Fly2High

I have a 5Hp Troybilt 6speed 2 stage.....

As for the choke issue.  The manual was written incorrectly.  It states that to activate the choke, you turn the choke knob clockwise and to deactivate it you turn it counterclockwise.  So to open the valve you woudl turn it counterclock.  The sticker even shows a partially open butterfly valve at the full counterclock position.

Needless to say, to close the choke, you turn it counter and to open it, you turn it clockwise - the opposet the instructions say.

As for functioning, I got to use it for 2 4" showfalls and for yesterday's 12+.  For me, this is my first thrower but it ran very well.  Engine ran smooth and threw up to 20+ft when opened all the way up.  The sidewalk went very well.  As long as I kept the speed on 1 or 2, it ate up the walk.  The plow also wasn't a problem using the same speeds as the walk.  It sent chunks of ice and packed snow without a drop in RPM.

The only time it wanted to climb was when I had it set for too fast a speed.  Otherwise, it was very happy and did a great job.  The neighbor's single stage (Toro, I think) had some issues with the plow but their side doesn't get as much plowed snow as mine since the center is also dumped in my driveway along with my side.  He only has his side so it is conciderably less packed and less snow.  The other neighbor's single was worthless.  He had to ram it into the snow a few times to get anywhere while I just happily chugged along at my slower pace.

For the money, it worked great!  Above all, I had a great time.  I would recommend this to anyone with similar snowfalls as Long Island.

I love it!

Frank

On page 11 they talk about the choke and its operation.
Page 14 discusses starting.

The decal show a curved wedge which is narrowest at the top and widest at the bottom. It curves around the left side of the knob.   At the bottom is a picture of a partially opened butterfly valve.  To me if I want the valve closed, I would point the knob to the narrowest section, since the picture shows the valve open at the other end, hence I would be turning it clockwise.  Unfortunately this too is counter intuitive.  I guess the symbol should have been put at the top.  At the narrow end and a closed valve at the larger bottom end.  They should have labeled one end 'FULL' and the other 'OFF', just like they do in the instructions.  Ironically, the manual has the sticker displayed as a mirror image of what is on the machine....

you can get the manual here (I think)

http://lawnandgarden.owneriq.net/manuals/mfg/troybilt/2410.html

Well I got it back and there was some stuff in the carb, not much though.  Guys at Four Seasons said the bigger issue is that the manual has an error.  This is what is said:

"The choke control is found on the rear of the engine and is activated by rotating the knob clockwise.  Activating the choke control closes the choke plate on the carburetor and aids in starting the engine"

Later they tell you to activate the choke and , once warmed up to turn it off.  They got it backwards.  To turn on the choke, you turn it COUNTER CLOCKWISE.

Well, I was starting it with the choke off ( still started on the first or second pull - very nice) and slowly engagine the choke as it wasmed up.  This is why I couldn't go beyond 1/4 rotation.

Hopefully someone at MTD will catch this and update the manual.....

Today it snowed 3-4 inches and I must say, now that I know how to operate it properly, it purred like a kitten.  No sputtering or anything.  Nice and smooth and not too loud (Unfortunately I do not have a point of reference to other snow throwers but based on other yard equipment, it is not too bad).For only a 5 HP motor, it threw the snow with the deflector a little on about 10-20 ft.  I couldn't let it go too far otherwise I would be throwing it into my neighbors driveway.  On the other hand, the snow today was light, not our typical wet heavy stuff.

I think I will very satisfied with this thrower.

Thanks to all that offered advice.

Frank

I just purchased an MTD (Troybilt) about a week ago.  Won't allow me to fully open the choke (open valve completely).  Either it was misadjusted or has stuff clogging it in the carb.  1-2 pulls and it starts though.  Have the electric start but it starts too easily for me to bother lugging out a cord and finding an outlet. 

Living on Long Island , we only see up to about 30" of snow a year.  I have  a 2 car wide by 2 car long driveway.  I didn't think we would ever show the real need for a premium thrower.  I had my heart on an Ariens but with Tecumseh folding and the fact that This MTD (Troybilt Storm 2410) has a cast iron sleeve and the Ariens(624E - aluminum bore) didn't, I felt that at least the engine should last longer on the MTD.  Add to that the amount of use (usually get 2-5 snowfalls a year), the fact that I got the MTD for $485 ($200+ savings), it wasn't a bad decision. 

Only sucks that it needs warranty work out of the box. 

We'll see if I decide to return it (Lowes offers 90 days to get a full refund - or so the salesman said) and if the problems get worse.  Right now I am hoping for a quick turnaround and to see some snow to but it through its paces.  Otherwise the little 3inches from last week that was on my patio was thrown of pretty good.  It behaved pretty nice but then again this is my first thrower.

For me it is a matter of justifying the cost for the amount of use one expects to get.  If I lived in the northern areas, sure I would have gotten an Ariens, Simplicity, or Honda but then again they must laugh at how little snow I get and would probably say I should have instead invested in sons and a few shovels!!!  So far only a daughter but we'll see what the future may bring..... :)

Frank