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

I lucked out Sunday, October 23 (my birthday) by landing a 2008 Toro 1028LXE (with Tecumseh L-Head, 10hp) for only $599.  It was almost brand new.  This retailed for $1799, just like the current 1028OXE with a Briggs 305cc.  The man at the farm said on the phone that he probably should have sold it for more but that he would honor his ad.  He didn't seem to mind.  I'd been debating between Ariens (like a Platinum 24) and the Toro 1028OXE.  In another thread, I mentioned that maybe something would turn up on Craigslist.  It did.  Now to see how well all those plastic parts hold up, like the steering triggers.  Plastic triggers with plastic hinges.  Small parts, so we'll see.  Plastic hand levers, and plastic chute controls.  Plastic control deck.  I do like the look of this blower and it's conveniences, but now I can actually play with it this winter and see how much I really like it, and test the robustness.  I had to slightly re-position the chute-lock lever cable that's under that plastic cover because the lock wasn't releasing from the gear quite enough.  It was hitting the gear as I swung the chute around.  Now fixed and works perfectly.

I still haven't ruled out an Ariens Platinum 24 at some point because it was my original intention, anyway, until this hot deal popped up.  Couldn't pass it up for that price.  Runs good, too. 

Anyone else been through a sudden change of direction like mine? 

coasteray wrote:

Well keep us updated on how well it works out for you over the season. Did the guy say how old it was?

coasteray wrote:

Sort of... I was not in the market for a new or used snowblower when I got a hold of my slightly used Honda HS928TA. I was fairly content with my then Honda HS624WA but had always felt I could use more HP as my snow clearing duties increased quite a bit (about 6 fold) when I purchased a new home with substantially more land than my old home. A friend that worked in the aerospace industry got a chance to relocate down south and I found out he was looking to 86 his fairly new, low hour Honda HS928TA. I had my apprehenions about the track drive for sure but the deal was very reasonable and I figured if I did not like the track drive I would just turn around and sell it and pick up something else. I knew I could sell it for equal to or more than I paid so the risk was fairly low and I felt it was worth a shot. Again - I was not looking for a snowblower so this was all kind of happening pretty quickly and I had to make a decision before I lost my opportunity (it only knocks once as they say)!

Going into my 2nd season with my new to me snowblower and I enjoy using it quite a bit. It did take time to figure out how to work the track drive and not let it work you, but once you get the hang of it, it's pretty easy. It plows through the EOD garbage like nothing else and going up my slightly sloped driveway has never been easier. I use my single stage blowers for the 6" or less snow amounts (so much easier to move around) and reserve the big boy for the heavier snowfalls

Congratulations and good luck with your new toy and let us know how it works out for you!

Steve_Cebu wrote: It was advertised as 2008.  The blower manual he gave me says 2007, while the Tecumseh manual he gave me says June 2008.  Both of these came with the blower.  According to the 2008-2009 Toro snowblower catalog, Toro was still using Tecumseh.  Then in 2008-2009, they switched to Briggs because of the demise of Tecumseh.


FrankMA wrote:


Thanks, guys.  It should be fun to see how this blower works in real life conditions instead from testimonies from current users.  It will be very interesting, I'm sure.  Can't wait.  The late night TV news said we had a few flurries in my area.  Wow.

I'm still feeling weird for the fact that just last Saturday, I almost went out to a dealer to buy the Ariens Platinum 24.  I was getting tired waiting, but didn't do it due to lack of time.  Then about 11pm Saturday night, I saw the Craigslist ad for a Toro 1028LXE for $599.  I stared at the ad thinking "What?  $599?"  I emailed him immediately to see if it was still for sale (it was online since 3pm Friday).  I went to the bank and got $400 from the ATM (the limit), and then went to my son's house.  He "just happened" to have $200 in his wallet because he's buying stuff for house renovations.  He laughed when he pulled it out.  I laughed and said that maybe it's a sign :). 

Then I borrowed my other son's Chevy Astro cargo van, put in my folding aluminum ramp, and waited for the man to call me.  He did mid-Sunday morning when I was at Lowe's.  I was his first call.  My wife wrote down his directions as I dictated them.   I immediately drove west about 30 miles to his farm next to I-90.  I think it helped in my email to him that I already had cash ready to go.  He said one lady emailed offering $400.  He replied to her saying she needed to re-read the ad.  Well, I got there and looked it over, we ran it, etc., and then I paid him $600 cash, and he helped me load it up.  Me, a guy who really loves and wanted an Ariens, and here I am loading up a Toro  :)  :).  Hey, the price was unbeatable. (Sorry, Ariens, um, um, gotta wait 'til later)

Now I would like to share a couple of pictures, but I can't get that to work.  Abby's says use Flickr.  Well, it doesn't give a ".jpg" at the end of the URL, so I'm not yet able to put any pix here.  My oldest son is a computer programmer.  I'll ask him.

Well yu just might go from being an Ariens guy to a Toro guy.

I use Photobucket to post pics here, it's easier than Flickr. You sign up for an account and upload your pics and select the second option on Photobucket which is "Direct link"   then on here (Abby's) you select the icon with a mountain and insert the link in there and that's it. Easy!

Steve_Cebu wrote:


We'll see, Steve.  Wow.  Nice picture here.  I will definitely try Photo Bucket as you have described.   My son has mentioned it.  

On my "new" Toro 1028LXE, the Tecumseh L-Head engine label says 358cc.  I figure that's MAYBE the same as a 342cc Briggs, based on the idea that L-Head engines aren't as efficient as OHV engines.  Or is it closer to a Briggs 305cc?  Using that formula I've seen a few times on this forum and elsewhere (HP = torque x 3600 divided by 5252), I get  about 11.31hp for my engine and for the 342cc Briggs (16.50 Briggs torque x 3600 divided by 5252 = 11.31).  If based on 305cc (torque of 14.50), then it drops to 9.94hp.  I think the formula is pretty decent.  I know the "10" in the model number is supposed to be 10hp, while the "L" is referring to the L-Head engine.


Here are some photos of my "new" Toro 1028LXE.  I thought my front yard with the leaves would make a colorful backdrop for the rather colorful Toro.  Pretty good for $600 from Craigslist.  Thanks to Steve for the instructions about using Photobucket.  Sorry to be so late getting these up, but I've never uploaded photos to this forum before.
  
             
        

As much as I like colorful leaves, I kinda like the color of these:

        

One of my sons using his Ariens ST824 (1993 model) blowing out my backyard driveway which leads to our alley, which leads to our side street.  I am two houses from that street.   You might say I have an EOA (End of Alley) instead of the EOD (End of Driveway).  I also have an EOS (End of Sidewalk) which leads from my house to the main street in front.  I have no front driveway, so no EOD.  I also have to clear out the front curb for any parking taking place there.  Then comes the city plow to wreck that effort.   This is Christmas Day 2008 after a 19-inch dump, plus a bit more afterward, totaling 23 inches..                                                


It would be great to see more photos from others, too.  It spruces things up.

Pics look good. That Toro looks like it's in really good shape. I hope this upcoming winter we have more snow rather than bitter cold.

WOW - that's in really good shape! You did very well to get that for $600. How much property did the guy have to clear snow from?

Steve_Cebu wrote:
I was a Honda guy until Steve_Cebu and Superbuick comes along with pictures like these and some cool videos on youtube.  Now I'm a Toro guy too, I have a 421QE.  Earlier this month, I saw a Toro 726TE, a very rare 2 stroke model that was in production only 2 or 3 years.  It was listed on CL for $700 and looks almost brand new listing, got my pulse racing on impulse power.  If I had a pick up truck and an outdoor storage shed, I would have went out and purchase it right away.  :) 

I then remember I've been holding out for the new Sony NEX-7 camera that's due this November.  I figured the wife and kids would be more excited about me getting the Sony rather than another snowblower.  :)  And then there's that new Ariens Pro 28 with a whooping 420cc of fun. 

So please, don't post pictures or videos like these.  It's too hard to keep my mind thinking straight. 

If you are going for distance you could always get a 22HP V-Twin Ariens:

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