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

Quick intro: From eastern Mass (half way between Boston and Providence RI). Need to invest in a snow blower that is robust yet easy to steer - well, one that has a good steering system. I'm about to have L4 & L5 vertebrae fused and during the healing process will need a blower that won't make me screw things up by bulling it around. Anyway, been doing a lot of research (lots of free time - disabled from work until back is fixed) and I am narrowing my search down to the Toro's OEX's (Power Max 826OEX, 828OEX, or 1028 OEX) and the Husky with power steering and the high impeller speed (11524E & 14527E) Questions, how do these steer? At this point that is the priority, I will tackle the other differences later. OR do you know of a RELIABLE machine that needs no body twisting or pulling to steer it. (I read reports that Troy-Bilt have unreliable reverse gears) thanks -Bill

JoelKlein wrote:

Hello,

   I don't have any experience with the larger 1028, but I did purchase an 826 oxe last year and have a season under my belt with it now.  It does bog down a bit when trying to clear more than a foot of snow at any speed higher than second "gear".  But I have been very pleased with it.  (just sounds like it is working super hard)  It is super maneuverable with both steering triggers pressed to unlock both wheels.  I have a 400' driveway in New York and it has never let me down.  It usually rides up on the EOD in first gear the first time, then I back it up and hit it again and it scrapes down to the ground.  No big deal for me, I am rarely in a rush.  This week I tackled the super wet slush with it, and the chute did get clogged up 3-4 times requiring me to clear it out (this was on Sunday evening after the 6" had had time to slush down quite a bit).  Could be because I did not spray the auger/chute with WD40 this season like I have in the past.  I still got the whole 400' done in under an hour.  I was also pleasantly surprised to find that I can knock out the whole driveway with 1-2 " in 6th "gear" super fast and it clears down to the pavement, was not execting that with a two stage.  Let me know if you have any specific questions.  This reminds me, I have to go out to the garage and clean all the leaves out of the bucket.

Good luck,

Dan

"Great News" I Swapped the Husqvarna for a..........Toro........yes yes yes....the big brother 1028 OXE! paid the extra $300.00 and got on friday. I did notice thou, the joy stick moves the the chute around very easy, Too easy, and it swings on its own, i can't get it to stay "looked" in the 1 o'clock possition, hard right or left it holds, but not off center. is it a adjustment? Thanks

JoelKlein wrote:

Congratulations on your new Toro 1028!

The loose joystick is a dealer setup issue. They probably assembled it quickly and didn't take their time to do it right. make them get it right. I have videos of the chute working at all levels and very quickly and it stays where I put it.

You squeeze the blue on the top to move it and then release it and it stays put. Have them adjust the cable.

Honestly it sounds like this dealer isn't a place I'd want to service my machine. If they tell you that's the way it normally is tell them BullS#1T! and have them fix it right.

Will call my dealer AGAIN... What about gas? Do i have any gain of using 93?

JoelKlein wrote:

No, you don't need 93 octane. I just run whatever my local gas station has and I run the cheap stuff and then I put in stabilizer. I'm usinng a different brand than Stabil but so far it really gets rid of the ethanol and water in the gas. Those are alway a problem. My dealer told me to run the cheap stuff and it works great.

i put in in my SUV 93, So I planed on using it in the SB as well. will 93 "hurt" on make better performance in a SB engine?

My dealer sold me the StarTron Enzyme Fuel Treatment. is that a good chice, or you know of a better one?

Thanks so much for your help steve!

The higher the oct. - the harder to start but 93 is fine if it makes you feel better.

Octane is not the issue. Bring back MTBE

what about the StarTron Enzyme Fuel Treatment, is it a good choice?

A local Toro only dealer told me not to use gas with ethanol in a snowblower. Of course he sold the gas without ethanol.

JoelKlein wrote:

I'm on my 3rd year using Startron and I think it's great. The Honda dealer uses it in all their Honda equipment so I figure why not use it in mine.

I use a bit more than it says on the bottle. But a capful treats like 5 gallons. a 2 years supply costs $10.