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

I'm looking to add a single stage snowblower.  I currently have a toro 826 OXE two stage.  I didn't want to spend too much so my budget is about $500 or so.  Anyhow, I can get the toro 418 for $449 Canadian (electric start) or Sears Canada is having a sale on their Craftsman single stage 205 cc Briggs built single stage.  It's the same one that Briggs offers under different brands including simplicity.  This one is a display model and it comes with the remote chute control too.   I like the toro but I'm not sure if the small 87 cc engine and narrow 18" width would be of any use.  The Craftsman comes with a 22" width.

Joed - I agree with Steve_Cebu only stick with the 418ZE.  I'm guessing you'll be it using for lighter snowfall or final clean-up?  I purchased the 418ZE a couple months ago for that reason.  I was looking at other SS models for around the same price like a 21" Troybilt Single-Stage but went with my original plan.  Although you can get a larger SS you already have a 2 stage to use when you really need to move some snow.  The little 87cc engine is actually pretty peppy, it handled the 2-3" of wet snow we had a couple weeks ago with no issue.  I've found the little toro to be very versatile too, I was able to put in the back of my SUV to do my in-laws drive without breaking my back - at only 60 lbs it was a breeze.  If you're looking to save a few bucks, you can pass on the electric start as it starts on the first pull very easy.  Although I opted for the electric start b/c I might not be able to put one on for $50 after the fact.

The reason I suggest going to the larger single stage is once you start to use one (a single stage) you begin to realize how light and easy they are to operate compared to a 2-stage machine. I think once the OP begins to use one and realizes how easy and efficient they are, he'll appreciate having the larger single stage machine to clear heavier storms the smaller single stage would not be able to handle well.  

A 2-stage definitely has its place (especially here in New England) but given the choice between the two, I would opt for the single stage if the conditions suited its capabilities. The older I get (and I'm not getting any younger!) the more I appreciate the lighter, easier to maneuver single stage machines. It's much easier to move a 100 lb. machine than it is to move a 250 lb. machine, especially if you only have 8" - 10" of light snow or 4" - 6" of heavy snow to clear. That's just my 50 year old opinion, which is a lot different than my 35 year old opinion!

I strongly agree with FrankMA. I find i use the single stage 90-95% of the time, even here in MA. I think you'll find the same joed. All the videos ive seen of the toro 418 look pretty pathetic. The craftsman looks like a pretty good deal and a good copy of the larger and more expensive toro single stages.

Well my opinion is going to be 50 years old in less than 2 months.

Anyway if he is just cleaning up after smaller storms the small unit makes sense. if he wants to replace the 2 stage with a single stage then certainly a more powerful single stage would be ideal.

Muscling around a heavy machine is why I don't own certain 2 stage machines. My Toro is easy peasy to steer and I don't have to muscle it around at all.

I guess the OP needs to decide if he wants a small unit for small storms or something to eventually replace his 2 stage. For me those few storms that only dump 4 inches of snow are

not worth buying a single stage. I have too much driveway and we normally get socked. But if he just gets small snowfalls a bigger SS is the answer.

My Toro has a very hard time blowing 1-2" of snow unless I put it in 6th gear and run behind it. I think that is what he wants a SS for, but I could be wrong. The Toro 421 would cover

both bases.

I've only had 2-stage machines until now, will get to try a small SS on the driveway this winter. Does a Clarence kit help throw small amounts of snow with a 2-stage? I've had the similar situation, with a small amount of snow, so I need to move the 2-stage pretty fast to try and feed the impeller. I'm hoping to add a clarence-type setup to my 2-stage, just curious if that will help it with smaller storms. My SS is just a little 3hp, 98cc 2-stroke, so its not as beefy as some of the machines being discussed here, I think. I hope it does OK in the little storms. It sure is easy to move around, which is nice.

The problem with small amounts of snow is the gathering part of the process. A Clarence kit will not address that.   If it's really light, fluffy stuff, a close clearance impeller might work like a bit of a vacuum cleaner but with snow that light, a leaf blower would probably be better.    

I've got a fairly big driveway (110' x 18' with a 35' x 35' turnaround at the top).  If the snow isn't sufficient enough to use a machine, I find a rink type shovel ideal to push the snow to the sided then blow the piles onto the lawn.   I'm not particularly young but picking up a shovel every so often isn't that big of a deal.  Most of the snow we've received this year has been "shovel ready" and I'm getting a bit antsy for a decent accumulation. 

joed wrote:
Pick one or the other based on the size of the area you are planning to use it on.  If for doing driveway, walkways, and sidewalks, get the larger 21-22" SS.  It will get the job done faster with less passes and throw further.  It can better handle deeper and heavier snow.

The 418 should be more suitable for smaller driveways.  It doesn't throw as far, so you're very likely having to double throw the snow.  This will slow the machine down.  Plus, you'll have to make more passes.  In all, the 418 isnt going to be as productive than the larger SS even though it's smaller and more maneuverable.  So you have to decide if having a smaller footprint of the 418 is worth the compromises. 

I wouldn't let the price be the limiting factor for deciding on which snowblowers to buy.  As I recall correctly, you have been looking into a SS for almost two years now, so pick the one that you really like, even if you have to splurge or wait a little longer to save up.  More money spent on a product that gets used more often and you enjoy is still a whole lot more cost effective than the cheaper one that is deficlient.  As for SS, unlike a 2 stage, it is rare that people buy something too big.  And don't be afraid to buy a SS that is capable enough to take over some of the 2 stage duties.    That is a good thing ! 

Get a Toro 221QR, 421QR, or 621QZ.  Do it once, do it right !

Well said, aa335. Buyers remorse sucks so you may as well spend whatever it takes (within reason) to make and keep you happy with your purchase. I think the fact that you plan on buying a brand new machine reinforces this to a much greater degree than if you were buying used. Remember what Confucius say...

Which Confucius saying is that?    "Man running in front of car gets tired, man running behind car gets exhausted"  ?

I'm not a fan of Confucius, but Yoda I am.  :)

I think it goes something like: "You can make the big wok small, but you cannot make the small wok big"...something like that. I just modified it slightly for our little group of OPE fanatics!