Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Snowpocalypse 2011
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
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Steve_Cebu
 
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 888
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Snowpocalypse 2011
Original Message Oct 30, 2011 1:17 pm |
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Wow was this a storm to remember! Here in my driveway we only got about 14-16 inches. Here is a clip/quote from the newspaper. http://news.yahoo.com/snow-smacks-northeast-power-could-days-122810201.html "But in New Hampshire's capital of Concord, more than 22 inches fell, weeks ahead of the usual first measurable snowfall. Trees downtown still bright with fall colors were covered with snow. Some didn't survive — a large oak tree that had stood alongside the Statehouse fell, partially blocking a side street." I'll post some videos but this was the heaviest wetest nastiest heartattack snow I have seen in a long time. Their were so many leaves in the driveway that I had a lot of trouble with the chute and auger clogging. I'd have to shut the machine off to clear the impeller and chute. Heavy wet snow and leaves do NOT mix. There were times I didn't think I was going to be able to finish my driveway. As long as the leaves didn't get sucked in the Toro handled it pretty well. I'd just let it ride up on the first pass and then take a second pass. We finally got power and cabl back. I guess downtown got more than we did for once. Share your stories and vieos in here if you have 'em.
"If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you live in New England." "If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in New England."
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stresst
Location: The Village in the Middle of New York
Joined: Dec 11, 2010
Points: 213
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Re: Snowpocalypse 2011
Reply #15 Oct 31, 2011 9:27 pm |
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Third season now with the Toro 826OE. We got about 8" of heavy wet snow here in PA. I started off thinking the Toro should be in 1st gear to handle the weight of the snow. I was initially disappointed when the chute quickly clogged with ice and throwing distance dropped to a few feet. Cleaned it and was about to put it away, when it occurred to me to experiment a faster gear. Duh. In 2nd gear the performance improved, third was better yet,and I finally settled on 4th for the best efficiency. Conclusion is that the impeller must be fed sufficient snow to push the heavy stuff through and prevent clogging. The 4th gear provided the best balance between forcing the snow through and not bogging the 250 cc engine. The 826OE threw this heavy wet stuff about 25 feet and the chute stayed clean. The Quickstick would occasionally stiffin up a little, from ice around the outside of it, but it remained fully functional. Once I got going, the Toro cleared the drive of Snowpocalypse in the normal amount of time. I found something similiar when throwing recyled snow....everyone keeps telling me to slow down but it seems my Toro works better in a higher gear. I thought the gears were only for wheel speed and had nothing to do with impeller speed?? Well thats what I thought anyway but it seems it throws better in a faster gear (most of the time anyway).
TORO 826OXE
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royster
" It is the use of power tools that separates man from animals"
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: Feb 11, 2011
Points: 284
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Re: Snowpocalypse 2011
Reply #16 Oct 31, 2011 9:56 pm |
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We were lucky here In NB, Canada. The same storm that hit New England, Only dropped about 20 cm here (8 Inches) but it was wet and heavy , on Sunday. Instead of using my Two Stage, I used my single stage Craftsman that I had bought last February, , It did a good job but didn't throw the snow very far. Now the snow is all melted.
This message was modified Oct 31, 2011 by royster
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samdog
Joined: Feb 9, 2010
Points: 55
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Re: Snowpocalypse 2011
Reply #17 Oct 31, 2011 10:18 pm |
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I found something similiar when throwing recyled snow....everyone keeps telling me to slow down but it seems my Toro works better in a higher gear. I thought the gears were only for wheel speed and had nothing to do with impeller speed?? Well thats what I thought anyway but it seems it throws better in a faster gear (most of the time anyway).
You are correct sir; the gearbox only changes wheel speed, and the auger and impeller are driven separately.
The reason speed makes a difference, is that snow is fed more quickly into the auger, which in turn feeds a more steady supply into the impeller. In higher gears, incoming snow, under pressure from the auger, pushes snow ahead of it through the impeller and maintains a steady flow. Faster snow feed is more important when the snow is heavy, wet, more likely to ice up and resistant to flow. Of course,the limiting factor is the engine's ability to process the density/weight of the flow. I'm starting to think that the Toro's impeller recycling feature is designed to allow faster speeds in heavy snow. My first impulse was to slow down also, because I used to have an MTD without the impeller recycling. This is only my observation, based on this experience, so I'm not claiming expertise.
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