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

Many of you know I have been throwing the idea around of either selling my Toro 826OXE or having an 11hp from the 1128OXE installed. Anyway I had it up for sale but people wanted to pay like 600 bucks! Mind you I paid nearly 1600 less then 10 months ago!

So with the first reports of snow falling north and west of the city I have the snow blower loaded in my fathers van ready to go to the dealer. Do I just have it serviced and continue to try and sell it (really dont want to invest more $$) or do I have them install the 11HP engine?

The dealer wants 120.00 + any parts to do the service. Now if they swap the shortblock this 120 gets washed away as they need to do an oil change, new plug, adjust belts, etc once they install the new engine block.

What do you think I should do?

aa335 wrote:

Yeah I noticed that late las nite, ebay has them like 650 delivered (no tax of course). Now I am wondering if they were marked wrong or are they pushing the Toro SS uits by putting a ridiculous price tag on the simplicity's??/

I was looking at the Simplicity Pro series but IMHO I hate the way they look with those handle bars........Seems like there built like a tank but look like crap! JMO

So back to SS units is the top of the line 621 (forget all the p/n's) or the Simplicity the way to go?? If the Toro had the larger engine I wouldnt even think twice......

aa335 wrote:

I will tell you what a 208cc engine on a SS unit has to have some power to weight ratio!!! There are some two stage units that weigh 200+lbs that have a 208cc engine and nevermind a 150+ weight differance some of the power gets used up propelling the wheels! The snapper/simplicity must be like a tracked honda of SS units!

stresst wrote:
I think you should get it, it has the largest engine for a single stage from the factory.  The Toro is very good even with just a 163cc 4-stroke engine, 208cc is just even better.

With that said, I'm not sure if you are aware of this little know fact.  The Toro 621 is designed on a platform that can accomodate either a 2 stroke and 4-stroke engine.  The cowling is bloated, and that's not by mistake.  It's seems it can fit 208cc or larger size engine.  I wouldn't be surprised that a 250cc may find it's way in there. 

But you know Toro is not going to play that game.  They're already successful enough with their smaller engines. The last time they built a super single, it was too heavy and expensive, 125 lbs. 

aa335 wrote:

So your telling me I should take the 250cc from my Toro 826OXE and install in the 621 that I didnt buy yet? Great idea! Thanks! LOL

I would prefer to get the Toro SS being they match perfectly but the Simplicity SS looks so much more "beefier", nevermind it has a halogen light and fuel guage! Gonna be a hard decision!

stresst wrote:
Gizmos don't move snow.

Why don't you just tune it up YOURSELF. Check your belts or replace them YOURSELF.  Change your own oil.  Replace your own spark plug.  You will save allot of money.  If you are willing to spend $120, you can Replace all your belts. change your oil , replace your spark plug. And install clarence's impeller kit for less money.  It is not hard to do at all .  I'm sure everyone here can help you if you get stuck.  There are many u-tube videos too  It may take you 2 hours tops. Why give your money to the snow blower man.  You know how it ran last year. If you do the above i'm sure you will be impressed . You will be proud of yourself too .

stresst wrote:
I can't say for sure that the engine in your Toro 2 stage will fit in a single stage.  Give it a go, do an engine swap. 

But perhaps a Honda GX200 or GX240 would fit, these are nice compact engines.   Not cheap though.

I never found the power on the Toro 421QE (or 621QZE) to be lacking.  It even surprised me how gutsy it is.  If anything, I would like it to be smoother and quieter.   Sure, more power would be nice, but that just upsets the balance of the machine.  More noise, more vibrations, skittish behavior, no thanks.

When it's too much for the SS, then I bring out the 2 stage.  Pick the right tool for the job and it's so much more enjoyable.  I'm not into modifying anymore.  Just don't have the time.

borat wrote:
Agreed.  I never let gizmos be the deciding factor.

bus708 wrote:

I hear ya I am actually quit handy but the problem is it was running a bit rough last year. The last few weeks of the season I drained the gas out and put fresh gas in but the same thing. The other day I put some gas in for the first time with a new plug but it was the same......Plugs and oil are childs play....... but carb adjustments im lost! As far as belts go I probably could have done that as well but I figured let me get everything checked out......last season I ran a ton of crap over including the outdoor carpet which stopped the motor, about 25' of 10/3 extension cord & a 2lb steel ashtray which shut the motor down as well. A screw rattled loose on the black cover which covers the belt.........figured it couldnt hurt to get it checked out! Trust me I didnt want to cough over 120! As long as I dont run anything over this season this will be the last time this thing sees the dealer!

Do they make service manuals for theset things? Would like to know which carb screws adjust what, as well as how much tension should be in the belts........

borat wrote:

True enough, they don't. But in the this snowpocalypse, I was clearing my driveway in the dark and we had no electric power for the postlamps.

I couldn't have moved  snow that night without the large powerful headlight on my Toro 826OE. It also lighted the whole yard as I chainsawed downed tree branches, and I aimed it into the garage when I needed to go in there.

Well, I suppose I could have struggled through with a Walmart headstrap light, but it would have been slow. I sure appreciate that big 250 cc powered halogen headlight now.