Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Toro 826 2 stage snowblower or Ariens Robin Subaru snowblower
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
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joed
Joined: Sep 1, 2008
Points: 84
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Re: Toro 826 2 stage snowblower or Ariens Robin Subaru snowblower
Reply #8 Dec 6, 2010 9:30 am |
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The amount and type of snowfall you get would lead me more towards a Toro Single Stage than the Ariens Compact 22". It appears that for the most part, you would benefit more from the single stage than the 2 stage. Maneuverability, narrow width, interlocking pavers you don't want to scratch, patios and walkways, mainly 4" to 6" snowfall amounts, rain/snow mix, cost, etc... are all areas where a single stage has the advantage over a 2 stage. You could always tackle the EOD stuff by either staying on top of it throughout a storm (clearing it several times), attacking it in small bites or using the tried and proven shovel method of chopping the slop into a more manageable slop that the single stage can handle easier. It's a tough call as either one would fit your needs fairly well. Whatever you decide their will most likely be instances where buyers remorse rears its ugly head. You could always buy both and have all your bases covered! Thanks for the response. I appreciate your advice. I was thinking of the same thing. Perhaps going with a compact 22" Ariens for the EOD stuff and a toro single stage for everything else. I was looking at the 221q or even the little Power Clear 180. The 221q is pretty big for a single stage. Combining it with the Ariens would take up too much space in my already crowded garage. So, I was thinking of that little power clear 180 with the 87 cc engine but I don't know much about it.
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FrankMA
Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587
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Re: Toro 826 2 stage snowblower or Ariens Robin Subaru snowblower
Reply #9 Dec 6, 2010 9:59 am |
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One suggestion might be to buy either a 221Q or 421Q and see how it performs this coming winter. It might be all you need to get everything done including the EOD. I think if you took your time on the biggest of storms, you'd be OK with a large single stage like the 221 or 421. That 421Q has a 163 cc 4 cycle power plant which should be plenty of power for heavier snowfalls and EOD issues. If you read through some of the older posts, you'll find plenty of folks that get by using just a single stage and have no problems at all. Some will start an argument if you even suggest that they consider a 2 stage.... Good luck my friend!
Toro Wheel Horse 522xi GT, Honda HS928TA, Honda HS621AS, Honda HS520A, Toro CCR3000 (work in progress), Honda HS624WA (sold 08/23/2010), Stihl BR550 Backpack Blower, Stihl MS250, McCulloch MS1635, Honda EM6500SX Generator
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superbuick
Joined: Feb 23, 2009
Points: 138
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Re: Toro 826 2 stage snowblower or Ariens Robin Subaru snowblower
Reply #11 Dec 6, 2010 10:43 am |
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Hi Joe, as the guys above mentioned, having the ariens compact and the 221 may be a bit redundant. I'd pick one of the other and go from there. If you chose the 221 and felt it wasn't good enough for your needs, they seem to hold their resale pretty well. I'm not sure about the Ariens compact but I would assume that being a good, high quality unit as Ariens are, it should as well. You could also keep the 221 (which I find myself using my 221 for 98% of snowfalls around here anyways) and get a larger 2 stage when space or $$ is less of an issue. As Frankin MA mentioned, it might not be a bad idea to try one or the other and see how it performs over the winter for yo. Good luck :-) By the way, I took your advice on upgrading to the Echo PB770. It was great advice and I love the new blower - makes short work of the leaves :-)
This message was modified Dec 6, 2010 by superbuick
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shiva916
Location: Massachusetts
Joined: Nov 13, 2010
Points: 22
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Re: Toro 826 2 stage snowblower or Ariens Robin Subaru snowblower
Reply #12 Dec 6, 2010 5:07 pm |
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Hi Joe, I know your question was a few posts back but as far as the tranny and speed on the compact 22...the tranny on the machine appears to be the same as the other Ariens Disk-O-Matic machines as far as I know. Speed wise you would normally be using speeds 1-3 for normal use as far as i can see just mving the machine around. There are 6 forward speeds and the fastest of those will leave you at a brisk pace which I can't see being used other than to move the machine around. I would not worry about speed with this machine. As far as the single stage discussion, I agree that typical snow falls of around 6" may be better served by a good single stage. You don't list where you live but along the coast in MA where we might not get the big snow storms that they do to the north but we usually end up with some pretty heavy snow which I see better served by a smaller 2 stage. I live on a cut through road the and the plows make pretty frequent passes so the EOD can pile up pretty quick. A street in either directions get about 20% of the passes that I get here by the town plows so the EOD there may not be as bad but it's to the point that a single stage would be pretty useless to me at the EOD. I have used one in the past and it typically involved a lot of cutting up the pile with a shovel and then taking small bites with the single stage. I don't think you can go wrong with most Toro single stages as a neighbor next door has used one for 20+ years and it has served him well. Keep in mind he is retired and is typically out multiple times each time the plow goes by to keep ahead of the EOD mess. Working all day I come home to a pretty big pile at the EOD hence my desire for a 2 stage. |
shiva916
Location: Massachusetts
Joined: Nov 13, 2010
Points: 22
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Re: Toro 826 2 stage snowblower or Ariens Robin Subaru snowblower
Reply #15 Dec 6, 2010 7:52 pm |
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Thanks to everyone for the amazing advice. I appreciate it. If I were to go single stage, which is better the 221 or 421? I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. As mentioned. Typical snowfalls for us are 4-6" but the end of the driveway stuff can get nasty, especially when I come home from work. That's why I was thinking 2 stage. My neighbor has a toro 2 stroke single stage. It works good on his driveway but not so good on his EOD pile. I'm actually leaning towards biting the bullet and getting the Toro 826. Lot of money for me but maybe I should just spend it once. Dealer says he can put some rubber underneath the skid shoes to protect the interlock. Just not sure about that Briggs engine? Superbuick, glad you are enjoying the Echo PB770. It was great for me during leaf season too. The newest one that surpasses the Echo PB770 is the Shindaiwa EB854. What a blower this thing is. Hi Joe, have you looked into the Ariens Compact 26? same 26" as the Toro and the same motor that you are looking at on the Toro with the 250cc. Not sure on price difference, i know that the compact 26 is about $200 more than the compact 22 here in the states. While it doesn't have the quick stick like the Toro it does have the remote deflector. Not sure if you are looking at one brand over the other, but I know the compact 26 only has the pin lock like the other compact ariens not the freewheel steering like the toro.
This message was modified Dec 6, 2010 by shiva916
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joed
Joined: Sep 1, 2008
Points: 84
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Re: Toro 826 2 stage snowblower or Ariens Robin Subaru snowblower
Reply #16 Dec 6, 2010 9:29 pm |
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What's your concern with the Briggs engine? I've got a 305cc Intek Snow engine with Kool Bore on my Simplicity. It's got about 75 hours on it and it's been a very good engine so far. I have noticed that it uses a bit of oil. However, not enough to be concerned about. It starts on the first pull, is fairly easy on fuel and is very strong. I never used to be a big Briggs and Stratton fan but from my experience with this engine, I've since learned to appreciate it.
On another thread, a poster recently bought an Ariens Platinum Deluxe 24" machine that came equipped with the 249 cc engine. He's been experiencing backfire on shutdown and then the engine won't start until it cools down for a while. I was wondering if the Briggs engine on the toro units did the same thing? Shiva916 I haven't seen any compact 26" units here in Canada where I live. We don't have as big of a selection here as they do in the U.S. If I were going to go with the 26" width, I'd rather go with the Toro 826
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