I have had the Toro two stroke snow blowers for years and I LOVED them, as you could use the snow blower as a snow shovel, it was light enough to lift and do steps sideways, yet had enough power to throw the snow for walks and normal driveways, It was a very handy tool.
But then the EPA killed the product (being 2 stroke) and finding good used snow blowers was harder and harder. I finally lost my last machine when the stupid mice built a nest up under the engine cowling and I didn't see it, ran the blower and it overheated, damaging the piston, etc. It still runs, just down on power and the replacement parts aren't available, etc.
The single stage Toro looks like a good option to replace it. I like to carry the snow blower on the back of my tractor on the rear carry all and the Honda snow blower I bought does a great job, but the thing is WAY too heavy to use on steps, etc as its 90+ pounds.
I run Echo 58v battery tools all summer long and have had great results. Its much easier than dealing with the 2 stroke fuel, etc.,
My only concerns are the batteries are costly $200 ish in price, and the cold does zap battery power. so the snow blower must accommodate that concern.
The two stage Toro is a nice machine and is rated very well. But its also nearly $2k with the blower, spare battery and the largest size batteries, which I find are critical for extended use on the Echo products. I have both 2.5ah and 4ah batteries and the 4ah are the only way to go. Most tools come with the smaller battery option and the larger batteries are sold separately, as is the case with the Toro snow blowers..............
www.torodealer.com
I do wonder how the dedicated Toro dealers feel about some of the Toro products being sold at Ace, TSC, etc. competing with the tull service, full line Toro dealers......Buy the machine at a box store and need warranty work? Good luck, they will direct you to the local Toto dealer and if you bought the machine at the Box store and not at the dealer, you aren't going to get priority placement in the repair que at their dealership. They can and should give those customers who bought from their dealer the priority for warranty and service work...............
I am going to have to give the single stage Toto blowers with the largest battery size a look. Appears its still going to be close to a grand in price. Sure with the Honda I have was lighter weight, It's a bear to load and unload on the carry all and there are some places at clients where having the sidewalk blower would be very handy. Plus clearing the sidewalks adds revenue and I am getting too old to do that with a shovel................as I have been.
Probably not a big seller in Buffalo. Might need a pack of 200 or more batteries.
