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

What do you all think about this new machine from Toro 1. They call it a 2 stage. I think not. 2. Auger design. Departure from powercurve, back to a more helical shape w/center 'flat' section. There is Rubber on the center 'flat' section only as this new SS design utilizes skid shoes and the auger is not contacting the ground directly. That means that they are depending on the compression loaded scraper bar to clean down to the pavement. 3. Engine is 252cc Toro OHV design. Should be similar to Briggs 1150 series which was standard on my 24 inch Ariens Platinum 2 stage. Should be plenty of power. 4. Remote joystick control for BOTH chute rotation AND deflector angle. Hallelujia! If it's the same system used on their 2 stage machines it should be easy to use and fairly reliable. I know that the old school thought is 'the simpler the better' but I've come to appreciate some of these conveniences and would prefer to have them. 5. Personal Pace drive system. This is the question mark for me. I'm not sure how this CVT type drive, that was developed for mowers that have minimal rolling resistance will hold up when plowing into a dense pile of snow. I understand that it's a sealed, maintenance free unit with a glass-reinforced casing that is supposed to be very durable but I don't know how or if it's been modified for use in a snow blowing application. Also how does steering work? Is one wheel powered while the other one freewheels? On my Timemaster 30 inch mower (with personal pace) you just kind of stop at the end of a row and manually turn the machine without power to the wheels but they freewheel so a turn is easy. If that's the same way that it works on this snowthrower I'd be fine with it as the machine is only about ~130 lbs which is only 35 more lbs than most smaller SS machines. 6. Taller chute design like most 2 stage machines for longer, more controlled throw. In fact the entire machine LOOKS exactly like most 2 stage designs but simply can't be one, due to the lack of a second stage impeller. I need to replace my old SS and have been waiting for the 'perfect' machine to come out (I know...never going to happen) but I was looking for something that had plenty of power for EOD piles, decent throwing distance, remote chute/deflector controls, (a headlight would have been nice) and before you say just buy a Cub Cadet 221 LHP, my preference is not to buy an MTD unit. I wondered if this could also bridge the gap between SS and 2 stage performance and allow me to get by with just one machine in the garage for my Central Ohio winters that are typically 3-6 inch snowfalls with the occasional 6-12 storm. Even if this machine fits the bill is one still wiser to wait until the second season of production to allow any 'bugs' to be worked out in the design or does Toro usually get it right the first time? Any comments welcomed!