>>>Any particular reason to turn a 421 into a 621?
A few reasons. I’ve been wondering about how price breaks happen say between MTD and Toro/Areins for a long time ever since I found a Craftsman with what I thought was a reduced quality crankshaft compared to what I found in Ariens machines.
On my four stroke machines I’ve always bumped the governor settings higher. On two strokes I generally bump the revs but mildly. I’ve never “over drove” a two stroke until I had the governor problem last year on a Powerlite. After spending many hours with that machine I realized that it was taking what seemed to be some brutal over rev punishment very well. Then boratification happened and I started pushing two strokes and convinced by Borat that they could take it, especially the HSK850.
The HSK and R*Tec’s in the various horse power Toro’s and other machines have been a puzzle as to how makers were extracting more hp with similar engines.
It’s all relates to what makers are claiming, doing and price.
I now know what’s going on with the Tecumseh and R*Tec side but the Loncin is unknown. I’m not sure how Toro gets from 4 to 6 with these but it’s looking like they may all be 5.5hp rated engines for 2011 and 2012. Still not sure so want to muck with them and also see what they can be pushed to.
>>>My 421QE is powerful in stock form. Even when working on the EOD or the heavy toothpaste sludge snow, the engine has enough power and torque to do the work.
I’ve read many good reports on the 4 stroke SS’s and wanted one for some testing.
>>>A slight bump in HP would be nice,
Reason enough to muck with them to extract more. I don’t have the same experience many on this and other forums do with them. Over the years they have gotten bigger engines and more capable for more than just cleanup and light snows.
>>>Also, a fuel shut off on the console would be nice.
Yes but that would be higher than the tank. There’s exposed line on the 421 bottom where a filter can be installed under the cover and the shutoff closer to the carb at an opening in the bottom cover very easy to get to.
>>>A "boratified" switch would be nice too, selectable normal / boost position, only use boost position when you need it, normal to be comfortable and quiet to save fuel.
I’ve converted all my SS’s to be like Borat’s, very low idle RPM with the string as throttle so chainsaw like. Gives the engine a break and I could care less about the belt which I think is not a problem anyway.
>>>And last of all, don't make them physically anymore bloated than they are.
They are getting in to two classes. The smaller for porch and cleanup and the big guys for full time clearing i.e. not a two stage supplement for many.
>>>Toro tried this with the Snow Commander and that didn't stay on the market very long.
Just what happened with them is unclear. Possibly there was no well priced engine in a two stroke and 4’s also. Toro has dumped 2’s and Briggs for Loncin. Hard to guess what’s going on.
I’ve wanted an SS 4 stroke for some time but they were expensive, even second hand… until now. A guy was selling 3 421’s for very little with the claim that they never had seen snow, started or had gas in their tanks.
The price was way too good to be true but I decided to take a look and bought one. After getting it home the machine was fine, never had gas and the paddle never rubbed on anything. It was as advertised, a mint 421ZE. I scrambled through drawings to find out what I could and the cause of the original post. After firing it up and checkout I bought another. I would have gotten two but he only had one left.
The net reports for Loncin are pretty good. I know the maker from China and familiar with their motorcycles. They are a capable factory and make many grades of engine. I assume Toro would not order a marginal engine for a price break so think the engine will be fine. I fired up one of the 421’s and it’s smooth and runs fine. It’s seems just like the 6hp Honda. Itching to try one out. Also itching to see how flexible the engine is.
Size wise the 421 is a bit bigger than a Toro 3650 but seems a bit lighter and easier to move. There’s not a big difference but the difference given the footprint was a surprise.
Below are some picts of the new pair and a few with the 3650 for comparison.
