An Overview on the Toro Snowmaster 824 Snow Blower

[@charliegalanti8765]

Still haven't bought a snowblower yet 😕. But this is by far the best video on any product on utube I've ever seen .Thanks again Keith.

[@keithpetersen8114]

Hi -- thanks for the complement -- I suggest that you narrow in on what you want and buy it since inventory availability is still uneven in this country "as we speak" in December 2022 (how not to handle a virus; but, don't get me started ..... ).

[@charliegalanti8765]

Finally got a 824 today Kieth!!! Hope ur well. Great video

[@charliegalanti8765]

Great video

[@keithpetersen8114]

Hi -- Glad you enjoyed it -- thanks for the accolade!

[@AdamKingColorado]

Thank you for the help in choosing a suitable snowblower with your snowblower reviews, Keith. Every place I checked in Denver had sold out of this model quickly and I can understand why. With typical good fortune, I stumbled upon a Snowmaster 824 QXE! Just as you said, it would work well. Wow, it is very fast and easy. Received about six inches of fairly wet snow and it threw the snow into the next county, and with plenty of power. It will run circles around my two stage 24” Cub Cadet. Wanna buy a used Cub Cadet? :-)

[@keithpetersen8114]

Great -- glad it worked out for you. I'll pass on the Cub .... ;-)

[@Boyo1956]

Does the handle fold down as we have limited space in our garage?

[@LL-mt2nz]

Is this blower better than Toro’s Power Clear? I would like to get away from replacing the augers every few years. Is the Snow Masters performance comparable?

[@robertknight4672]

I would guess that it would be a little bit better as this one is propelled by the wheels and I think it only has a small amount of rubber on the augers. I typically use a two-stage machine in just keep a Toro 518 Powerclear around in case my big machine breaks or someone needs to borrow a it since it's relatively easy to put in a car.

[@keithpetersen8114]

I'm a bit reluctant to say "better" -- they are two different types of machines. For many people it might be preferrable as it incorporates transmission driven rear wheels which the Power Clear does not use.

[@dbpiercy1]

I have the same Had it 4 years never had no problem with it

[@keithpetersen8114]

Yes -- it is quite simplistic in its design and therefore pretty much troublefree.

[@jesuismieux0136]

Can it clean sidewalk and driveway just as nice on days when we only get 2 to 4 inches of snow?

[@keithpetersen8114]

Hi -- it will handle 2 to 4 inches of snow nicely. The best "clean" of course is with a single-stage snowblower as the rubber paddles "squeegee" the surface. However, the Snowmaster does an admirable job, as well.

[@nsxproperties560]

I own this snow blower, it works good, but I feel it doesn't have the weight to power itself through the heavy snow, does the Powermax 824 OE have the weight to power itself through heavy deep snow without having to push it and without the wheels spinning?

[@keithpetersen8114]

Hi -- yes -- the Powermax is an entirely different, more muscular product. Two entirely different type of products. The Snowmaster serves for smaller to average snows -- a Powermax is considerably more effective at removing bigger snows.

[@rottiejakeluke]

Are chains available for this machine? If so, please furnish the part number and its cost. Thank you, I enjoyed your video.

[@keithpetersen8114]

I don't know of any available chains; nor, do I think they would be necessary in most instances. Glad you enjoyed the video -- sorry to be delayed in answering your inquiry -- just seeing it now.

[@rottiejakeluke]

@@keithpetersen8114 thank you, I love the machine.

[@stickman5454]

I have an 824 thats been used 5 or 6 times. The joy stick will not release the chute to turn when the button is depressed. I think it is a cable adjustment but not sure. Any tips on this would be appreciated...thanks.

[@keithpetersen8114]

Hi -- very popular machine and a good snow blower. Without seeing the product it is just about impossible to point you in any valid direction; however, one of the techs indicated that you might want to confirm that the end of the cable where it attaches TO the chute may have come out of position. So, check that first and hopefully that will be the simple fix.

[@jasonpalmlund8630]

Bought this unit last year and it ran great. This year the auger broke so I replaced it. Now when I get into heavy snow, the belt squeals and it loses power. Is there a quick fix for this outside buying a new belt?

[@keithpetersen8114]

I would suggest going with the belt -- from what you have written it is the cheapest and most direct step.

[@mellowjammer]

Extremely informative video as usual Keith and I think you are spot on especially about the fantastic quick stick chute which is almost "too" easy (it's easy to overshoot when pointing the chute). I've owned an 824QXE since they first came out and love it. Only gripe is when you first engage the personal pace (even gently), the unit tends to "jump" a bit and can sometimes lift the bucket up a bit. If you provide some pressure on the handle you can counteract this and with time you learn to minimize this effect. I also wish they had added an alternator and headlight to this machine, but you can just wear a headband type flashlight unit which is almost more effective anyway. Just one question: I know that the auger belt on this machine is a ribbed serpentine design that should last a long time, but if/when I have to change it it looks like it would not be easy. Do you have a good reference that shows/documents the changing of this belt?

[@keithpetersen8114]

Hi -- thanks for your compliment! Yes, it is an excellent product, and, yes, the drive engagement and Quickchute design take a bit of getting used to (bad grammar, I know). I am answering your post from home -- if you give us a call at work we can confirm from where you could view instructions on belt change (I suspect that Toro has a pdf somewhere on their website; but, I may be incorrect on that). Thanks again!

[@beckybartow7265]

What do I do for the fuel tank in the summer? Can I add stabilizer??

[@keithpetersen8114]

Hi -- we think you should be using premium gas (only -- i.e., not regular) and using a good additive every time you fill a gas can so as to combat the ethanol issues. So, stabilizer (Star-Tron, Seafoam are good) should already be in the gas. At season's end, run whatever is the product (in this case a snowblower) until it stops. At that point there is still an internal residual of the pump gas in the carburetor, etc.. Add at least a quart of non-ethanolated fuel (we use Stihl Motomix here -- extremely high quality) and run the product for another 10 -- 12 minutes to finish burning off any residual pump gas. Your product is then in a storage mode -- I personally suggest then running machines which go through this procedure about once every 3 to 4 months for a few minutes just to give them a bit of run time.

[@beckybartow7265]

@@keithpetersen8114 so I would have to add more gas and run it?

[@beckybartow7265]

It is taking forever to run the gas out

[@keithpetersen8114]

@@beckybartow7265 You need to run out the pump gas first. If your tank is more full than empty, you could hasten the process by using an old meat baster to first suck out as much gas as possible. Once the pump gas is removed (since it is not all gone) you need to put in a quart of fuel that has no ethanol and then run the machine about another 10 - 12 minutes to finish displacing any remaining, internal pump gas. Then, leave the unit with the non-ethanolated fuel until the following season.

[@keithpetersen8114]

@@beckybartow7265 Hi -- see my comment below.

[@bklyn2va2dc]

I can’t seem to find either of the snow masters for sale anywhere. Has Toro discontinued these models? Thanks

[@keithpetersen8114]

Hi -- So sorry to be delayed in answering your inquiry -- I was unaware as to your post. No, they are not discontinued although at this point in time (end of Dec 2020 as I answer) they are unavailable/sold out in certain areas of the country for the rest of the winter.

[@bklyn2va2dc]

Keith Petersen no worries. I bought one about two weeks ago. Thanks

[@xrpxtrariceplease2811]

do you recommend a 7 HP or the 8 HP?

[@keithpetersen8114]

The extra HP always comes in handy.

[@Boyo1956]

Can a headlight be added? Does the handle fold down as we have limited space in our garage?

[@keithpetersen8114]

Hi -- Toro does not make a headlight kit for this unit. Yes, you can fold the handle down although there is a linkage (visible across the top of the machine) connecting the joystick to the discharge chute -- you would have to remove and then reinsert a few bolts each time on that linkage. It is also ok to leave the unit outside -- I stored a twin-stage Honda snowblower outside my garage for a number of years with a tarp over it.

[@chaplint70]

I added a light by buying a couple grill lights that have a long handle and a magnet. I just stick them onto the top of the scoop. The handle is not easily folded down but it can be done. It definitely is the best and easiest to use snowblower I've ever owned. Super fast to clean snow and haven't had it clog once even with very wet snow.

[@keithpetersen8114]

@@chaplint70 Good deal -- great idea -- yes, it is a good machine!

[@robertknight4672]

​@@keithpetersen8114if I'm using a snowblower without a headlight in the dark I will sometimes use one of those headband headlights that you can wear on your head. You can also add reflective tape to your machine.

[@nsxproperties560]

Why is it that the Snowmaster 824 is listed at 2800 pounds per minute, and the Powermax 2-stage is listed at 2000 pounds per minute? Shouldn't the 2 stage be faster? Is it because the impeller is faster?

[@keithpetersen8114]

Good question. A single-stage snowblower by its design delivers more snow per minute simply because the snow is instantly discharged (one stage to the process); whereas, with a twin-stage snowblower the snow is fed at a relatively slow pace from the augers (first stage) back into the discharge impeller (second stage) before it is discharged -- i.e., there is a time delay before the snow is actually discharged.

[@nsxproperties560]

@@keithpetersen8114 Why don't the big heavy duty models switch to a design similar to the Anowmaster? Wouldn't it be more productive because you are removing more snow per minute?

[@keithpetersen8114]

@@nsxproperties560 Yes; but, the issue is that trying to spin, say, a big, heavy 32" auger at the proper speed to effectively discharge the snow requires a bigger engine. We do have that design on a large, single-stage snowblower attachment that can be connected to our Walker tractors; but, the auger is being spun by a 23 hp motor. The Toro Snowmaster is a hybrid unit -- the Toro engineers have managed to produce a unit that has a single stage that spins at a moderate speed but yet, due to the overall design, discharges the snow quite effectively. Of course, the auger size is only 24".

[@nsxproperties560]

@@keithpetersen8114 Is there an advantage of the Power Max 824 over the Snowmaster 824? The only advantage I can see is it's heavier so it's less likely to loss traction when moving heavy snow, but it seems like the Snow Master is a superior unit as far a power to weight ration and size to snow removal is concerned? Why would someone buy a Power Max 824? Maybe the Powermax is less likely to clog with heavy snow with it's two stage design?

[@keithpetersen8114]

@@nsxproperties560 It would be personal preference as to which unit to purchase and would depend mostly on the size of the area to be cleared and the amount/type of snow typical to a particular locale. The PowerMax is a larger, more powerful unit -- the Snowmaster more suitable for smaller to average snows and smaller areas.

[@michaelaos]

Were these discontinued?

[@keithpetersen8114]

Hi -- Not at all. We received a fresh shipment last week 10/23/20.

[@muzikmon2267]

They 24 snowmaster can throw snow up to 45 ft not 35 just like the 824, or the 826 PowerMax

[@keithpetersen8114]

It depends on snow conditions, etc. Toro says in their specs that it is up to 40 ft. If I state 35 ft. it keeps me from getting my wrist slapped for overstating its abilities .... :-) No matter what, it is a good snowblower!

[@muzikmon2267]

What I don't understand is the skid shoes. From what I understand you cannot make them go up or down so they don't recommend it for gravel. But why not make it so those kids use are adjustable just like a two stage to keep the paddle off the ground so it will not grab gravel. I just don't understand having fixed kids shoes. Very bizarre!!

[@keithpetersen8114]

Part of the issue is that, unlike a fixed scraper bar behind the auger housing such as on a twin-stage unit, the scraper bar is spring loaded, "floats" and adjusts to the surface. As a result, it likely would not remain properly elevated if the skids were adjustable for a gravel surface. In a sense, Toro's hands are tied in respect to the design of the Snowmaster. Good machine, though!

[@muzikmon2267]

@@keithpetersen8114 oh I didn't know about the spring loaded thing. Okay now it makes sense

[@PainterD54]

Toro has really cut corners in their newer machines. Too much plastic where they should be using steel. Even this guy has a Honda two stage machine instead of a Toro? That says alot about Toro and he's a salesman! WTF?

[@q4life551]

Don't buy the 824 Qxe. That's a piece of junk. Mine was brand new and on the second time it was used, the auger belt burnt.

[@keithpetersen8114]

Hi -- I cannot say as to the issue on your unit -- whether something was defective from the factory, etc. However, having said that, we have steadily sold this unit since it was introduced several years back and have had no problems of any sort with it -- certainly nothing as to which you report. Sorry you had an issue with your unit -- we always prep and check products before they leave our facility to make sure that mechanically everything is operating properly.