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

TMI! LOLOL! I can't find the 2450 locally and want to buy that away. The Power Clear 180 is very tempting too and available here. Just not sure if it has enough power. Though we usually get 1-4" of snow at a time.
The other machine is a McCulloch MC621ES but I can't find any reviews on it.

I think McCulloch is an MTD brand.

http://support.mtdproducts.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/584/~/mcculloch-corporation-bankruptcy-and-business-asset-sale-information

In January 1999, McCulloch Corporation, then the manufacturer and seller of McCulloch® branded chainsaws and other outdoor power equipment (“McCulloch”), became a bankruptcy debtor. In October 1999, in connection with the McCulloch bankruptcy proceedings, Taiwan-based Jenn Feng Industrial Co., Ltd. (“Jenn Feng”) purchased certain assets and trademarks related to McCulloch’s operations in the United States, Canada and Mexico (“North America”). From October1999 until July 20, 2003 Jenn Feng was the exclusive seller of McCulloch® branded products in North America. In March of 2003 MTD Products Inc (“MTD”) and Jenn Feng entered into exclusive distribution and trademark licensing agreements with regard to McCulloch® branded products. On or about July 20, 2003 MTD began distributing certain McCulloch® branded chainsaws, string trimmers, and other outdoor power equipment in North American under the terms of those agreements. MTD, however, did not assume responsibility for service or warranty obligations relating to products that were previously sold by either McCulloch or Jenn Feng. MTD similarly did not acquire and does not have access to service parts or information for products sold by Jenn Feng and/or McCulloch before MTD became the exclusive North American distributor. As a result, MTD can only provide warranty repairs and after-sale service and support for the McCulloch® branded products that it distributed in North America on or after July of 2003. With regard to products sold by Jenn Feng prior to July 20, 2003, you may contact: Jenn Feng Industrial Co., Ltd. at:

kellyinkc wrote:

I think the one on the left is a Toro 221 or 421 which finished ahead despite shorter throw distance. The one on the right is a Honda 520, which I felt was rammed in snow to purposely stall, the guy just gave up standing around for a few seconds before restarting the engine.

The McCullough does have the longest throw out of the three snowblowers.  However, nothing beats this one: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_O6g_uHAA4&feature=related

Anyways, I'm not saying the Mccullough is bad or good, but with the company shaky history, I'd be a little cautious buying a product with unknown support later on.

aa335 wrote:
Thats a Honda?  I could not tell. I was thinking that too, what about support after the sale. So it seems the Toro is the best option.

kellyinkc wrote:
In the video showing three snowblowers, the one on the right is the Honda 520.  If you ram it into heavy snow, it will stall.  Been there, done it.

As far as support, Toro dealers and Ace Hardware are all over, at least in my area.  Toro single stage have been pretty reliable, reasonably well built, and I think Toro went the extra mile to make it the most user friendly.   To me, I don't want a machine with just grunt power, I want some finesse or refinement too.  Not saying that the Mcculloch doesn't have any, but I haven't seen it in person to say anything negative or positive about it.

superbuick wrote:
I may have found one!
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/grd/2028432777.html
I need to go check it out. Hopefully it is not too bad.

Well, did you get it?

aa335 wrote:
No....... By the time I saw it and called it was gone. :( That fast. I am a little leary of buying used though. The unknown on how the engine was treated.

Sounds like a new 221QR is your best bet.

Hey Kellyinkc,

MTD products are distributed under quite a few brand names and the differences between like products may be nothing more than the color, the logo, and the price tag.

No doubt the buy for resale business is thriving.

I purchased a MTD Snowblower 10 years ago and not only did MTD discontinue the model line but specific parts are no longer available either.

When I spoke to the people at MTD I was asked how old the machine was which was followed by an Oh Well!

Trying every warehouse on the internet It did not take me long to realize that  I now have a new yard ornament because the parent company has decided it no longer wants to support a legacy product. It is really kind of a shame because other that one critical broken part that costs around $25.00 the thing runs like a champ.

To have the part custom made would end up costing a small fortune so I decided to spend the extra bucks and purchase an Ariens Pro model.

Although the high end commercial version machines are more expensive the parts are not likely to change or be discontinued.

Quite frankly I have more than enough lawn ornaments.

Starwarrior

Curious.  What is the factory number of your machine?  What part did you have trouble with?