Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Toro Power Clear 180: Anybody use it yet?
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
|
jlge99
Joined: Jan 21, 2010
Points: 3
|
|
Re: Toro Power Clear 180: Anybody use it yet?
Reply #30 Feb 2, 2010 12:36 pm |
|
You must have a unit that was not put together right. These little Toro's have been cleaning the snow right down to the pavement for the last 20 years or so, starting with the CR20 model with the same curved paddles.
External plastic parts seems to be as same quality as they have been last 5 years or so. Better than the Powerlite that it replaces.
Welcome to the forum, sorry your first post had to be a negative review. Hopefully the dealer can take care of the problems for you.
Not only did the dealer not take care of the problem, they didn't bother to tell me they weren't taking care of it. Called them up, they said bring it in it'll take a week to fix (!). Dropped it off 10 days ago, called today to check the status, dealer said, "Oh our guy who does the repairs is down in Florida, he'll be back in three days." Would've been nice to know when I dropped it off. I told him I'll come pick it up, bring it back to the store I bought it from (which does not do warranty service, hence I had to bring it to this place) and get my money back.
First off, for anyone inclined to shed a tear for the demise of the mom and pop hardware store, think twice. Some of them are going out of business for a reason. Second, I don't know if the "unit was put together right" or what. I only know I paid good money for it, it leaked gas after two uses, and didn't get down to the pavement as advertised. So, it fell a bit short of expectation to say the least. Lived here in Chicagoland for 18 years, resisted buying a snowblower until now. One month, $400 and two uses later, it's been gas leak followed by trip to service dealer followed by incompetent non-service. Happy ending though -- the leaking fuel vapor didn't explode in my garage and burn my house down, and the dealer I bought it from agreed to refund my money. Lesson learned.
|
jlge99
Joined: Jan 21, 2010
Points: 3
|
|
Re: Toro Power Clear 180: Anybody use it yet?
Reply #34 Feb 2, 2010 6:32 pm |
|
I'm in the Chicagoland area too. Let me know what zip code (no names necessary) where that mom and pop dealer that did not service your snowblower promptly and I'll make a point not to do business with them. 60187
|
aa335
Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434
|
|
Re: Toro Power Clear 180: Anybody use it yet?
Reply #36 Feb 2, 2010 11:38 pm |
|
All the while my 2 stroke powerlite works wonderfully, starts on the first pull, and leaks nothing..... The fact that it weighs less and has more power too....I'll deal with the "messy mixing of oil and gas" (riiiiiiiiiiight) any day of the week! That little bumblebee has been in production for the last 10 years. I hope Toro has gotten the bugs out of it by now. Toro did have some initial hick ups with the Rtek engine in the Toro 3650 when it first came out, something about a plastic carb and snow getting in around choke lever. So it is expected to have some problems with the Powerclear 180 on its first production year. Don't tempt me to buy the last new Powerlite 2- smoke in my area. By the way, my 10 year old 4 stroke snowblower still starts nicely, usually on 2nd pull since it doesn't have primer bulb. It weight a LOT, 95lbs. It's only messy once a year for oil change. It looks like this: The only thing that looks better is a Toro Snow Commander.
This message was modified Feb 3, 2010 by aa335
|
aa335
Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434
|
|
Re: Toro Power Clear 180: Anybody use it yet?
Reply #38 Feb 3, 2010 10:48 am |
|
That 621 is a nice machine AA335! Honda doesn't make them like that anymore unfortunately. It is quite a machine. It's in really good condition considering the age. I've thought about restoring it to showroom status and retire it as a garage queen. Then I'd get a Toro 421Q or 221Q to do most of the snowblowing duties. The HS1132TAS is reserved for attacking EOD and helping out the neighbors or when snow gets higher than 10 inches. There's just something very satisfying about seeing a 50 foot rooster tail of snow coming out of this machine. Ranks right up there with a perfectly executed powerslide. By the way, the HS621 is still in production (in the USA?) and but only available for sale in Canada and other parts of the world, not USA. I guess the customer base for a $1000+ single stage snowblower is too small or non-existent. It's a hard sell when current Toro offerings are so well designed, perform well, easy to repair, and costs a lot less.
This message was modified Feb 3, 2010 by aa335
|
aa335
Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434
|
|
Re: Toro Power Clear 180: Anybody use it yet?
Reply #39 Feb 3, 2010 5:23 pm |
|
we are a certified toro sales and service center up here in minnesota, twin cities area. so far the only problem with these taiwanese engines is the carb leaks fuel and or they will start right away , when primed, but kill.... toro recognized this issue and a carb kit is available under warranty.... they have problems with the "coating" on the inlet needle coming off..... anyhow if anyone needs to bring it in for service dont let them charge you.......................................................................... .................................... tell the it under TORO SERVICE BULLETIN SNOW PRODUCTS # 81................................................... GOOD LUCK chris I didn't know Taiwan makes engines. Say it isn't so.
|
|
|