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

So I decided im going with a Toro but not sure what model to go with. I like the 8260XE but then I seen the 828, are there any notable differances except the width? And then how about the 828 vs the 1028 just the motor??

Any help would be appreciated, thanks

It appears that the only difference between these models is the weight, clearing width and engine size. That said, you need to evaluate your snow clearing requirements and determine which model best suits your particular needs. If you have a long/wide driveway and get a lot of heavy, wet snow and EOD slop, you might consider the 1028OXE. If you have a lot of landscape obstacles, walkways, decks, etc... that require more manueverability, then the 828OXE or 826OXE would be the model of choice. What about your physical characteristics - are you able to move around the 260 lb. 1028OXE or would the 826OXE at 225 lbs. be easier for you?

Not sure where you live or what snow conditions you're subject to so I'm not sure if a single stage is even a consideration. Proper technique with any snowblower is really the key to success when it comes to clearing any type of snow. Knowing when to take half a cut or a full bucket as well as adjusting your travel speed accordingly goes a long way towards allowing the equipment to process the snow efficiently.

Good Luck!

stresst wrote:

I have the 1028OXE and it works awesome, but I also have a very long driveway (over 200 feet) I have a HUGE EOD to deal with on a rural road and a large section off that where people can park. So I really need the more powerful machine. You'll need to evaluate how much machine you really need. I have no walkways to deal with at all. That said how much of a difference 2 inches would make is probably negligible. I believe the 828 has all the goodies like joystick control, twin trigger steering, Toro's awesome auger system. The steering doesn't seem like a big deal until you use it. So I believe the 828 is a smaller engine with all the other goodies. But get the dual trigger steering and avoid the 1128OXE it has an annoying scraper bar that could be a hassle.

Thank you all for the replys. I live in New York City and the snowfalls greatly vary. I have a small property including about 16' X 50' sidewalk, narrow single car drive way (house's both sides) then it fans out to about enough room for 4 cars. The other other EOD gets bombarded by NYC sanitation plowing onto my side. To be honest, unless its a particulary soft snow, it has to be shoveled by hand. Or maybe not using the rie blower. In all reality I probably dont need anything over 20" wide so im leaning toward the 826OXE especialy if the 828 doesnt have any other features.

But the Ariens Platinum 24" is still stuck in my head..........Please help me decide.

stresst wrote:
Hi,

I have the 826OXE and couldn't be happier! It is easy to work, has plenty of power for EOD, the chute material is unbreakable IMO, I have cleared the EOD for 5 Years now with ice chunks I hear hitting the chute, LOUD but no damage to unit at all PLUS very little slush sticking to it, it never sticks unless it is watery snow ((very rare and only seen it once)). And the design while running will almost never leave an overrun when blowing because it recirculates the snow(depends on how deep the snow is and your cut width)...TORO has this system down packed, this is my 2nd because I wanted the OHV engine and head light, the 826 Lhead was my first TORO. I think you will be happy if you decide on this unit, I failed to mention the Quick shift which will knock out a fly in the air if you aim it and there were flies in the dead of winter lolll. Again this is my opinion on this machine and I haven't and a problem so far mechanically and in daily use reliability (literally..live in Canada, Ontario). All the best to your decision!! my 2 Cents..

stresst wrote:

Honestly no one can decide this for you. Drive the units and buy the one you like. You can't go wrong with Toro. Toro makes a great machine and it does everything well. I've driven mine into frozen snow berms created by plows more than a month earlier and it chewed them out with no drama. Your EOD will get spat out with a vengeance, so no more shoveling anything with a Toro.

Whatever you decide on be certain you are happy with it and post pics with whatever you end up with.

Steve

stresst wrote:
Either the Toro 826OXE or the Ariens Platinum 24 would be my choice. You should go and fool around with each one to get a feel for the ergonomics of the controls and test the features of each one. You want to be comfortable using it and you definitely don't want to get a case of buyers remorse after using it a few times. Do your homework now and you'll be happy later.

stresst wrote:
I would definitely recommend that you go with the Toro 826.  I had the same decision to make as you in the last few weeks.  The Ariens Platinum Deluxe 24" is a nice machine but it's not as well balanced nor as easy to steer as the Toro.  The freewheel steering system alone was the decisive factor for me.  By pulling up on the triggers under the handlebar, the machine turns effortlessly.  Incredible invention.  The toro is also much more balanced and the joystick control is quick and fast.  The best thing to do is try both units out and see which one feels more comfortable for you. 

Steve_Cebu wrote:
Hey, how about some new videos this winter?  You should be getting some decent snow there. 

The Chicagoland area has been teased with overjealous news weatherman posting winter advisory and warning every week.  After all said and done, we just get one or two inches of wimpy snow that's barely fun with a single stage snowblower.  I got a 11 horse monster sitting on a dolly waiting for some serious snow action.

I can't speak for steve_cebu, but down here on the MA/NH border we have got nothing to speak of to date! I've got 2 new to me snowblower/snowthrowers to test out and can't catch a break if my life depended upon it!!!

I'm thinking maybe the purchases of two snowblowers in one year may have jinxed it.  Maybe you should look into buying a pair of summer tires.  :)

aa335 wrote:

I'd be happy to oblige once we get more than a flurry. We did get a light dusting a few days back but the sun came out and it went away. We aren't even predicted to get any snow for some time. You have to go 2-3 hours north of me to get any snow and even then they are making it for the ski areas. To paraphrase a song "All revved up with no snow to blow"

I will be posting more vids and measuring distance throws EOD vs driveway etc... But I've gotta have some white gold before I can throw it. Hopefully it will snow so we can get some warmer weather.