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

Does anyone know of any new snowblowers out for 2012? Looking to trade in my Toro 826OXE for something with a larger motor. I am leaning toward a larger Toro but  I am open. Any suggestions?

stresst wrote:
Based on your driveway and house situation,  I would look hard into fine tuning your technique to reduce or not having to double throwing the snow with your existing machine.  Look at it this way, if you can't get around a tight race track with a Mazda Miata fast enough, a high powered Corvette or Ferrari isn't going to be any faster. 

With that said, if you decide in the upgrade in horsepower or a more powerful machine, you won't know if the new machine will solve your problem.  You may get 5, 10, or 15 feet (optimistically) more throwing distance than your existing snowblower.  That's some cash to gamble.  Is this additional power often needed for most snowstorms, or only a few major ones?

As others have said, more horsepower doesn't necessarily mean more throwing distance.  Engines are governed at specific RPMs, and the impeller speed has a fixed ratio.  With a bigger engine, the snowblower will be more comfortable processing heavy, packed snow without slowing down ground speed.

Another technique that most single stage snowblowers (with smaller and less powerful engine), use is to go out and clear the snow more often.  They don't let the snow pile up that will overwhelm their machine. 

le$#%*now wrote:

from an earlier message that said they suspected it was a loncin engine, i looked up the loncin engine company (see link below) - and i believe the specs match the 926 engine -- same displacement and the pictures look similar -- i think its a fine engine - i bet toro had to go with a more powerful engine because of complaints on the 826 and brigs couldn't meet the price point/spec without getting too close to the 1028 model-- so they went with this manufacturer -- Toro i am sure is very careful in their sourcing -- especially engines and will not risk the warranty costs and reputation hit for a few bucks -its never been toro's style -- its probably a product positioning thing -- and the next engine up on the brigs was somewhere near the power of the 1028 -- so they couldn't distinguish it by the way under full disclosure- i have a vested interest in the 926oxe -- i just bought one today -- the 826oxe was available but as a prior year model -- only difference was the engine - -- i went with the latest -- again they would not have changed the engine if they didn't think the 826 was underpowered -- these guys are not seeing a tremendous price pressure in the big box stores -- they are holding the price because of their brand -- again i could see if they were going to do something it would be on the lower end by the way - the ariens felt real cheap in comparison http://www.loncinengine.com/Product60/Detailed91/#Text

stresst wrote:

Maybe it is too late, stresst, but today I read that Honda released a brand new 2 stage snow blower which is a hybrid on 27 October 2011. I do not know anything about the price but if you have money to spread around this new snowblower deserves it. :P

http://www.wisesales.com/honda-hs1336ias-snowblower.html

blumonster wrote:

WOW that thing is nuts! Reminds me of an ATV with tracks and blower attachment! This thing must be 10K!

I had noticed the 926 from Toro before as a new model, but just looking at their website tonight they now have a 928 oxe as well as a new 1028 oxe.   All three have the "Toro"  engines as opposed the B&S from previous models or years in the case of the 1028.  I'm wondering if it is a case of them exhausting their existing B&S stock for the two stages and then switching over to the other engines. 

stresst wrote:

that is wild looking -- i think i saw something like that in the movie "the hurt locker" -- its gotta be 10k

joeg wrote:

It's normally only a Canadian model, and in Canada is probably $8K IIRC. It's good to see someone in the US carrying the Pro machines from Honda.

MrNuke wrote:
I took a look at their web site page, too.  They have two versions of the 1028OXE.  Each has a different model number.  Some of these Power Max models have the Briggs engine, some have the "Toro Premium OHV" engines.  Click on the "Model" tab, then use the right arrow to find the 926OXE, 928OXE, and the two versions of the 1028OXE.  Then click on "Specifications" to see the engine description "Toro Premium OHV".

I, too, wonder what's going on?  Who makes this "Toro Premium OHV" engine?

coasteray wrote:

I'm just glad I got the Briggs & Stratton engine on mine when I did.

Toro has been quietly phasing away from dependence on B&S engines for the last 5 years or so.  It started with the Toro 221Q, which is on a platform that can take any engine, not just B&S.  Subaru and Honda are also viable premium alternatives.

It's probably not a bad idea for Toro and everyone else to get engines directly from China built to their spec rather than going to B&S which also gets engines manufactured in China.  Also, because B&S also bought up a few snowblower companies and having their own machines competing the same market, its only prudent for other manufacturers such as Toro and Ariens to secure other supply channels.

There's skepticism about Chinese engines, it's only a matter of time for people to have confidence in them.