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

This seems to be a feature unique to this model. It looks interesting:

Pivoting Scraper Available exclusively on the Toro Power Max 1128 OXE, this innovative design allows the scraper to pivot front to back, clearing down to the pavement and preventing sudden stops from cracks or contours

This is expensive for a 28" unit. The pivoting scraper, unusual impeller (below), and left and right wheel unlocks seem to be its main features. It lacks heated hand grips, common in its price range.

Power Max® Auger System A breakthrough in snowthrowing technology, the Power Max® auger system handles more snow in less time to get the job done fast! This revolutionary system meters snow intake. Snow not immediately thrown is returned back into the auger, providing maximum impeller speed and snowthrowing velocity. The expanded chute base with its inverted, funnel shaped design has a larger opening and a non-stick surface to minimize snow build up.

I can't say that it worked because I haven't used it myself.   I think the pivoting scraper on Toro's 2 stage snowblower wasn't meant to follow the contours of the ground, but to deflect in case you hit a crack on the pavement.  This allows you and the snowblower to continue to go forward and not come to a sudden stop.

 But you make a good point, as well as some other people in the past.  Toro's pricing seems out of touch when comparing features against a Simplicity, Deere, or Ariens.

DavidNJ wrote:

Ok well first off the guys who do the colleges around here make their living doing it. They own the machines and the pivoting scraper hangs up way too often and can jam. so while these guys are not the final word they make a ton of money clearing sidewalks among other plowing jobs in the winter and this is a lot of walkways we're talking about. So they certainly have experience and the dealer sells the 1128, it's more money and he would have been happy to sell me the one he had in his showroom. He's also the John Deere dealer and sells to local farms. I know because we have a big far directly across the street. Thy use plows up there as it's huge and mostly unpaved but I've known that guy since I was 12 years old so if he reccomends a dealer that he himself uses it's a safe bet they are good. This delaer is local and has been around a long time. So if you want to buy a pivoting scraper just buy it, don't try and justify your decision. It's a hassle for guys that own 4-5 snowblowers and do this professionally. That's good enough for me. Call up your local dealer and ask him what could go wrong with the pivoting scraper see what he says. We avoided it based on good advice and we get down to pretty much bare tar. If you really want it buy it. I'd rather save the money for something more important.

DavidNJ wrote:

Ok well first off the guys who do the colleges around here make their living doing it. They own the machines and the pivoting scraper hangs up way too often and can jam. so while these guys are not the final word they make a ton of money clearing sidewalks among other plowing jobs in the winter and this is a lot of walkways we're talking about. So they certainly have experience and the dealer sells the 1128, it's more money and he would have been happy to sell me the one he had in his showroom. He's also the John Deere dealer and sells to local farms. I know because we have a big far directly across the street. Thy use plows up there as it's huge and mostly unpaved but I've known that guy since I was 12 years old so if he reccomends a dealer that he himself uses it's a safe bet they are good. This delaer is local and has been around a long time. So if you want to buy a pivoting scraper just buy it, don't try and justify your decision. It's a hassle for guys that own 4-5 snowblowers and do this professionally. That's good enough for me. Call up your local dealer and ask him what could go wrong with the pivoting scraper see what he says. We avoided it based on good advice and we get down to pretty much bare tar. If you really want it buy it. I'd rather save the money for something more important.

My local dealer thinks its fine and there is no first hand report of it hanging on the Internet, at least none that I could find.

The 1128 also has the larger 342cc motor vs. the 305cc motor on the 1028.

How is the Power Max Auger? That is a unique design, with a relatively narrow tapered shoot and an extra return passage to route some of the snow back into the scoop.

The Auger system seems to work really well. I've never had mine clog at all even with heavy wet snow. Since you're going to get the pivoting scraper please post how it works out for you this winter.

The Auger system seems to work really well. I've never had mine clog at all even with heavy wet snow. Since you're going to get the pivoting scraper please post how it works out for you this winter.

I'm still torn between the Toro and Ariens. The Toro and Platinum Ariens have the same Briggs 342cc engine, the 2009 Ariens Deluxe has a smaller 287cc Subaru which may be better. The Platinum has an overrunning clutch differential, the inside wheel is always powered, the Toro has left and right free wheels while the disconnect is held letting the operator choose the outside or inside wheel to power (light pressure required), the Deluxe has a toggle on/off left wheel free wheel (the right wheel is always powered). All have 14" augers; the two Ariens have 14" impellers. The Toro and Platinum have one lever direction/deflection; the Deluxe has a lever for deflection and a very fast 2.5 turn high mounted crank for direction. The Toro has the pivoting scraper and impeller overflow return, but no definitive back to back comparisons to determine if it is better. The Platinum is alone in the group with hand warmers. The Ariens, possibly as the result of its larger impeller, possibly because of the metal chute, are more nose heavy and have a nose weight option; the Toros seem balanced close to the wheels and have no weight option.

Not an easy decision. I would take the Subaru motor, hand warmers, left/right free wheels, the big auger/impeller with maybe the Toro impeller overflow return and the pivoting scraper with a lockout. Alas, no one is selling that.