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

I have a moderate-sized (maybe 40' x 15') driveway constructed with paving bricks. Additionally, I have a sidewalk I'm responsible for that requires me to trudge across a neighbor's lawn to access (don't ask...). I've been using a Toro electric, but it bogs down terribly in heavier/wetter snow, and the cord makes it impossible to get to the sidewalk, which is more than 100' from an outlet. So this year I'm finally switching to gas, but it seems like I only need a single stage gas blower, since my needs aren't too heavy. There are two I'm considering, the Toro Power Clear 210R, and the Murray 1695537.

The Toro Power Clear 210R is top-rated by Consumer Reports:
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100677593&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=100677593&cm_mmc=shopping-_-googlebase-_-D28X-_-100677593&locStoreNum=6204&marketID=191#BVRRWidgetID

The Murray is getting good reviews on Amazon, but reviews elsewhere are difficult to find:
http://www.amazon.com/Murray-1695537-21-Inch-4-Cycle-Stratton/dp/B002JIN6TS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1284054991&sr=8-1

I know Toro's a solid brand, but what about Murray? Does anyone know anything about the brand and how the model above compares with the Toro? There's also a lot of specs, too, which I have no idea how to compare. For example:

cc's: Murray 190cc, Toro 141cc
cycles: Murray 4 cycles, Toro 2 cycles

Does this make sense to anyone? Any recommendations/experiences/thoughts?

EDIT: And just to make things even more confusing, how do these compare to the Toro PowerClear 421Q, which appears to have a different engine than the 210R?
http://toro.com/home/snowthrowers/gassinglestage/421Q.html

I was more than a little excited to have the Toro 221Q delivered yesterday. The machine is a beaut and, sizewise, appears to be the best balance between my needs and my available storage space in the garage. It's very easy to maneuver and still light enough that I can pick it up and lug it from place to place without much trouble. Also, though I thought it might be a bit gimmicky, the Quick Shoot looks to be awfully handy. Not having to bend down even a bit to reposition the discharge chute is going to be a great thing when the snow hits.

I haven't yet fired it up, however, as I haven't gotten the oil for it yet. The only 2-cycle oil I saw in Home Depot was Lawn Boy, which didn't seem right for the snow blower, though I did pick up some STA BIL fuel stabilizer there to preserve the gas. I've seen a lot of recommendations for Amsoil 2-cycle oil, and based on that, I ordered some of their Saber Professional 2-cycle oil, which their website says is best for lawn equipment:
http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/atp.aspx

However, after placing the order, I re-read Marc's comment and saw that he was specifically using Amsoil's outboard oil. Should I return the Saber Professional oil and instead get the Saber Outboard? I'm not clear on the difference. Also, people seem to disagree on the ratio of oil to gas to use, ranging from Toro's recommended 50:1 mixture to simply using Amsoil at its advertised 100:1 ratio. Any thoughts/experiences there?

Billin-Read your manual. My Machine is the 2450 and the manual called for the TCW-3 type which is the outbard motor type. My 2450 is powered by a Briggs 2 stroke and came with a manual from Briggs as well as the one from Toro. Look in the briggs manual as well. One of those 2 documents will give you the correct answer.

Marc 

mml4 wrote:
I took a look at the manual and it does, indeed, say:
>> This snowthrower uses a 50:1 gasoline-to-oil mixture. Use Toro 50:1 2-Cycle Oil (Fuel Stabilizer Added) or an equivalent high-grade, NMMA TCW III-certified 2-cycle oil.

Crap. Does this mean I need to toss the gasoline already mixed with the Amsoil Saber Professional? What would be the consequences of using the Professional oil for the first two gallons and then switching to the Outboard?

Give the mix to a local landscapper and buy the right stuff.  On the other hand you probably won't do any damage and the majority of the Toro 2 stroke owners are probably using the incorrect type. If you are like me knowing  it is a new machine and now knowing what the manufacturer calls for you are going to drive yourself nuts if you don't use the TCW-3.

Peace of mind is worth the price of the correct product!

Marc

Not saying that you're OCD, but give away that gas oil mixture and get the right oil.  Toro know what's best for their engines.  Don't abuse that virgin engine with nothing less than the best oil  The agony and suffering of doubt is not worth the cost.  :)

Seriously though, you got a great single stage machine.  Enjoy it.

Okay, now I'm feeling a bit OCD and skittish about using that gas with the Saber Professional oil in the Toro. I've followed you guys this far, so I'll heed your advice and start things off right with a new mix of gas + Amsoil Saber Outboard oil.

Regarding disposal of the current gas mix, I've seen suggestions on other boards about simply pouring the gas into the 3/4 full tank of your car, which seems to make sense since the amount of oil in the gas is pretty minimal, and I only have 2 gallons of gas mixed up. I'll likely do that later this week and then get a couple of fresh gallons of gas and mix it with the Amsoil Saber Outboard oil I had delivered along with the Sta-bil fuel preservative.

Then, despite the lack of snow, I'll fill up the 221Q with the new gas mix and give her a test start. Better to know now if everything works than in the middle of a blizzard!

As always, thanks for the advice!

billin wrote:
Put the gas in the wife's car, not yours.  :)

Billin - that Lawn Boy oil you found is actually the perfect oil for your snow blower, and is the same thing as the Toro oil. The engine in the 221QR is a Briggs and Stratton R*Tek, which is simply a horizontal crank version of the Lawn Boy Duraforce engine which has been around since 1998. The Lawn Boy oil is TCW 3 and I run it all the time in my 221QR - its also cheap too and alot of home depots have it on close out.

Hey Superbuick,

Welcome back! Did Toro finally put you on their payroll yet? Hehehe. You're practically their national spokesperson.

I think I'm going to pull the trigger on the 221QR this year. Been pondering between this one and the 421QR, but I decided the heck with the tree huggers, I'm going to get a 2 stroke snowblower before EPA outlawed it. Sorry if I offend Toyota Prius owners.

There's a 1 year old Snow Commander available in my area, around $600 in mint condition. What's your take on it as compared to the 221QR?

Hey aa - only the spokesperson for their single stages - the rest of their stuff - meh, no thanks...:  If someone else produces a better single stage, I'll be their spokesperson too.

I also really like 2 strokes in general as you know, and seek to clarify some marketing-driven misinformation about them as well

Honestly, I'd skip the snow commander, especially at that price.  We just sold the one we had which was mint for $400, and to be honest, I think the 221/210/2450/3650, etc are better units.  They're lighter,  more maneuverable, and have the same power.