everything I have thrown at it for the past two seasons without a single "burp" (if you don't count sucking up the Sunday paper...but that wasn't the Toro's fault). It blows the same left or right, and I see no need to question the quality and durability of the polymer (plastic to some) parts. They don't flex, won't rust, and the snow doesn't stick to them. The ground was warm for the last snowfall and by the time I got around to blowing there was a pretty good layer of wet, slushy snow along the bottom. The 826 cleaned it right up. Didn't throw it 40 feet but threw it far enough to get it out of the way. A great machine...
Yeah, that 826 LE must really do a great job compared to the 828. I have no doubt having 2" less width on the auger makes a nice difference especially when in deeper snow. From your post, I'm glad to see you never had any surging issues with the engine. I also agree with everything you posted
Richie