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

8 HP Briggs and Stratton engine works fine. Impeller turns but loses power in snow. Is this worth repairing or should I give it away? Posted on Craigs List and got 30 replies in 30 minutes of people willing to come and get it. Made me suspicious. What do you advise?

Fix it. Nothing currently being built will be as stout as that machine unless you spend some big bucks for a Honda or Pro Simplicity and Ariens.

If it's a Toro Power shift model then absolutely fix it.

If you're planning on re-powering the unit, I'd increase the horse power to 10 or better. Small engines are relatively inexpensive these days if you shop around. A good place to check out is Small Engine Warehouse. Look at their snow engines. I'm sure that if you contact them, they can help you select one that will pretty much drop right onto your Toro.

jclmjl wrote:
Since you stated that the engine works fine I suspect that a belt just needs to be adjusted to the proper specs.  I might be slipping under a load.

I rebuilt my 1995 John Deere 828D about 5 years ago and then did some more work this year (drive shaft  was seized, pulleys slightly out of alignment). This time I was really compulsive about lubricating everything and making all the controls work precisely. I also modified the gate so I could have a much faster reverse and a faster top forward speed and I relocated the light. I felt it was well worth it. I understand how it works much better, the modifications made it better, and I smile to myself every time I use it.

Another advantage (I think) is that "they used to build them better." I really don't know if it's true, but my 828D weighs 305 # w/o electric start and the new 928E weighs 250 # with electric start. The JD shop people say the old engine is much more durable.

PS 1 - I made one major mistake: I repainted the augers - a tremendous amount of work (stripping the old paint, getting them sandblasted) with very little benefit. I should have just added more paint to the original.

PS 2 - I think the Toro power shift feature is really cool.

Hobkirk wrote:
I wish that I had the skills to do something like that.  Sadly I'm fantastic at taking things apart...but putting them back together is another story.

I would repair it. Definitely.
I stripped my 1971 Gilson/Wards blower down to every last part. Cleaned, lubed, adjusted everything. I was very close to taking the impeller to a machine shop to have a new one made, but settled for just straightening it out. But little things kept needing fixing. It would have required replacement of several parts. It was just TOO old to bring back without spending a lot.
However, your Toro isn't that old.