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. 

Paul7 wrote:
Thanks for posting the pic of the fuel valve Marc.   Out of the way, nice and tidy.  It's good to see these machines coming with in-line fuel filters.   That will save a lot of people headaches for people.  Even the old Craftsman has a fuel filter on it.   

Paul7:

I saw a local add for a Honda HS35 selling for $250.00.  I thought about it.  Did some research and discovered it had an L-head engine which didn't appeal to me despite the fact that it's probably a great motor.  From what I read, the HS35 is a nice little piece of technology but wasn't a stellar performer.  Apparently not in the same league as the two cycle Toros and I do have a penchant for two stroke engines. 

Yeah, now that I have the Toro dialed in at 4100 rpm, it's much more manageable and doesn't give  away any noticeable power.  It's certainly a serious single stage machine and will likely be seeing much more work than my two stage Simplicity.  It's just that much easier to use and will handle 90% of the snow we get.      

Great  videos. I like your Craftsman. I have a Sears model from 2006 that was made by Murray. If it worked half as well as your Craftsman I would still be using it. I have a 221QE also. After watching your video it sounds like your machine is revving much higher than mine.  As I have some mechanical ability but almost no experience with OPE engines I was wondering if you could explain or ideally make a video of the process of changing the governor setting on these machines. It would be much appreciated, Thanks and good luck with the Toro.

A how-adjust video would be good but to duplicate Borat, you will need to have a tachometer so you can dial the rpm.

Amazon has one with a replaceable battery for under $20. Here's the link:

http://www.amazon.com/meter-tacho-hourmeter-stroke-HOURMETER-RL-HM011/dp/B0049IFX56

Will this do? Thanks!

ralphfr:

On the lower left side of the bottom shroud there's a cover that the choke handle pokes through.   Remove the screw and take the cover off.  You will see a spring that is horizontally mounted from a connection on the carburetor to a vertical tab.  Bending the tab ever so slightly to the left will increase engine speed.  It doesn't take much of an adjustment.  1/16th of an inch or less will give you a substantial gain in rpm.  Recommended rpms for this machine is 4000 +/- 100 rpm.  I have mine at 4100 rpm and it seems perfect for me.  Remember that increasing engine speed will increase travel speed as well as throwing distance.   I can live with all the throwing distance but can't keep up with the forward movement (particularly down hill)  with anything over 4200 rpm so, you'd be better off to keep the revs at a speed that will allow you to manage the machine.  You  should get yourself a mini tach to confirm your engine speed.  

BTW I found a post by SUPERBUCK(#23) that makes it sound pretty straightforward. Here's the link:

http://www.abbysguide.com/ope/discussions/46182-0-1.html 

Just saw you post BORAT. Great explanation. I will order a tach and check the current rpm. Thanks a lot!


Also in case anyone needs a picture I believe pic#18 on this page is what we're talking about. Thanks again.

http://outdoorpowerinfo.com/repairs/briggs_lawn-boy_plastic_carb.asp

borat wrote:
I have the 421QE and it does pull me down the hill too fast for comfort at times when there's ice on the pavement.  I have thought about increasing the RPM but would like a throttle control, for those times I don't need the extra power.  Most of the time, I don't really need more power, as 20-25 feet throwing distance is all to get the snow off the driveway.

borat wrote:
Does Toro allow dealers to sell over MSRP?  Sounds like the dealer doesn't have any competition and the only dealer in town so does whatever he wants.

That dealer in your area is definitely not the norm.  In my area, all Toro dealers, including Home Depot, all have fairly same price within $30 of each other.   None so far has anything over Toro's MSRP.

Here are 2 videos on a CCR Powerlite rebuild.  The second one shows how to adjust that spring at around 6:20.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHqWOz98oZ4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3laPrRM6q5Q

aa335 wrote:
Home Depot showed the machine marked down from $899.00 to $599.00.  The gouger's price was $100.00 over HD's MSRP.  That would lead me to believe that the gouger is obviously marking up his prices over MSRP.   Who knows?  Maybe he uses the extra money he adds to MSRP  to use as his "discount" to sell the machine for full MSRP.   Regardless, anyone with the least bit of shopping sense should do a bit of internet searching and local price comparison before making a purchase.  

The dealership didn't have competition until HD showed up a few years ago selling Toro, Ariens and Echo products.  I have a buddy who's brother in law is a friend of the owner of the dealership.  We were at a gathering a few weeks ago and the b-i-l, said something to the effect that if we don't get a lot of snow soon, the "dealership" would be feeling the pinch.  Snow moving equipment isn't moving off the floor.  I casually said that I've been seeing lots of pick-ups coming out of HD with snow blowers in the box.  His response was brilliant.  He said "Well that's because they sell them a lot cheaper and it's junk compared to what Joe sells."   I just let it slide.   

I've only dealt with that dealership once when I was in desperate need of a belt and air filter for my Husqvarna riding mower.   His prices for parts were at least three times the cost of equivalent parts at larger retail stores (if they had them in stock).   When the larger, less expensive retail outlets don't have what you need, and you can't/won't wait for parts to be shipped to you, the gouger gets to make a killing.  

In one of my previous posts, I mentioned a local woman trying to sell a six year old CCR 2000 for $475.00.   When I made her an offer of $300.00, she refused because she said that the machine had been purchased at the above local gouger for $1200.00 and she couldn't part with the machine for less than what she was asking.  I told her that brand new, better appointed Toros can be had at HD for $599.00 which is only $124.00 more than what she's asking.   She maintained that they paid big bucks and couldn't let the machine go for less than what she's asking.  I then politely told her that she had been severely gouged by the dealership  (she agreed)  and that she cannot expect to get the price she wants when new, better machines are so closely priced to what she's asking.   She said that if she can't get her price, she'll keep it.    I assume she kept it. 

What keeps the gouger alive is his connections with the local landscaping outfits.  He get's a lot of their business and they have no problem paying top dollar because they pass their costs on to the consumer and/or write much of their capital costs off as business expenses.   The gouger also has a good small engine mechanic and draws a lot of service work at $80.00/hr.  What many customers don't know is that 75% of the work done in their shop is carried out by less capable techs. 

It's nice to support local business but at what cost?  With outrageous prices and arrogant, insulting attitude, it's hard to muster up any sympathy for them.   Bottom line is that he'll never see another penny of my money.