I purchased a Toro CCR 3650 single stage snow thrower a few years ago. Its a 6.5 HP single stage blower with a 2 cycle engine. I live in the Chicagoland NW burbs. I absolutely love this machine. Never had any problems with the snowfalls in the last 3 years or so, even that heavy wet one where the high schools and even the colleges closed down, and the heavy snow waves from the plows were destroying mailboxes a block at a time. I prefer the single stage machines as they remove the snow down to the pavement without scratching the surface. This machine throws the snow over 30 feet ... I need to be careful not to blow the snow into the street, if I do I will put any cars passing by into a white out situation. The big benefit is that I can blow the snow over snow piles that are higher than I am tall (6 feet). It does have a 2 cycle engine so I do have to mix the gas and oil. There is also more smoke and noise than with my 4 cycle 6.5 hp lawn mower. If I had the choice I would probably check out the 4 cycle model as you are. But my 2 cycle is awesome too! I dont think you can make a mistake either way. BTW my wife and son love to use this machine. Usually the drive is clean before I come home from work as the wife ans son take turns using it.
Good luck and let us know what you decide.
