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Steve_Cebu


Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 888

My Wife using our new Toro 1028 with pics
Original Message   Jan 2, 2010 10:52 pm
We didn't have much snow, about 5 inches or so. But we had to get out so time to try out our new Toro 1028. I've gotta say compared to our Honda 928TAS the Toro feels really really light. My wife can't believe how light it feels and how easy it turns. She still has trouble with the quick chute but in a few storms she'll have it down pat. From the pics you can see how the machine is almost as big as she is. She was a little nervous using it but we are getting another 8 inches by tomorrow night she'll get more time using it.

Enjoy the pics. I hope they come out.

This message was modified Jan 2, 2010 by Steve_Cebu


"If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you live in New England."  "If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in New England."
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amazer98


Joined: Dec 7, 2009
Points: 46

Re: My Wife using our new Toro 1028 with pics
Reply #12   Jan 4, 2010 10:09 pm
Joed,

I also have the Platinum 24, which I thoroughly enjoy (and hope you will too before long!).  When I'm done using it, I slowly reduce the throttle to low idle.  Frequently, the engine will give a quick backfire as I reduce the throttle, but it's really no big deal.  If I let it slow idle for 5 seconds or so, then shut it off, it will quit with no further backfiring.

Have you tried turning the machine off this way, or does yours backfire more cantankerously?

By the way, I used to own an early '70s vintage Ariens and had to replace the engine with a Tecumseh, which also backfired when I shut the thing down.  I just considered it part of the beast's personality... no harm done.  But I have to say that the new B&S engine runs smoothly and performs with a lot of oomph.
This message was modified Jan 4, 2010 by amazer98
Steve_Cebu


Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 888

Re: My Wife using our new Toro 1028 with pics
Reply #13   Jan 4, 2010 11:49 pm
aa335 wrote:
How does the Honda Fit handle in the snow?  I'm looking for safe reliable transportation in the winter that I can also use for Home Depot errands.

The Fit is great in the snow, mainly because they use a very tall and narrow tire a 185/16 that's normally meant for 14" tires, so we cut right through the snow like a 4x4. We just run the stock tires with my Civic we ran Nokian snow tires the WRG2's. Awesome snow tire, but the Fit doesn't need them. Wer have 2 Fits because they are really that good. My wife gets around 38mpg and she's down to 32-33 with winter gas. My car have fewer miles so it's not broken in yet. I think I have 6,000 miles on mine. She has about 18K on hers. You can't go wrong with the Fit. Also I got mine under invoice! Tons of room in them amazing how big that little car is inside.

"If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you live in New England."  "If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in New England."
Snowmann


Joined: Dec 3, 2003
Points: 494

Re: My Wife using our new Toro 1028 with pics
Reply #14   Jan 4, 2010 11:50 pm
I spoke with a fella today about the backfiring and he suggested you turn the "crack screw" that controls the low idle and turn it up slightly. I think low idle is set at 1600 RPM. Try turning it up a bit.
Steve_Cebu


Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 888

Re: My Wife using our new Toro 1028 with pics
Reply #15   Jan 4, 2010 11:55 pm
joed wrote:
Steve,

Great machine.  I'm glad you and your wife are enjoying it.

When I was shopping for a snowblower this past fall, I had narrowed my choices down to the Toro 828 and the Ariens 24 Platinum Deluxe.  One of the things I really liked about the Toro was its lightweight.  On paper, the toro 828 was 237 lbs while the Ariens Deluxe Platinum 24" was 224 lbs.  I ended up with the Ariens mainly because the smaller width enabled the unit to go through a very narrow path I have on the side of the garage.  The 828 was bit too wide to get through.  Now, however, I'm regretting my choice because of:

1. Although the Ariens is lighter than the toro on paper, it's way heavier to turn.  It even has auto traction control.  My guess is because the toro is longer, the weight is more well-balanced.
2. My Ariens has the snow series engine from Briggs. It's been backfiring when I shut it down.  I know the toro has the snow series max.  Any backfiring on that?


Hi joed, we really like the Toro and we did have a Honda 928 with tracks. We looked at Ariens but they were too hard for my wife to turn even with their limited slip differential. The Toro feels light and it is well balanced. The Skid steer makes all teh difference when manuevering it. The 828 is a good unit. Fron the pics you can see we need a bigger one. That said we did our driveway in an hour and 15 minutes. Not bad considering my wife is just learning, heck we both are. Our Toro has a B&S engine also. It's brand spanking new so no problems with it. It's loud but that's about it. If yours 's backfiring it must be running too rich. I'm sure it's just an adjustment. Post a pic of your 828 in action! I don't want to be teh only one posting pics.

"If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you live in New England."  "If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in New England."
joed


Joined: Sep 1, 2008
Points: 84

Re: My Wife using our new Toro 1028 with pics
Reply #16   Jan 5, 2010 9:53 pm
I ended up getting the Ariens Platinum 24" Deluxe.  It' s heavy to turn, even with the auto traction control and the engine has been backfiring.  I really wish I had gotten the toro 828.
Steve_Cebu


Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 888

Re: My Wife using our new Toro 1028 with pics
Reply #17   Jan 13, 2010 7:41 am
Too bad about the Ariens, have the dealer check it out as it should not be backfiring. It's a B&S engine, right. So they should get it working right.

The Ariens was a bear to turn even in the showroom and the Toro was a breeze. That's why we bought the Toro, it was so much easier for my wife to use. here are some YouTube links of my wife and I using the Toro 1028.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rea9MWZwy18

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4Dy-38GswU&feature=related

I have the scraper bar set at 1/8" since our driveway isn't totally flat. I tried it touching the driveway but it was too much work and it kept getting hung up on bumps. Now it's perfect.

"If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you live in New England."  "If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in New England."
mml4


Snow is good,
Deep snow is better!


Joined: Dec 31, 2003
Points: 544

Re: My Wife using our new Toro 1028 with pics
Reply #18   Jan 13, 2010 12:32 pm
Steve_Cebu wrote:
Too bad about the Ariens, have the dealer check it out as it should not be backfiring. It's a B&S engine, right. So they should get it working right.

The Ariens was a bear to turn even in the showroom and the Toro was a breeze. That's why we bought the Toro, it was so much easier for my wife to use. here are some YouTube links of my wife and I using the Toro 1028.


Usually I would agree with your suggestion but after re reading Joed's other posts in other threads re his machine and what the dealer's response has been I think his problem is the dealer. This is the dealer that told him he changed the cam ostensibly on Briggs' warranty authorization to address a backfire problem on shutdown of a hot engine. I may be totally off base here but that story by the dealer made my bull $hit detector go off. I apologize in advance if I am wrong but you would have to show me the paper work from Briggs before I believe they would suggest/pay for a cam replacement for this complaint. More likely the remedy would be a carb adjustment or simply letting the engine run at slow idle for a few momments to let it cool off before shutting down. It is not uncommon for raw fuel to be drawn into the cylinder by the still moving piston after the ignition spark has been shut off. If the chamber is really hot the fuel will explode causing a back fire.

I realize I am at risk for sounding like an Ariens "toady" but the Platinum 24 my neighbor has handles great. I wonder if the tires are inflated properly and if the skid shoes are in proper adjustment on Joed's machine.. If the bucket is digging/dragging across it's 24" width instead of riding on the two shoe contact points the handling is going to feel" heavy". This is also something the dealer should have checked.

Sorry for the rant,

Marc

This message was modified Jan 13, 2010 by mml4


SnapperV210P,Toro22177,TroyBilt42010Snowthrower,Craftsman Shredder,American Turbo Pressure Washer HondaGX200,Stihl011Saw,EchoPas260Trimmer Edger,EchoPB602Blower,EchoHCR150Hedge Clipper
borat


Joined: Nov 10, 2007
Points: 2692

Re: My Wife using our new Toro 1028 with pics
Reply #19   Jan 13, 2010 12:45 pm
Have to agree with Marc concerning the cam replacement issue. That's a lot of expense to remedy a back fire issue when there are much less expensive solutions to try first. Sounds like the kind of dealer that would recommend a carb replacement to remedy a blocked fuel cap vent. I've seen that happen to a neighbour across the street from me. She got a $400.00 repair bill for fixing a $450.00 lawn mower. I had mentioned in a previous post that the back fire might also be caused by residual unburnt fuel mixture accumulating in the muffler and igniting when there is sufficient oxygen available to make it happen. I bet that if the back firing engine is allowed to run at idle until the muffler temp drops, the back firing will be diminished.
joed


Joined: Sep 1, 2008
Points: 84

Re: My Wife using our new Toro 1028 with pics
Reply #20   Jan 14, 2010 9:41 pm
Thanks for all the suggestions and support regarding my backfiring B and S engine on my Ariens.  Ariens sent my concerns to Briggs.  Briggs emailed me back saying they would contact the dealer to resolve the issue.  10 days later I still have no response.  Unfortunately, we haven't had any snow here so I haven't had a chance to try the machine more to see if the backfiring diminishes.  It's been a frustrating experience so far with Ariens and Briggs. 
Steve_Cebu


Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 888

Re: My Wife using our new Toro 1028 with pics
Reply #21   Jan 14, 2010 10:10 pm
joed wrote:
Thanks for all the suggestions and support regarding my backfiring B and S engine on my Ariens.  Ariens sent my concerns to Briggs.  Briggs emailed me back saying they would contact the dealer to resolve the issue.  10 days later I still have no response.  Unfortunately, we haven't had any snow here so I haven't had a chance to try the machine more to see if the backfiring diminishes.  It's been a frustrating experience so far with Ariens and Briggs. 


I don't suppose there is any chance that the dealer would take it back? I made a deal here for my dealer to take back the Honda I bought.

"If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you live in New England."  "If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in New England."
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