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jrtrebor


Location: Michigan - 3 hours north of Chicago on the lake
Joined: Feb 10, 2010
Points: 539

Snow Commander update
Original Message   Feb 5, 2013 9:21 am
Well finally got things sorted out on the Toro SC.
Discovered a few other things that needed attention.
Both handles were bent down. From the point just above the
mounting bolts.  Where the steel goes from a round shape to a flat shape.
Had to removed them, cut a slice in the tube, bend them straight and weld the slice closed.
That raised the end of the handle about 6". A much more comfortable height.
It wouldn't stay running under a load.  Found the float was out of adjustment.

As far as how it performs.  It will never win any throwing distance awards.
Throws about half the distance of my Toro Power Clear 210R.
But when it comes to shear power, the thing is a beast.
That 7hp engine has got some power.
It has snowed here the last nine days in a row.
So there are all kinds of snow condition to test it in.
New snow, deep old snow and everything in between.
Yesterday I was cutting thru typical type EOD piles.  About 4 days old and 18 - 20" deep.
Dense and packed snow (but not hard and frozen), chunks of ice.
The blower cut right thru it. Had to work it from the top down sometimes.
But the engine hardly strained at all.  In some places was able to simply cut a 24"
path right thru the pile. I was impressed.  It will even shove out that wet dense stuff without lugging to the point of stalling the engine.
The tilting feature design that allows you to set how aggressively the blower pulls itself forward, works welll
On certain surfaces when your cleaning right down to the pavement.  It will really pull you along behind it
at a fast walk.  But you can release the handle a little and slow it down.
Having the extra 4" of clearing really makes a noticeable difference in total clearing time.
The SC is quite a bit heavier than most SS blowers.  Weighting in about 125 lbs.  So you can't whip it around
quite as easily.  But because the rear wheels are about 3" wide and 6 or 7" in diameter.  It rolls much easier than
than most blower do.  Especially in loose and bumpy snow.  It also has the extra pair of wheels up front so you really
don't have to tilt the blower up when moving backwards.
The powered chute setup that I put on it work like a charm and saves so much time.
Not having to stop and redirect the chute.  Although because I removed the stops and the chute will spin 360 degrees.
I have a couple of times spun the chute to far and found myself looking down inside the chute.  Hoping nothing comes
out right at that moment.  Now my big decision.  Do I keep the SC and sell my 210R or keep the 210R and sell the SC.
Don't really need both.
Replies: 11 - 14 of 14Next page of topicsPreviousAllView as Outline
Loblolly77


Joined: Mar 17, 2010
Points: 32

Re: Snow Commander update
Reply #11   Feb 7, 2013 10:23 am
Hi;

          

OK, shut up because we are not getting anything but rain 

My future idea: Install a piston and cylinder from the boost port snow commander on my 221QR chassis, and adjust carb jettng if needed. 

Really I'm perfectly satisfied with the 221QR as it is!

We only have about 3 weeks left for any chance of snow, so I'm not holding my breath for snow, this will be the third year now without any real snow.

aa335


Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434

Re: Snow Commander update
Reply #12   Feb 7, 2013 10:50 am
MN_Runner wrote:
I like SS snowblower but on a concrete surface, the rubber paddles do wear out very fast on that surface.  So buy a nice SS and make sure the rubber paddles (scapper bar) are cheap and readily available. 

My paddles are holding up just fine.  I typically replace mine every 4 years.  At this rate of snow, it will probably be 8 years until I need to replace any paddles.

One way to keep the paddle wear to a minimum is keep moving at a constant speed and not let the paddles beat the snow down to the bare pavement.  The sun will melt that thin layer of snow within a day.
aa335


Joined: Nov 29, 2008
Points: 2434

Re: Snow Commander update
Reply #13   Feb 7, 2013 10:53 am
Loblolly77 wrote:
Hi;

          

OK, shut up because we are not getting anything but rain 

My future idea: Install a piston and cylinder from the boost port snow commander on my 221QR chassis, and adjust carb jettng if needed. 

Really I'm perfectly satisfied with the 221QR as it is!

We only have about 3 weeks left for any chance of snow, so I'm not holding my breath for snow, this will be the third year now without any real snow.


Of course your 221QR is perfect.  It doesn't have to see any snow this year to perform badly.  :)
superbuick


Joined: Feb 23, 2009
Points: 138

Re: Snow Commander update
Reply #14   Feb 8, 2013 1:58 pm
I was pretty unimpressed with the Snow Commander when I had one.  Plenty of power but the throwing distance, as mentioned, was terrible.  Less maneuverable than the 221/421 and only a couple of inches wider.  I'd keep the 210R over the SC any day of the week.
Replies: 11 - 14 of 14Next page of topicsPreviousAllView as Outline
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