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?

I'm a big fan of Toro products, no secret there. But if I had to buy a Toro 2 stage with a Loncin engine. I'd buy a Honda instead!

Sure Loncin might be better than they used to be but I want my snowblower to start every time and maybe it will with a Loncin but what about 5-10 years down the road?

I know my B&S will work for many years, but Loncin? I just don't know, and for me, I want reliability in my snowblower because when I wake up at 6am

and there is 20" of snow in the driveway and my wife has to get to the hospital for her job, I need my snowblower to start up every time.

All the fancy gadgets mean nothing if it doesn't start right up and blow snow.

The engine is the heart of the snowblower.

Steve_Cebu wrote:

I never noticed that....

If the new Honda Hybrid Snowblower for $ 8000.00 dollars isn't in your price range, try looking at the Cub Cadet that Consumer Reports made its top rated snowblower, it sells for a list price of $ 1,600.00 dollars.  The machine has both a  16" diameter auger (the part that bites into the snow), and a 16" diameter fan (the part that throws the snow).  It is a 900 series Cub Cadet, and they are built by MTD the largest manufacturer of snowblowers.   Most two stage snowblowers have a 12" auger and fan, the larger 16" diameter should translate into more impressive snow removal. Good Luck with whatever you decide to buy.

To all still unsure about the Loncin engine but as Toro seems to be moving forward with their relationship with Loncin I feel I have no choice but to get the Loncin engine Toro 926 OXE.
The Toro 826 OXE with a 250cc B&S had 11.5 ft/lbs of torque while the Loncin 265 cc that is in the Toro 926 OXE has per Loncin spec website has only 11.1ft/lbs

Oh well can not get everything.

Don't let the torque numbers cause you concern.  That's more of a marketing hook than reality.  Chances are the Loncin will be as strong if not more so than the B&S.  Engine manufacturers like to use numbers to impress prospective buyers.  The bigger the number, the juicier the deal.  Engine power can vary considerably even on engines of the same size from the same assembly line never mind between brands.
 
For instance, a Honda engine of the same or even slightly less displacement as a B&S will deliver noticeably more torque and power despite what the spec sheet shows.  Small engine manufacturers often mislead consumers with false ratings.  A good example of that is the B&S 305cc snow engine that I have on my Simplicity.  On my machine it's rated a 9.5 h.p.  That very same engine is also rated at 9, 9.5, 10 and even 11 h.p. with absolutely no difference in parts.  Other than the decals, the engine parts list is exactly the same for every rating.  So, in my opinion, the engines should be either all 9 h.p. or 11 h.p.  In reality, the power is probably around 10 h.p.   It's all marketing b.s. to get people to pay more for the illusion of getting more power for their money. 

Personally, I doubt there will be that much of a difference in power between the two and if there is, my nod would go toward the Loncin.       

                        To all but specifically STEVE CEBU:

I have been checking out your videos on youtube on the Toro 1028. I am pretty much decided on a toro even with a Loncin engine. My question is if the adjustable scrapper bar difficult to set and does it work down to the blacktop/concrete. I have 80 foot by 15 foot driveway and assorted walkways and all new concrete, no rough surfaces but unsure about the durability of a moving scrapper bar.

My only use with scrapper is from a 1998 5HP solid as a rock Craftsman even now and that is non movable and still working. In fact nothing ever replaced on this craftsman blower other than the oil once or twice. Very forgiving unit, gas stays in with or without stablizer and still starts year after year. Crank does take a few sometimes but livable.

But really no one in my area even has a toro for me to view this movable scrapper bar setup and if durable and useful once set to get to the ground.

Thanks for any help...

Oh well just pulled up a manual and discovered not moving scraper bar but fixed well maybe off to the order department. Still like feedback on Ariens 24" deluxe (platinum too costly) or Toro 926 OXE

I sent you a PM regarding this but to echo what I said in that.

The Toro 1028 does not come with the pivoting scrapper bar just the Toro 1128.

But as you can see from the pic I sent you in the PM and it's also posted here elsewhere it's inside the bucket and it could possibly jam.

That is why I didn't buy a 1128 when my local dealer had plenty of both.

So I wouldn't want one, but if you do get one I'm sure we'd all be interested in how well it performs and if in fact it jams and ices up.

FrankMA wrote:

Me either! LOL

redtaven wrote:  Still like feedback on Ariens 24" deluxe (platinum too costly)

Acccording to my Ariens 2011-2012 full-size catalog, the Deluxe 24 (NOT referring to the Platinum 24) has a pin lock wheel arrangement, which means that both wheels are permanently locked together.  No wheel release lever on the left handle, and no differential.  Also, no left and right trigger release levers, since Ariens doesn't do that system.  Toro does.  See this link:

http://www.toro.com/en-us/Homeowner/Snow-Blowers/Two-Stage/Pages/Model.aspx?pid=Power-Max-926-OXE-38661

Check the Features and Specifications tabs for more information.  This blower has the Loncin engine, I think, since it says "Toro OHV" engine on the site.

Here's a link from the Toro page about the engine itself.  Click on the little dots for more information about the inner parts of the engine.  Insightful.

http://www.toro.com/en-us/Homeowner/Pages/toro-premium-engine/two-stage-toro-premium-engine-lp.aspx


A couple of Loncin addresses:

About Loncin:  http://www.loncinengine.com/About7/#Text       Definitely headquartered in China.

Loncin engine information from their website:  http://www.loncinengine.com/

Why is it always so hard to find the "perfect" snow blower that we want?  Hope this information helps. 

Interesting that they do not list the 926OXE as having freewheel steering.

Freewheel Steering

Turn on a dime! Wheels can be disengaged independently or simultaneously with trigger controls - making turning, reversing, and steering easy for anyone. Available on 826 OXE, 828 OXE, 1028 OXE, and 1128 OXE Power Max models.