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

I am looking at getting my first snow blower - for a 100 ft gravel driveway that inclines (and curves) at approx 30 degree.  I am looking at either Toro (305cc) or Troy-Bilt (357cc) as both are costing me C$2,100.  I live in Guelph Ontario where we get a fair amount of snow during the year.  I have looked at the reviews and both these brands seem quite reputable - the Toro will be purchased through a dealer while Troy-Bilt will be bought at a box store.  My concerns are (1) ability to remove snow on an icy incline without slipping, (2) ease of use/handling (as my wife will also be using it) (3) reliability and (4) after sales service.  I am quite confused and look forward to some advice from the experts.

Product websites

http://www.toro.com/intl/ca_en/home/snowthrowers/gastwostage/1028oxe.html
http://www.troybilt.ca/troybilt/product.asp?id=2699&type=6

Thanks.

Toro is a premium machine while Troy-Bilt (MTD) is at the bottom of the list.  There is no comparison, Toro hands down.

If you need a machine with tracks, take a look at the Ariens machines.  They have tracks that are much more affordable then Honda.

Check out these other two brands in your area:

Simplicity
Ariens


Toro, Simplicity, and Ariens make products that are far superior then anything MTD has.  MTD makes many snow thrower under multiple brand names.  They make snow throwers for: Craftsman, Troy-Bilt, Yard-Machines, Cub Cadet, Bolens....etc

Brands like Husqvarna and Snapper are in between the premium brands and the MTD offerings.  Some Craftsman models are made by Husqvarna.

Honda are generally regarded as the top of the line snow thrower, but they have a price to match.

A 30% grade is pretty steep.  First and foremost I'd make sure that whatever machine you chose can be used with chains.   Some machines aren't designed to be used with chains (tires too close to the housing). 

Between a Toro and a Troy-bilt....I'd opt for the Toro.

Thanks for all the valuable input - I placed an order for the Toro and it arrives tomorrow.

GRAVEL HAS IT"S ISSUES!!!!!

Toro makes a nice machine but whatever you use on a gravel drive requires you be careful about setting the height of the skid shoes properly. The gravel can beat the inside of the auger housing to death pretty quick and can work it's way behind the fan and cause jams. Some guys report that Toros don't have shear pins while others say they do. If yours has them make sure you get a good supply as gravel drives can cause you to go through them regularly. Have a detailed conversation with your dealer about shear pins and the use of this machine on gravel as you say it's your first machine. This is certainly not rocket science but you can save yourself a lot of aggravation.

Use great care in choosing the direction you throw as if you pick up some gravel it has the potential to damage whatever it hits. The guys with gravel drives say they are less of a problem as the season progresses as the gravel freezes in place.

Since you are buying through a dealer make sure he knows you have a gravel drive so he can set it up accordingly.

Good Luck,

Marc

Congratulations on your new Toro, post what you think after you get a chance to use it. I agree about the gravel, we have paved our driveway but for many many years it was gravel. Huge pain to deal with. The Toro has shear pins for the auger but no shear pins from the gearbox to the engine. Also Toro shear pins are twice as thick as Honda shear pins. If I had gravel I's set the height of the scraper bar a 1/2" off the ground minimum. The Honda with tracks had 3 height settings. But with Gravel higher is better. It's bad enough I pick up leaves in my Toro and it really mulches those