outside wheel and around it goes.

One think I really enjoyed about the Toro was the joystick which allowed you to easily avoid getting snow blown back in your face. This should be a godsend with blizzard like conditions forcast for tomorrow.

Jerry

Jerry,
They come with a lifetime warranty. I think we should do a redesign, so you can easily add some 3/8 plates to the bottom of the skids set at pavement height.. If you want to send me a email robmints@qis.net.

If we make a couple of plates you can carry them in your pocket and when you get to the gravel, put them on and hold them in place with wing nuts or something.

Those should performs without any problems.    If they don't, I'd like to hear about them!

Hello Jerry,

For me I prefer to wait until it is all finished, then go out and take care of business.  You have a machine there that will allow you that option so I would take advantage of that.....

Enjoy the storm.

C

HI...

Using a snowblower... I'd try to wait until there's no / little wind...


Dave...

We got about 8 to 10 inches here in the Philadelphia suburbs. I waited until it stopped and did the hard top. It cleared almost to the macadam. I then reset the skids since my hands were still warm and did the gravel drive. I only picked up a few stones from the crown of the driveway. They made a nasty rattling noise but didn't seem to do any harm. I did notice that the chute material, which was recalled by Toro and replaced, muffled the sounds of the gravel much more than before it was recalled. I'm guessing the new chute is made of a thicker material.

The Toro performed perfectly. At full speed it never felt like it was laboring and threw the snow a helacious distance. Now granted this was a very light and dry snow but throwing distance was easily 40 feet

Jerry

Started here in Boston about 4:30PM Sat. And is expected to stop late afternoon Sun. Here it is 2:30AM Sun. Wind gusts up to 30 to 45 mph. Theres about 8 to 10" with 3 and 4' drifts up and down the street, cars plowed in up to the door handles, and the worst is yet to come. I'm waiting until it stops completely. Besides the "Snow Twins" are over, and there keeping me occupied till then...

Were expecting approx. 30 + inches when its done. The Twins are expecting a little less......Ok, a lot less.

Robert