Snowblowers Reviews

just got it today brand new for $374.00 ( original msrp $749.00 ), I think its very well worth it plus I just got a coupon at home depot 20% off anything so they will do a price adjustment again. not too much vibration and noise compared w/ toro 2450

Very good and reliable!

One of the best power equipment purchases I have made.
Here's why: You need a snowblower. You ask yourself, should I get one of the big monsters, impress the neighbors, and be able to cut through glaciers. Maybe. But if you live in an area where most snows are 7 inches or under with blizzard being infrequent, this is the perfect machine.

Here's why:

It's four stroke engine (and honda). No messing with having mix oil in the gas. It's like your car. Just add gas.

After initial breakin, it's started for me just about every time after only one or 2 pulls.

It's what's called a single stage snowblower. That is it uses rubber scraping blades and cleans the snow right down to the blacktop/concrete. A big plus. Did you know that if you buy one of those big monsters' it's probably a 2 stage snowblower which will leave about an inch or half inch of snow. If you want to go to the bottom, you will still have to shovel the entire driveway to clear that last inch or so. Not with this Honda!! It's clean down to the bottom.

Unlike the giant machines, I can actually fold the push-handles down to fit it in my car trunk should I need to ever take it somewhere for service. With a big snowblower, you might have to pay someone to pick it up and deliver it home if you don't own an SUV/truck/Van... Also...bigger = heavier. Honda..is liftable.

So, if you live in Michigan or Minn. or upstate NY...this machine may not be for you. But if most snows are under 7-8", then this is perfect. It can however still be used for a blizzard snow.
I've done this a couple of times. Just get out there more than once while the snow is coming down. (wind permitting). I actually cleared my 60 foot driveway of 24 inches of snow by going out 3 times as the storm started, midway lull and final when it was over.

Only downside. Does not cut through solid ice like big two stage machines. Also, a bit more work at the head of your driveway where the plows pile the snow from the street. For that, I just go at it slowly,and at an angle.

Based upon average snows, you will be much happier you have this machine rather than a giant iceberg cutter.

Highly recommended. My Honda's gotten me through 5 years of snow so far and never been in for service!

Last, don't be fooled by price. This is not an inexpensive machine. You can go to one of the major chains and see 2 stage giant machines for the same price as this honda. There's a reason for that. Bigger has nothing to do with reliability and practicality. Be warned if you are an impulse buyer; especially when it comes to snowblowers. Honda is a good bet! Some of those competitors machines which are 3 times as big may have you kicking yourself later.

3.14.06 minneapolis: just had 12" + with 30 degree wet snow. I struggled for 4+ hours
with the new Yard Machine......the neighbor just walked thru his property with a
single pass ...and down to the pavement.......IN JUST 30 MIN.!!

Next year: out with the yard machine.....in with the Toro.

I have a house in the city with a short, standard width driveway, but almost 100 feet of sidewalks and a patio. I bought a 2-stage snowblower when I first moved in 6 years ago, but found the 2-stage too big and bulky. The Toro 2450 is light enough that it's easily maneuvered, and I can even get it into my back yard easily to clear the patio.

I had one concern that was recently put to rest. I grew up taught that you need a 2-stage for larger, heavier snowfalls. We just had 12 inches of snow at 30 degrees F -- a large, wet snowfall -- and the Toro 2450 did an OK job with it. A 2-stage would probably have had an easier time with the larger drifts, but the Toro 2450 rose to the challange and got the job done.

One other thing; I hesitated on buying electric start or not. In the end, I elected to not go with the electric start to save some money. So far, the Toro 2450 has started on the first or second pull every time, and the pull starter is much easier to pull than my old 2-stage snowblower. My wife could easily start this, but I don't want to share my toy!

I bought my yardman thru Amazon 2 years ago and it still runs just as well with or without the electric start. It still look brand new also. I live in the northeast so I do get enough use out of it. I even do my neighbors driveway with it. The reason I got the tracks instead of wheels is because I live on a hill and I wanted to make sure I could go up and down with ease, although I probably could have saved some money by getting chains put on a wheeled model. As another reviewer said, the steering is a bonus, especially for the snow thrower with tracks. My brother-in-law owns the Honda with tracks and it cost him about $1000.00 more with no steering. Also this come with a halogen light built in, with the Honda, you have to purchase a light kit, another $150.00 but the yardman does not throw the snow nearly as far as the Honda. The specs say it will throw snow up to 40 feet. I have tried it in all conditions,blizzard, wet, light snow and the most I have ever gotten was about 25 ft. I've seen the Honda throw it better than 50ft. If you need to do a huge area, distance is an important feature. Also, newer models have the joystick chute rotation which I think is a must have. I wish they sold a conversion kit for this model. I would save a lot of time. Overall, this is a very good snowthrower and it has not given me any problems in 2+ yrs of duty, but I would definitely recommend going with a chute rotation

I own an MTD manufactured Sears track drive snow thrower almost exactly like the Yard Man model shown here. My MTD made Sears machine is now 6 1/2 years old. I do my own service and buy MTD parts because they are the same and cheaper once you make the model number switch. You should Keep a spare friction wheel rubber and drive belt and auger belts ( U need 2 auger belts for one change ) along with a few extra shear bolts in your personal inventory. Changing all these items is really easy but you need to try this in warm weather not during a blizzard when you discover they need changing. All these items last 3-4 years of normal use. Use 100% synthetic oil in the engine it does not thicken when cold like ordinary oil. Also never fill the gas tank unless with gasoline that has fuel stabilizer added to it. I installed a Briggs & Stratton in line fuel shut-off valve, purchased for about 5 bucks, and I run the fuel out each time I shut off the machine. Mine is easy to start as a result, even without the electric start. CR has consistently rated these machines at the top of their charts for many years. They are an excellent buy, and can be maintained by any person who is handy with a set of ordinary tools. Read the owners manual, learn the adjustments ( they are moronically easy to do) and this simple machine will save you from the back breaking work of shoveling snow, and never let you down. MTD has refined the machine over the years and it works well, as CR learned when they compared ( the wheeled version) to other machines.

I have two of these for my two homes. I really love track drive snowthrowers, especially cause one of my homes has a very steep driveway, and these rigs will always go up the hill.

I recently bought a Honda top of the line track drive model and hated it because it did not have skid-steer capabilities, like these YardMan models do. The only down-side to these YardMan units is the Tecumseh engines are fairly loud and you may wish to use ear protection with them.

The grip heaters are very useful when the temperatures are very cold.

Apart from the attachment for the now-out-of-print Gravely two wheeled tractor (deservedly so -- you paid ~$5K and the wheels were extra!!), I believe this is the only snowblower on the market with a 16 inch impeller. (Ariens' biggest unit has a 14 inch impeller). IMO a big impeller diameter is key because the outer edge travels faster and throws snow farther/better.

I have used a litany of machines to clear an 850 foot driveway in the snow belt for 24 years. This 13 HP 33 " jobber beats em all hands down. If you let it run dry of gas each spring, the next fall it starts on the very first pull. If you avoid the detrius (ice blocks, rubble, salt and rocks) down near trhe road from the municipal plows, your belt will last a very long time. Hand shoveling that junk is much quicker than changing a belt or a shear pin. I change the oil about 1x yearly and use Castrol Syntech 5w-50. Expensive, but it only takes about a quart.

Only three drawbacks. The chute adjustment is not up to the convenience standard of other more recent machines. And the machine lacks the zerk fittings for easy lubrication found on machines like the Ariens. Oilite bushings are used thruout, which so far (third year) have needed no maintenance. Finally If you buy online, the delivery method is likely to be motor freight to a depot. To get it home from there you will need a van or a pick up.

IMO the next step up from this is a SnoGo!

Living in Northern Ontario we are use to heavy snowfalls. This is the perfect machine for snow removal. It doesn't have all the fancy options you don't need but it is one brute of a snowblower. It will clear as much and how much snow you need to remove without taking a second pass and throw it 35+ feet horizontally not arc lenght as the other manufactures quote. I have owned various snowblowers some very well reconized brand names but they didn't have the brute power for heaving snow wet or fluffy as this machine. It is a big blower but it handles itself very well. No sore backs from this snowblower. Easy to assemble and no issues with the unit. After break-in I use synthetic oil in motor. I added drift cutters and tire chains for extra security, very worthwhile options. Bargains can be had on this model as it goes on sale. I paid $1199.95 for this blower and free delivery. You can't beat that.

Tired of the humiliatingly frequent defeats when snowball-fighting with my 3-year-old, I invested in one of these. Now, armed with 13 horses worth of snow projectile power, I can bask in ferocious glory as I relentlessly channel anything below my feet in his direction.

I have not used the vacuum function yet but the blower works great. Only negative is there should be one more speed which would be lower. Sometimes the lowest speed is still too powerful. So far, I recommend this unit.

It vacuums,too! And it's not heavy. It's the same company as our mower.

Amazon is great. I received the second day with free super saver shipping.

Well, I don't work for Toro...

It was simply great and it doesn't need any more review as it already has. I just want to reconfirm what others did.

Vaccum:
It has two speeds 1 and 2. It mulches even small twigs, provided they are dry. Rule of thumb is "If it can suck it, it will click it" provided it's on speed 1. Speed 2 is too fast and sucks everything in the way. Well it can't be a con.
The handle is very suitable. If used properly it's very convenient
Bag is pretty big and it mulches pretty good reducing my number of bags. I didn't have to cally it to my shoulder. I just let it hang and it was great.

Blower:
Nope! No need any intro. Simply great! I put it to work the first day I received. It didn't have any problem digging leaves from last season and earlier.

Good Luck!

My snow blower also arrived in a box that was very banged up, but the machine itself was not damaged. I went to the store to get an extention cord, and was very dissapointed when I realized that the cord outlet receptacle was too small, and the extention cord plug did not fit. I read in another review that this was a problem for someone else, so I went back to Lowe's and Home Depot several times to find a plug that would fit, but to no avail. I called the company, and person who took me call told me that I probably do not how know to plug a cord because the cord outlet receptacle "is plenty big" to fit any extention cord. So basically he was telling me that I was having a problem because there was something wrong with me, not the machine. Finally, a friend came over and confirmed that the receptacle is too small. He shaved down the plastic around the plug (with a small knife) and the plug finally went into the receptacle. In addition to the receptalce problem, the cord retainer was put on backwards on my machine, I hope this will not be a problem as well. I havn't had a chance to test the machine on snow yet. I really hope it will work.

I just received my snow fox yesterday and, like many others, the box was in pieces. However, since the machine was not damaged I could care less what the box looks like. I cleared my 400 square foot deck in about 15 minutes. It throws the snow very well but will not work with hard crust, but then, it never claimed to. If you want to move some snow, this is the machine to do it with. It is quiet and efficient.

Perfect for a City Dweller or some one with a property that has
a Double Parking lot and 100 feet of three feet wide walks
this SNOW FOX does a Great Job!
The Snow Thrower was delivered in a Perfect Box.
I called MTD to order a spare scraper, they are really helpful.
So far we had 3 storms of under 6 inches snow.
This has paid for itself.

Shoots the snow about 50 feet away.
The neighbors are looking at this machine in amaze!

Lucky, I bought one before the nasty weather appeared.

Good Luck all you other Snow Fox owners!

I just bought this machine and have been happy with it thus far. We just recieved 15 inches of snow, and this machine's motor handled the large drifts very well. I used the electric start once to try it out, but have had no problems using the coiled rope start. It always starts on the first or second pull. The only down side is it may be harder to handle for smaller women and/or elderly as it is a heavy machine.

Love the electric start! When this puppy fires up, it only goes one speed, FAST! This little snowblower is less than 40 pounds making it easy to haul up stairs to do the deck. It really throws snow! The intake system was able to throw a rock through the snow chute and chuck it 30 feet from the blower and the machine never missed a step. I'm really happy with Toro! This little unit can move snow in very little time with little effort for the user.

I recently purchased the YardMachines Gold 8.5, 26" 2 stager to replace my snow plow that I am selling. I live in New Hampshire, so we are no stranger to 8"-12" storms, and in the past 4 years or so, a few 16" - 32" overnight storms per year.

I also own a small electric Toro PowerShovel. (works great on small storms.)

Amazon had a great deal on this YardMachines for $799, plus a coupon at checkout for $25 and free delivery! How could I beat that? A couple days after my order, New England had the Blizzard of 2005 and the price apparently jumped to $999 for this same blower. I guess that is supply and demand at work.

The blower arrived and setup took all of 30 minutes to connect this to that, read the manuals, and what not. The unit is "mostly" assembled, only requiring you to click the handle together, the snow chute and a few other very minor things.

As I had significant snow left over on the driveway (400 foot long by 30 feet wide in some areas and 20 feet in others) I set right to work.

It cleaned up nicely on the 1-2 inches I had on the ground. It cuts pretty close to the cement which is good. I then went to work on the snow banks and tried to clear my turnaround. I had about 38 inches of snow stacked up there.

Within 35 minutes or so, I had cleared all of these areas with 2 passes. Very easy, very powerful unit. It throws snow 35 feet or more and the volume of snow flying out of the chute is impressive.

The 6 speeds are nice giving you options moving around. The 2 reverse speeds also help. I am 6 foot, 185lbs and in pretty good shape. I can manhandle this blower pretty well, but a lighter weight person will have a problem. I don't think however that this unit is any worse than any blower of similar size and weight so don't be discouraged by that.

The reason I scored the unit a 4 instead of a 5 is that it is loud. I have heard other blowers which seem much quieter. I would give this unit a 4.8 otherwise, if Amazon allowed for decimals.

Bottom line: I don't think I'll be worried about large snow storms any longer. This unit is easy to start with the electrical starter, is powerful and can handle deep deep snow, and has many nice features.

I live in Northern Virginia so snow is usually an annoyance once or twice year. I have used this unit to throw snow and found it best to use it after one or two inches have fallen. Technique is critical in holding the unit and its metal scrapper at the right angle to the ground so its cleans the sidewalk and driveway best. It is definitively easier than shoveling and makes quick work of smaller accumulations. If the sun comes out, of course, it melts the thin layer that it may leave behind.

I have used it in wet snow and while it has a limited capacity, works OK to clear this stuff as well.

I appreciate being able to use the power head for multiple applications. Each accessory I have bought has worked well considering the cost and application.

My husband cleared our 60 foot driveway of 6 inches of snow in about half an hour. When I wanted to try it out I had to go clear the neighbors'. The only reason I am not giving it five stars is that I don't know how long it will last. The blade being plastic does concern me, but it seems sturdy.

I have not used it yet but it appears to of good quality. It is a add-on snow thrower and have not had any snow yet this year.