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

I was about to make a phone call to the dealership in Wisconsin this morning to order a 221Q.  Before doing so, I decided to take a run to Home Depot to see what they had in stock.  I had thoroughly gone through their web site and it was less than helpful.  Terrible in fact.  Probably the worst big box store internet site I've tried.  Nonetheless, I took the trip into town to see what they had.  I was thoroughly surprised and pleased to see two new 221QE machines sitting on the floor.  Price was marked down 25% from $899.00 to $599.00.  Don't know who's doing their math but that works out to 33.3% in my books.  Regardless, I scooped one up right then and there.  I've got it down in the basement for a good once over before I put it to work.   We're supposed to get five or six inches of snow tonight and tomorrow so, I'll be submitting my review. 

I think you'll like it. I once had a 5HP Toro CCR <something thousand> with a Suzuki (something Japanese, can't remember for sure now) 2 stroke that wouldn't ever admit anything was too much for it ... until my then-teenage daughter filled it with regular gas. Oops.

So, I gave the machine a good going over.  Checked everything out to make sure fasteners were good and tight.  Then I put a tach wire on the spark plug lead and a ground wire on the engine, fed both wires outside of the shroud so that I could easily attach the Mini tach.  Took it outside, fire it up and ran it for a while.  No load running speed is 3800 rpm.   Low but typical for this application.  If it's supposed to be making 6 to 6.5 h.p. at those rpms, bumping it up a few hundred will probably get it into the 7 to 8 h.p. range easily.  If the machine is as good as everyone says it is, I'll probably not have to adjust it unless the speed fluctuates on it's own or won't hold sufficient rpms under load.

I know that Tecumseh engine in the Craftsman seems to be making twice it's normal power when I spin it up to 5500 - 6000 rpms.   Now that I have the Toro, I can relegate the Craftsman to cleaning off the deck.    Just got to sit back and wait for the snow now.

I'm going to find a small fuel valve for this thing.  I like to have the option to shut the fuel off when the machine is not in use.   By the way, this machine is much easier to take apart than the Craftsman.   Maintenance on this thing will be a breeze by comparison.   

borat wrote:
If you think the HD site is bad, you should check out lowes.ca! Worse than useless!

I was fixing a CCR1000 up for someone and went to the Toro web site with the model number and it said the engine RPM specs for it.  Was 4200 - 4800 I think.
His was running on the low side of the scale so I tightened the spring up a bit.

Maybe it lists yours too.

Shryp wrote:
Thanks for that.  I'll see if I can find something on it. 

Do you have the link?  Toro has tons of info to wade through to find what we want.  

Got  up to about five inches of snow this morning.  Having a coffee right now waiting for it to stop snowing.   Supposed to clear in an hour or two.

edit:  Don't bother replying Shryp.  I found it.  It says 4000 +/- 100.  Looks like I need to adjust it. 

Borat,

  Many of the manual pages for specific SS models have engine spec manuals.  Below is a list from one.

4HP runs at 3700 + 300

CCR 2400 - 3700

5HP runs at 3800 + 300 rpm

CCR 2450 & 2500 - 3800 rpm

CCR 3600 - 3900 rpm

CCR 3650 - 4000 rpm

Snow Commander - 4000 rpm

All snow engines are + 300 rpm

  I've got a Toro 2450 which from what I read has the same engine block, piston and carb components as yours.  Mines rated at 5hp.  The basic difference between the two seems to be the paddle shape.  From the drawings yours has a flatter section in the chute area.  Mine does not seem to walk itself along as well as Powerlites and CCR2000's I've had.  It needs a bit more help moving forward.  The thing tosses very well though and similar to the 2000's.  The little Powerlite 3hp would toss about as far.  It will be interesting to hear what results you get if you tweak the governor.

What happened on the CR3000?   I think that was a 5hp Suzuki and a nice machine.  The CCR2000s had a chute crank which was nice.

If anyone else wants the link:
https://homeownersolutions.toro.com/portal/server.pt/community/product_center/225

Or you can go to toro.com and then on the bottom left it says "Parts & Manuals" and click on "Homeowner Parts".

Put in your model number then go to the specifications link and it lists all kinds of stuff.

Borat-Congratulations on the new machine. Looks like you have a 2-stroke habit.

If there is a little "window like" open space next to the right side wheel as you view the machine from the operators position  a standard plastic fuel shut-off fits perfectly. I put mine there on the 2450.

Marc

If anyone needs Toro belts, skids and stuff like that, there is a site in Canada with tons of aftermarket parts.

www.c-equipment.com

Borat, congrats on your new Toro single stage.  I'm interested to learn how it's performance compares to the lower hp Craftsman.