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

Any advice as to which of these two single stage blowers is the better choice?  Thanks.

I scored my Toro 221QE from Home Depot for less than $600.00.  Must have been a phase out sale to discontinue the two cycle engines.  The local Toro gouger was selling the very same machine for...... wait for it.......

$1000.00!!!!! 


I swear, that dealer must never get out of his shop.  Home Depot is less than a mile from his place.   Funny part is that the Toro shop is right at a fairly busy intersection.  When I was hauling the 221QE home in the back of the pick-up, I had to stop at the intersection and right in front of the Toro dealership's main entrance/door and display window.  I was there for a full set of lights and it's a five way intersection.  I know they could see the machine in the back of the truck with the labels etc. blowing in the breeze. 

You think they'd be smart enough to drop their price to something reasonable?  Nope.  Fortunately for them, there are enough uninformed/stupid people around to keep them in business. 

Borat,

Are you planning to run two 221Qs at the same time?  Just curious on why you purchased another 221Q.  There must be a good reason since you are very logical.

@aa335,

Do you know whether the Toro 621/421 can accept Honda GX160 engine?  Do you know whether the engine on your Toro uses standard 3/4" shaft?  Thanks for your help.

MN_Runner wrote:

When you are in love something/somebody, logic is the last thing you would would invoke. :D

MN_Runner wrote:
Not sure how/where I said I had two 221QEs.  I have just the one.  However, I also have a 1997 Craftsman SS machine and a 2005-ish MTD SS machine.  Both powered by 139cc Tecumseh two cycle engines.  I got them both dirt cheap and put a lot of time/work on the Craftsman last winter.  I over-ride the governors on the Tecumseh's to run them at 6000+ rpm.  I can actuate the governor to work like a throttle.  Kind of like using a chain saw.  Rev up the engine to throw snow and let off when backing up etc.  I flogged that Craftsman pretty hard at high rpm and it just keeps on going.  I'm curious how much abuse the Tecumseh two cycle engine can handle.  I find it much more fun to operate than the Toro that runs at a fixed 4000 rpm.   I didn't get the MTD until later in the year.  I over-ride it also but it's a bit on the light side and not as effective as the Craftsman.  I think I'll plant it on the deck to keep it clear. 

For real big snow events, I use the Simplicity two stage machine.    

MN_Runner wrote:
Can't say for sure, haven't poked around inside the machine getting measurements. 

The current engine is probably a GX160 clone so everything is likely to be similar in dimensions; the power is going to be the same too, or close to it.  No point to do the engine swap unless it fails or it gives you comfort having a real GX160. 

Honda has updated some of their snowblower models this year, hopefully, there's going to be a HS520 update or redesign sometime this decade  .   Hopefully a GX200 or GX240 finds it way in there, in the form of a HS621.  Just hoping....