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

Found this at an auction, bought it for $70.00.  Don't really need another blower but couldn't resist the 7hp 24" cut.  It's a 2008 model and a rare bird in design.  The ad said it didn't run but had good compression.  Looked in good shape.  Turns out it was low on fuel.  After the ride home (fuel sloshing around in the tank) and a shot of starter fluid it fired right up.  Smoked like crazy, so either it had the wrong mix in it.  Or the fuel had evaporated and left a high concentration of oil in the remaining fuel.  Will post some pics tomorrow.    I'm ready for snow already.  Hope this year turns out better than last year.
For those wanting to know.  It has a BRIGGS AND STRATTON, 084333-0199-E1 engine.

"I guess the difference could be in the carbs, porting, cranks, rods who knows."

Been down that road several times in trying to establish where the additional power comes from in engines of the same displacement and design.  Case in point is the B&S 305cc snow engine which is rated from 9 to 11 h.p.   Myself and others have analyzed virtually every part in every 305cc engine comparing parts vs. power rating.  Not one significant part had a different part no.  Anything that should make a difference in power was identical.  Same goes for the Tecumseh 139cc engine with variants from 4 to 7 h.p.   However, if I recall correctly, there was a difference with the 7 h.p. R-tek two cycle engine used in the rare Toro dual stage Powermax 726TE.  I've read that the 141cc engine used in that machine has an additional intake port and different piston which, if properly executed with matching carburetor and exhaust, woud make more power.  You should try to determine if the engine in your Snow Commander is the same as that used in the Powermax.  If so, there's your additional power source.

I know from personal experience, it's difficult to find any detailed information on the R-tek engines.   

Over the years, I've come to realize that in the majority of cases, the various power ratings are no more than a marketing ploy to grind more money for the same engine out of uninformed customers.  For instance, a customer walks into a showroom and sees a 28" 9.5 h.p. machine with a 305cc engine.  Two feet away is a 30" 11 h.p. machine with a 305cc engine for only $200.00 more.  Set the hook! 

It's a sales scam.  Nothing more.

Here's an interestinf video from a participant of this forum. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZdHYUeEayA

borat wrote:

My Toro 221Q R-tek engine is model no:   0842-33-0199-E8  rated at 6.5 h.p. weighing 29 lbs.

Is the newer 221 engine designed the same as the Snow Commander engine?  I.e. extra intake port?   If not, how did it get it's power boosted from 5 to 6.5 h.p.? 

JRT:

Not sure where you found your engine no. specs.  How does the 221 engine compare design-wise to the Snow Commander engine?

No need to answer JRT.  I found parts comparison on Parts Tree.  The engines are different.  I'm in agreement that the extra port is for the boost designation.  Sounds like you have the hotrod R-tek.  Sweet.  Theoretically, you should be able to squeeze some decent power out of that thing.  Spin it up to 5K rpms and see what happens.  Take a video of it in action.  I'd really like to see that. 

Just watched your video.  Very nice indeed.  I would have one reservation with your powered chute mechanism.  If your electric motor is too strong and the chute freezes, you may break something.  The Toros are generally pretty well designed to limit freezing up but it's happened to mine more than once and there is quite a bit of resistance when it does. 

Overall, I really like the looks of the Snow Commander and what you've done with it.  You've got a great piece of equipment there for $70.00! 

borat wrote:

I've heard of anti-seize for spark plugs etc., but never for plastic surfaces.  What kind of anti-seize are you using?

jrtrebor wrote:
What voltage is the battery pack you are using?

Hi-

Nice work creating the chute rotator!

I have seen both versions of the 141 cc 2 stroke (R*TEK ) internally, and yes these are different: (I couldn't find my older posts I thought I made so sorry if I'm repeating myself)

BOOST version:

Piston- two square windows in the skirt on the intake side

Cylinder- two slot type boost ports to work with the windowed piston

Porting - now has 4 intake (transfer) ports instead of 2

Exhaust port looks the same

Carburetor- all P/N the same so I beleive the carbs are same

CD Pak- same P/N so timing curve the same

muffler- same PN

crankshaft- different PN due to longer snout needed to fit snow commander chassis.

all other PN the same.

Per the TORO service manual for the boost version- the idea is to create a larger air fuel charge into the cylinder with each stroke, so the larger charge give more power!