LouC

I agree with the above poster, you need to know how much snow is typical in your area. If you get frequent snow falls of more than 12 in  a self propelled 2 stage is the way to go. If most snow falls are less than a foot, a single stage with a 2 cycle engine is adequate most of the time. The single stage/2 cycle blowers have a couple of big advantages, one being they are so simple there is less to maintain and go wrong, but you MUST always use the right premix fuel (fuel+oil mixture). The are easier to manuver and take up less room. Some can't stand the smell of 2 cycle exhaust, in that case get a Honda 4 stroke single stage.

I've had a Toro 3000GTS for about 7 winters here in Long Island NY. It has been a good machine. Our snowfall amounts are similar to yours. I think in that the only time you will have a hard time with a single is if you don't get to the end of driveway pile before it melts and freezes over, or if you get ice on top of snow that you can't get to. The pluses with a single are they are light, easy to manuver, take up much less room, and there is a lot less to go wrong. The 2 cycle engine is about as low maintenance as you can get. Just mix up your premix and use stabil in the fuel. That is really a must. If you want a 4 cycle single stage then go Honda. I think a 2 stroke puts out more power for equal weight than a 4 stroke. Remember you get a power stroke with each revolution of the crank, not every other as with a 4 stroke.  I'd get the best and most powerful single you can get. The only time I'd go for a two stage is if I had a gravel driveway, or lived where more than a foot of snow was a frequent occurance.

Thanks for the reply, I will get the rebuild kit and clean it out. I noticed that when I had the machine tipped up to check it, when I primed it gas shot out of an opening in the side of the carb, is that the vent?

I have a Toro 3000 GTS with the Suzuki 5 hp two stroke, model # 38435, bought in 1997. It has been a good machine, but I have noticed that the bowl on the bottom of the carb is often wet with fuel. I replaced the gasket on the bowl and the bolt, but I noticed that when you prime it is when it leaks. If you start it without priming it will not leak. Apparently some fuel overflows the carb and runs out the air intake. What needs to be done to stop this leak? Carb rebuild necessary? Thanks for any information anyone can provide.