Review: Toro SnowMaster 724 ZXR & 824 QXE vs the World (incl. Honda monster 2-stage snowblower)

[@tommytmt]

I have the 824 QXE and I love it, and I also completely agree with your assessment of the lack of proper ignition switch and horrible muffler. How were they not too embarrassed to release it with those glaring flaws. That being said, if you’re wondering how it would do with a record setting snowfall that has 5 foot high drifts, heavy, wet, wind blown, dense snow then wonder no longer, it does great! Seriously, this was THE test of a snowblowers meddle, and the snowmaster performed better than my neighbors’ ariens and older John Deere.

[@davidstarsky9874]

Thanks for addressing issues raised by other viewers. I hope people read the additional comments I added in the notes below the video and notice that I included my neighbor's struggling Honda at 3:13 and in the background at 3:43. His Honda jammed twice that day. My Toros never did. Cheers!

[@Boyo1956]

@@davidstarsky9874 I had a Honda TCD724 Track Snowblower. It kept clogging with snow. I sold it. I am looking at Toro snowblowers. Does the handle fold down as we have limited space in our garage?

[@Mmmyess]

@@Boyo1956 The handle has through-bolts fastened with spin-on nuts just below the halfway point, and the handles does not pivot where it attaches to the body. The handle doesn't look like it's designed to be easily disassembled and reassembled at the upper through bolts, as the chute control mechanism on the QXE models and the Personal Pace controls on both QXE and ZXR models would also have to be removed or at least detached. If a Toro will fit in your garage, I think you'll be happy with one.

[@Boyo1956]

@@Mmmyess I had a photo of the ZXR emailed to me by the Toro dealer. The handle folds in the middle. That makes a big difference in storage for me. I am going to buy one.

[@Mmmyess]

@@Boyo1956 I'm sure you'll like it. As the guy who made the video pointed out both in the video and in the notes under it, it's really difficult to jam them up. It can be done, but you really have to work at it. Wear hearing protection (seriously!), enjoy your snowblower, and let's hope we get tons of snow 'cause most of the country needs the water! Cheers!

[@johnossendorf9979]

This was the most useful to the point, showing actual use in fairly deep snow review I have found ! I'm between the 824 and 821. The reason I'm still thinking about the 821 is it's lower cost and smaller foot print because of my lack storage space.

[@nunyabidify]

Im watching this video in 2022 and pulling the plunge thanks to this honest review. Watched many others that didnt come close. Concise and straightforward and dummy friendly. Thank you!

[@MrCbrackin99]

I"ve had a toro 2 stage with the plastic chute and key, since 2009. The chute has never broken or jammed. And the key has never fallen out. I simply pull the key out to kill the engine when done and push it back in. The quick stick works as well as it did when I got it. I"ve shot the chunks of ice through, the kind you get after the plow seals up the end of your drive. That's been my experience with my toro. Oh, I'm lazy also so the Tecumseh snow king on my didn't have an oil change or service for just short of 10 years. It never failed to start.

[@brentphillips262]

Thank you for the review. Ordered the Toro Power max 28 HD 2 stage last year from HD. It made it to a wharehouse near me and sat there for a month after the last snow so I cancelled the order. It was overkill for Ohio anyway. Just ordered the Snowmaster 824 QXE. So many great reviews on YT and rated #2 to the Toro Power clear 821 on Consumer Reports. I wanted the quick stick, self propelled system, and larger opening it has. Anxious for it to arrive next week in time for the snow this time..Thanks for the review. Helped my decision

[@dean0727]

Thanks for the informative video you posted. I live in Maine and have blown my driveway for 20 years. I wanted to share my experience with single stage vs 2 stage snowblowers. My driveway is asphalt and about 360 feet long.Over the 20 years of snow storms, I have had a half dozen times of drifting snow that could reach debts of 4-5 feet. In 1998 I bought a brand new John Deere Lx188 lawn tractor 2 wheel drive with a front mount single stage snowblower attachment. This unit served me well and when I had big snow drifts I could clear them. The snowblower was driven from tractor off a PTO with belts to a chain and gears that turned a single stage auger. Never lost a shear pin in 20 years. On occasion, slush would plug the cute but it was very easy to clear. Being 2 wheel drive there were occasions I would get stuck.But over the years I was very happy with the job the snowblower had done. Unfortunately the unit just plain wore out. I am getting older and decided to replace it with a 4 wheel drive diesel tractor with a 2 stage front mount snow blower. (Massey Ferguson 1730). I would never own a 2 stage snowblower ever again after the last 2 years with this unit. Shear pins!! I lost 5 on last storm and gave up. The shoulder of the highway I live on is gravel and town plow truck will scrape up loose gravel and it is mixed in with snow piles at the end of the driveway. I can not blow these piles of snow with the 2 stage, as rocks jam in the second stage impeller and shear the pins. Also is causing damage where second stage fan shears snow off as it forces it out the chute. I am looking to buy a single stage blower to do the end of my driveway as I no longer attempt to do it with the rig I now own. Only negative I ever had with the single stage blower was with 2 inches or less snow it would barley clear the edge of blower when discharged. I learned to blow the middle out first and work out towards edge of driveway when snowfall amounts were light and cleaning up. A single stage blower will blow the greatest distance with more load (snow). Less plugging and easier to clear. No shearing pins. I will be buying a single stage unit now, to just do the end of driveway and clear mail box. Very disappointed with 2 stage blower. I was researching single stage snowblowers and came across this video. Here in Maine the only single stage blowers stocked are the smaller sidewalk and deck units. I will have to order the Toro. Thanks to your video I learned they do make the bigger units in single stage!!

[@davidstarsky9874]

Thanks for sharing your experiences and views. You can see in my video starting at 1:01 that I cleared the drive using the same pattern that you suggested...start from the center and work out to the edge. I used the 724ZXR for the first half, blowing snow in the direction away from the camera, and then used the 824QXE blowing snow toward the camera. While I complained about the cheapness of the chute components and their poor warranty, lack of on/off switch, and inadequate muffler, let's keep in mind that it's a relatively inexpensive snowblower. The guy who bought my 724ZXR said that he was on a wait list to buy a new one. They're popular for a reason. If you get a Toro Snowmaster, I'd be curious to hear how well (or poorly) it works for you.

[@got2getit204]

He shared his life!

[@theespressokid1]

Thanks for this honest review, looking into these and this gave me all the info I needed.

[@adammanson5249]

Great video - loved the humor!

[@toddscholze6168]

I enjoyed your video and plan to buy one now. A few things to clear up though on Toro's behalf. The engines DON'T use oil. That smoke you see on start up when you over choke is excessive un-burned fuel, not oil. Smoke is black and not blue. That's is why you never notice your oil level drop the entire winter. Secondly, the plastic chute is not cheap and will not break. You will never wear one out even on a gravel driveway. It might look cheap, I'll give you that, but its not. Because of this "perception", Toro has changed many models to steel now. It's cheaper to manufacture, (good for them), its heavier, ( bad for consumer), doesn't wear as well as plastic and plugs in wet snow. Toro has lifetime warranty on plastic, but that still want enough to gain consumer confidence. Especially when you go to the competition and they bash Toro but have no proof its inferior. I've looked at thousand of Toro' for sale adds and never seen one mention a new chute! The consumer lost in the finally product. But consumer "perception" drives sales even though is not as good. Plastic can be twice as thick and half the weight and wear ten times longer then steel. I've seen various thing made from plastic, that rub against steel, and actually wear a groove in the steel. The plastic bushings in the hubs of the front tires on my cub cadet wore my spindle half away. Bushings showed hardy any wear! Snowmobiles all come with plastic skis, not because their cheaper, but because their lighter, stronger, and far out wear. I have a 99 arctic cat with 12,000 miles on skis and probably get another 10,000 yet. I agree on noise also. I have ariens pro and wear ear plugs when using it. Their all loud. Keep making videos, I enjoyed. Thanks.

[@tomking1890]

I have had the deflector replaced twice, and this machine only used on a concrete driveway. One side of it snaps the plastic hinge. I was repaired under warranty both times. I will try and use a lessor angle with the deflector. The machine is great under than that issue I have had. I must just have had bad luck as I never see anyone else that has had this issue.

[@ace1233993]

Spot on review. I switched to the 824 QXE this season and appreciate the self pace system. There is no assisted reverse but the unit is light and easy to maneuver. Mine starts without the choke engaged. Perhaps a sign it is running on the rich side. One other thing to mention is the lack of shear pins as the auger is belt driven.

[@davidstarsky9874]

Good points, including about the shear pins (or lack thereof). Thanks for your comment.

[@urstin]

The key thing cracked me up. 100% true. Thanks for the great reviews.

[@sampat3375]

Opan screw put some ring ana chain put screws back one end to screw other one in key

[@shinyobsessed1271]

These Toro Snowmasters almost always get stellar reviews. I do believe two-stage snowblowers have their place, though, particularly if one has a gravel surface they need to clear, or, as others have mentioned, a thick, chunky snowplow berm. Great review - thank you

[@tommytmt]

I don’t know, I have the 824 and it has gone through the tallest chunky berms just fine. One time last year I ended up going over a super dense ice chunk and it just shut the machine down. Now with my old 2-stage I KNOW that I would’ve broken at least 1 shear pin on that chunk, if not both. I looked around the machine and everything was just fine to my relief, so I started it up and it took off as if nothing happened.

[@shinyobsessed1271]

@@tommytmt Nice! I think it's hard to go wrong buying one.

[@jlang8213]

I doubt you would say the electric start is unnecessary the day you get a massive snow storm and the rip cord decides to break, saving you from having to shovel, or making a special trip to the store. I have an electric start on my 2 stage Briggs and use it every time, unless I have to restart mid job. My blower starts first pull using the pull start , but I would rather preserve the rip cord.

[@chaplint70]

Love my 724 qxe. The first year I got it (two years ago), it snowed a lot and I could clean my sidewalk/driveway, and both neighbors within an hour for most snows. I ended up getting bigger longer skids for the front to go over more uneven ground as I found myself catching on cracks in the pavement and yanking myself to a standstill. Otherwise, the 724 has worked awesome, not clogging once and only bogging down a couple of times. I also worry about the key and had a bolt fly off the machine, which I since have ordered and locktighted to better secure it.

[@jffgrumpy]

Which skids did you find for the snowmaster? Thanks!

[@chaplint70]

@@jffgrumpy I ended up getting ArmorSkids because I wanted something metal that was very wide for going over really uneven concrete. Work really well.

[@jffgrumpy]

@Some Guy Great, thank you!

[@mellowjammer]

My biggest gripe with my 824QXE is that the front end is pretty light and likes to "ride up" over any packed snow or snow that has an icy base to it. These are things my old traditional single stage would clear because the rubber paddles contacted the pavement, unlike the Snowmaster that relies on a plastic scraper bar.

[@mellowjammer]

@Alan Simon Yes I have them adjusted properly. Still does it on certain types of snow.

[@jackcriss2587]

Having an issue getting to pavement w 824 QXE if snow is the least bit compacted . Removed skid shoes and still just so so. Is there a way to replace plastic scraper w a metal scraper ?

[@mellowjammer]

@@jackcriss2587 I feel your pain. Mine has the same issue. Unfortunately, unless you have some mad fabrication skills, there is no metal scraper bar option for this snowblower.

[@jackcriss2587]

@@mellowjammer Have heard some people add 15 or 20 lb lead bar to to front end to keep it from so easily riding up over packed snow . Never saw any reviews after the extra weight was added though.

[@mellowjammer]

@@jackcriss2587 If the snow is not at all packed down that could help, but if it is even a bit packed down the wide skid shoes ride right up over the snow. You end up trying to twist the handle bar so the front of the bucket goes down without lifting the back wheels up (and losing traction). In certain conditions it can be a frustrating machine.

[@bradx90]

Toro also has a lifetime warranty on their plastic chutes, so no worries even if you do manage to break one. Just hang on to your bill of sale!

[@marcomark8]

Awesome brilliant video!

[@JeremyY]

EXCELLENT review David. You gave the good, the bad and the ugly clearly with no unnecessary filler. How well does the Snowmaster handle end of driveway chunks of ice from the snowplow?

[@robb1165]

My 724QXE is light and does not have much pushing power to force its way into a pile. If I force it in, it can work it away a little at a time. My larger 2 stage blowers are much better at that. If it is just loose chunks rather than a packed pile then it mostly goes through them without difficulty.

[@hipskipne1984]

Wow, the comment at 1:40 was spot on

[@mrb401]

For a driveway in need of replacing (uneven, dips etc), would you say it would be best to go with the 824 over the 724?

[@NatiHighLife]

nice objective helpful review

[@xrpxtrariceplease2811]

i have a powermax with the plastic chute and i still have no issues with it. I have it for 4 yrs already.

[@joeraptor1]

How do the snowmaster units do on the end of driveway stuff the plow leaves and icy snow? I have an old 2 stage unit that does not get much use since I bought my Toro 721qze unit a few years ago. However, when you get those big dumps and end of driveway stuff, the 2 stage still seems to work better. I was, however, debating replacing it with the snowmaster. Thanks

[@davidstarsky9874]

I don't know the answer to your question, since my neighborhood doesn't get plowed and we're left to fend for ourselves (notice the tractor in the background starting around 3:40). Sorry I can't offer more insight!

[@xrpxtrariceplease2811]

i would buy the snowmaster but i would go for the 824 snowmaster because of a bigger motor. It is basically a 252 cc whereas the 721 is a 212cc . A 8 hp vs. 7 Hp.

[@TwoWheeledTon]

I dont understand. It says a lifetime warranty on what you are calling the "cheap plastic parts" that will "cost us a fortune to replace". Its warrantied for life! We dont have to buy it if it breaks then correct? Also, everything has that key now days.

[@davidstarsky9874]

Thanks for your comment. I've been thinking of making a follow-up video or starting over, as there are some things I've left unclear in this video. The only part of the machine that is warrantied for "life" is the chute mechanism. At that, it is not warrantied for the life of the MACHINE but for the life of the FIRST OWNER. I recently called Toro and was told (i.e., it's not anywhere in writing) that the warranty is now transferable, but only if the current owner has 1) the original owner's receipt of purchase and 2) a bill of sale from the original owner. Seriously. I've plowed through slush and ice and even small decorative rocks, and nothing has broken. So why doesn't Toro just man up and offer a true lifetime warranty?! Toro makes other snowblowers with on/off switches, so why not include one? Why risk losing the key? I'll tell ya, if that key ever disappears, you're going to be up a creek. To me "cheap" refers to a bad value...that is, low quality for the price. The SnowMaster series snowblowers are relatively inexpensive and (as I said in the video at 0:12) represent possibly the best value among snowblowers available right now. But the cost-cutting...the cheaping out...bugs me. Why not offer a true lifetime warranty on the chute mechanism that close-to-never breaks? Why not slap a decent muffler on it? Why not at the very least attach the magic key to the machine so it won't disappear? Why not sell the unwarrantied chute parts at a reasonable price, not $22.24 and $23.56 for plastic, as I showed in the video at 2:15???

[@TwoWheeledTon]

David Starsky thanks for clearing up your thoughts, funny, I’m still siding on this model over a two stage, it seems very decent. Do you have any video of it dealing with nasty wet slushy stuff?

[@TwoWheeledTon]

I live in Minnesota and my big fear is getting one and it not being able to deal with chest high plow rows at the end of the driveway or the wet slushy stuff that sometimes happens. I have an old toro 421 from the 70s that is just getting tired, the motor is not powerful enough to throw snow very far and it clogs easily.

[@davidstarsky9874]

@@TwoWheeledTon I wouldn't get another true two-stage snowblower for any reason. If you can afford it, I'd recommend the 824 over the 724 just for the extra grunt. It is the wet slushy stuff that absolutely KILLS two-stage snowblowers, and my SnowMasters have done very well in those conditions. The sped-up part of the video starting around 1:01 is pure slush. You can tell how wet the snow was by the fact that the pavement beneath was left wet, not dry or with ice or frozen snow on it. I would recommend going a little slower through slush or deep snow, and after you make the first pass, you could take a smaller "cut" on the next pass. You'll get a feel for it as you use it. One huge benefit to the SnowMaster snowblowers is that, even if you do manage to jam the thing, un-jamming it is as easy as pushing the snow back down the chute. It falls right out the front, not back into the intake tube where it'll just re-jam the chute.

[@davidstarsky9874]

@@TwoWheeledTon I was born in Fargo and lived in Moorhead for my first few years, and about all I remember is snow, ice, cold, and more snow. While I can't promise that an 824 QXE could handle absolutely anything you can throw at it, it's definitely a well-designed machine. If you haven't already, take a look at the other comments here and maybe check out what I wrote below the video. Dean Libby's comment addresses Maine snowfalls, which are about as bad as those of Minnesota. Hope this helps!

[@ernestcrosby5382]

Thanks for the video David... Can you or one of your followers recommend a snowblower in the $500 to $800 range? The Toro Snow 724 ZXR is around $579 so I would like to stay in that range. I live in Chicago so I need a 4.5 to 5-star snowblower.

[@PanamaSticks]

I wanted an 824. The only local Toro dealer / authorizing servicing center within 100 miles had the 724, but refused to order an 824 for me. So I bought one from a big online Toro distributor.. Big mistake. The unit I got wouldn't run more than a few minutes without fouling the plug and dying. Also extremely noisy - like an old diesel truck. The local shop wouldn't honor the warranty. Toro told me they can't compel their authorized servicers to honor the Toro warranty. BS! They can tell the shop they will lose their "Authorized Toro Sales and Service" shingle and license. After fighting with Toro over a year trying to get help, they coneviently told me the warranty had expired. I eventually fixed the problem myself. But I have learned a lot.... The Snowmaster needs lights. None are available. It's extremely loud. It's a gas guzzler. I doesn't weigh enough. It rides up over firm packed snow. There is no reverse transmission. So you have to drag it backward. As you drag it back it makes clicking noises. Is that damaging the transmission? Who knows? Nothing in the manual. It has a poor design for driving the auger. Instead of a reliable clutch to engage and disengage the auger from power, Toro tightens or loosens the drivebelt around the pulleys. When you disengage the auger, the belt still rests on the moving drive pulley, causing unneccessary wear to the belt. Toro doesn't make available servicing information. So if you're in my situation, and the only Toro shop thinks servicing Toro machines is optional, you're out of luck.

[@Boyo1956]

That concerns me when Toro does not back their products.

[@SCraig-Handsome]

724 has a 212cc Loncin engine, surprisingly it’s got more torque than the 254cc which is on the 824. The 254cc has more horsepower but you don’t really use that unless you are at full choke an only light snow to go through. The 212cc is actually the equivalent of the 254cc LCT engines on the Ariens Deluxe 24 and 28. The 254cc engine is a different design (General Gasoline engine that can be used for a number of purposes) whereas the 212cc is for the Large Capacity muffler design which cuts down on the noise and increases the torque.

[@jffgrumpy]

SCraig 2018 This is interesting. Saving the $100, getting a quieter machine with more torque sounds like a win win. Any info on this or is this insider details? Thanks!

[@skatpk9196]

I have the 824 QXE. I called a lawnmower repair shop and he said he could easily add a headlight system to the snowblower. I will be taking it to him before winter.

[@SCraig-Handsome]

jffgrumpy I found out that Loncin makes Toro engines, they are a similar company to Honda, they build their own motorcycles and sell small engines. If you look up their 212cc engine it’s part of a new series called LC, I believe this means Large Capacity. The muffler is a bit larger and they run quieter as a result. Not sure what they did to get the higher torque though.

[@tubingpro]

So it’s a good machine but cheap? Gotcha.

[@mitch1182]

If your snow blower comes with a shovel.....BEST COMMENT EVER!!! My Ariens Compact 24 SUCKS!!!

[@criticalevent]

That Honda is being run completely wrong, it should be shooting snow 30 feet in the air at least. My guess is he's got the cutting edge too low and the tracks aren't adjusted to carry the weight of the bucket so it's just trying to dig down into the driveway.

[@wkendfrmr]

Some things you need to know. The "cheap plastic key" and the little shovel/poke-stick... are not engineering or cost shortcuts. A switch would easily work to turn the machine on and off, agreed, but is not thoughtful of children or other unqualified users. It is removable to protect would-be misuse of the machine. Are you also upset that your car keys are removeable? Even home treadmills use this same mechanism. We all know a switch would be more "contained" but somewhere out there lurks a lawyer just waiting for that ambulance to chase. Like the other post said... you can just pull it out... let the engine shut down... and put it back, but then know that you have defeated its purpose and the inherent safeguard of removability, thus disabling the machine, is no longer effective. Having the key present in the keyhole at all times will not prevent kids or others from running it, but you won't lose it that way. You are making a trade-off, gaining convenience, but losing a purposeful function. Sometimes the regulations [usually for safety reasons] drive design... be mindful who gets your vote if it bothers you. The poke-stick or shovel thing is the same idea. Someone got in a hurry, put their fingers in a place they never should have been, and decided that somehow it was the manufacturer's fault. So to protect would-be misuse and keep the lawyers off their back, a decal is added, stern language is added to the owner's manual, and a "safer" device is provided on-board so some non-critical-thinking person has another option that won't jeopardize his digits, which for the rest of us... would be so obviously dangerous. Toro has taken some flack for its plastic parts in the chute/deflector area, but I have yet to see one fail to operate, corrode, or break, even with rocks, salt, ice, and subzero temperatures. Painted steel cannot do as well unless it is maintained, and that takes both time an money for the end user. If you can get past the idea that plastic is "cheap" you'll find that it has huge benefits as it will not rust, is far less "sticky", and it will not deform/dent on impact. There is a large investment in tooling and research to develop that material and parts. Truth is... it WORKS... and the snow flies a greater distance, even on an older machine.

[@jamieeisenhower1560]

How do you get one to clean to the payment better

[@DiscoveringOutdoors]

My quick stick works flawlessly and never have had the key fall out. Perhaps you are biased against toro.

[@Peter-976]

Concerning question 4. I have clogged mine many, many times with heavy wet snow of 5" and up. These units are fine for certain areas of the country but in the Northeast a 2 stage Honda or Ariens is the way to go.

[@DMilesGotSkillz]

I see you and Toro have a love hate relationship 🤣

[@tvchannels1380]

How would this compare to an 821. I'm looking for a smaller design?

[@SCraig-Handsome]

I think you mean the Power Clear 821 QZE. I’m doing a comparison of several snowblowers, the engine is the same as the 824 (252cc) and one of the biggest differences is the 24” cutting width (compared to 21”), 18” intake height (housing height) compared to the 12.5” on Power Clear models. The wheels are certinly a big difference too, 11” on SnowMaster compared to 7” on Power Clear models. What I like about SnowMaster is you can haul it up steps to do a deck or patio and it can handle deep snow drifts and the hard stuff that the plow leaves behind. Power Clear is better for light snow of sidewalks, decks and patios, Power Max is great for driveways, and can handle the tough jobs with ease, especially the HD models, but not ideal for anything else.

[@mrbubetube]

I've heard that all snowblower engines are made in China. Is that true?

[@jacobcollins3341]

Our thease better than a ariens pro or simplicity or honda single stage...it would be for commercial drives in ohio

[@DennisJeffrey-v5q]

377 Charles Expressway

[@hipskipne1984]

Follow up, this guy sounds like a baby, the 724 is a beast if you take care of it

[@hipskipne1984]

Ive made so much money off mine its free to me and then some, yes it is single stage on roids and i wouldnt have it any other way

[@Pantelifts10]

@@hipskipne1984 couldn't I agree more. I use it on my driveways and it's a beast!

[@jamieeisenhower1560]

Lol when you are choking but engine it's going to burn rich not burn oil

[@calebalbert9756]

You're either delusional or lying about not being paid by Toro if you think the Snowmasters can outperform Honda two-stage blowers. After one big Minnesota snowfall, you'd be trading them in for almost any other two-stage so fast your head would spin. Also, if your neighbor said that your Toros are more refined than his Honda when they have those piece of crap plastic chutes, he's delusional too.

[@tommytmt]

Caleb Albert - I agree with your assessment about comparing this to a Honda 2-stage, Honda’s can’t be beat as far as I’m concerned. But I’m in Duluth, MN and just 2 weeks ago we had a MONSTER snow storm(9th largest in Duluth’s history) and my snowmaster 824 powered through it. Yes I had to work at it, but I would’ve with ANY 2 stage as well, and yes that includes my dream snowblower, the Honda hss1332.

[@calebalbert9756]

@@tommytmt I also reside in MN and dealt with that same storm. I'm definitely not saying the Snow Masters aren't nice machines for what they are. I do believe Toro built something pretty special there. However, I disagree that any 2 stage blower would have had to work at it. My Honda track drive didn't struggle at all. The snow was above the bucket in many cases and especially in the plow pile at the end of the driveway. I definitely couldn't go very fast, but I never even so much as had to push or muscle the machine in any way. My wife could have cleared all that snow by herself if she needed to.

[@tommytmt]

Caleb Albert - See now that’s what I want! What machine do you have??

[@calebalbert9756]

@@tommytmt I have the small one. The HSS724ATD. I re-jetted the main carb jet roughly two sizes bigger than the factory jet for a little more power. Of course, It doesn't move as quickly or effortlessly as any single stage blower would, but there aren't many snow scenarios it can't handle with ease. I had a Toro single stage before I bought this one. It was 22 inches of snow in April a few years back that made me upgrade. I had to work my ass off with that single stage to clear the driveway.

[@davidsantiago-ji8fi]

@@tommytmt Being here in MN getting ready for winter sadly. One question for you would you trust this as your only snowblower? I currently have a Craftsman single stage 208cc and a Toro 724 OE dual stage. We have a 3 car garage and the first 3 years owning the house we just shoveled then 3 more years used the single stage. I got the two stage at the end winter used and was a good deal. I hate having two machines in the garage so was thinking of getting rid of these two and getting one that can kind of do it all.

[@lonnieperez-jc9xt]

After listening to you. I'm completely depressed now!!!. YOU are a very sad person

[@lancen2032]

You mentioned in the video that you’ve had nothing but bad experiences with two stage snowblowers. What two stage blowers have you owned? I beg to differ when you compare your “cheap” Toros to any Honda our there. You mentioned the word “cheap” numerous times in the engineering of your machines. If they’re so great why the need for two if you’re not endorsed by toro? I previously owned a Yamaha YS624T and currently own a Honda HSS724ATD; both far superior in quality and function to any other make available. What I can tell you is that’s great that you found a blower that works in that nice thin powder as you’ve demonstrated in your video. What I can tell you is the last Thanksgiving storm we had of 21” of wet snow snow with a nice end of drive monster created by the plow, that thing would be parked and I would use my shovel. That doesn’t have the traction nor capability to even come close to my Honda. I always find it interesting that so many will compare cheap to Honda’s reputation in quality and durability. They don’t compare. Period. In addition, Honda offers a 3 year commercial warranty. I’d like you to do some research on that and get back to me on any other brand out there that backs their blower with the same warranty. I’ll make it easy for you, Yamaha is the only other out there. Good luck with your machines when you get an actual storm.

[@tommytmt]

Lance N - I LOVE Honda snowblowers! In fact my dream snowblower is the Honda HSS 1332ATD, but I my wife and I can’t afford it at this time. So I decided to give the snowmaster 824 a try and buy it, and 2 weeks ago we got a monster snow, in fact it was the 9th largest in our city’s history, and it was HEAVY, wet, wind-blown and dense. My snowmaster went trough it very well, WAY better then my last snowblower, which was a cub crapdet. Which I know doesn’t say much haha. I have no doubt that my dream snowblower would’ve done better, but my snowmaster did a great job… it did far better than my neighbors’ new Ariens and older John Deere.

[@SCraig-Handsome]

Honda is great for commercial use, residential isn’t really their market. They also have almost all track snowblowers. There is some unique value with Toro SnowMaster however, they outperform the Ariens Professional 21 series and their little 212cc matches the Ariens Deluxe 24 and 28 engines (254cc) in torque. In most conditions they are fine even in end of driveway snow… I think you may have an issue with over 18” compared to a 2-stage. They are definitely faster, have as much or more torque and have a nice price point.