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

I'm looking at either buying the Toro 2-cycle 221QE or the 4-cycle 421QE.  One dealer I talked to said that the 4-cycle 163cc engine will be almost impossible to start, even with the electric start, if stored in an unheated garage at -20C.  He said that he has lots of people who bought this machine come back and complain about it not starting when really cold.  He had both the 2-cycle and 4-cycle models in the showroom and recommended that I buy the 2-cycle and that I would be a lot happier with it.  Another dealer said that it just comes down to personal preference on which one you want to buy and that they are both just as easy to start when the temp is really cold out.  Anyone have any comments about cold starting on the 421QE?  This is the one I would like to buy because it would be a little bit quieter and the exhaust wouldn't stink as much as the 2-cycle.

jackrabbit000 wrote:
The gas leak in the PC180 has nothing to do with the 421Q.  They are different engines, parts, and production dates.  If anything, Toro would make sure that the widespread problem of the PC180 is not duplicated in 2011 production.  Toro has pretty much captured the market share for single stage.  Widespread blunders like the gas leak costs a lot to rectify once the 221/421 units get out in the field.  Not to mention the liability for personal injury and property damage.

I'm with Steve on this one.  You can only worry so much about it, not one product is perfect.  It can be, but it would costs too much, but the engineers would not stop working on it, and you won't get to buy one until the marketing folks shoot the engineers. 

If you don't have faith in Toro product, well, there's Honda.  The HS520 has been around for a while, most bugs have been worked out.  Except the occasional component supplier change that may occur every so often.  Keep a spare carburetor on hand.

I assume that you are interested in the 421Q because you favor the 4 stroke, quick chute, and the good reviews.  Toro must have done something right to get your interest.  What else is out there comparable? 

I know that I've grumbled about my 221, but when it's working, it's really impressive.  I think that the 421 might be a great fit for you living in Alberta.  Given our temperatures, I cannot recommend the 221, however.  It just can't take the "extreme" (-25 to -35) cold we get here.